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I Flew for the Führer (Paperback)

The Memoirs of a Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot

Aviation > WWII > Luftwaffe Military > Greenhill Books > Greenhill: WWII Military > Memoirs WWII

By Heinz Knoke
Greenhill Books
Pages: 208
Illustrations: 32 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781784386023
Published: 17th February 2021

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Heinz Knoke was one of the outstanding German fighter pilots of the Second World War. This vivid first-hand record of his experiences has become a classic among aviation memoirs and is a fascinating counterbalance to the numerous accounts written by Allied pilots.

Knoke joined the Luftwaffe on the outbreak of war, and eventually became commanding officer of a fighter wing. An outstandingly brave and skilful fighter, he logged over two thousand flights and shot down fifty-two enemy aircraft. He had flown over four hundred operational missions before being wounded in an astonishing 'last stand' towards the end of the war. He was awarded the Knight's Cross for his achievements.

In a text that reveals his intense patriotism and discipline, he describes being brought up in the strict Prussian tradition, the rise of the Nazi regime and his own wartime career set against a fascinating study of everyday life in the Luftwaffe. He also reveals the high morale of the force until its disintegration.

His memoirs are both a valuable contribution to aviation literature and a moving human story.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Just as All Quiet On The Western Front showed an alternative perspective to that of the Allies, this too gives a point of view not often experienced by Western readers. We see the perspective of a German pilot whose mission was to defeat Allied enemies. This is sometimes hard to read, especially given all we now know about the evils of the Third Reich, but so fascinating to learn about. Everyone is the hero of their own story, but this book is not ignorant of the wider context. I really found this an interesting read and, while it can be difficult and challenging, I recommend it to history buffs.

NetGalley, Louise Gray

Although I am no fan of nazism to say it the least, I Flew for the Führer was still a fascinating read considering that it was informative about how it was to be a pilot on that side of the war.

NetGalley, Kristin Jørgensen

I found the 6+ hours I spent reading this 236-page memoir from WWII very interesting. I have only come across a few books in English written from the Axis point of view. They give a different perspective on the War. I give this book a 4 out of 5.

NetGalley, John Purvis

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

All in all, this book is a fantastic account from a soldier luckier than most, led by his own convictions, and is something I can thoroughly recommend to those who are interested in memoirs and World War 2 experiences. 5 stars

NetGalley, Dimitrije Srebrić

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An excellent biography from one the the German WW2 aces. He does an excellent job of telling his story and making you feel as if you are there. His descriptions of the dog fights are gripping. A must read book for air warfare enthusiasts.

NetGalley, Ron Baumer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. I never read such a story. From the German point of view it tells a tale I didnt know existed. The early war years are descibed and what drove Germany to war. The news he tells is not what I learned in any history book.. That said the action and details given made me feel like I was there in the cockpit dueling with American and British planes. The luck and bravery of this man cannot be doubted after reading his story. The shear number of kills by Knoke proves his flying skill and cunning. One very remarkable piece of history I took away from this book was the use of air to air bombs by the Germans during the war. I never ever heard of this but they dropped bombs that exploded in mid air against the bomber formations. This book is anything but boring . If you want to read a military tale from the German side of the war this book will not hold back.

NetGalley, Patrick Carmen

About Heinz Knoke

Heinz Knoke was a World War II Luftwaffe flying ace. He is credited with 33 confirmed aerial victories, all claimed over the Western theatre of operations, and claimed a further 19 unconfirmed kills in more than 2,000 flights. His total included 19 heavy bombers of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 April 1945. He died on 18 May 1993.

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