BLACK CROSS RED STAR AIR WAR OVER THE EASTERN FRONT – VOLUME 1 OPERATION BARBAROSSA

‘In order to evade a collision, Hans-Ekkehard Bob had to skid his Messerschmitt Bf 109 sideward and open the throttle in order to bypass the Soviet SB bomber. As he swept past close to his burning and smoking opponent, with his hand still on the throttle, he saw something which he would never forget. He stared into the eyes of the Soviet gunner in the open hatch on top of the rear fuselage.

It was only a fraction of a second, but it felt like a whole minute. Bob would never forget the determined look on the face of the young Soviet gunner. Although his aircraft was fiercely burning, the young Russian directed his machine gun at Bob’s aircraft and opened fire. The Soviet 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun had a higher rate of fire than any other aircraft gun and Bob heard a deafening hailstorm of bullets hit his own aircraft, which shook like a wounded animal. ’

 This new edition of Volume 1 of Black Cross Red Star contains twice the word count of the 1999 edition, a very large number of new photographs (many of which are from pilot veterans’ photo albums and have never been published before), and so much new material that it is rather a completely new book than an updated edition. 

The Black Cross Red Star series is the only detailed series where accounts from the opposing sides are cross-checked with corresponding reports from the other side, and which at the same time gives an overall account of the entire air war in the East.

*Nearly 300 photographs, many of pilot veterans’ photo albums and which have never been published before. 

Very clear maps: Most of the places mentioned in the book are on themaps.

*Aircraft colour profiles by Jim Laurier.

* Photos of most of the aircraft that are listed on the inside of the dustjacket.

*Appendices. 

Links to authentic film clips from the air war on the Eastern Front in 1941