Greenhill, 2001, £ 11.99, ISBN 1-85367-440-0, 191 pages

This paperback reprint of the 1991 book provides a well-balanced examination of the last year of the Luftwaffe in WWII. In many ways, it is the most exciting time from a reader's viewpoint--all the secret, next-generation weapons started to appear, including jets, surface-to-air missiles, and special variations of existing propeller-driven planes. On the other hand, it is a dull time because it quickly becomes apparent that no matter what the Germans did, the Allied victory in the air (and ground) was inevitable.

This one-volume treatment offers a real treat. Price pens some pretty good descriptions, tables show aircraft availability to satisfy the numbers-oriented crowd, diary and log entries pepper the narrative with first-hand accounts, and specs and short descriptions greet every new jet, plane, and weapon.

The best sections describe efforts of German operational plans to overcome Allied air superiority. In some cases, the generals succeed with swift counterjabs: the last great bombing hurrah when Luftwaffe bombers nail American B-17s on Soviet airfields on June 21, 1944; photo recon of D-Day beaches with the prototype Arado 234 jet on August 2, 1944; and the creation of a crack ME-262 jet unit. However, these few successes can not make up for a fuel shortage and reduced pilot training. The Allies inexorably rolled over the Luftwaffe.

Some good sections focus on the command and control problems of the infrastructure needed to run air operation. Albert Speer deserves credit for re-engineering the manufacturing priorities. For example, Junker JU-87 Stukas only ended production in September 1944--long beyond effectiveness--as did Heinkel HE-111s, JU-52s, Arado AR-196s, Messerschmitt ME-410s, HE-177s, and various gliders. His idea was to concentrate on fewer models. Although too little, and too late, it makes for fascinating reading.

Price delivers a succinct yet comprehensive account of Luftwaffe operations from the tactical anecdotes of the front line to the grand strategic sweeps inside the Fuhrer's bunker. I can't say enough good things about The Last year of the Luftwaffe, other than to say I am sorry that I missed this 10 years ago.