The Luftwaffe: Creating the Operational Air War, 1918-1940

One of the great historical studies that comprises the University of Kansas "Modern War Studies" series, if one is interested in the Luftwaffe, it should be in your library.The book is divided into seven chapters:1 - The Lessons of World War I2 - Response to Disarmament: Von Seeckt and Wilberg3 - Preparation for Aerial Rearmament. (p. 85)4 - Theory and Air Doctrine in the Wever Era, 1933 - 19365 - Air Organization and Technology in the Wever Era, 1933 - 1936 (p. 155)6 - The Luftwaffe in the Spanish Civil War, 1936 - 19397. The luftwaffe Prepares for War: Problems with Leadership and Organization (p. 224)The author ends with a Conclusion (p. 271), Notes, Bibliography (p. 345), and Index.At the time of my first reading, was particularly interested in the Spanish Civil War period, both from a nationalist (Franco) view and that of the Republicans (and, their Soviet aid and equipment transfers). One of the fine su-chapters is the section titled "German Strategy in Spain" (Condor Legion; p. 187).For those who dod not understand the mid-Thirties and the rise of high-wing regimes in Western Europe, along with this first major war fought on the Continent, it is well worth the time to read. Some European and American pundits are already making close comparisons with today's world, involving the war against Ukraine, and that of the mid-to-late-1930s. While the parallels are not all the same, the book is a worthy contribution that should be read, if only to understand the differences. And, of course, why and how, the Luftwaffe became a part of that world.Highly Recommended!

James Corum has penned a masterful account of the birth and rise of the Luftwaffe, starting with German air power during World War I and concluding with the onset of the Second World War. He writes with authority and clarity on the subject and has been rightfully recognized for dispelling many wrongfully-held concepts regarding the Luftwaffe.I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject. Read it.

Another outstanding contribution to 20th Century military history by the Univ. of Kansas Press. God bless them, they publish some great monographs. Proessors Corum and Muller of the School of Advanced Airpower Studies at Mawell A.F.B. know more about the Luftwaffe than any people in the world, except maybe Horst Boog in Germany. And since all you can get by Boog is the incredibly expensive volume he worked on in the WWII history they are writing in Germany, I am very happy with Profs. Corum & Muller. I wonder if they are happy at Maxwell A.F.B. or would rather be at some Big 10 school writing their stuff? Anyway, Corum's book is an excellent look at how the German operational air war was created. Quite readable, it has flat out some of the best general discussion on the Spanish Civil War I have ever read, going beyond just air operations. Corum understands that air operations necessarily include strategic, tactical, and naval operations, and goes into German naval air operations even while the Kriegsmarine itself put so little effort into a fleet air arm. Good discussions of all of the key characters, and this is another book that makes it clear that someone has to get around to writing a book on Manfred von Richtofen. This book is not for the casual WWII reader, and coming to it with some knowledge of German air types is helpful. All in all I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to students of the Luftwaffe or WWII air operations in general.

A highly detailed account of the development of a "shadow" Luftwaffe following WW I through the start of WW II. Germanmilitary and politicians planned a new air force, tested aircraft, trained pilots and did a great deal to facilitate the creation ofthe Luftwaffe during the period when the Versailles Treaty allowed no German air force. Pilots were trained for civil airlinesand gliding clubs for young men were subsidized. When the Nazis came to power, they threw the Versailles Treaty out thewindow and began constructing military aircraft, air fields, infrastructure. Detailed enough to satisfy the sophisticate historybuff.

A great history book- something that is extraordinarily rare these days. Near perfect in every detail. Buy it.

Interesting book, a must for any person who likes history and especially WWII.

Excellent service. Book as described and reasonably priced.

To be honest,I most probably wouldn`t have bought a book like this but I had to read it, because of my studies.Now I buy my own one because I must have it!It is excellent to read and James S. Corum speaks fluently German and had access to all important archives as well as he had contact to a lot of families of former Luftwaffe aces and Generals.His studies are reliable and of excellent use for all who are interested in this topic.I just bought his new one from Richthofen. Lets see how that is.I`ll keep you informed on that one too.This book is also a very usefull gift for aviators who are interested in this matter.