Aces of Jagdgeschwader Nr III
A history of Royal Prussian Jagdgeschwader Nr III, the third of Germany's vaunted fighter wings to be formed during World War 1.
Commanded by the Pour le Mérite winner and well-respected ace Hauptmann Bruno Loerzer for its entire existence, it was composed of the celebrated Jasta 'Boelcke', along with Jagdstaffeln 26, 27 and 36. Equipped largely with the new Fokker triplane, these four units would play an important role in the Kaiserschlacht as part of the 17. Armee. JG III flew all the key German fighter types in World War 1, namely the Albatros D III and D Va and Fokker Dr I triplane and D VII.
As Germany's fortunes waned in the summer of 1918, the aces of JG III nonetheless did their best to stem the tides of British, French and later American aircraft they encountered. Aces such as Carl Bolle, Paul Bäumer, Heinrich Bongartz, Hermann Frommherz, Rudolf Klimke and the infamous Hermann Göring all carved their names in the record books flying in this formidable formation.
This book examines the tactics, achievements and personalities of one of the deadliest of Germany's aerial units.
Greg VanWyngarden has had a lifelong interest in World War 1 aviation and has been particularly active in gathering information on the colours and markings that decorated the various German fighters. This is the 12th title he has written or co-authored for Osprey, including Aces of Jagdstaffel 17 in the Aircraft of the Aces series, and Richthofen’s Circus – Jagdgeschwader Nr I and Jagdstaffel 18 – The Red Noses in the Elite Unit series.
Harry Dempsey has been passionate about World War 1 aviation for more than 30 years, having produced the most technically accurate artwork on the subject. Mark Postlethwaite was born in Leicestershire in 1964 and has developed a lifelong passion for aviation history. He first worked as a photographer before turning his attention solely to artwork, and is now highly regarded in his field for the quality and accuracy of his work. He became the youngest elected member of the Guild of Aviation Artists in 1991.