This is the 1st time that the historical past of the German Kampfeinsitzer Kommandos, higher often called KEKs and the Fokkerstaffels, were amassed in a publication. The KEKs have been the predecessors of the recognized Jagdstaffeln or Jastas which might wreak havoc on Allied airplane over the trenches throughout the First global conflict. Aces equivalent to Boelcke, Immelmann, Berthold, Buddecke, Goring, Udet, Frankl, Bernert, Veltjens, scholar, von Althaus and Leffers have been loved ones names in Germany but feared and respected via their Allied contemporaries. The KEKs are surrounded with secret or even this present day, lots of the destinations of the airfields have lengthy been forgotten. Remarkably, all airfields have been situated by way of the writer and mapped within the background of the German KEK and Fokkerstaffels: The Early German Fighter devices in 1915-16. This booklet not just offers the background of those devices and their aces, it additionally acts as a battlefield consultant so the reader can discover those interesting destinations this day. Illustrated with over 250 images and profiles of a few of the fighter airplane they utilized in conflict, this interesting e-book takes a trip from Flanders to the Somme, to the Verdun to the Vosges. the writer, a primary international battle One professional who has labored with the BBC and The historical past Channel, was once aided by means of battlefield photographers. On a couple of events, they have been capable of notice the castles the place the German aces slept, ate, celebrated victories and mourned fallen comrades. The e-book starts off with the KEK Vaux, essentially the most recognized devices, which had not less than 8 aces who may obtain Germany's maximum present for bravery: the Pour le Merite. It describes in exhaustive element the lives of those early fighter pilots, their dogfights and encounters with demise. To rejoice the anniversary of the 1st international conflict in 2014, this can be a designated e-book with unpublished photos of the interval and of the aces.

** This publication version includes 188 black-and-white images **