Fighters of The Mighty Eighth 1942-45

Fighters of the Mighty Eighth is the complete narrative history of Eighth Air Force fighter operations in WWII. Within is the story of the greatest fighter force ever to fly. From humble beginnings in 1942, VIII Fighter Command quickly developed the equipment and tactics that allowed them to decimate the Luftwaffe in the air and on the ground, dominating the air over Germany by mid 1944.
This is the story of some of America's greatest aces, fighter leaders and fighter groups: legendary aces like Gabreski, Gentile, Johnson and Preddy; leaders like Donald Blakeslee and his 4th Fighter Group (the "Blakesleewaffe"); "Hub" Zemke and his 56th Fighter Group (the "Wolf Pack"); and John C. Meyer and his 352nd Fighter Group (the "Blue Nosers"). Told largely through first-hand reports and remembrances of the pilots who were there, Fighters of the Mighty Eighth takes the reader on some of the most dangerous fighter missions ever flown, the monotony of weaving for hours over the slow-moving bomber streams suddenly shattered by exploding cannon shells and the swarming of Nazi fighters.
But this book is more than just an exciting read. It is a detailed reference text. Authors Bill Hess and Tom Ivie spent years researching and checking the facts. Tables present lists of air and ground aces, jet victories, group victories and aces-in-a-day. Color plates show accurate nose and tail colors for each group and squadron. And more than 320 photos (many in color) show the pilots, planes, nose art and markings.


by William N. Hess and Thomas G. Ivie
Published by Motorbooks (USA) 1990 1st edition. 264pp profusely illustrated, some colour, index, appendices. 22x29 mint, d/j fine.






Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.

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