Historic's Book of the Month: Flying Hitler

Air Classics, Jan 2002 by Hulett, George

Adolf Hitler was the first head of state to have his own personal pilot and airplane. Hitler's interest in aviation as a propaganda tool as well as transportation led him to order the establishment of a special air squadron - the Fliegerstaffel des Fuehrers.

Hitler's Squadron by C.G. Sweeting (Brassey's Inc., Virginia) is the history of the Fuehrer's personal transport unit. To command this unique unit, Hitler chose Hans Baur - World War One ace and pioneering airliner pilot. During the 1930s and World War Two, the Fuehrer's own pilot and special aircraft flew the famous and infamous. Baur flew Hitler, his inner circle, and visiting dignitaries throughout Europe, to Hitler's secret headquarters, and to far-flung battlefields.

This book is an excellent reference guide to the Fuehrer's custom-built airplanes and to some of the legendary German aircraft of the era. The aircraft used in the squadron were the Junkers Ju 52/3m, the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Kondor, and the Junkers Ju 290.

The author examines the remarkable wartime history of these aircraft beyond service in Hitler's squadron, including their full combat role. Other topics in the book include an explanation of complex German aircraft numbering systems and designations, German civilian and military pilot licensing, a secret wartime plan to link Germany and Japan by an air corridor along the Arctic Circle, and fascinating facts about Hitler's hidden wartime headquarters behind the front in Russia. Listing at $31.95, the book is available from Historic Aviation at 800-225-5575.