The JG 26 War Diary: Volume One 1939-1942, Donald Caldwell — 1st Edition

£17.50

The JG 26 War Diary: Volume One 1939-1942, Donald Caldwell — 1st Edition

Name: The JG 26 War Diary: Volume One 1939-1942, Donald Caldwell — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5778
Price: 17.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Grub Street, 1996

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 346.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The unclipped dust jacket remains remarkably crisp and bright, exhibiting only the faintest hints of shelf-wear to the extreme edges. Beneath the jacket, the publisher's original red cloth boards are exceptionally clean, with the gilt tooling on the spine remaining entirely unoxidised and gleaming. The binding is tight and square, suggesting the book has seen little to no use. The text block edges are clean and free from foxing, while the interior pages are notably bright, crisp, and entirely devoid of any dog-ears, tears, or previous ownership signatures. There is only trivial bumping to the spine ends. A highly attractive copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first printing of Caldwell's highly regarded operational history, retaining its original, unclipped dust jacket. The volume is notably enhanced by detailed endpaper maps of the Channel Coast, providing crucial geographical context for the Luftwaffe operations detailed within.

While the book is a standard trade edition and relatively common on the open market, copies presenting in such clean, well-preserved condition are highly desirable for military aviation historians and collectors.

Donald Caldwell's meticulous war diary offers an unparalleled, day-by-day account of Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26), one of the Luftwaffe's premier fighter wings. Covering the pivotal years from 1939 to 1942, this first volume draws on extensive primary sources, official combat logs, and veteran testimonies to reconstruct the unit's aerial campaigns across the Western Front, from the early Blitzkrieg to the intense dogfights of the Battle of Britain and beyond. It stands as a definitive reference for understanding the tactical realities and operational tempo of the German fighter arm during the first half of the Second World War.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Donald Caldwell

Book Publisher: Grub Street

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 346

Book Publication Year: 1996

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Guildford, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.