I must say this game has me more interested in history than ever before. After flying around in these awesome IL2 planes, I have a new found respect for history's pilots. There is no doubt these games can inspire you to pick up books for research and understanding.
From my own American standpoint, you don't get a real appreciation for some of history's battles and sacrifices until you have flown a simulation in a F4F against 100 enemy planes in formation over Midway or Dive-bombed the Akagi though a hail of flak and zeros....or flown over the English channel in a Hurricane against waves of 110s and 109s ....
Unlike some books or movies, there's no romanticism from the victors up in the simulator. You can clearly experience the epic power of the Luftwaffe or the Japanese as the war played out and really appreciate the skill, persistence and SACRIFICE it took to defeat these powers.
You can see by the comments in this thread that people need to learn and understand their history. If simulators let you walk the shoes of those involved, one hopes you come away from the experience with a new respect and understanding for those involved. It certainly worked for me.
Much respect
Thanks Oleg
