Before it won glory in the Battle of France, and experienced defeat in the Battle of Britain, the Messerschmitt 109 tasted battle in its initial A/B/C and D variants. This is the story of those early models of the iconic fighter, that would go on to be one of the most produced aircraft of WW2. Featuring stunning aerial photos, the book explores in depth the technical characteristics and combat performance of the early Bf 109s, including their combat debut in the Spanish Civil War and their employment in the invasion of Poland.