Hans-Ekkehard Bob

The story of Hans-Ekkehard Bob's wartime career is one which personifies the life and experiences of many of the Luftwaffe's leading Experten - but Bob numbered himself amongst the few who had flown in one of Germany's pre-war bi-plane fighter units through to the Me 262 jet fighter in 1945. He took part in the campaigns in Poland and France, and fought in some of the most intense air combats of the Battle of Britain shooting down fourteen Spitfires and Hurricanes, following which he was awarded the coveted Ritterkreuz - the Knight's Cross - before being posted to the Balkans. Then came Russia - a vast, challenging battlefront which tested men and machines to their limit. He survived, and when he finally left the Eastern Front in early 1943 he had 56 confirmed victories to his credit - all scored flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Transferred to the West, he went into action against USAAF heavy bombers and led the famed Jagdgeschwader 3 'Udet' on operations. The end of the war saw him serving with Adolf Galland's famous JV 44. Acclaimed aviation historian Christer Bergstöm has drawn upon personal recollections and records to produce this in-depth and graphic account of the wartime experiences of one the Luftwaffe's leading Jagdflieger. The text is enhanced by rare photographs taken from Hans-Ekkehard Bob's own collection as well as highly detailed colour artwork by leading aviation artist, Claes Sundin.