Bombers of the Luftwaffe 1933-1940

Kampfflieger Volume 1
By J. Richard Smith and Eddie J. Creek
Classic Publications, ©2004
ISBN 1-903223-42-3
Softbound, 96 Pages
Available from Specialty Press for $29.95

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

Following the great success of their Jagdwaffe series, Classic Publications continues its analysis of the Luftwaffe with this new series focusing on the bomber force. This series will be a total of four volumes, with this first one outlining the creation of the Luftwaffe bomber force and its first operations in Spain. The text starts out at the beginning, with a brief overview of World War One German strategic bombers, then jumps right into the 1930s and the active development of bomber units. The text then follows a generally chronological progression, with a bit of overlap around the Spanish Civil War, and takes the Luftwaffe bomber force right up to the Battle of Britain.

The creation period of the Luftwaffe has always been fascinating to me, so it is great to see the same level of attention given to the development of bomber units as Classic Publications gave the fighter force in their Jagdwaffe series. Like that earlier series, this book follows that format by providing plenty of quality photos, a smattering of which are in color. To complement these few color photos, Tom Tullis has provided several color profiles showing the Junkers Ju 88, the Heinkel He 111, the Junkers Ju 52, the Dornier Do 17, and the Junkers Ju 86 in a variety of color schemes.

The quality that we have come to know Classic Publications for clearly shows up here, and it bodes well for the continuation of the series. I hope that Classic continues this thread and perhaps come out with a series devoted to transport and maritime aircraft. My thanks to Specialty Press for the review copy.