About the Author

COLIN HEATON (Wilmington, NC) is a historian specializing in German aviation in World War II who frequently appears at signings, at author interviews, and on military TV shows. He is the author of the Zenith Press titles Noble Warrior (2010), The German Aces Speak (2011), The Me 262 Stormbird (2012), The Star of Africa (2012), and The German Aces Speak II (2014). ANNE-MARIE LEWIS (Southport, NC) has co-authored Night Fighters (Naval Institute Press, 2008) and Zenith Press titlesNoble Warrior (2010), The German Aces Speak (2011), The Me 262 Stormbird (2012), The Star of Africa (2012), and The German Aces Speak II (2014). www.lewisheatonbooks.com

Reviews

"Colin Heaton once again brings excellent primary sources to the reading public. He is one of the few historians who earned the trust of the leading German fighter pilots who flew during World War II. Hartman, Steinhoff, Hrabak and Rall shaped the tactics that modern aviators have used for the past 70 years, from air to air combat to ground support operations. These four men also helped develop the German Luftwaffe of today and fostered good relations with the US. Heaton's ability to get these men to speak frankly about the war, Hitler and politics offers readers an insider's unique understanding of the air war during World War II and the men who fought it. This book is a must read for any serious student of the Luftwaffe and World War II." - Bryan Mark Rigg, author of Hitler's Jewish Soldiers, Rescued from the Reich and Lives of Hitler's Jewish Soldiers

"In this volume, Colin Heaton expands his rare contribution to military history through detailed, revealing interviews with some of the most significant leaders of the Luftwaffe fighter arm. In view of today's politically correct military, it's startling to recall the courage of some Luftwaffe officers in the chilling environment of Nazi Germany and the Soviet gulag. For a lesson in leadership under immense pressure, Western staff and command schools could do no better than to study the example of military professionals who stood to lose far more than the next promotion in opposing Hermann G�ring and Adolf Hitler." - Barrett Tillman, author of LeMay and Whirlwind

"This is a brilliant book. The authors used their diligent research to elicit not just the words, but the souls of four famous German aces, all veterans of NATO. All four men are intelligent, eloquent and have had time to think about their place in history. The authors wisely let them speak from their hearts in their own way. Their individual backgrounds are fascinating, their combat stories thrilling, but most readers will feast on their bold, accurate descriptions of the incredibly corrupt Nazi hierarchy inflicted on them. - Walter J. Boyne, USAF (Ret.), author/historian and former director, National Air Space Museum