JG 54 is a book that tells the story of the Grunherzjager, a Luftwaffe fighter unit that fought in World War II. Through the eyes of the air and ground crews, the book shows the formation, operations, and battles of the unit [...]

In five turbulent years the members of this highly successful Luftwaffe fighter unit developed into such a close-knit team that even now – almost fifty years later – that bond still exists. This unique photo history was compiled with assistance from the air and ground crews of JG 54. The 400+ photographs document the story of the Grünherz-Geschwader from its formation in the spring of 1939 to the final battles in the Courland pocket in the spring of 1945.

Within the timespan lay the arduous years of operations in Poland, France, the Channel Front, the Balkans, Russia, Finland and the defence of the Reich. Werner Held is the author of many books on the Luftwaffe of World War II, including

The German Fighter Units over Russia, and The Luftwaffe in the North African Campaign (both available from Schiffer Publishing). Hannes Trautloft is a former Geschwaderkommodore of JG 54. Ekkehard Bob is a former Staffelkapitän in JG 54.