Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945

A Reference Source Volume 1
By Henry L. de Zeng IV & Douglas G. Stankey
Midland Publishing, ©2008
ISBN 978-1-85780-279-5
Hardbound, 208 Pages
Available from Specialty Press for $59.95

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

With extensive coverage given to the Luftwaffe’s fighter force, it is refreshing to see titles come out dealing with some of the other arms of the Luftwaffe. This book, covering bomber units, is just such a title. The first volume in a two-volume set, this series covers the organization of the Luftwaffe bomber units. This includes their formation, their commanders, operational history, and the codes and emblems worn on the aircraft. While this is the first title, the author team plans on following this up with similar books on dive bomber & ground attack units, transport, liaison, & courier units, reconnaissance units, and higher headquarters & commands. The authors note the challenges in putting together this reference, as so many of the records were destroyed, either accidentally or purposefully. Still, their efforts here are outstanding, and this is likely the most thorough reference on Luftwaffe bomber units yet in print.

Each unit is divided into individual groups, which is then detailed with specific sections. For example, under KG 4 “General Wever” there are sections for III./ KG 4 (First Formation) and III./ KG 4 (Second Formation), noting the inactivation of that group for a period of time. For the First Formation, the sections include Formation and Training, Polish Campaign, Norwegian Campaign, Invasion of the West, and Battle of Britain. Each of those sections then provides an abbreviated history of the unit. Looking at the Norwegian section of our example unit, this includes a note stating the Ju 88 part of the unit did not participate and that the unit sank the Norwegian destroyer Aeger on 9 April 1940. With each section receiving a paragraph on operations, these individual group histories quickly add up, undoubtedly leading the publisher to divide this work into two volumes.

As this is a unit reference book, the organization is by unit rather than a general chronological approach, although all of the individual units are presented that way. The units covered in this first volume include KG 1, KG 2, KG 3, KG 4, KG 6, KG 7, KG 13, KG 25, KG 26, KG 27, KG 28, KG 30, KG 35, KG 40, KG 43, KG 50, KG 51, KG 53, KG 54, KG 55, and KG 60. In addition to the text, the book contains many photographs, including some in color. Also, there are color drawings of the unit emblems, which makes for a great reference for the modeler.

This is a great effort into detailing the history of Luftwaffe bomber units, and I look forward to the author’s next works. If their plans come to fruition, we will finally have a comprehensive unit reference of the Luftwaffe. My thanks to Specialty Press for the review copy.