An illustrated chronicle of the first jet-powered fighter aircraft, the Messerschmitt Me 262, and its brief but action-packed career during World War II. Equipped with the Jumo 004 jet engine, the Me 262 outperformed anything the Allies had in speed and armament, offering, as a fighter, a powerful attack with four 30 mm MK 108 cannons mounted in the nose. This combination of weaponry and speed allowed the Me 262A-1a not only to wreak havoc on the Allies' heavy bomber forces but also to evade their escort fighters – including the later versions of the Spitfire and the powerful American P-51 Mustang.

In this new study, Luftwaffe historian Robert Forsyth draws on firsthand testimonies from Me 262 pilots to chronicle the actions against bombers and their escorts, as well as to describe attacks on roads, Allied airfields, tankers, troop concentrations, and supply depots. All these aspects of the Me 262 are enriched by vivid illustrations, including archival photos and specially commissioned artistic profiles.