NEW REVIEW!
The Luftwaffe Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot's Kitbag
Author: Mark Hillier
Publisher: Frontline
A comprehensive book which looks in detail at the uniforms and equipment used by the German Luftwaffe over the course of the Battle of Britain - from the summer of 1940.
This 137-page book is packed full of black and white period photographs showing German fighter pilots, their aircraft and equipment. This great looking book is more than a coffee table read. Hillier focuses on specific items like, flying helmets, oxygen masks, goggles, flying clothing, life-saving equipment, service dress, and related ephemera. In order to support the original images Hillier has photographed the fighter pilots’ uniforms and ancillary equipment close up and in glorious colour. To complement many of the images the author consummately interweaves some of the human stories behind specific items.
Being a collector of World War Two militaria, I found it particularly interesting to learn that some Luftwaffe fighter pilots had in-fact locally purchased their flying jackets. These stylish leather jackets were purchased in France during the German occupation of the country. A fantastic example is shown in the book. The images clearly show how the pilot's epaulettes were crudely sewn onto the civilian jacket.
The short bibliography reflects the credible sources from which Hillier obtained much of his supporting information. It was also good to read that Hillier had collaborated with Luftwaffe expert and published author Chris Goss when acquiring many of the original black and white photographs used in this book. There are some fantastic colour images of the badges and patches worn by the Luftwaffe pilots. Each image has been reproduced in really clear, and close-up detail. Hiller writes informatively about each piece of Luftwaffe equipment and items of clothing, telling the reader when, where and why each item was worn. The author also discusses variants of parachutes and different personal weapons in some detail, all these are again backed up by fantastic colour photographs juxtaposed with black and white images of the equipment actually in service during the Battle of Britain.
I really enjoyed this book and think an entry-level collector of Luftwaffe militaria would find it a very interesting and informative read.
This 137-page book is packed full of black and white period photographs showing German fighter pilots, their aircraft and equipment. This great looking book is more than a coffee table read. Hillier focuses on specific items like, flying helmets, oxygen masks, goggles, flying clothing, life-saving equipment, service dress, and related ephemera. In order to support the original images Hillier has photographed the fighter pilots’ uniforms and ancillary equipment close up and in glorious colour. To complement many of the images the author consummately interweaves some of the human stories behind specific items.
Being a collector of World War Two militaria, I found it particularly interesting to learn that some Luftwaffe fighter pilots had in-fact locally purchased their flying jackets. These stylish leather jackets were purchased in France during the German occupation of the country. A fantastic example is shown in the book. The images clearly show how the pilot's epaulettes were crudely sewn onto the civilian jacket.
The short bibliography reflects the credible sources from which Hillier obtained much of his supporting information. It was also good to read that Hillier had collaborated with Luftwaffe expert and published author Chris Goss when acquiring many of the original black and white photographs used in this book. There are some fantastic colour images of the badges and patches worn by the Luftwaffe pilots. Each image has been reproduced in really clear, and close-up detail. Hiller writes informatively about each piece of Luftwaffe equipment and items of clothing, telling the reader when, where and why each item was worn. The author also discusses variants of parachutes and different personal weapons in some detail, all these are again backed up by fantastic colour photographs juxtaposed with black and white images of the equipment actually in service during the Battle of Britain.
I really enjoyed this book and think an entry-level collector of Luftwaffe militaria would find it a very interesting and informative read.
Reviewed by David J.B. Smith
Follow Dave on Twitter @NavalAuthor
Follow Dave on Twitter @NavalAuthor