Hermann Graf & Alfred Grislawski, by Christer Bergström & Vlad Antipov - 2

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High! which started as a discussion on the new Eagle Editions book on Hans 'Assi' Hahn: "Major Hans 'Assi' Hahn:The Man & His Machines":

Ruy Horta
Re: How is the text?
Mon Jan 13 11:14:13 2024
213.160.199.19

The Rall biography was very poor IMHO, certainly the author wasn't qualified for the subject and it showed.

The quality of Eagle Ed. is high, however it would be nice to know the balance of this work, graphical vs text. The same goes for the planned Graf/Grislawski book.

Hopefully it will give use an expanded view of Graf's career. I found the old biography quite enjoyable.

Oberst Hermann Graf: 200 Luftsiegen in 13 Monaten

Ein fliegerleben nacherzählt von...
Berthold Jochim (also WW2 Jagdwaffe pilot!)
1975 Pabel, 278p., HC - Cloth, DJ

Ruy Horta

From TOCH!:

Christer Bergström
Graf & Grislawski book: information
Wed Jan 22 22:05:14 2024
213.67.155.147

"The quality of Eagle Ed. is high, however it would be nice to know the balance of this work, graphical vs text. The same goes for the planned Graf/Grislawski book."

Vlad Antipov's and my book "Graf & Grislawski: A Pair of Aces" will be published in April/May this year (2003). No more delays, I'm sure. The amount of text will be slightly more than in a "Black Cross/Red Star" volume; there will be about 250 photos (many of which have never been published before), and over 20 excellent color profiles by Claes Sundin. The book is the result of many years of close research into - among other sources - German, Soviet and other Allied records. Plus, naturally, Mr Alfred Grislawski's close cooperation for many years.

And - yes, of course there is cross reference to their claims against known allied losses ,etc. All of this is explained in some kind of detail on our Graf/Grislawski website.

Among the books I've written (it's about ten now), this definitely is the one I'm most satisfied with. I've worked about twice as much on this book as on any other single book. To that should be added the excellent work laid down by my co-author Vlad Antipov.

And yes, the quality of Eagle Ed. is high. Judging from the proofs that I've seen from them, they will turn this book into something really nice. But it's better to let them speak in this matter.

Best wishes

Christer Bergström

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Black tulip
What does "Karaya" means?
Wed Feb 26 12:06:47 2024
80.126.28.64

Can someone explain what the word "Karaya" means which was painted on Erich Hartmann's Me109?

From TOCH!:

Bernd Barbas
Karaya
Wed Feb 26 15:34:16 2024
194.45.48.11

Hello Black Tulip ,

look here at www.jg52.de

Best Wishes

From TOCH!:

Anonymous
Re: Karaya
Wed Feb 26 19:47:12 2024
80.126.28.64

Bernd,

Thank you very much!


Black Tulip

From TOCH!:

Christer Bergström
Karaya and Graf & Grislawski
Thu Feb 27 14:35:15 2024
212.105.81.53

The word "Karaya" and the Karaya heart indeed was painted on Hartmann's plane when he flew with the "Karayastaffel" - 9./JG 52.

The name "Karaya" was invented by Ernst Süss - an earlier ace in 9./JG 52 - in May 1942. Süss came back to the front from a leave at home, and he brought a record player. But all the records were broken during the uneasy landing with his Bf 109. But in Zürichtal in the Crimea, where 9./JG 52 was stationed, (this was when 9./JG 52 supported Manstein's offensive in the Crimea) Süss found a "Russian" record - or rather, a record with the Crimean Tartar music culture. So Süss played that record over and over again, and interpreted the Tartarian song title as "Karaya, karaya".

Süss even sang that song aloud with his R/T switched to transmission during missions. During one air combat, his Staffelkapitän Hermann Graf tried to get through all the undisciplined radio traffic, so he simply yelled: "Attention all Karaya guys!" - meaning the pilots of his 9./JG 52. And so the name "Karayastaffel" was invented.

In mid-May 1942 - this was while the Staffel was based at Kharkov-Rogan and in action against Timoshenko's offensive - a red heart with an arrow through was created as the Karayastaffel's crest. The pilots not only had it painted it on their aircraft; they also had a Karaya heart banner, they received a wooden Karaya heart shield, and a Karaya heart ring each, and even had a Karaya heart sign on the Staffel's lavatory. It was a true cult...

All of this - and much more of the background to all of this - will be described in Vlad Antipov's and my book "Graf & Grislawski: A Pair of Aces".

Now it is certain: The book will be published (by Eagle Editions) in May or June this year! I have just done my proofreading of the printouts of all the layout pages. I can assure you that the guys at Eagle have done a fantastic work! It's the most beautiful aviation book I have ever seen - without any exaggeration. The layout is in the same style as in their "Assi" Hahn book (also a great book), but in the Graf&Grislawski book, it's even nicer.

See:

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/

(Still not updated regarding publication dates, though.)

From TOCH!:

Franek Grabowski
Karaya and Graf & Grislawski
Fri Feb 28 18:11:44 2024
213.25.54.73

Hallo Christer
Der Jude Süss was a synonimus of a 'bad Jew' in the German propaganda. Do you know if Ernst Süss was a subject of related bad treatment or jokes?
Cheers
Franek

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
Graf & Grislawski book: Publication update
Thu Feb 27 17:36:54 2024
81.224.232.46

There's a new update on the Graf & Grislawski website, with news about publication date:

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/

As mentioned in a posting below - now it is certain: The book "Graf & Grislawski: A Pair of Aces" will be published (by Eagle Editions) in May or June this year! I have just done my proofreading of the printouts of all the layout pages. I can assure you that the guys at Eagle have done a fantastic work! It's the most beautiful aviation book I have ever seen - without any exaggeration. The layout is in the same style as in their "Assi" Hahn book (also a great book), but in the Graf&Grislawski book, it's even nicer.

Best wishes

Christer Bergström

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
My forthcoming books in 2024
Sun Mar 9 13:49:26 2024
81.224.232.46

My Graf & Grislawski book will be published in May/June this year, by Eagle Editions. It is clear now.

Regarding "Black Cross/Red Star", Vol. 3, it will follow. For running updates on this, please see:

http://www.bergstrombooks.elknet.pl/bc-rs/vol3.htm

(My new co-authors with BC/RS are Andrey Dikov and Vlad Antipov. My friend Andrey Mikhailov and I continue our cooperation but on another level.)

Best wishes

Christer Bergström (currently working on "Black Cross/Red Star", Vol. 4, and a book with Claes Sundin that I think many will like)

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
This question is examined in Graf & Grislawski
Thu May 1 22:04:13 2024
81.224.233.238

This is not some hidden advertisement, but "this complicated psycological ethical situation" (as Mikael put it) - the question of whether to join the Nazi party or not; of how a German could participate in the war without fighting for the Nazi goals, is addressed throughout my and Vlad Antipov's forthcoming book "Graf & Grislawski: A Pair of Aces". For natural reasons that deal with the main protagonists (although maybe not the reasons that some might think).

Because we deal with two individuals, and do so in a fairly large book, we could go so deep into the lifes of Graf & Grislawski. Thus, we also penetrate this truly complicated issue.

Through Alfred Grislawski and many other pilot veterans that have contributed to this book, we have received many valuable and deep insights into this often overlooked subject.

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
Graf & Grislawski book update
Thu May 1 21:48:16 2024
81.224.233.238

Regarding the publication date for the book on Graf & Grislawski, there has been a delay due to the fact that the Swedish Post "service" took over a month extra to deliver the proofread pages across the Atlantic Ocean. Nothing any of us can do anything about, but now the publishing date has been delayed by more than a month. The publisher says: "We will have quantity here mid to end of July, providing there is no production problems. I will probably have some copies at the IPMS nationals in Oklahoma city so I can take orders, or if not too expensive, I might have some flown in for the meeting."

As far as I'm concerned, I feel that everyone involved is working hard to get the book out as quickly as possible.

For those interested, you can follow the regular updates on the final work on the Graf & Grislawski book here:

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/

From TOCH!:

Bryan Bury
Re: Graf & Grislawski book update
Sat May 3 00:23:46 2024
208.191.185.114

Thanks for the update Christer.

From 12 O'Clock High!

Christer Bergström
News on the production of "Graf & Grislawski" book
Tue May 13 23:45:43 2024
81.224.233.238

Excuse an enthusiast, but here's some news for those who might have thought of stop waiting:

The book "Graf & Grislawski" now is at the printer! For immediate updates on this, please see:

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/

From TOCH!:

Darryl
Book
Fri May 16 01:04:41 2024
24.138.75.8

I've already placed my order for a signed copy. Expensive but I think it will be worth it.

Darryl

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
"The Truth About Hermann Graf's Activities in Captivity"
Sun Jun 8 16:43:48 2024
81.224.232.247

There are some updates on the Graf & Grislawski website:

A new article - "The Truth About Hermann Graf's Activities in Captivity", and many new links added to the Link Page.

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/index.htm

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
Various books
Tue Jun 10 18:27:43 2024
81.224.232.247

"Christer when can we expect the volume of BC/RS that starts in late 1942?"

Well, that's "Black Cross/Red Star", Vol. 4, which I'm working on right now.

The "Graf & Grislawski" book will be published (by Eagle Editions) in July 2024.

After that, Eagle Editions will publish "Black Cross/Red Star", Vol. 3. I think it will be out in late 2024.

So regarding BCRS Vol. 4, I guess Fall 2024.

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
Graf&Grislawski book: First copy of book printed & delivered
Mon Jun 9 19:14:02 2024
81.224.232.247

I just got a phone call from Jerry Crandall at Eagle Editions:

The first copy of the book "Graf & Grislawski: A Pair of Aces" - for checking the printing quality - has been printed and delivered to the publisher! Jerry Crandall says that it looks absolutely beautiful. Top printing quality, wonderful photos!

All that is needed now is that the printer darkens some of Claes Sundin's color profiles to get the exact color tone. Copies will be sent immediately to Claes and me for comments before the real edition is printed. We all are scrupulous about the quality! Jerry and Judy Crandall also told me that there already are very many advance orders for the Graf&Grislawski book, not least regarding the signed limited De Luxe edition.

Christer Bergström

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/

From TOCH!:

Larry Hickey
Congratulations!
Tue Jun 10 06:44:11 2024
12.203.225.90

Congratulations Christer!

There are a great many of us eagerly awaiting the results of the efforts of you and your team, including the Crandalls.

Larry Hickey

From TOCH!:

misko
Congrarulations
Thu Jun 12 12:00:46 2024
194.154.128.25

Great news Christer!
Im hardly waiting for it!
Cheers
Misko

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Christer Bergström
Exact publication date for "Graf & Grislawski"-book
Thu Jun 26 14:44:27 2024
81.224.233.206

Now I've got an exact publication date for my book "Graf & Grislawski: A Pair of Aces" from the publisher, Eagle Editions: Shipping 28 August 2024.

See:

http://www.eagle-editions.com/grafgris.htm

and:

http://www.graf-grislawski.elknet.pl/index.htm

All best,

Christer Bergström