Junkers Ju 87 Stukageschwader of the Russian Front (C.A.#74)

This final volume of the Osprey trilogy on the infamous Luftwaffe dive-bomber charts its fortunes in the toughest theater of all: the Eastern Front. The fearsome reputation that the Stuka had enjoyed in the opening months of World War II (1939-1945) was shattered over the English Channel in the summer of 1940 but was restored in the invasion of the Soviet Union. Against a demoralized enemy, the Ju 87 scored a string of spectacular successes, destroying infantry, artillery and armor alike and sinking numerous ships of the Soviet Baltic Fleet. In the far north one Stukagruppe concentrated on bombing the Arctic port of Murmansk and disrupting rail traffic down into the Russian hinterland. However, as the Soviet Union slowly gathered strength, the Stuka units found themselves outnumbered, outfought, and relegated to operating under cover of darkness. The days of the dive-bomber were finally over. The Schlacht, or ground-attack, aircraft now ruled the skies above the battlefields. "A final volume in the trilogy on the Junkers JU 87 Stuka, and recommended for collections with the prior books. The concluding history of the fighting aircraft surveys how its power was finally shattered during World War II, and makes for an outstanding survey." -"California Bookwatch, "November 2008

"The best titles in Osprery's "Combat Aircraft "and "Aircraft of the Aces" series are epitomised by those from the hand of John Weal. A hugely talented author and artist, Weal's unique talents and unrivalled understanding of the Luftwaffe ... [ensure] that his work represents the pinnacle of Luftwaffe research ... This book makes for superb reading and as a reference source for modellers presents huge potential." -Paul E. Eden, "Scale Aircraft Modelling "(November 2008)

"Specialty military collectons will find these new Osprey titles important, detailed references. John Weal's "Junkers Ju 87 Stukageschwader of the Russian Front", for example, offers the final volume in a trilogy and is a recommended pick for those with the prior two, covering the aircraft that represented the Nazi Blitzkrieg and completing the publishers' history of the Luftwaffe's World War II bomber." -"The California Bookwatch" (October 2008)

."..another superlative book; one that I know will be a fun read and an inspiration to modelers and enthusiasts alike." -Scott Van Aken, "Modeling Madness" (August 2008)