Of Knights and Dogfights by Ellie Midwood is a World War II historical novel that is different than any I have read before. The story is told through the eyes of Johann, a young German boy. He enlists and goes to flying school, sharing a room with three other young men, and they quickly become the Four Musketeers. They work hard to learn how to fly and are soon send off to fight the war. Johann and Willi form a bond that is stronger than brothers. The two make an exceptional team and become the best flying aces of WWII. Willi is wild and sometimes reckless while Johann tries to stay calm and keep Willi controlled. The two encounter battles, hate, and violence, with themes of friendships, death, love, years of being held as prisoners, and so much more together.

I found it fascinating to peek into the mind of the German soldier and see that they had the same doubts, fears and concerns as the boys fighting on the American side. They questioned the rules, regulations and ethics of Hitler and the Nazi party and silently wondered if they were fighting on the right side. The portrait of all they gave up, but mostly their youth and who they were forced to become, was sad and painful to read. Author Ellie Midwood did a superb job of telling their story and putting the reader right into the cockpits, and into the battles of both the war and within Johann's and Willi’s minds. I was surprised to find out that while the story is written as fiction, two real life men are the inspiration for the book. If you like reading about the history of WWII, then this book is a must as you will look at the war in a very different way.

Of Knights and Dogfights is a historical novel set during the Second World War, penned by author Ellie Midwood. This superb work focuses on the other side of the fight, on a group of young men in Austria, training for the Luftwaffe in 1938. As the precipice of war awaits, the group of very different young men is thrust into a terrifying regime under the pretense of defending their countries and their families, but when the war begins for real, they begin to doubt the reasons for which they fight. Willi and Johann in particular struggle with the infighting among the regular soldiers and the terrifying SS, discovering more and more horrible truths about what’s going on back home.

Ellie Midwood is a well researched author in her field, and this triumphant work really shows it. I adore the conflicted concept of following heroes who are perceived to be on the dark side of history, and I feel that Willi and Johann’s experience is a much more common and relatable one for the people of Europe than those terrifying few monsters who took control of everyone else and drove the world to destruction. The prose is beautiful, the dialogue clear but arranged in a style which makes it sound authentically Austrian throughout. The overarching plot of war is perfectly balanced against the character narrative to create a tale which speaks for the individual as well as the overall political tale. I would highly recommend Of Knights and Dogfights to all historical fiction fans looking for an accomplished tale.