Junkers Ju 88 Kampfgeschwader on the Russian Front Book Review

By David L. Veres

 

 

Review

Junkers Ju 88’s formed the bulk of Luftwaffe bomber types during the initial phases of Operation Barbarosa – Germany’s 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union.

Over 460 in 18 Kampfgruppen joined in the attack.  Nearly 40 months later, the total withered to just seven serviceable machines in one Staffel.

The legendary John Weal recaps the whole terrific tale in OSPREY’s excellent Junkers Ju 88 Kampfgeschwader on the Russian Front.  Contents include:

• Chapter 1 Early Successes
• Chapter 2 Tactical Bomber
• Chapter 3 Tank and Train Busters
• Chapter 4 Convoys and Flying Bombs
• Chapter 5 Axis Operators

Copiously seasoned with anecdotal accounts, Weal’s précis seamlessly covers every major Ju 88 variant and unit on the Eastern Front – including Mistel versions in the campaign’s waning days.

Operations fell into four phases.  And Weal masterfully distills the Ju 88’s strategic and tactical roles – bombardment, interdiction, and interceptor – in each.  I especially enjoyed his segue into German attacks on Allied “Arctic Convoys”.

Dozens of photos and 30 profiles by the author illustrate this riveting page-turner.  And the agreeably indexed effort includes revealing charts summarizing the decay of Eastern Front Ju 88 strength through 1944.

Recommended.

My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!