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I Flew for the Führer

The Memoirs of a Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot

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I Flew for the Führer

By: Heinz Knoke, Richard Overy - introduction
Narrated by: P.J. Ochlan
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About this listen

Heinz Knoke was one of the outstanding German fighter pilots of the Second World War. This vivid firsthand record of his experiences has become a classic among aviation memoirs and is a fascinating counterbalance to the numerous accounts written by Allied pilots.

Knoke joined the Luftwaffe on the outbreak of war, and eventually became commanding officer of a fighter wing. An outstandingly brave and skillful fighter, he logged over 2,000 flights and shot down 52 enemy aircraft. He had flown over 400 operational missions before being wounded in an astonishing "last stand" toward the end of the war. He was awarded the Knight's Cross for his achievements. In a book that reveals his intense patriotism and discipline, he describes being brought up in the strict Prussian tradition, the rise of the Nazi regime, and his own wartime career set against a fascinating study of everyday life in the Luftwaffe. He also reveals the high morale of the force until its disintegration. His memoirs are both a valuable contribution to aviation literature and a moving human story.

©1952 Heinz Knoke; Afterword copyright 1991 by Heinz Knoke; Introduction copyright 2012 by Richard Overy (P)2021 Tantor Air Forces Armed Forces Military Military & War World War II Memoir War Aviation German Military
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While it took me a little while to warm to the narrators style, I came to appreciate it in a certain way - quite an innocent performance. This story had me on the edge of my seat several times - Knocke's story is incredible. How he survived is true miraculous. If you like fighter pilot stories, then this is a must have.

One of the best ever

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This book offers a great perspective of the life of a German fighter pilot in defence of Germany. Very descriptive and very enjoyable.

Great perspective

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An interesting and easy listen. Story is told in diary format but it still works well and the German accented narrative is also a nice touch.

Fascinating story from the German side

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An interesting story from a different perspective Can understand more now about the German logic of ww2 and why it happened

Different view of ww2

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Well narrated, a remarkable and fascinating book. Never thought I'd cheer for the Luftwafe. Deeply moved by this account of the air war which until now I'd only ever seen one side.

A truly great story from the other side

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A Very interesting story, but narrator with a fake german accent occasionally grated. Screw Flanders.

Good Listen

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