Rating: 
Summary: Stuka Pilot
Review: ... I will give an extra star for the writing style, not the accuracy, of this book, as well as its importance as a historical document.Rudel plays up many of his own missions, and it seems a little small of him to refer to his many rear gunners without knowing their names. Perhaps this was typical of a German officer, but the many I've interviewed or read about usually descibed relations within smaller units as intimate - certainly on a first name or "du" basis. In any event, despite this being a very "German" history long on heroics and short on contextual details, the book is an exciting read, and doesn't stray too terribly far from the facts. Rudel was the most decorated soldier in the German Wehrmacht (unlike Goering, he earned the highest decorations) - it is not too odd that any traces of National Socialism, anti-semetism, or thoughts of "untermensch" related to those he was fighting - and killing - are not evident. I would criticize this book for being sanitized more than I would for being exaggerated.
Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable story.. Too bad he wasn't born in the USA!
Review:
The only sad thing about this book is that Rudel, (or his nom-de-guerre, "Hannelore") fought on the side of the Germans. Granted, he mostly fought the USSR, but they weren't much better or worse than Nazi Deutsch. Also, Hannelore was a devout believer in Nazism and the Reich, and expouses his views about fighting the Asian hordes. It's too bad he wasn't fighting against the Nazis instead of for them. Having said that, I'll continue the review and concentrate on the story and the man without mention of governments and allegiances.
This story is incredibly inspirational and tough. Hannelore's internal motivation and positive outlook on life in the face of monstrously huge opposition is so huge as to be unworldly.
This book should be read by every US servicemember. It's not 'politically correct,' so it'll never happen, but maybe the government could throw in a disclaimer at the beginning or something at the front about how we're not trying to make our soldiers into Wermacht troops!
Hannelore's quote, that "Only he is lost who gives himself up for lost," is one of the best maxims I can think of in life.
Outstanding inside view of the Luftwaffe, Hitler's high command, and fighting on the Eastern Front. A dash of humor thrown in with the horror, as well. This is a great read, one that I'd give to my troops in a heartbeat. If you're looking for a book to inspire your troops, this is probably more interesting and relevant than "Rifleman Dodd," or "A letter to Garcia," but a little more controversial due to the allegiance of the protagonist.
-- JJ Timmins
Rating:
Summary: Three thumbs up!!!
Review: A well written first hand account of the highest and most decorated Luftwaffe pilot of World War Two. His ability to survive over 1000 combat sorties, from the first day of the war until its surrender in a Stuka was never equaled.Finishing the war as leader of the famous "Immelman" squadron, Soviet planes would abandon their missions and pursue Rudel's plane on sight.He lost a leg on the eastern front and defied Hitlers personal orders to continue on flying combat sorties until he purposely pancaked his Stuka on a French airfield on the last day of the war. A interesting insight of a remarkable pilot.His factual style of recounting the horrors and rare humors makes an excellent read. Christian K
Rating:
Summary: Review of Stuka Pilot
Review: As one of the few pilots to survive the entire war (especially considering the fact that he flew Stukas for the majority of the time) his experiences provide for and facinating and unique look at the nature of winged-warfare on the Eastern Front. While there is no denying that he must have been a brave and capable flier to be decorated as he was, one view what he writes with some measure of scepticism. If not fabricated, some of his recollections are without a doubt embellished. The nature of warfare in the air--as far as an arm-chair pilot such as myself can tell--is such that fully comprehending the chaos around one in the midst of combat makes it difficult for even the most astute person to have an accurate understanding afterwards of what happened. Successes were almost always exaggerated by pilots from all nationalities, and there is no reason to believe that Rudel just as prone to doing so. Whatever the case, the book is very interesting and is a must read for any WWII buff.
Rating:
Summary: Stuka Pilot - A fascinating story! Full of surprises!
Review: Every so often you come across a book that literally makes you sad when you must put it down for the last time. Consider this one a nominee to head the list.
Hans Ulrich Rudel was a remarkable individual. Though considered little more than a nuisance to his commanders upon completion of his training, Rudel went on to become Germany's most highly decorated aviator--"the foremost combat pilot in the world." A survivor of gunshot wounds, plane crashes, and a leg amputation (he returned to flight status within days after even *that*), to call him incredible would be a drastic understatement. Physically fit, mentally astute, possessed with an incredible force of will, and amazingly confident, Rudel was a truly dynamic figure. His maxim, "Only he is lost who gives himself up for lost," though deceivingly simple, is perhaps the finest ever translated into the English language. "Ridiculous," you say. Pick up Rudel's tome, flip through a few pages, and soon you will agree that these words--this man's tremendous accomplishments aside--are an inspiration unto themselves. Readers will quote that line often, with conviction, as the events portrayed in this work flash before their eyes. Although the translation is somewhat rough at times (in a couple of spots I found sentences that simply made no sense) and the punctuation takes some getting used to, it is easy to become lost in the story. Rudel's narrative strikes a brilliant balance between the daily life of an attack pilot and an overall view of the war in Europe, and many of his revelations about the war on the Eastern Front are startling. Rudel also manages to paint Adolf Hitler less as a demagogue and more as a human, something I thought completely impossible. (Rudel didn't quite convince me, but he certainly showed a side of Hitler, evil as he was in so many ways, I'd never seen before.) Thought the Stuka was slow, old, and incapable? Thought a rear gunner was anachronistic and ineffective? Thought the Soviets steamrollered the German Army with impunity after Operation Barbarosa ground to a standstill? Thought stubbing your toe on the floor was the definition of "bad day?" To give details would spoil this fine work. Pick up a copy. There's many a surprise here! (Note to those unfamiliar with Europe and Asia: find a good map and have it close at hand as you read "Stuka Pilot" as there are no maps in most versions of this book.) Some will insist Rudel's commentary is self-aggrandizing, that his recollections are tainted and innaccurate. Though this may very well be true, one must consider that history is not written by those defeated in battle. In this light, one must also concede that winning does not exempt the victors from being biased themselves, and we would serve ourselves well to read tales written by those on the short end of the proverbial stick from time to time. I cannot think of a work better suited to this purpose. This story provides its readers with a perspective on the war rarely--if at all--seen. More importantly, it stands as a testimony to what one person can accomplish in the face of insurmountable odds. An absolutely wonderful, wonderful, wonderful autobiography. Worth every dime. "All one needs is a little luck," Rudel wrote. ...That, and the courage to try...
Rating:
Summary: Great war story by Germany's premier combat pilot.
Review: I can only reiterate what the other reviewers have stated about this outstanding work. It is well worth the effort to track down a copy if you are interested in the eastern front, Luftwaffe pilots, or just fine combat stories, read this one! Mr. Rudel missed The Battle of Britain, was not even considered a great pilot during training. Regardless, he entered combat when Germany invaded Russia in'41 and survived 4 brutal years of warfare. By '43 he was flying a Stuka that mounted 2 37mm cannons under it's wings and began gaining his great reputation as supreme "Tankbuster". The Stuka, already dangerously slow was even more so with these guns attached. I think he got credit for around 500 tanks destroyed, about the equivelent of one entire Red Tank Army's inventory. Rudel was one of Hitler's personal favorites, and when he decorated Rudel with a high award he ussually forbade him any further combat. Of course Rudel always found a way around that. In fact, his final award, the Knight's Cross with gold oakleaves, crossed swords and diamonds was pretty much invented for Rudel, as Hitler had run out of awards to give him. Apart from straight up combat flying the book has numerous survival stories. Rudel several times landed behind lines to pick up fellow pilots (a habit Hitler eventually strictly forbade of him). On one of those occasions his plane got mired in the muck and a incredible evasion and escape adventure begins. In the final weeks Rudel is flying FW-190s, one legged. Rudel was, perhaps understandably a sore loser and shows this at the end, when he flew to an allied field to surrender. At his command, he and his fellow pilots locked the brakes and collapsed their landing gear to render their planes useless to the allies. A futile gesture that still demonstrated his defiance to what was a bitter end for his Luftwaffe career. I can't recomend this great book enough.
Rating:
Summary: Great war story by Germany's premier combat pilot.
Review: I can only reiterate what the other reviewers have stated about this outstanding work. It is well worth the effort to track down a copy if you are interested in the eastern front, Luftwaffe pilots, or just fine combat stories, read this one! Mr. Rudel missed The Battle of Britain, was not even considered a great pilot during training. Regardless, he entered combat when Germany invaded Russia in'41 and survived 4 brutal years of warfare. By '43 he was flying a Stuka that mounted 2 37mm cannons under it's wings and began gaining his great reputation as supreme "Tankbuster". The Stuka, already dangerously slow was even more so with these guns attached. I think he got credit for around 500 tanks destroyed, about the equivelent of one entire Red Tank Army's inventory. Rudel was one of Hitler's personal favorites, and when he decorated Rudel with a high award he ussually forbade him any further combat. Of course Rudel always found a way around that. In fact, his final award, the Knight's Cross with gold oakleaves, crossed swords and diamonds was pretty much invented for Rudel, as Hitler had run out of awards to give him. Apart from straight up combat flying the book has numerous survival stories. Rudel several times landed behind lines to pick up fellow pilots (a habit Hitler eventually strictly forbade of him). On one of those occasions his plane got mired in the muck and a incredible evasion and escape adventure begins. In the final weeks Rudel is flying FW-190s, one legged. Rudel was, perhaps understandably a sore loser and shows this at the end, when he flew to an allied field to surrender. At his command, he and his fellow pilots locked the brakes and collapsed their landing gear to render their planes useless to the allies. A futile gesture that still demonstrated his defiance to what was a bitter end for his Luftwaffe career. I can't recomend this great book enough.
Rating:
Summary: Essence of Leadership
Review: Quiet and unpretentious, Rudel gives an insight into a myriad of wartime German WWII topics seldom accurately or adequately discussed. Technical application of his aviation prowess is only briefly mentioned, but every fighter or attack helicopter pilot can relate. Trials of leadership under severe pressure are modestly described as he endured fighting and finally captivity in the clutches of a depraved and indifferent enemy. Should be manditory reading for all students of Prisoner of War disciplines. Finally, the ultimate cost of the war to his life is portrayed in the reunion he has with his former lover. Tragic, heroic, a most excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: Essence of Leadership
Review: Quiet and unpretentious, Rudel gives an insight into a myriad of wartime German WWII topics seldom accurately or adequately discussed. Technical application of his aviation prowess is only briefly mentioned, but every fighter or attack helicopter pilot can relate. Trials of leadership under severe pressure are modestly described as he endured fighting and finally captivity in the clutches of a depraved and indifferent enemy. Should be manditory reading for all students of Prisoner of War disciplines. Finally, the ultimate cost of the war to his life is portrayed in the reunion he has with his former lover. Tragic, heroic, a most excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: Dive Bombing as a Military Art
Review: STUKA PILOT is the autobiography and Second World War adventures of Hans Ulrich Rudel. Rudel, one of the most highly decorated officers in the German Third Reich, was Hitler's favorite soldier. His unbridled passion was to be a pilot and keep flying. Wounded severely several times, he continued flying combat missions until the end of the war. Often incorrectly stereotyped as an "Unrepentant Nazi," STUKA PILOT's emphasis is on Rudel's experiences as a Luftwaffe pilot and commander. Born to humble circumstances, Rudel struggled to gain acceptance into a Luftwaffe officer candidate program. Though an exceptional athlete -- and often a dare-devil -- Rudel chose a dive bombers as his piloting career field.
The book follows Rudel through his early frustrations in missing out on early campaigns and being grounded by unforgiving squadron staff officers. The invasion of the Soviet Union offered Rudel the opportunity to hone dive bombing operations to a fine art. Rapid promotion followed. At the end of the war we find Rudel commanding anti-tank dive bombing units as just about the only force remaining to stem the Red Army.
STUKA PILOT provides excellent military history reading along with lessons in leadership. Though highly recommended, the book does harbor shortcomings. Rudel's printed story is too closely translated from German and the verbiage is sometimes confusing. Rudel's narrative also sometimes strays from a chronological recounting of events. As noted in other reviews, most versions of this book lack maps of any sort and so it is difficult to appreciate the extensive geography involved in this story. Rudel's story also abruptly ends with the end of the war. It is too bad that he did not append later version with his post war activities.
Do not expect to find much about Rudel's personal life in this volume. This book is devoted to Rudel's wartime exploits. Consider STUKA PILOT a military classic. If you enjoy military aviation books about World War Two, this book should find its way into your collection.
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