Rocket And Jet Aircraft Of The Third Reich

The development of rocket and jet aircraft by the Germans before and during the Second World War is something that intrigues all those interested in the history of aviation. The first trials of the V1 (Doodlebug) were carried out with a pilot at the controls, on occasion the world-famous aviatrix Hannah Reitsch. The first encounter with a jet aircraft by Allied airmen is documented here, including the first shooting down of a jet aircraft by an Allied pilot. The huge problems faced by the German scientists, designers and engineers - and the pressures put upon them by the German High Command - are documented. At the end of the war the Americans and Russians struggled to get their hands on these experts and their data whilst the SS were trying to prevent them falling into Allied hands. Heinkel, Henschel, Junkers - and of course Messerschmitt — all feature, amongst other pioneering designers, alongside legendary pilots such as Adolf Galland and Walter Nowotny.

Terry Treadwell served in the Royal Air Force in communications and has travelled the world, including working in Australia. He was European Correspondent for Naval Aviation News (the official aviation magazine of the US Navy) for five years. Terry has written many articles for various magazines and 20 books, a number of which have been published by The History Press. He lives in Bournemouth in the UK.