PRINCES OF DARKNESS: THE LIVES OF LUFTWAFFE NIGHT FIGHTER ACES HEINRICH PRINZ zu SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN AND EGMONT PRINZ zur LIPPE-WEISSENFELD.

Hersham, Surrey: Classic / Ian Allan, 2008. 208 pp, 9 7/8" H. Profusely illustrated with b&w photographs, reproductions, 5 colour plates (aircraft profiles). "(A) unique illustrated account of the careers of the two 'fighting princes' of the Luftwaffe's night fighter force, Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weissenfeld, whose dramatic lives were often inter-connected. (The author) was granted unprecedented access by the princes' respective families to previously unpublished diaries, personal correspondence, logbooks and family photographs. The work also benefits from research in archival resources, technical data and recollections supplied by the princes' night fighter contemporaries, together with first-hand accounts from family, friends and fellow officers which offer a unique insight into the ambition, intensity and actions of the leading characters in time of war. (I)ncludes essential details of aircraft, weaponry, equipment and combat strategies which are required to gain an overall understanding of the contribution of the night fighter to the German war effort. However, the main theme of the book is to uncover the tragedy of the princes' all too short lives and unveil the human element behind the enigma of these two German war heroes. As such, it is a revealing and absorbing account of the role of the German aristocracy during World War 2, which will be fascinating reading for all aviation enthusiasts and historians." A previous owner's name and date in ink on the front free endpaper, light toning to the edges/margins of the pages. Dust jacket has light wrinkling at the top edge, light toning on the inside top edge and at the bottom of the inside spine/hinges, several tiny dents and line indentations on the rear panel.. Not Signed. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good+/Very Good.