This title is the natural conclusion to the collection of titles chronicling the exploits of the fighter pilots of the German Luftwaffe of World War 2 that has been part of - and contributed in some small measure to the success of - Osprey's long running Aircraft of the Aces series. Since the first appearance of Aircraft of the Aces 2 back in 1994, a further ten titles by various authors have been published on German fighters and their pilots. Together, these provide a comprehensive and unique overview of all the famous names (together with some lesser-known ones) who flew fighters 'for the other side' during the war . . . all, that is, except for one final category - those who were operationally on the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in the defense of their own homeland during the later stages of the conflict from mid 1942 to May 1945.

There has not been a work in either English or German - to the writer's knowledge - that deals specifically with this particular subject. Combining a selection of previously unpublished black and white photographs and color profiles, it admirably fulfills two roles - standing on its own, it provides something entirely new for the aviation historian and/or modeler, while as part of Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces collection, it closes the one remaining gap in the coverage of the Luftwaffe's World War 2 fighter pilots and their frontline operations.