Wolfgang Falck: Father of the Night Fighters
It is true, Wolfgang's father was a minister. Just that this boy would not be one- Wolfgang was fascinated by soldiers. Then WW I came and defeat followed. Childhood during food shortages and social collapse should have made him angry or grasping, but he concentrated on his studies. By the early -30s, all patriotic boys gravitated toward the military. He joined the Army but switched to the glamorous Air Force. Peacetime training was rigorous, continuing even after he joined the 'Richthofen' Squadron. Along the way, he married a Baroness von Berchem. Airmen enjoyed adulation during a period of expansion, while Hitler moved into Czechoslovakia, then in 1939, declared war. By this time, Wolfgang had met his wartime steed (Me-110) and his true nature became clear- that of an old-fashioned knight. A defender of the status quo, a marksman (7 victories), leader; however, serving a cancerous regime. Eventually assigned to night fighter administration, he helped set up radar and crews to intercept British bombers. Still, German cities suffered. During this, Falck lived comfortably, dressed well, could accumulate albums of pictures, among them Goring awarding Knight's Cross. Sometimes he's at a desk, other times on transfer flights or temporary duty; the man was above tragedy. War's end came and life changed. Like other ex-officers, he had to earn a living while the country rebuilt. In time, he returned to civil flying. Good quality photos and documented profile drawings of his airplanes and pilots. --By R. Drew -Excelent book, great dealer All information about the Father of the German Nighfighter during WWII. I enjoyed to read each page from this book. --By Javier G. VillalobosWolfgang Falck's autobiography provides the reader with a behind-the-scenes personal view of life in the leadership of the German Luftwaffe - its successes, its operations and failures, the interrelationships of personalities involved and ultimately the end of World War II and Hitler's Third Reich. --David Kirk