Two Centuries of Railway Signalling

This is the second in a two-volume study of the aircraft camouflage, markings and operations of the transport, airlift and heavy lift units of the Luftwaffe between 1939 and 1945. The Transportflieger, an often forgotten arm of the Luftwaffe, provided essential supply and battlefield support to both the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe in their campaign across Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, North Africa, the Mediterranean and finally the Ardennes and the remains of the Reich. Undoubtedly the workhorse that is synonymous with these units was the legendary Ju52 and this aircraft gets appropriate exposure in its transport, parachute and airlift roles. There were some 30 Knight's Cross holders who flew in the transport units. However, the units also deployed a wide range of interesting aircraft such as the massive Me321 and Me323 Gigant heavy-lift glider and six-engined transporter, as well as the impressive multi-engined Ju290, Ju352 Herkules, Ju390 and the huge Bv222 flying boat. Also covered will be the small Gotha tactical transport gliders and the role of captured USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress and B-024 Liberators which flew agent-dropping missions for the Luftwaffe's clandestine special tasks unit KG200.Alongside the photographic content, the book also includes specially prepared colour artworks and first-hand reminiscences from those who actually flew with the Transportflieger during the war. Covering an often ignored, but essential, part of the German war machine during World War 2, Transporter: Luftwaffe Transport, Airlift and Heavy Lift aircraft and Units 1939-45 Volume 2 is a comprehensive account of these units which will be required reading for all historians and modellers of the Luftwaffe during these years.