Jagdverband 44

This book provides up-to-date insight into the notorious German unit, JV 44, its numerous aces and its stunning success with the revolutionary Me 262 during the last dramatic months of World War 2.

There was no Luftwaffe fighter unit like Jagdverband 44. Formed in February 1945, the unit grew out of Hitler's bizarre decision that the Me 262 jet fighter should be used as a bomber, despite its potential in the daylight defensive battles over the Reich. Seen as a grave mistake by Göring, a small fighter unit was formed in southern Germany to 'prove' the Me 262's ability as an interceptor. Formed with some of Germany's most experienced fighter pilots, Jagdverband 44 numbered a disproportionately high number of leading aces in its ranks, to the extent that it was said that the Knights' Cross was the unofficial badge of the unit.

With numerous first-hand accounts from pilots and detailed colour profiles, this book is a fascinating account of the dramatic birth of the jet fighter and the impact it had during the bitter struggles of 1944-45.

“"This book is very well written, and conveys the sense of dedication and hopelessness that these men must have felt during the closing days of the war. The book is as much about personalities as equipment, but provides a wealth of information about the airplanes used. It will be extremely useful to modelers." -- Robert Forsyth, International Plastic Modelers Society (July 2008) "Aviation Elite Unit books are a departure from the usual Aircraft of the Aces ... and focus on units and their histories instead of specific planes and fronts. Jagdverband 44 covers the squadron of experten ... shows off some of the specialized weapons the Me262 used and details some of the interesting jet to fighter combats that occurred. Air war enthusiasts will find [this book] enjoyable and interesting to read ... the color plates are invaluable references when painting [Me262] aircrafts." -- Michael Koznarsky, Historical Miniature Gamer (Issue 11) "All in all, this is a superlative book on the subject that will be treasured by both historians and modelers alike. It is one that I can recommend to you without reservation." -- Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (May 2008) "Again the text is exemplorary and achieves the perfect balance btween narrative and personal account to not only describe the history, but also to bring it to life." -- Scale Aircraft Modelling (August 2008).”

"This book is very well written, and conveys the sense of dedication and hopelessness that these men must have felt during the closing days of the war. The book is as much about personalities as equipment, but provides a wealth of information about the airplanes used. It will be extremely useful to modelers." --Robert Forsyth, International Plastic Modelers Society (July 2008)

"Aviation Elite Unit books are a departure from the usual Aircraft of the Aces ... and focus on units and their histories instead of specific planes and fronts. Jagdverband 44 covers the squadron of experten ... shows off some of the specialized weapons the Me262 used and details some of the interesting jet to fighter combats that occurred. Air war enthusiasts will find [this book] enjoyable and interesting to read ... the color plates are invaluable references when painting [Me262] aircrafts." --Michael Koznarsky, Historical Miniature Gamer (Issue 11)

"All in all, this is a superlative book on the subject that will be treasured by both historians and modelers alike. It is one that I can recommend to you without reservation." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (May 2008)

"Again the text is exemplorary and achieves the perfect balance btween narrative and personal account to not only describe the history, but also to bring it to life." --Scale Aircraft Modelling (August 2008).

Robert Forsyth has studied the history and operations of the Luftwaffe for many years and met and interviewed numerous former members of JV 44 around the world, including Adolf Galland, Walter Krupinski, Klaus Neumann, Herbert Kaiser, and Franz Stigler during his research into the unit. He now works full time in publishing, and 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), and Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerikabomber (2006 - with Eddie J Creek).

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 he graduated 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.

Jagdverband 44 was formed in February 1945 on Hitler's orders, to fly the Me 262 "Stormbird," the world's first operational jet fighter, and demonstrate its superiority. The unit was led by the legendary Adolf Galland, who recruited some of Germany's leading aces into it, to the extent that it was said that the Knight's Cross was its unofficial badge. JV 44 engaged the US Ninth Army Air Force over Bavaria and, with its significant speed advantage and powerful armament of cannon and rockets, the Me 262 proved a formidable interceptor in the hands of its expert pilots. In its brief operational existence, never able to get more than six jets in the air at any one time, this small unit achieved approximately 50 kills in less than a month. Unfortunately for the German defensive effort (though Galland himself was glad not to have prolonged the war) there were not enough Me 262s to have any overall effect on the Allied air campaign. This book is a dramatic record of a highly individual unit and an exciting early chapter in the history of the jet fighter. Four of the world's ten surviving Me 262s are major attractions at flight museums in the USA and recently constructed replicas will soon be a feature of air shows around the nation and the "experten" aces of the Luftwaffe have an enduring fascination.

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