Fw 190D-9: Defence of the Reich 1944–45(1 Dogfight)

This up-to-date history by leading German aviation specialist Robert Forsyth reveals what it was like to pilot the 'long-nosed' Dora in combat as Germany desperately battled to remain in the war. Arguably one of the finest piston-engined fighters ever built, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 raised the bar in terms of aircraft design and operational capability during World War II. Designed by Kurt Tank, the 'long-nosed' Fw 190D9 'Dora' bettered most of the fighters that the Allied and Soviet air forces could field when it first appeared in the skies over the Western and Eastern Fronts in 1944. Indeed, with experienced German pilots at the controls it proved to be an immediate match for even the later-mark Griffon Spitfire and the P-51D/K. Well-armed, with two 13mm machine guns and two 20mm cannon, the D-9 began to equip Luftwaffe units from August 1944. Later on in the war, one of the key missions of the D-9 was to provide top cover for Me 262 jet fighters when they were at their most vulnerable during take-off and landing. Featuring first-hand accounts, photographs, artwork and innovative and colourful 3D ribbon diagrams, this fascinating volume portrays what it was like to fly the superlative Fw 190D-9 in combat, providing a realistic insight in to how German pilots used the superb Focke-Wulf aircraft in combat against American, British and Russian fighters in the Defence of the Reich in 1944–45.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Chapter 1 In Battle An all-action account of III./JG 54 engaging Typhoons or Tempests over western Germany in April 1945 Chapter 2 Setting the Scene Design, development, production, early actions, the Ardennes and Operation Bodenplatte Chapter 3 Path to Combat Charting the careers of two Luftwaffe pilots who flew the D-9 in combat – one, a Knight's Cross-holder and ace, the other, a lesser known 'Dora 9' pilot Chapter 4 Weapon of war A brief technical appraisal of the Fw 190D-9, detailing its development and the weaponry it employed Chapter 5 Art of War Tactics for Fw 190D-9 units were quite 'loose', as was tactical doctrine by this stage of the war – the key word was 'survival'. This chapter will look at the 'Split S' manoeuvre and the evolution of the Rotte and Schwarm tactical formations Chapter 6 Combat In this chapter, Fw 190D-9 pilots explain what it was like fly the 'Dora 9' in an aerial engagement against some of the best Allied fighters of World War II such as the Spitfire XIV, P-51D Mustang and Tempest V Aftermath Selected Sources Index

About the Author :
Robert Forsyth is an author, editor and publisher, specialising in the aircraft and operations of the Luftwaffe. He is the author of over 25 titles for Osprey Publishing, including his most recent Luftwaffe Special Weapons. He has written articles for Aerojournal, Aeroplane Monthly and FlyPast and he is a member of the Editorial Board of The Aviation Historian. The illustrators for this volume are Gareth Hector (cover and battlescene), Jim Laurier (armament views) and Tim Brown (ribbon diagrams).

Review :
A natural storyteller, the author is ably assisted by fine illustrations from Gareth Hector and numerous photographs and maps.