Sharks of the Air

Explore the exhilarating narrative of 'Sharks of the Air', a captivating paperback that delves into the life and achievements of the legendary aeronautical engineer Willy Messerschmitt. This essential read, published by Casemate in August 2020, unlocks the secrets behind the creation of the Messerschmitt Me-262, the world’s first operational jet warplane that significantly outpaced rival aircraft in the skies during World War II. With dimensions of 152 x 228 mm and spanning 408 pages, this book vividly recounts thrilling air battles, gleaned from authentic combat reports and firsthand interviews with veterans, showcasing how the Me-262 earned remarkable victories over Allied fighters and bombers despite being outnumbered. Understand the intriguing dynamics of the Luftwaffe’s iconic aircraft, including the famous Me-109, and how the cutthroat politics of Nazi Germany shaped Messerschmitt's career. Packed with insights into his intense rivalries with fellow aircraft designers and an illuminating glimpse into his personal life—featuring his romantic affair with Baroness Lilly Michel-Rolino—this book also sheds light on how Messerschmitt’s innovative genius was stifled by the regime until it was too late to alter the war's outcome. A must-read for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike, 'Sharks of the Air' serves as a testament to how one man's vision could have dramatically shifted the tides of aerial warfare.

Author: James Harvey Publisher: Casemate
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 152 x 228 mm
Pages: 408
Publication Date: 15-08-2020

In July 1944 the Allies were stunned by the appearance of the Messerschmitt Me-262, the world's first operational jet warplane. This new German fighter was more than 100mph faster than any other aircraft in the skies. Although always greatly outnumbered, the Me-262 gained scores of victories over Allied fighters and bombers, and by the end of the war, many of the Luftwaffe's greatest aces had clamored to be in their cockpits. No wonder military leaders believed that if it had been introduced earlier, this jet could have changed the outcome of the war. Sharks of the Air tells the story of Willy Messerschmitt's life, and shows how this aeronautical genius built many revolutionary airplanes - not excluding the Luftwaffe's mainstay, the Me-109 - and culminating in the Me-262. It describes how his various warplanes fought in Spain, Poland, France, Britain, the U.S.S.R., and over Germany, and it provides thrilling accounts of air battles drawn from combat reports and interviews with veterans. This book also shows how Messerschmitt - like other geniuses such as Porsche, vonBraun, and Speer - was affected by cutthroat Nazi politics, and describes his intense rivalries with other aircraft designers. It reveals aspects of his life never before made public, including his love affair with the beautiful Baroness Lilly Michel-Rolino, a rich aristocrat who left her husband to live with Willy. And finally it shows how in World War II Messerschmitt believed he was loyally supporting the Fatherland, until he realized too late that Hitler was a madman. Like many of the technical innovations of Nazi Germany in the war, production arrived too late in order to change the final outcome. If Messerschmitt had been given free rein from the start, however, Allied air superiority might never have occurred.