Description

First British Edition translated from the German edition of 1958. Great biography of German Ace Ernst Udet. Colonel General Ernst Udet (26 April 1896 â?? 17 November 1941) was the second-highest scoring German flying ace of World War I. At the age of 22, his 62 confirmed victories were second only to Manfred von Richthofen, his commander in the Flying Circus. Following Germany’s defeat, Udet spent the 1920s and early 1930s as a stunt pilot, international barnstormer, light aircraft manufacturer, and playboy. The character of “Ernst Kessler” in the 1975 film The Great Waldo Pepper is clearly based upon Ernst Udet. He was involved with the early development of the Luftwaffe, became a test pilot and rose to the rank of General, in charge of Aircraft Production. On 17 November 1941, he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Hitler gave him a state funeral. Udet’s suicide was concealed from the public, and at his funeral he was lauded as a hero who had died in flight while testing a new weapon. Always an individualist (and quite flamboyant at times) with a certain lack of discipline, qualities that made him many enemies in the Nazi party and finally destroyed him. He lived dangerously, loved good food and wine and was never able to resist a pretty face. An extraordinary and tragic man in a dangerous time. Illustrated with B&W photographs.