Messerschmitt Bf 109: books - history and deployment (3/3)

Messerschmitt Bf 109 : The Early Years - Poland, the Fall of France and the Battle of Britain (Air War Archive)

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe's principal fighter from 1939 until 1942 when the superior Focke-Wulf Fw 190 came into greater prominence. The Bf 109 served in every theatre of the war, particularly in the invasion of France and the Low Countries, the Battle of Britain and the invasion of the Soviet Union, the Mediterranean and with Rommel in North Africa.
In the later years of the war, the Bf 109 fought with success in the defence of Germany against the Allied bombers.

The Bf 109 was the most produced fighter aircraft in history and more aerial kills were made with this fighter than any other aircraft. In this selection of unrivalled images collected over many years, and now part of the War in the Air series, the operations of this famous aircraft in the early part of the Second World War are portrayed and brought to life.

Information

BF 109E/F vs Yak-1/7 : Eastern Front 1941-42 (Osprey)

Step into the cockpits of the Luftwaffe's Bf 109 and the Red Air Force's Yaks 1-7, two fighters which were involved in some of the largest, fiercest aerial battles in history.
The Iconic Messerschmitt fighter and its combat hardened pilots inflicted a fearful beating on the Yaks in the beginning of the war. Some of the highest scoring aces in history benefitted from the Bf 109's technical superiority over the overweight and underpowered Yak 1, racking up incredible successes against their poorly trained and equipped adversaries.
And yet, as the Soviets accumulated combat experience, their tactics improved, as did their mounts in the upgraded Yak 1B and gradually, the Red Force eroded the Jagdwaffe's dominance of the skies in the eastern front, though with the 109G they would never lose qualitative superiority.
Featuring first-hand accounts from veteran pilots, rare archival photographs and expert analysis, this volume brings to life the vicious dogfights that took place between the Bf 109 and the Yak as they vied for mastery of the frozen skies of the Eastern Front.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design & Development - Technical Specifications - Strategic Situation - Combatants - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Aftermath - Further Reading - Index.

Information

Spitfire vs Bf 109 - Battle of Britain (Osprey)

Describes the Battle of Britain, the clash between the Spitfire I/II and the Bf 109E - detailing not only the key elements of both aircraft types - the airframe, engine, armament and flying characteristics, but also the pilots' training and tactics accompanied by diagrams of actual flight formations.
The growing influence of radar and the efforts of British air defences are also examined, as are real-life engagements - from both German and British perspectives.
With a wealth of first-hand accounts from the veterans who strapped themselves into these legendary machines as well as illustrations and cockpit-view artwork, this book puts the reader in the midst of a dogfight, providing a unique insight into one of the greatest duels of history in the world's first major aerial battle.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Strategic situation - Design & Development - Technical Specifications - Combatants - Combat - Analysis - Conclusion - Bibliography and further reading list.

Information

Spitfire II/V vs BF 109F : Channel Front 1940-42 (Osprey)

With stunning artwork and detailed analysis, this volume provides a pilot's view of the dramatic clashes between these two legendary fighters, as some of the most gifted and 'big name' aces of World War II went head to head in the skies of North-West Europe.

As the Battle of Britain approached its conclusion, two new versions of the famous Spitfire and Messerschmitt Bf 109 arrived on the scene. The RAF could see that the Luftwaffe were stepping down their incursions into British airspace, and went on to the offensive.
The Spitfire Mark II, and increasingly the Mark V, would fly over the picturesque English channel in fighter sweeps, or to escort vulnerable Blenheim bombers - waiting for them was the Bf 109F 'Friedrich'.

Yet despite the reversal of offensive and defensive dispositions, and despite the Luftwaffe deploying the bulk of their fighter strength to the Eastern Front in 1941, the Jagdflieger were able to inflict severe losses on their RAF counterparts.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and Development - Technical Specifications - The Strategic Situation - The Combatants - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Aftermath - Further Reading - Index.

Information

P-40 Warhawk vs Bf 109 - MTO 1942-44 (Osprey)

Although the P-40 and the Bf 109 joined the air war over North Africa at nearly the same time in 1941, the German fighter had already racked up a considerable combat career, dating back to 1937 in Spain. In contrast, the P-40 was a bit of an unknown quantity and was making its combat debut in the hands of the RAF's Desert Air Force.

Discover how the huge differences between the veteran Bf 109 and the new P-40 determined the tactics they adopted and the ultimate outcome of their epic confrontation in this book. The author covers all aspects of the aerial battle, from the small, agile Bf 109's ability to operate more effectively at high altitudes through to the P-40's advantage in manoeuvrability, which outweighed its poor high altitude performance.

Information

Messerschmitt Me 109 in Swiss Air Force Service

Describes the procurement, operation and technical aspects of the legendary Messerschmitt Me 109 in Swiss service during and after World War II. The aircraft and its procurement during the 1930s and 1940s are described in detail, as are the internal quarrels and errors in planning. The Me 109G "Gustav" is extensively discussed, and a chapter on camouflage paint and markings will be of special interest to modelers. The book also contains nearly 450 mostly unpublished photographs, including color.

Information