Mano Ziegler's books, especially Turbinen-Jäger Me 262 and his Me 163 title 'Rocket Fighter' come in for some hefty criticism in the magazine of the German fighter Pilot's association Jägerblatt. In a piece entitled " A critical note regarding Mano Ziegler’s book *Turbinen-Jäger Me 262* (*Jägerblatt* 6/77, Book Recommendations B. 54) Rudolf Sinner (R.-Wagner-Str. 5, A-4020 Linz)—formerly a Major, Gruppenkommandeur in JG 27, a member of the Lechfeld Jet Testing Command (Turboerprobungskommando), and Kommandeur of III./JG 7 reacts. Sinner had been asked by his former Kommodore, Edu Neumann, to assist Mano Ziegler in his work on the history of the Me 262. Through several meetings and letters, Sinner provided Ziegler with information, documents, photographs, and pointers. However, he had requested the opportunity to review and correct the material before the book went to press.
Sinner raised objections regarding the draft excerpt sent to him, but these were disregarded. Consequently—as he wrote to Ziegler on December 7, 1977—"knowledgeable readers could form completely erroneous impressions regarding the objective (Zielsetzung) and content of my contribution."
"What bothers me most is Chapter 17; I had expressly requested its omission or a proposed revision," Sinner continued. He found the section titled "The Knight's Cross Invention" (page 165 of the aforementioned book) completely baffling; he had specifically pointed out in a conversation that, due to the lack of this decoration—which was practically part of the standard uniform for fighter wing commanders (Jagdflieger Kommandeure) —he was initially denied a command position upon his transfer to JG 7. In his letter to the Jägerblatt editorial staff, Rudolf Sinner offers the following assessment of the book:
"..What is reported here regarding the aircraft's deployment is a patchwork—served up in a superficial and slipshod manner—featuring spurious highlights and absurdly skewed priorities. The descriptions of the operational environment and the commentary on fighter operations in general—and the fight against the four-engine bombers in particular—reveal that Mr. Z. never experienced this crap firsthand (..diese Scheiße..) My point, for instance, that virtually all fighter pilots in Reich Defense units would have gladly switched from their 109s, 190s, and 110s to the 262 - despite certain teething problems - because this aircraft—due to its superior speed and concentrated firepower—offered greater safety and represented a lifeline for many who flew until the very end, remained incomprehensible to him. It was impossible to dissuade him from the exaggerated portrayal, both in terms of length and dramatization, of the dangers that simply flying the 262 supposedly entailed, even though these dangers were hardly worth mentioning compared to the risks (as operations demonstrated) that combat inevitably brought, even with this aircraft—not to mention the old "Otto fighters."
Sinner raised objections regarding the draft excerpt sent to him, but these were disregarded. Consequently—as he wrote to Ziegler on December 7, 1977—"knowledgeable readers could form completely erroneous impressions regarding the objective (Zielsetzung) and content of my contribution."
"What bothers me most is Chapter 17; I had expressly requested its omission or a proposed revision," Sinner continued. He found the section titled "The Knight's Cross Invention" (page 165 of the aforementioned book) completely baffling; he had specifically pointed out in a conversation that, due to the lack of this decoration—which was practically part of the standard uniform for fighter wing commanders (Jagdflieger Kommandeure) —he was initially denied a command position upon his transfer to JG 7. In his letter to the Jägerblatt editorial staff, Rudolf Sinner offers the following assessment of the book:
"..What is reported here regarding the aircraft's deployment is a patchwork—served up in a superficial and slipshod manner—featuring spurious highlights and absurdly skewed priorities. The descriptions of the operational environment and the commentary on fighter operations in general—and the fight against the four-engine bombers in particular—reveal that Mr. Z. never experienced this crap firsthand (..diese Scheiße..) My point, for instance, that virtually all fighter pilots in Reich Defense units would have gladly switched from their 109s, 190s, and 110s to the 262 - despite certain teething problems - because this aircraft—due to its superior speed and concentrated firepower—offered greater safety and represented a lifeline for many who flew until the very end, remained incomprehensible to him. It was impossible to dissuade him from the exaggerated portrayal, both in terms of length and dramatization, of the dangers that simply flying the 262 supposedly entailed, even though these dangers were hardly worth mentioning compared to the risks (as operations demonstrated) that combat inevitably brought, even with this aircraft—not to mention the old "Otto fighters."
Also on this blog;