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My Logbook - Gunther Rall
daniele- M 0.5
- Numero di messaggi : 580
Data d'iscrizione : 12.10.08
Località : Reggio Emilia
daniele- M 0.5
- Numero di messaggi : 580
Data d'iscrizione : 12.10.08
Località : Reggio Emilia
About The Author
Gunther Rall, born on 10 March 1918, is, with 275 aerial victories, the most successful fighter pilot of the Second World War alive today and moreover one of the leading figures in the history of Germany's post-war Luftwaffe.
Much has been written about him.
Now he tells his story in his own words.
He recalls the days of his youth in the 'thirties and the rise of the Nazi party;
his early command of a Jagdstaffel that receives its baptism of fire during the Battle of Britain;
the brutal war of attrition on the eastern front;
the inner workings of a regime that creates heroes because it requires sacrifices.
Highly decorated by Hitler, he is one of the very few survivors of those momentous times.
Among the founding members of the new German air arm, in 1958 Gunther Rall is placed in charge of the flight testing and introduction of the Luftwaffe's pivotal weapons system, the F-104 Starfighter.
As project officer, test pilot and Geschwader-kommodore in turn, he experiences at first hand the development, the myths and the crises associated with one of the most fascinating aircraft in the annals of military aviation.
In 1971, Gunther Rall becomes the head of the Luftwaffe.
After 25 years of Cold War there are the first signs of a thaw.
In 1974 Germany's Government selects Gunther Rall as its permanent representative in NATO's highest echelon, the military council:
the pinnacle and close of an extraordinary career that began almost four decades earlier in an infantry barracks - unequalled in war and peace, under a dictatorship, in a democracy and in the skies above four continents.
There is one factor that separates the good fighter pilots from the great:
an inner desire to engage an opponent one versus one, kill or be killed.
This made Gunther the third ranking ace in all of aviation history.
But if he had been a cat he would be on his last life, having been shot down eight times resulting in a broken back and the loss of a thumb.
His autobiography is unique in many respects.
To me the best part is about the flying –
but even the footnotes are filled with interesting tidbits of view points and history.
This is the story of a living legend, Gunther Rall, a true warrior.
Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson
Gunther Rall, born on 10 March 1918, is, with 275 aerial victories, the most successful fighter pilot of the Second World War alive today and moreover one of the leading figures in the history of Germany's post-war Luftwaffe.
Much has been written about him.
Now he tells his story in his own words.
He recalls the days of his youth in the 'thirties and the rise of the Nazi party;
his early command of a Jagdstaffel that receives its baptism of fire during the Battle of Britain;
the brutal war of attrition on the eastern front;
the inner workings of a regime that creates heroes because it requires sacrifices.
Highly decorated by Hitler, he is one of the very few survivors of those momentous times.
Among the founding members of the new German air arm, in 1958 Gunther Rall is placed in charge of the flight testing and introduction of the Luftwaffe's pivotal weapons system, the F-104 Starfighter.
As project officer, test pilot and Geschwader-kommodore in turn, he experiences at first hand the development, the myths and the crises associated with one of the most fascinating aircraft in the annals of military aviation.
In 1971, Gunther Rall becomes the head of the Luftwaffe.
After 25 years of Cold War there are the first signs of a thaw.
In 1974 Germany's Government selects Gunther Rall as its permanent representative in NATO's highest echelon, the military council:
the pinnacle and close of an extraordinary career that began almost four decades earlier in an infantry barracks - unequalled in war and peace, under a dictatorship, in a democracy and in the skies above four continents.
There is one factor that separates the good fighter pilots from the great:
an inner desire to engage an opponent one versus one, kill or be killed.
This made Gunther the third ranking ace in all of aviation history.
But if he had been a cat he would be on his last life, having been shot down eight times resulting in a broken back and the loss of a thumb.
His autobiography is unique in many respects.
To me the best part is about the flying –
but even the footnotes are filled with interesting tidbits of view points and history.
This is the story of a living legend, Gunther Rall, a true warrior.
Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson