Diary of a Luftwaffe Pilot

Training

June 22nd, 1940

Ah...The German countryside...we were sent here last week from boot camp. I've been waiting for 6 months. So far, I've been enjoying it. As far as i'm concerned, everyone in my class is very eager to fly. The thoughts of flying high, reaching the skies, excites everyone, including me. Oh, I haven't introduced myself. Name is Joachim Sturm. Luftwaffe Cadet. I signed up a few months ago and here I am! In a flight school in the countryside. What we've been doing for the last week? Well, we've mostly been studying in classes. No real flying yet. I look forward to seeing you...the bright blue skies...

August 25th, 1940

We started flying! Finally! I've been waiting for so long...My first flight was in a Focke Wulf 44 two seat biplane. I wish I could tell you how excited I was. I could tell you how nervous I was, however. Before take off, I felt both excitement and fear. As soon as the wheels departed the ground however, all the fear flew away like wind and all I felt was excitement. I enjoyed every single moment up in the air. My instructor is quite good at what he is doing aswell. His name is Karl Behnkoff, former pilot that saw action during the Spanish Civil War. Oh my...I'm quite sleepy. Its almost 10 PM. I should be asleep by now. Yet here I am writing my diary. Well,good night.

December 31st, 1940

 Happy New Year! It should be 1941 in a few hours. My God did I have a good Christmas this year. We started solo flying! To my surprise, I haven't crashed yet. Unfortunately, I cant say the same to a fellow pilot of mine, Heinz Gruber. His second solo flight almost ended in disaster. As he approached the runway to land, he was caught in the wind and, after a struggle, his aircraft touched the ground hard. The ground crew immediately rushed to the plane. Fortunately for Gruber, he remained in one piece, with a few bruises and scratches here and there. Unfortunately, I can't say the same to his aircraft...

February 12th, 1941

I finally earned my Pilot's Wings and Licence! Me and a few other pilots, some of the best in the class, was selected for fighter pilot training. The others weren't so lucky. Most went on to the bombers. The fighter pioots went straight to the specialist schools. My God was I lucky to be chosen to be a fighter pilot. This is like a dream come true.

June 24th, 1941

It's all over the news. Operation Barbarossa was launched two days ago. I bet that's where I'll be going. As far as I heard, the Soviets had old outdated machines, should be no problem shooting those down in our modern fighters. Training has finally been completed. Some 13 months of training, to be exact, was over. Now, I await future orders.

July 1st, 1941

Jagdgeschwader 111. That was where I was going. It was a new unit. I heard they enjoyed great success in the Eastern Front against the Soviet's old rusty aircraft. I'm so excited and nervous about jumping into combat.