Book Title: Ace of the Black Cross: The Memoirs of Ernst Udet
Author: Ernst Udet
ISBN: 978-1-84832-708-5
Category: Autobiography
Format: Hardback
Summary: Introduced by Richard Overy, this 202pp 2013 edition of Ernst Udet's partial autobiography appears to follow the same format as earlier, so Overy's six pages are all that is 'new'. The majority of the four-part book covers Udet's flying career in WWI, from joining the army through to command of J.4 and the loss of status and respect following the Armistice. As well as personal interests and commentary, the description of fuel starvation, even for the elite JG.I, is an interesting insight into the diminishing operational capability of the Central powers in the last year of the war. The final part deals with Udet's post-war adventures in the Americas, Africa (including a lion attack on a low flying aircraft!) and Greenland, finishing with the rise of National Socialism.
The final sentences offer a good insight into the mind of not just Udet, but surely many of his generation regarding what had befallen their country and what they believed the future held. 'We were soldiers without a flag. We have now unfurled our flag once more. The Fuhrer restored it to us. For old soldiers life is worth living again.'
I echo ObH's comments about wanting to know more, from the man himself, about his later life.
Bookmarks