Prien, Jochen. (Translated from the German by David Johnston.) Jagdgeschwader 53: A History of the "Pik As" Geschwader, volume 2: May 1942 - January 1944. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 1998.

ISBN 0-7643-0292-2
352 pages

Photos; maps; diagrams; line drawings; tables.

Last year when we reviewed the first volume of Jochen Prien's excellent Jagdgeschwader 53 it was immediately apparent that it was one of the best books of the year. Sure enough, it was voted one of the Top Ten new books of 1997. The second volume has arrived and it looks like another winner. As with the first volume, the new tome displays every evidence of loving care: topnotch research, careful writing, editing, and translation, well-chosen photos, thoughtful layout and design, and the highest production standards.

When we left the story of the "Pik As" (Ace of Spades) geschwader in the first volume, in May 1942, all three of its gruppen were concentrated on Sicily for operations against the Allied base on the island fortress of Malta. As volume two opens, the geschwader is being split. I Gruppe moves to the Russian Front and III Gruppe to North Africa while II Gruppe remains based on Sicily.

Prien's account follows in separate chapters the story of each of those gruppen as well as the attached units of JG 2 and JG 77. While one group supported the Case Blau offensive in the Soviet Union and racked up huge numbers of victories against the Soviet Air Force, another supported Rommel's capture of Tobruk and pursuit of the British 8th Army to El Alamein. In October the entire geschwader was again concentrated on Sicily for another offensive against Malta, in this case an abortive and short-lived blitz foiled by the much-strengthened defenders. The Ace of Spades was increasingly diverted to escort missions for Africa-bound transports and, with the Allied invasion of French North Africa in November, the geschwader again found its components separated.

As the tide turned in the Mediterranean, JG 53 participated in the defense of Tunisia, the defense of Sicily, and -- against ever more difficult odds -- the defense of the Italian mainland. When volume two closes in January 1944, the geschwader remains in combat, but the loss of pilots and machines has climbed alarmingly.

Prien again tells the story of the air unit with his own text, the words of surviving veterans, excerpts from their diaries, illustrative photos, and tabular data. (Of the later, of special interest are the listings of aircraft losses by date with pilot, pilot fate, circumstances, etc.) Prien's words and those of the veterans are nicely integrated:

   The aircraft of Uffz. Emil Stavenow of 7/JG 53 was hit by enemy fire [while attacking B-17s on 4 August 1943], which wounded the pilot and forced him to ditch southeast of the mouth of the Volturno. However the cockpit canopy was jammed, probably as a result of battle damage, and Stavenow went under with his aircraft. Luck was with him, however; Stavenow's aircraft settled onto the bottom at a depth of about 5 meters and he was able to free himself and swim to the surface. Luck also had it that he was picked up almost immediately by an Italian fishing boat, which put him ashore, where he was immediately taken to hospital. Otto Helm, then senior NCO of 7 Staffel, remembered:

   "Emil Stavenow joined III Gruppe at Caserta along with three other young pilots. As a child he had lived in the same house as I in Hamburg. Of course I immediately informed Oblt. Harder, who subsequently 'expropriated' him for 7 Staffel.
   The wounding of 4 August 1943 and the horrifying moments in the sunken aircraft were an experience that he could not -- quite understandably -- get over. Some time later, therefore, he was relieved and subsequently served in an aircraft delivery unit."

Our review of volume one mistakenly stated that this second volume would complete the set, when in fact volume three will cover the final actions of JG 53 from January 1944 through the end of the war. Given the precedent set by the first two books, we have every reason to believe that the third will be another excellent job.

Available from online booksellers, local bookshops, or directly from Schiffer.

Thanks to Schiffer for providing this review copy.