May 25, 2026

Preview: Luftwaffe Gallery #7: "Against England" from Erik Mombeeck

Erik Mombeeck's latest Luftwaffe Gallery (LuGA) book is with us. Luftwaffe Gallery #7: "Against England" is an expanded special edition. We look at what's inside in our preview...

Preview: Luftwaffe Gallery #7: "Against England"
By Erik Mombeeck (with Maciej Góralczyk)
Softcover, in A4 Landscape Format
96 pages
242 photos (many of them published for the first time)
13 colour profiles by Janusz Światłoń
Before the propaganda machine and total war took over, many pre-war German and British pilots shared a deep mutual respect for each other, pioneers in aviation and military flying. This was to change as that early chivalry quickly dissolved into a merciless conflict as military reality set in.
In the latest Luftwaffe Gallery release, the team dives deep into this shifting dynamic and uncovers the fascinating contradictions of the air war. Despite the supposed austerity of German aircraft decorations, talented unit artists went completely wild with custom "Against England" nose art. 
Tragically, this vibrant creative expression vanished from the skies as pilot and aircraft losses skyrocketed. The illusion of a gentleman's war shattered completely when German "Jabos" began targeting civilian infrastructure to harass the British public.

Following up on their previous feature on daytime claims, this massive edition shifts focus to the brutal nocturnal battles fought over the British homeland. 

LuGA #7 "Against England!" Contents:
Unit Art & Emblems: The book highlights the lively, and often wild, personal artwork created by Luftwaffe cartoonists and artists. It notes that this expert expression began to disappear as manpower and aircraft losses mounted later in the war. 
Personal artifacts are also shown, with many from collections not seen before in print.
Tactical Shifts: How the air war transformed from an initially "chivalrous" engagement into German Jabos (fighter-bomber units) targeting civilian infrastructure to harass the British population.
Night Combat: Expanding on the previous issue (which focused on daytime claims), this volume details nocturnal combat as German and British crews fought over British territory.
There is so much to say and reveal on this subject that the team was forced to adopt the 96-page format previously reserved for special issues, which is a good thing for us!
This book is now available to order – contact Erik via his email address at the Luftwaffe.be website if you would like to purchase this book.