DAY FIGHTERS IN DEFENCE OF THE REICH – A War Diary, 1942 – 45

Day Fighters in Defence of the Reich is a detailed, comprehensive daily reference to the air operations flown by the Luftwaffe. These operations were designed to combat the daylight strategic missions by the United States western zone occupied by Germany. Army Air Force targeting the German Reich and the

This volume is a unique look at the German air defenses as they struggled to cope with the threat posed by the American 8th and 15th Air Forces, which were charged Luftwaffe. with destroying Germany's critical war industries and wresting control of the air over the Reich.

The previous volume in this series, The Luftwaffe over Germany: Defence of the Reich is an award-winning narrative history published by Greenhill Books. This book extends the story in an unprecedented fashion and includes:

• A brief narrative and a table of statistics detailing every mission of every Luftwaffe unit defending the Greater strategic raids by the USAAF. German Reich or the western occupied zone against

• A summary of every 8th and 15th US Army Air Force encountered. strategic mission over this area in which the Luftwaffe was

• Tables of monthly sorties, losses and victory claims by the USAAF and the Luftwaffe over the Reich and the western occupied zone. The growth of the American juggernaut can be followed in detail, as can the ever more futile struggle by the Reich Defence Force. The data allow validity of USAAF and Luftwaffe victory claims to be estimated.

• Quarterly orders of battle and casualties for the Reich Defense Force, broken down by aircraft type. The unsuccessful struggle of the Luftwaffe to keep its fighter units up to strength while introducing superior types and at a glance. the relative vulnerability of its various fighters can be seen

• Maps for 32 major missions showing the tracks of the bombers and every defending Luftwaffe unit, including their points of attack on the bombers.

• 189 photographs of Luftwaffe personalities and aircraft, many previously unpublished.

• 72 combat accounts by Luftwaffe pilots, most previously unpublished and all readily available in English for the first time.

This unique and authoritative book is based on documents in the German, American and British government archives and German pilot logbooks and interviews from the author's extensive collection. Caldwell is well known for his balanced presentations and the clarity of his writing. This book is a must-have for anyone with a serous interest in World War II aviation history.

This book completes the story begun by Caldwell and Dr. Richard Muller in The Luftwaffe over Germany: Defence of the Reich, which won the US Air Force Historical Foundation award for Best Air Power History Book of 2008. Critical praise for this book has been widespread.

'The product of a 10 year-collaborative effort by noted Luftwaffe authors Donald Caldwell and Richard Muller, The Luftwaffe over Germany is a well-researched, well-written, fast-paced account of Luftwaffe air defense operations. Equal parts critical analysis and popular history, the book is must reading for air enthusiasts. It may, in fact, be THE definitive book on the subject. Highly recommended.' - Michael O'Connor, Amazon.com 

"This is a meticulously researched history of the longest and most intensely fought air battle of all time, worthy of a place on any aviation buff's bookshelf.' - Mason B. Webb, World War II History

'In [this book] we find two highly respected authors, both of them diligent researchers as well as excellent writers, covering in depth an important subject that has previously been approached only sparingly. 'Given the authors' thought-provoking analysis and interest in re-examining the decision making process leading up to and during warfare, The Luftwaffe over Germany should be required reading for our nation's leaders today.' - Walter J. Boyne, Aviation History

[The Luftwaffe over Germany] is a "must have" for anyone who claims to be an expert on WW II aviation in general, and the US strategic bomber offensive in particular. The authors have unearthed a gold mine of new information on the workings, the trials and tribulations of the Reich Air Defence day fighter operations. Much of it was new to this reviewer, including the day-by-day accounts of the operations of the force, the losses it suffered and the victories it claimed. It describes in grim detail the German side of the almost daily air battles of attrition. This book ranks alongside the late Roger Freeman's Mighty Eighth War Diary in terms of historical importance...' - Alfred Price, Amazon.co.uk