Bouwer, Stefaan Luftwaffe Crash Archive. Desert Special. Band 1

The war in North Africa left hundreds of aircraft wrecks littering the landscape, many of which were photographed by the opposing sides. To catalogue them all would be impossible but South African researcher Stefaan Bouwer set out to catalogue those Axis wrecks found and photographed by South African Forces as they pushed on from North Africa all the way through to Germany itself. This book is therefore a pictorial record of the Axis aircraft that were found and, in some cases, flown by the South Africans during their North African/Italian campaign. Looking at the vast number of wrecks it is difficult to comprehend that within a few years almost every one had disappeared. With privileged access to many private albums, Stefaan presents an impressive collection of over 300 rare, unusual - and unofficial - photos of these "desert wrecks". Volume One covers all German types apart from the Me109. Volume Two will cover the Me109 plus a handful of Italian and French types.

Given the large number of wrecks, it is hard to understand why almost every one of them disappeared within a few years. With privileged access to many private albums, Stefaan Bouwer presents an impressive collection of over 300 rare, unusual - and unofficial - photos of these 'desert wrecks'. Volume one covers all German aircraft types except the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The next volume in the series will then cover the Bf 109 and a handful of Italian and French aircraft types.