Luftwaffe Over Finland (Luftwaffe at War Series, 18)

This brilliant new book depicts the Germans' use of aircraft in Finland and Norway to maintain their campaign against the Soviet Union. The Fins were active allies of the Germans in their war against the Soviets and allowed the Luftwaffe considerable freedom in its operations over Russia. Although conditions in the north were harsh, the Luftwaffe quickly adapted to the region and carried out a series of key operations over Russia between 1941 and 1944. The Luftwaffe over Finland presents the men and the aircraft used in this campaign, mostly from Luftflotte 1 and Luftflotte 5. Their fighter units flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke Wulf Fw 190s and the bomber units were equipped with Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers and Heinkel He 111s. Close-range reconnaissance units flew Henschel Hs 126s, Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke Wulf Fw 189s, while the long-range units had Junkers Ju 88s and 188s, Messerschmitt Bf 109s, and Dornier Do 215s. In addition, coastal patrol units and transport units were also involved in this critical part of World War II.