20 APRIL 1944, Page 18

The Gt rman Air Force

The Rise and Fall of the Luftwaffe. By Hauptmann Hermann. (John Long. 12s. 6d.) The Luftwaffe. By C. G. Grey. (Faber and Faber. 8s. 6d.) IT is curious that these two books on the Luftwaffe should appear at the same time. It is, perhaps, more curious that the German author of The Rise and Fall of the Luftwaffe should, in a reference to the British author of The Luftwaffe, be able to contribute to this review of the latter book. Hauptman Hermann (whoever he may be, for he writes under a pseudonym) provides a good chapter on the subject of German bluff during the years up to the war in so far as the Luftwaffe was concerned. Mr. C. G. Grey is one of the men to whom he refrs.

" During all this time and much longer, Mr. C. G. Grey, editor of the Aeroplane, continued to tell the English . . . that if Germany were rearming he would know about it since he travelled often and extensively in Germany. Indeed, Mr. Grey did travel a lot in Germany. He liked the Nazis, and the Nazis liked him."

Mr. Grey, in his book, retains the memory of this admiration for our enemies. Indeed, his story of German aviation is so con- sistently on a note of praise that it makes tedious reading. Mr. Grey is of the opinion that there is " little personal animosity " among the fighting men in this war against Nazi devilry; and cites de Peninsular War as an example to support the view. In Mr. Grey's book, Major von . . . was " a charming old gentleman,' Freiherr von .. . was ' a magnificent pilot and a good sportsman,' and after the outbreak of war, General . . . did humane work.' " He even treats us to an account of the German reasons for preparing a war of aggression, and concludes, " I could understand that point of view."

Hauptmann Hermann is more critical of his country's conduct and achievements in aviation, and, although, some of his views on future developments do not oti-ncciiiions give one confidence in his sagacity, his account of the Luftwaffe story makes interesting reading. We are not told who the author is, but oliiiOuslyiie was an important figure in German aviation right up to a short time before the war. In books of this nature, books by exiles claiming to tell the inside story of recent events within their homeland, it is not possible to assess the • standard of 'authenticity to be accepted by the reader. The value of this book is therefore limited. Nevertheless, so little' has been published by German authorities about the growth and aims of the Luftwaffe that any book in this class repays study. Hauptmann Hermann is obviously more at home when relating the history of the development of the German aircraft industry than he is when discussing the tactical and strategical aims of the Luftwaffe. Moreover, he devotes a large proportion of the , latter -half of his book to an account of the air war to date. From his vantage point in America he is less qualified to do this than observers over here, and it is a pity that be should have felt it necessary to go over ground that has been more accurately covered by many others before him. Provided these defects are borne in