The Axis air forces : flying in support of the German Luftwaffe
This account reveals the forgotten history of the airmen and others from 23 countries, such as Italy, Iraq, Thailand, China, and Slovakia, who supported the German air force during WWII. The book looks at the motivations and agendas of airmen and volunteers as well as their commonalities, such as a desire to vanquish the Soviet Union, and describes combat missions and military campaigns. Material is in sections on the personnel and aircraft of the Axis air forces of Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The book includes b&w historical photos and a list of books and web sites. Joseph teaches world archaeology with Japan's Savant Institute. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
History
vi, 312 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
9780313395901, 031339590X
721891472
Introduction: Strange bedfellows
pt. I: WESTERN EUROPE
Flying fasces
The Spanish Blue Squadron
Vichy France's "Army of the Air"
pt. II: EASTERN EUROPE
Baltic harassment squadrons, Russia's Liberation Air Force, and Ukrainian pilots
Flying for greater Bulgaria
Croatian airborne
Finland's "Flying Beer Bottles"
Hungarian Pumas
Romania's "American Season"
Slovakia's Tatra Eagles
pt. III: THE MIDDLE EAST
"Flyer Leader Iraq"
In the skies of Syria
pt. IV: ASIA
China's "auspicious cloud" of air power
Japan's Imperial Army and naval air forces
Manchurian Dragon-Slayers
Thai Falcons and Hawks