Read these in this order to understand the WWII airwar from the German and British sides.
I found War Diaries in a Florida used book store. Some takeaways are that the Germans thought of the Luftwaffe as an extension of the Army. Their plans we always centered around planes as dive bombers and very few of their planes had decent long range capability to their detriment over Britain and Russia.
Somebody recommended Fighter to me here. Fighter reveals how the Spitfire was a dying man’s last great work. The political infighting in the British Airforce regarding “Big Wing” tactics, and their cat and mouse game regarding the British usage of scarce quantities of men and material.
The common thing for both sides was the loss of men. German bomber crews were chewed up in slow, undergunned aircraft. British fighter pilots tossed into battle after 10 hours flying in fighter rated aircraft going against experienced German pilots. Not exactly a fair fight for either side. Tough duty for all.
