The Star of Africa: The Story of Hans Marseille, the Rogue Luftwaffe Ace Who Dominated the WWII Skies
"His list of affairs with women, some even married and famous was an embarrasment, but his success as a fighter pilot quieted much of the dissent."Lt. Gen. Hans Baur"He was so handsome, all the women loved him, and it was easy to be infatuated with him."Film director Leni Riefenstahl"Marseille was the ultimate role model for German youth, until he opened his mouth."Hitler Youth Leader Artur Axmann"His loss was a bitter blow to his compatriots in JG-27 but a blessing to those of us on the other side."Ron Cundy, Royal Air Force, North Africa"If Marseille had about three victories per mission on average. If he had He could have been the top ace above Hartmann, if he had lived."Col. Hannes Trautloft, Knight's Cross"I suppose from what I learned, and what i knew, that once Marseille accidentally learned of Auschwitz, that may have been what changed his attitude."SS Lt. Gen. Karl Wolff"Watching Marseille in the air was like watching a deadly aerial ballet. He looked like he was twelve years old, and often acted like it."Major Werner Schroer, Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords, JG-27."Marseille was perhaps the best that the Luftwaffe had. His record was only surpassed by his immature unrpofessionalism."Col. Hajo Herrmann, Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords."Men like Marseille captured the public imagination, and rightly so. they played a dangerous game, and Marseille was perhaps the best to ever fly a fighter."Lt. Gen. Gunther Rall, Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves, Swords with 275 victories."There was great rivalry for kills, and Marseille boasted that he would beat all of us."General Gustav Rodel, JG-27, Knights Cross, Oak Leaves, 98 victoriesMarseille often cried when he killed man, but he still managed to do his job. He was really too sensitive for the war. Ambassador Franz Elles, JG-27He was the kind of pilot you probably expected to meet, and deep inside were afraid to. he was apparently just that damned good. BGEN Robin Olds  So many charges were filed against him for misconduct, I was stunned at the amount of paperwork. Col. Herbert IhlefeldTo be so young yet so successful was incredible, and we all admired him. Franz Stigler Marseille was perhaps the best deflection shot in the Luftwaffe, and we all knew of his success. Lt. Gen. Gunther Rall  I knew that when I saw Yellow 14 and the first gruppe, my men would be fine. Maj. Gen. Kurt Kuhlmey, Stuka pilot"The book is very well researched and written. The authors contacted a number of surviving Luftwaffe veterans who had known or flown with Marseille. Their accounts show him "warts and all" as he was at the time." -Air Power History"This book is an excellent read not only as a biography but also as an education into the times he lived in as well as how he was able to be so spectacular inside as well as outside of combat. This is the book to get regarding Marseille, hardly another is needed." -Travel for Aircraft, Seattle Post-Intelligencer