The Air War Through German Eyes

How the Luftwaffe Lost the Skies over the Reich

By: Jonathan Trigg

Narrated by: Kris Dyer

Starting with leaflet drops in 1940, the aerial offensive against the Nazis' homeland grew into a huge armada that pulverised much of Germany, seriously damaging her ability to make war and killing hundreds of thousands. By day, the Flying Fortresses of the Mighty Eighth US Airforce confronted the day fighters of Luftflotte Reich, and then it was the turn of Bomber Command's Lancasters to fight off the deadly predators of the Nachtjagd (night hunters). The tactics and technology of Allied escort fighters evolved quickly though the war years, as they did for the defending German fighters. For the Allied airmen who fought this war, the price was frighteningly high. For those who opposed them–in the air and on the ground–it was even higher.

As the bombing increased, Nazi high command was forced to devote more and more resources to try and defeat the Allied campaign, just when those same resources were desperately needed elsewhere, both on the Russian Front and, after D-Day on 6 June 1944, on the new Western Front.

Written from the "other side" and told as much as possible through the words of the veterans, this is an important book on one of the most controversial campaigns of the Second World War.

©2024 Jonathan Trigg (P)2024 W.F. Howes Ltd

WWii air war

Very informative book. Really brings out the horror that is all out war. A good listen.

Death in the sky

I was shocked and uninformed concerning the number of planes we lost and the number of Airmen that died.

Most of this, I've never heard before

This is the fascinating yet grotesque book and is a must read for any professional or amateur military historian.

Gripping and intriguing

Fast-paced narrative, primarily focused on the 42-44 major bombing campaign with interesting insight into the ‘45 finale. For a “German eyes” perspective, there is ample background from the Allied side, especially Bomber Command. Focus is on the Luftwaffe as a military force, and the impact of bombing on the German people, versus the impact of strategic bombing on the German economy. Worthwhile addition to any library.

Disappointing

Although rich in approach and certain details, lacks full coverage of some notable topics such as Battle of Britain.

Interesting idea mediocre execution

I liked the premise of this book. But the execution fell short. I expected more discussion of the tactic me and strategy than what was discussed.

More general than German.

While a competent title, this is more a general chronology/social description of how the air war was unfolded and was lost. Lacking is greater depth of evaluation and description of tactical, strategic and operational thinking, alternatives and historiography of those strategies utilized by the Germans. While the feeling that the author is just a bit off the mark in terms of the what the title seems to hint at is palpable throughout the text, it isn't crippling to the work. It just leaves the reader with the sense that the author could have been on to something very good rather than just good enough. The narrator is likewise competent and the text comes of as an easy to listen to light history.

Somewhat interesting but repetitive & misses stuff

I guess the title does say, "Skies over the Reich" but I expected the book to be broader than just the Western Front. There were no details from the Eastern Front, Africa, or Italy.

There are a ton of air combat descriptions but they start to feel repetitive over time.

At first I thought the book focused too much on the RAF and their strategy but that does help explain what Luftwaffe pilots were going through.

There were a number of descriptions of the experiences of civilians in the bombings and that was interesting.

Overall, there's a lot to learn here but it's not my favorite book.