 Junkers Ju 88
Volume 2
By Krzysztof Janowicz
Kagero, ©2005
ISBN 83-89088-59-2
Softbound, 110 Pages
Available from Squadron for $22.46
Continuing Kagero's excellent first volume on the Ju 88 comes this
second part that details the combat history of the Ju 88. Originally
designed as a high speed bomber, the Ju 88 ended up wearing all types
of hats, including heavy fighter, torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft,
and night fighter. With such a wide range of usage, the operational history
is understandably complex, and this book does a great job of detailing
that of the bomber units. Undoubtedly those other areas of operation
will be covered in other volumes.
Starting with an anecdote about operations over North Africa, the book
then takes a chronological approach, covering early North Sea operations,
Norway, and the Battle of Britain as a starter. From there, the Mediterranean
theater comes next, which includes North Africa. Following this is a
very large (understandably) section covering the Eastern Front, then
a short section on the latter years of the war, drawing to a close in
1945. This is not the end of the text, though, as finishing things up
is a section covering the foreign operators, which include quite a few
countries such as Hungary and Romania. The text is an easy read and is
full of fascinating information on the Ju 88. Just reading it has me
itching to build some of these aircraft.
To further fuel this inspiration are the photos that are spread throughout
the book. There are some excellent shots in here, including several color
photos. Building on the photos are the color profiles, which illustrate
some of the fascinating camouflage schemes worn by the Ju 88. Rounding
out the book are the expected scale drawings, drawn in 1/96, 1/72, and
1/48 scales.
This is a great continuation from the first volume on the Ju 88, and
this should quickly find its way into every Luftwaffe reference library.
My thanks to Squadron for the review sample.
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