Review The Messerschmitt Me 262 is a well known aircraft, being the first operational jet fighter. However, when asked to name the pilots who flew the type, few could name more than a handful, and the author of this book likely would not be one of those named. Hermann Buchner began his flying career as a bomber pilot who then transferred into fighters, not a common scenario. His ending the war in the Me 262 after that varied career is even more rare, making this book a very fascinating read. This book is an autobiography of Buchner's military career, beginning with his joining the service in the autumn of 1937 to his assignment to the Luftwaffe in May 1938. When the war finally broke out, Buchner was flying as an instructor on Ju 52s and Ju 86s. This early career in bombers was short-lived, though, as in November 1940, Buchner was transferred to Jagdfliegervorschule 1 for fighter training. After going through the requisite training, Buchner got his wish of a frontline unit, shipping off to LG 2 (Schlacht) in October 1941. Operating on the Russian Front, he flew a variety of aircraft, including the Hs 123, Hs 129, Bf 109, and Fw 190. In May 1944, Buchner was in Romania, and by the end of that year was once again back in Germany, this time flying the Me 262. It was with the Messerschmitt that Buchner ended the war, one of the few survivors to have flown throughout the entire war. This autobiography is well written and does a good job of putting the reader in the shoes of Hermann Buchner. Like many recollections written decades after the events, this one is described somewhat nostalgically, but some of the grittiness of war carries through. For those looking for a good book to read that puts you in the cockpit of the plane, this is well worth picking up. --Chris Banyai-Riepl - Internet Modeller - 01/09/2009The first of two Me262 books reviewed this month comes from the pen of Herman Buchner. Bomber pilots who become fighter pilots are rare but Hermann Buchner was one. The author gives a fascinating account of his training with the pre-war Austrian AF, instructing with theLuftwaffe and then the terrifying ground attack operations on the Eastern Front. But it is his tales of flying the legendary Me262 jet that really bring this book to life. Described in a matter-of-fact style, with no pretentiousness this book is difficult to put down. Supplemented by over 140 photographs, mostly from the author's personal collection, together with colour profiles of his aircraft and opponents, this book represents a remarkable insight into the life of a Luftwaffe pilot. --Jets Monthly - April 2011
P**C
the world's first jet fighter and my favourite plane bar none
Only a part of this book is devoted to Herr Buchner's experiences with the Me 262, the world's first jet fighter and my favourite plane bar none. The rest serves as a build-up to this and is fascinating in it's own right, from his early days with the Austrian airforce through to his thrills and spills with the Luftwaffe - all related with a dry wit and an unsentimental writing style. Plenty of illustrations and rare photographs, too. The book is in no way sympathetic to the regime he fought for, it's apparent that as a fighter pilot he simply did his duty and was highly decorated along the way: If you want a fresh and unusual slant on the events of WW2 from first hand recollections this may be the book for you.
G**N
The best
Simply put, I humbly consider this the best war tale ever written by a Luftwaffe pilot.What you have here is not the usual kind of dry narrative of facts usual to German accounts. No. Buchner sometimes manage to at least give a glimpse of what he is feeling, of what he is passing through. Even so, of course there are the usual strange things, like never mentioning the name of his Grouppe commander, and things like that.I FLEW FOR THE FUEHRER by Heinz Knoke is also good, but that is a diary that was published, simple as that.The photos in this book are also a real treasure.
B**H
Flying high.
Down to earth, 'tell it as it was' kind of book. No preaching or pretending just a plain old story told from a Luftwaffe veteran who managed to survive the war, despite being shot down on numerous occasions. The title, however, is a tad misleading, as only 40 pages concern his flying an ME-262, the rest of the book concerns his time as a flying instructor and also as a ground attack pilot on the eastern front. Certainly an interesting addition to my WW2 library.
E**N
Interesting book - I want more
Interesting view into the experiences of an actual Me 262 pilot towards the end of the war. The book brings up some interesting facts and information, but is ultimately pretty light on technical or operational detail.
L**S
Book
fascinating account of the first pilots to fly jets towards the end of WW2. Good read.
M**R
Five Stars
Excellent
B**B
Great story but..
I was very surprised finding out this book is missing 32 pages. The good news is the missing pages are at the beginning..
C**D
Excellent Book
Just finished reading this one, really interesting, of a similar style to Walter Schucks book - Luftwaffe Eagle - its full of rare photographs and has a section of colour prints of aircraft involved within the book. The Author was an NCO pilot in the ground attack role, later moving to the ME262, with spells as an instructor. Its a really good read!
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
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