This admission had to hurt coming from an air force that, in 1940, was the world's largest. In 1945, Russian Intelligence estimates soberly informed the Kremlin that they were not even close to matching the Western Allies in terms of air power on all levels. The opening air strikes of Operation Barbarossa were utterly devastating, so much so that you can make the argument that the Red Air Force never really did fully recover. The Luftwaffe, in 1941, was light years ahead of the Soviets in terms of experience, leadership, training, maintenance, and technology. While it wasn't the most enjoyable read, there was plenty here that was worth the cost of admission.
Entire pages devoted to fuel consumption, and the materials used in various aircraft construction interface the narrative along with narrative out lines of fighter sweeps, close air support, operational and strategic bombing, and reconnaissance missions. While highly detailed, it wasn't exactly a thrilling read. A very detailed, extremely thorough analytical history of the aerial campaigns conducted on the Eastern Front between the Soviet Air Force and the Luftwaffe and their various Axis allies.
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