Aufklärer: Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Aircraft and Units 1942-45

Volume Two
By David Wadman
Classic Publications, ©2008
ISBN 978-1-85780-278-8
Softbound, 96 Pages
Available from Specialty Press for $29.95

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

This month brings the conclusion to the Luftwaffe Colours Aufklärer series with Volume Two covering the reconnaissance aircraft through to the end of the war in 1945. In the closing stages of the war, the Luftwaffe drew upon a great number of aircraft to fulfill its reconnaissance needs, and this book highlights that quite well. Different requirements called for different systems, and this led to the adoption of Me 262s, Ju 88s, Bf 109s, and Ar 234s for reconnaissance duties, in addition to those aircraft specifically designed for the role.

This book tries to shed some light on the different branches of the Luftwaffe reconnaissance units, which can get a bit confusing at this point in the war. These include the Nahauklärungsgruppen (short-range reconnaissance groups) and the Fernaufklärungsgruppen (long-range reconnaissance groups), each of which had very different missions and very different equipment. For each of these groups, the author has provided a short history of each. Beyond these overviews, the text also examines some of the specific duties, such as night photo reconnaissance and maritime reconnaissance.

Throughout the book are dozens of photos highlighting the aircraft, people, and insignia of the reconnaissance units. These photos offer a wealth of information, both for the historian and the modeler, with interesting markings abound. Complementing the photos are the usual color profile illustrations, which are done to the expected high quality found in other Classic Publications titles.

As the Aufklärer aircraft and units are not a common subject, this two-volume set is a welcome addition to the growing Luftwaffe Colours series. My thanks to Specialty Press for the review copy.