[Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 124] • Arctic Bf 109 and Bf 110 Aces

Osprey's leading Luftwaffe authority provides an absorbing account of the experiences of the aces in-theatre, and the title also features exquisite illustrations of the aircraft they flew, including selected profiles of aircraft in special winter camouflage.

The exploits of the Luftwaffe fighter aces in World War 2 are some of the best-documented in aviation literature, yet comparatively little has been published about those operating in the Arctic Circle. The brunt of the fighting was borne initially by the special purpose Jagdgruppe z.B.V , comprising of Staffeln of both BF 109 and BF 110 Zerstörer , based in Norway. These units were responsible for some outstanding successes and at first suffered only minimal casualties themselves.

As the dual threats of the RAF, operating from across the North Sea, and the Red Air Force in the East increased in numerical force and competence, the Luftwaffe increased its fighter presence to full Geschwader strength with the formation of JG 5 Eismeer (Ice-sea) in early 1942. The struggle for the frozen skies of the arctic raged on as the embattled JG 5 produced some of the Eastern Front's leading experten, pilots of the calibre of Theodor Weissenberger, Heinrich Ehrler, Walter Schuck, Franz Dörr and Jakob Norz all achieving over 100 kills and all listed here.