GUNTHER RALL ~ A Memoir

Signed by Günther Rall in pencil under his portrait on the pictorial endpaper

Published by Tangmere Productions. First edition, second printing 2003.  423 pages and well illustrated with photographs.

Fine condition hardback book in green and black boards. Fine condition unclipped dustjacket. As new and feels unread. A fabulous copy.

This is the authorized biography of Gunther Rall, Luftwaffe ace, the third ranking ace of all time with 275 victories. He was shot down eight times, broke his back in three places and lost his left thumb.  His story spans a childhood in a defeated country, two world wars, the calamity of the Nazi regime, the Cold War, the jet age, his distinguished service as a NATO military representative, his work with the USAF and his time as the chief of the new German Air Force.

A pristine signed copy of this scarce biography of Gunther Rall, Luftwaffe ace.

From the Jacket Notes

Günther Rall, fighter ace and NATO general, waited fifty years before authorizing this first biography that chronicles almost a Century of his life and coincides with some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the twentieth Century. His story spans a childhood in a defeated country, two world wars, the calamity of the Nazi regime, the Cold War, the jet age, his distinguished service as a NATO military representative, his work with the US Air Force, and chief of the new German Air Force. In civilian life Rall has been one of the most sought-after military consultants and advisors by international agencies, ministries of defence, and multinational corporations.

This third ranking ace of all time, who fought on the Eastern Front during World War II, vividly describes aerial dogfights and his 275 victories, being shot down eight times, having his back broken in three places, and the loss of his left thumb. He relates the struggle to survive in the brutal Russian winters, and reveals his days as a POW. Rall was 21 when Europe went to war. He was 22 when he was promoted to squadron leader, and a 27-year old wing commander when he was captured by the Allies. In the post-war period he sought out ways to serve the new, democratic Germany, determined to help regain other nations’ respect for his country after Hitler’s horrendous betrayal of its people. General Rall’s leadership skills and personal integrity earned him great esteem and the Americans were quick to bring him to the United States for assistance in the development of the F-104 for the NATO countries, making him the first German pilot to test Lockheed’s Starfighter.

The biography includes Rall’s perspective of global affairs that a lifetime of public service has shaped and other reflections. In the words of Colonel Don Lopez, deputy director of the Air and Space Museum: “We have all been waiting a long time for this important book.”