Product Details
Zerstorer Volume Two: Luftwaffe Fighter Bombers and Destroyers 1941-1945 (Luftwaffe Colours)

Zerstorer Volume Two: Luftwaffe Fighter Bombers and Destroyers 1941-1945 (Luftwaffe Colours)
By John J. Vasco

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Product Description

This is the second of two volumes covering the history of the Zerstorer squadrons between 1939 and 1945. Following the attack on the west, the Me 110 also saw major deployment in the North African and Mediterranean theatres. In the East, in the early phases of Barbarossa, the Zerstorergruppen accounted for significant numbers of Russian aircraft destroyed on the ground and in the air. As the war progressed and Germany moved over to the defensive, Zerstorer units flew the Me 210 and Me 410, which saw service as a bomber destroyer with units such as ZG1, ZG26 and ZG76 in the defense of the Reich, equipped with heavy cannon and 21cm air-to-air mortars. Also included with the scope of these titles will be a study of the Luftwaffe s long-range Ju 88 maritime Zerstorer, which were used over the Atlantic and Bay of Biscay against Allied convoys and to provide escort for the U-boats as well as lesser-known types such as the Ar 240 and Ta 154.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #118242 in Books
  • Published on: 2007-02-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 96 pages

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Vasco has studied the aircraft and operations of the Zerstorergruppen for many years and is the author of several books on the subject including Bombsights Over England - The History of Erprobungsgruppe 210 Luftwaffe Fighter-Bomber Units in the Battle of Britain (1990 and Second edition 2002), Zerstorer: The Messerschmitt 110 and its Units in 1940 ( with Peter D Cornwall - 1995) and The Sting of the Luftwaffe Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and Zerstorergeschwader 1 in World War 2 (2001). His specialty is the Battle of Britain. He lives in Norfolk, England.

Customer Reviews

Me 110s at War, Pt. 25
John Vasco concludes his two-volume history of Luftwaffe fighter bombers and 'destroyers' in action with this lavishly-illustrated tribute to Messerschmitt's ungainly warrior.

Though the Me 110's reputation had suffered a bloody nose in the Battle of Britain, its overall versatility - and the lack of a suitable replacement - meant that the Messerschmitt continued to see service in various theaters throughout the war. Vasco summarizes the 110's combats in Russia, the Med and over Germany. Deployed against USAAF bombers, the aircraft - armed with heavy cannons and air-to-air rockets - truly earned its 'destroyer' moniker.

Vasco includes a three-page summary of notable Me 110 Knights' Cross holders along with a detailed summary of Wolfgang Schenck's career, 'Bombo' Schenck playing an influential role in developing fighter-bombers tactics. I would have enjoyed the inclusion of some first-person reminiscences but Vasco's narrative is quite good nevertheless.

The book bristles with photos - over 200 black & white and color shots in all - plus 15 color profiles by Fernando Estanislau.

All in all, a superbly illustrated, comprehensive history of the Me 110 in action. Recommended.

*****
Question: Given the lack of coverage of the Me 210 and 410 in this set, is "Classic Colours" planning a separate volume on those destroyers?

Great quality, as usual5
Volume Two of the Zerstorer units is of the same high quality as all of the Luftwaffe Colours series I've seen and makes an excellent addition to that collection. Almost all of the photos seemed new, and as always the profiles are simply stunning.

It's a nice feature to see such a detailed profile illustration placed alongside a photo (or two) of the same aircraft, and be afforded the opportunity to see just how meticulously the profiles are rendered. You'll find yourself combing over the aircraft photo for tiny details and then checking them against the profile only to see that, yes, the artist got that detail right too.

One minor disappointment: the book included no photos or profile illustrations of other aircraft pressed into the Zerstorer role; the Me-210 and Me-410 are absent in this volume. The volume focuses exclusively on the Me-110, which should probably be referenced in some way in the book's title.

ROLIHO5
SEHR INFORMATIV VERY GOOD PICTURES AND SIDE PROFILES.
RECOMMENDED FOR ALL MODELLERS AND LUFTWAFFE FANS.