JAGDGESCHWADER 53, or as it was better known, the “Pik As” (Ace of Spades) Geschwader,was one of the oldest German fighter units of World War II with its origins dating back to theyear 1937. This three-volume set covers the entire eight-year history of the Geschwader fromits founding in the Spring of 1937 up to May 1945. These three books appear here for the firsttime in English, and each contains additional photos not published in the original Germanlanguage edition. Each of the three also contains revised texts and maps, new aircraft linedrawings, as well as updated aerial victory data and loss listings.Author Jochen Prien presents over 700 b/w and color photographs, line drawings of aircraft,maps, loss tables, etc., to tell the first phase of “Pik As’s” story when all battle encounters werevictorious. In fact, the whole JG 53 service record is representative of the rise and fall of theLuftwaffe. From mid-1942 until the bitter end in late April of 1945, tough aerial fights over theMediterranean and French fronts caused agonizing losses of pilots and planes, notably amongthe Messerschmitt Bf 109s. The “Pik-As” Geschwader was continually in the center of actionproving its formidable fighting qualities. Yet, they were no match for the Spitfires andHurricanes over Britain. Irreplaceable losses mounted, to Hitler’s chagrin. To recover, thelegendary unit was forced to move back a bit for rest and replenishment. In the East, with the
complete failure of the German war effort against the Soviet Union becoming apparent after
Stalingrad, the entire three Gruppen were transferred back to the Mediterranean theatre ofoperations. There, virtually the entire Luftwaffe air war concentrated upon the British islandfortress of Malta.The narrative in Volume Two begins in May 1942 when “Pik As” Geschwader failed in itsattempt to rule the Malta skies, hence losing the entire air space from the Rock of Gibraltar toSyria and Saudi Arabia. Another 450 b/w and color photographs, etc., demonstrate how thethree Gruppen were scattered over three different theatres of operation. In vain, the efforts ofthe Axis Air Forces fought to prevent the British from interfering with the Axis supply lines, airand shipping, into Libya and Tunisia. Losses continued to mount. The second part of 1943 sawGerman forces retreating through Italy, alarmingly weakened. Neither the Wehrmacht, SS,Kriegsmarine, or Luftwaffe were able to stop the strengthening Allied tide. Even Germanstubbornness and dirty looks could not stop Allied raids and their daily reins of bombs andbullets. This volume ends after the winter of 1943-44.Volume Three is especially fascinating since its entire focus is on the disbandment of theGeschwader, up to the very last day of the war. From January 1944 until May 5, 1945, the Alliesadvanced as German front after front disintegrated. The pilots, their officers and support staffof JG 53 had to get used to their new situation, “. . . throwing the switches on their ownfutures.” Most set off on roads home, knowing full well if caught by troops searching fordeserters, they would be shot on the side of the road, regardless of how much they loved andbelieved in Hitler and his Nazi ideals, or the heroism shown by the “deserters” in shooting downAmerican and British aircraft. Jochen presents several such accounts which played out in thefinal days.Thus, nearing the 80 th year after Adolf Hitler’s suicide and the end of the Third Reich, buffsand enthusiasts are still privy to the birth, growth, development, victories, defeats of WWIIGermany’s most famous aviation force, the “PIK AS” Geschwader. Spanning six pages shy of1,200 filling three hardcover volumes and their 48 chapters in 16 parts, we, too, albeit German,live, fight, and win 4,100 aerial victories, while losing at least 600 pilots (some experts arguecloser to a thousand). We read how lucky we were barely surviving six years of near death amidunending destruction.Try imagining his expression of heartfelt enthusiasm as he struggles to unwrap your bulky,burdensome 35 lbs. package of three heavy, oversized, yellow jacketed hardcovers as theytumble to the floor. In shock, he’ll smile embarrassed, fully realizing that every word, regardlessof how painful when faced with Allied deaths and tragedies, must be read, and it was you whopresented them. Then, to round out the aviation unit-history approach to joy, present him forhis forthcoming birthday a similar trilogy-sized history, this time of an American air force unit.Trust this reviewer when he says Schiffer has more than anyone can imagine – indeed visit,
www.schifferbooks.com and see for yourself.
