HISTORY:
** Making its operational debut in the summer of 1944, and powered by the Jumo 004 jet engine, the German Me 262 outclassed anything the Allies had in terms of speed and firepower, offering a formidable punch with four 30mm MK 108 nose-mounted cannon. But the problem the Luftwaffe faced was one of numbers when it came to serviceable Me 262s. Through to VE Day, availability of machines and trained plots was to prove an insurmountable problem. Despite this, the high-performance, incredibly sophisticated Me 262 made a real impact on the air war, becoming a source of concern to the Allies thanks to the exploits of a handful of mostly veteran Jagdwaffe pilots.
With first-hand accounts from fighter pilots, specially commissioned ribbon diagrams, full-colour artwork and more than 50 photographs, this volume by leading Luftwaffe historian Robert Forsyth examines how Me 262 pilots attempted to defend their homeland against waves of Allied bombers during the final months of World War II. **
** Quoted from rear cover of the book.
THE BOOK:
Osprey Publications has released Me 262, Northwest Europe 1944-45 as Number 6 in the Dogfight series. It is an 80-page soft cover book. Included with the text are black and white photographs, color illustrations, detailed captions, ribbon diagrams and more. It has a 2023 copyright, a publication date of 19 January 2023, and the ISBN is 978-1-4728- 5051-5.
THE CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: In Battle
Chapter 2: Setting the Scene
Chapter 3: Path to Combat
Chapter 4: Weapon of war
Chapter 5: Art of War
Chapter 6: Combat
Aftermath
Selected Sources
Index
THE TEXT:
Author Robert Forsyth provides a well written and informative text detailing the German Me 262 fighter jet aircraft from development, pilot training and it’s use in combat during World War II. A great deal of text is dedicated to detailing things such as the Me 262’s engines, it’s weapons and how they functioned, the layout of the cockpit and why it was set up the way it was, why the pilots seat was adjusted the way it was before flight, the fuel tanks, sighting device and other such items as well as what it took to bring the jet engines up to speed from start-up, to take-off, to combat speed. Forsyth also details what the training consisted of for the Me 262 pilots such as the number of hours given to circuits, altitude flights, navigation and formation fixing as well as why they were selected to be Me 262 pilots. In addition to details of the aircraft there is also information provided on the locations and layout of Me 262 bases and the unit commanders and why they were chosen. Specific details are also given on both Axis and Allied aircraft, military units and personnel in action, with the before, during and after discussed and the results of the actions. When describing the various actions Robert Forsyth gives details such as the locations, dates, times, numbers and types of aircraft involved as well as their altitudes and speeds. The book is closed out with information given on the long-lasting effects and influences of the Me 262 on future jet fighter aircraft. In addition to his own words Robert Forsyth has also provided several personal accounts and quotes from both axis and allied individuals. The text in the book is nicely written, well detailed and informative. Robert Forsyth doesn’t use what I refer to as fluff writing where a large amount of non-essential extra text is provided just to help fill the pages. As I read through the text, I didn’t notice any spelling or grammatical errors. Grammar and spelling might not be an important factor to everyone; however, it is something that I take notice of and pass on my findings.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS:
A total of 52 black and white photographs are included in this volume. There are no color photographs featured. The photographs range from wide angle photographs to close-up detailed photographs. They are a combination of in-action photographs, photographs removed from motion pictures to photographs that have been staged for the photographer. The photographs are of subjects such as various Me 262s, close-up photographs of specific items on the Me 262 such as the Jumo 004 engine, cockpit, exhaust, rocket rack, 55mm rockets, Revi 16B gunsight, the 30mm weapon system as well as the pilots and ground crew and support vehicles and equipment. Also included are photographs of American pilots and ground crew, B-17 and B-26 bombers, P-47 fighters, and more such as period military uniforms and civilian clothing. The majority of the photographs are clear and easily viewable; however, a few have an out of focus look to them and some appear to be too dark, and others appear too light. This is typical for the discussed period of history and the quality of the photographs is no fault of the author and do not take anything away from the book. Author Robert Forsyth stuck to the title of the book and chose subject specific photographs and did not include photographs that strayed from the main subject. The majority, if not all, of the photographs will prove to be excellent reference material for the scale modeler due to the details they contain. The military historian, and the aviation enthusiast, interested in the use of the Messerschmitt Me 262 fighter jet in action against the allies in Europe during World War II, will also benefit from the excellent photographs.
THE ILLUSTRATIONS:
There are 5 color illustrations included in the volume by illustrators Gareth Hector and Jim Laurier. The illustrations are very well done, nicely detailed and are of:
- Me 262A1a Cannon Armament
- A one-page color illustration showing the open cowling and cut-a-way view of the 30mm cannon on the German Me 262A-1a
- Me 262 Schwarm Formation
- A one-page color illustration showing the standard German four-aircraft Schwarm fighter formation.
- Me 262 Kette Formation
- A one-page color illustration showing the standard German three-aircraft Kette formation.
- Me 262A-1a R4M Rocket Armament
- A one-page color illustration showing a German Me 262A-1a fitted with two wooden EG-R4M racks with channels for loading 12 R4M Orkan 55mm air-to-air rockets.
- Collision
- A two-page color action illustration showing the moment that Unteroffizier Eduard Schallmoser, distracted while checking his firing button, collides with an American B-26G bomber with his German Me 262A-1a, clipping six inches from the Marauder’s propeller blades and shearing off the tip of the jets tail assembly.
TACTICAL RIBBON DIAGRAMS:
There are 3 two-page color tactical ribbon diagrams included in the volume by illustrator Tim Brown. The illustrations are very well done, nicely detailed and are of:
- 1300 hrs, 10 April 1945
- A two-page color diagram showing actions between the US B-17 and B-24 bombers of the Eighth Air Force with P-51 fighter escorts and German Me 262s at Oranienburg Airfield in Germany. Accompanying the diagram is a detailed caption on the previous page detailing 9 separate points of interest on the diagram.
- 1100 hrs, 20 April 1945
- A two-page color diagram showing actions between the US B-26 Marauder bombers of the 323rd, 394th and 397th Bombardment Groups and German Me 262s between Kempten and Memmingen, Germany. Accompanying the diagram is a detailed caption on the previous page detailing 12 separate points of interest on the diagram.
- 1530 hrs, 24 April 1945
- A two-page color diagram showing actions between the US B-26 Marauder bombers of the 322nd and 344th Bombardment Groups with P-47 fighter escorts and German Me 262s near Monheim, Germany. Accompanying the diagram is a detailed caption on the previous page detailing 13 separate points of interest on the diagram.
THE CAPTIONS:
The captions are well written and explain the accompanying photographs in great detail eliminating any doubt as to what is shown. The captions go into very specific detail as to specific individual’s names, military ranks, dates, locations, military units, the type of aircraft shown, weapons shown, fate of specific individuals and aircraft, specific items shown on the aircraft and other such pertinent information. As I read through the captions, I didn’t notice any spelling or grammatical errors. I was impressed by Robert Forsyth’s captions as they are very helpful to the reader due to their detailed content as opposed to other captions that I have seen in other publications that are brief and lacking in detail.
THE MAP:
There is 1 color map included in this volume that shows:
- Main Me 262 fighter bases.
- The map shows the locations of a total of 13 Me 262 base locations and the squadrons stationed at them in Germany and Austria.
CONCLUSION:
As with the other Osprey Publishing titles I was impressed with this book. This is a very nice reference book that contains a well written informative text, many subject specific photographs and illustrations, well detailed captions and more, all detailing the. As with the other Osprey Publishing titles, I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to others as it will be a welcome addition to one’s personal reference library.
Osprey Publishing also offers Me 262, Northwest Europe 1944-45 as:
Ebook (Epub & Mobi) ISBN: 978-1-4728- 5052-2
and
eBook (PDF) ISBN: 978-1-4728- 5053-9
Osprey Publishing’s, Me 262, Northwest Europe 1944-45, is also available as an electronic Kindle version through Amazon.com.
PRICE:
UK £15.99/ US $23.00/ CAN $31.00
This book was provided to me by Osprey Publishing. Please be sure to mention that you saw the book reviewed here on the KitMaker Network when you make your purchase. Thank you.