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The German Aces Speak cover art

The German Aces Speak

By: Anne-Marie Lewis, Jon Guttman, Brigadier General Robin Olds USAF - Ret., Oberleutnant Kurt Schulze, Colin D. Heaton
Narrated by: P.J. Ochlan
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Publisher's Summary

Few perspectives epitomize the sheer drama and sacrifice of combat more perfectly than those of the fighter pilots of World War II. As romanticized as any soldier in history, the World War II fighter pilot was viewed as larger than life: a dashing soul waging war amongst the clouds. In the 65-plus years since the Allied victory, stories of these pilots' heroics have never been in short supply. But what about their adversaries - the highly skilled German aviators who pushed the Allies to the very brink of defeat?

Of all of the Luftwaffe's fighter aces, the stories of Walter Krupinski, Adolf Galland, Eduard Neumann, and Wolfgang Falck shine particularly bright. In The German Aces Speak, for the first time in any book, these four prominent and influential Luftwaffe fighter pilots reminisce candidly about their service in World War II. Personally interviewed by author and military historian Colin Heaton, they bring the past to life as they tell their stories about the war, their battles, their lives, and, perhaps most importantly, how they felt about serving under the Nazi leadership of Hermann Göring and Adolf Hitler.

©2011 Colin D. Heaton and Anne-Marie Lewis (P)2017 Tantor

What listeners say about The German Aces Speak

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Inaccurate and laughable narrator

Lot of inaccuracies, the main one being constantly used nomenclature of the BF109 as the ME109. Wrong and annoying for someone wanting to enjoy this book.

The other thing was the Narrator’s heavily over used accents of German names and ranks but nothing else. I laughed every time it was done.

A absolute lack of voice pitch often left me wondering where and who the heck was supposed to be doing what.

Too bad, really great interviews that could have been presented a whole lot better.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cracker of a story, pity about the narrator

This is a wonderful collection of stories from the German side of the air war in World War Two. Even in translation, the characters shine through - vibrant, dynamic and powerful tales and recollections.
However, the narrator's delivery made it hard to listen to. His reading delivery sounds stilted, and his pronunciation of German words, while accurate, sounds very stilted - there is a small pause, almost as if he was "switching into German mode" before saying the German word(s).

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible and Fantastic read!

Very detailed and absolutely entertaining. An amazing insight into the lives of German pilots during the war. MUST READ for any avid aviation enthusiast.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent narrative of a fascinating time

Really interested by the content, fascinating to hear the German accounts of this time

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

The war through rose coloured glasses.

We are the misunderstood chivalrous knights of the air who did not know what the nasty Nazis were doing.

This book is just a load of lies. The talk about kills is ridiculous. The actions just do not add up. One says the only way to shoot down a IL-2 is from underneath, but then mentions numerous occasions when he shoots them down from above or behind.

All claim, with the benefit of hindsight, that they did not know what the leaders were doing in relation to the holocaust, but blame all of the faults of the war on those leaders, those leaders who showered them with promotions, medals, holidays and other rewards.

Not worth reading, a sad disappointment. If you want to read about air combat in WWII, go to The Race of Aces, by John R Burning. A warts and all account of the pilots and the fighting in the Pacific.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

bird person

narrator sounds like birdperson from rick and morty. a bit monotonous at times. needs to learn how to say "well" contextually.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good book, but poor start.

Stay with it. The apologetic start and first pilot is not that good. it gets a lot better. overall is a great book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional. The narration is first rate.

If one is interested in aviation history, or even WWII history, this book will please one. The narrator gave a fine performance. The writing was superb.
Very highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great insight

Great narration, great stories, great to get their concise accounts while they were still alive.

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