Jagdgeschwader 1 'Oesau' Aces 1939-45

by Robert Forsyth, Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Overview

Formed shortly after the outbreak of World War 2, and equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109Es, Jagdgeschwader 1 was initially tasked to defend the regional North Sea and Baltic coastal areas and Germany's main port cities and naval bases. The greatest task for JG 1 though came after 1942 in its defence of the Reich against the US Eighth Air Force's B-17s and B-24s, bearing the brunt of defence against increasingly regular, larger and deep penetrating USAAF daylight bomber raids with fighter escort. Levels of attrition subsequently grew, but so did experience among the leading aces, who were often the subject of propaganda films and literature.

Many of Germany's most famous World War 2 aces flew with JG 1 including Herbert Ihlefeld (132 victories), Heinz Bär (220) and Walter Oesau (127), piloting Bf 109Es, Fw 190s and the Heinkel 162 jet fighter. Packed with photographs and profile artwork and revealing first-hand accounts, this is the compelling story of the Luftwaffe fighter pilots who battled to defend the skies of Germany.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472822932
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	12/28/2017
Series:	Aircraft of the Aces , #134
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	76 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Robert Forsyth has studied the history and operations of the Luftwaffe for many years. He is the author of JV 44 – The Galland Circus (1996), Battle over Bavaria – The B-26 versus the German Jets (1998), Mistel – German Composite Aircraft and Operations 1942-1945 (2001), Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerikabomber (2006), He 162 Volksjäger, Heinkel He 111 and Junkers Ju 52 (with Eddie J Creek), all for Classic Publications/Ian Allan Publishing/Crecy Publishing. He has also written several books for Osprey in the Aviation Elite Units, Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft, Duel and X-Planes series. Robert has written articles for Aeroplane magazine and The Aviation Historian, and is a member of the Editorial Board of the latter publication.

Jim Laurier is a native of New England, growing up in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil and throughout his life he has worked in many mediums creating artwork on a variety of subjects. He has worked on the Osprey Aviation list since 2000, and in that time he has produced some of the finest artwork seen in these volumes.
Robert Forsyth is an author, editor and publisher, specializing in military aviation and military history. He is the author of over 30 titles for Osprey Publishing on the aircraft, units and operations of the Luftwaffe, an interest he has held since boyhood. He has written articles for The Aviation Historian, Aerojournal, Aeroplane Monthly, Aviation News, Combat Aircraft, and FlyPast and he is a member of the Editorial Board of The Aviation Historian.
Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974–78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon.
Mark Postlethwaite was born in Leicestershire in 1964 and has developed a lifelong passion for aviation history. He first worked as a photographer before turning his attention solely to artwork, and is now highly regarded in his field for the quality and accuracy of his work. He became the youngest elected member of the Guild of Aviation Artists in 1991. Mark is a valued Osprey artist and has contributed to more than 100 of its books.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Guarding the Ramparts 1939-1942
Chapter 2: Enemy at the Gates 1943
Chapter 3: The Bastion Holds 1944
Chapter 4: Invasion: The Fortress is Breached 1944
Chapter 5: Last-Ditch 1944-1945
Chapter 6: Volksjäger 1945
Appendices:
List of top-scoring JG 1 aces
Selected bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

If you are into the Luftwaffe of World War Two, this is a great reference book that is also a great read. If you own one the previous releases in the Aircraft of the Aces series, you know what you are getting. If this is your initial entry into this series, you will be quite pleased.” —IPMS / USA

From the Publisher