Here we have a biography of Erich Hartmann who, with 352 credited kills, is feted as the most successful fighter pilot of all time. Published 75 years after the end of World War Two, it is something of a reappraisal; this is Hartmann, warts and all. Without doubt, he was a great pilot, witness his claim in a postwar interview: "I was never shot down by an enemy plane" His wartime victories and claims are critically reviewed, one slightly sceptical observer noting that, on certain dates, Hartmann's kill claims exceeded the number of Soviet aircraft which were in the air at the time. Post-war, Hartmann's career suffered several vicissitudes. Following 10 years' imprisonment by the Soviets, he was integrated into the emergent West German air force, sent to the States to learn to fly jets and ended up commanding the Sabre-equipped JG 71 'Richthofen! His star faded, though, with his open criticism of the purchase of the F-104G Starfighter, which he considered ill-suited to West German operational needs, and he was relieved of his command of JG 71 on a technicality. Well-written, thought-provoking, minimally illustrated.
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