Defenders of the Reich

Jagdgeschwader 1
Volume 3: 1933-1945
By Eric Mombeek
Chevron Publishing, 2003
ISBN 1-903223-03-2
Softbound, 96 Pages
Available from Specialty Press for $24.95

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

This is the third, and final, part to Eric Mombeek’s definitive study of Jagdgeschwader 1. Building on the earlier two volumes, this book finishes the war with JG 1, with Fw 190s, Bf 109s, and the Heinkel He 162. The story is told through carefully researched text and supplemented by first-hand accounts from members of JG 1. Balancing the written word is a wonderful selection of photos, many never seen before, and a selection of color profile illustrating many of the more interesting schemes worn by JG 1 aircraft.

Starting in January of 1944, describes the battles over Germany, and it is with this that I find just about the only fault with this book. There are no maps included anywhere in the book, so it is up to the reader to open up an atlas and see where all of these places actually are. I think a couple extra pages in length would be more than acceptable if it meant the inclusion of theater maps.

One location that few need assistance with locating is Berlin, and a section deals with JG 1’s defense of that famous city, leading up to the Normandy invasion. By the end of 1944, the writing was on the wall, but the Luftwaffe tried one last big push, and JG 1 took part in this operation called Bodenplatte. This book provides some interesting photos and drawings of JG 1 aircraft that participated in this last gasp of the Luftwaffe, some of which have not been seen before.

The final aircraft flown by the men of JG 1 fills the last pages of this book, and JG 1 was unique in that it was the only operational unit to fly the He 162. While many of the photos in this section are ones published before, there are a few that are new to me, and the text provides a fascinating viewpoint from the eyes of those who flew the He 162 in combat.

Overall this is a nice ending to Mombeek’s three-volume history on JG 1 and those who are interested in WW2 Luftwaffe should definitely collect all three volumes. All three are available from Specialty Press, with each order having a $4.95 shipping and handling charge.