Introduction

World War II raged across the globe on virtually every continent, across the seven seas and in the air.

For the 9-part 1997 documentary Warbirds of World War II look here.

Outline

The roots of the German Luftwaffe that flew in World War II had its genesis in World War I.

While most countries used airplanes for reconnaissance in World War I, bombing capabilities did emerge as did attack aircraft, the birth of fighter aircraft and fighter pilots.

While The Red Baron – Manfred von Richtofen – may be the most remembered German ace of World War 1, it is Oswald Boelcke who is considered the father of the German fighter air force and the first to devise air fighting tactics that are used to this day.

The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe limitations on German air power but Hitler ordered the Luftwaffe reinstated in 1935.

The development over the next few years of the JU87 bomber, the Me 109 fighter and the Stuka dive bomber and their use in the Spanish Civil War was the precursor of what was to come when the war began in 1939.

Warbirds of World War II Series

You can find a full index of Warbirds of World War II (2008) here.

Production & Filming Details

• Production: Valorous TV.
• Distributor(s): Valorous TV.
• Release Date: 2008.
• Running Time: 10 x 60 minutes (600 minutes total running time).
• Country: US.
• Language: English.