DUBBED THE 'EAGLES OF DUXFORD', THE 78TH FIGHTER GROUP (FG) WAS UNIQUE
IN BEING THE ONLY FIGHTER UNIT IN THE 'MIGHTY EIGHTH' TO FLY THE P-38
LIGHTNING, P-47 THUNDERBOLT AND P-51 MUSTANG OPERATIONALLY.
The 78th FG produced the very first Eighth Air Force ace, and flew
exclusively from Duxford throughout its time in the UK. Initially
equipped with the P-38 Lightning, the group received P-47 Thunderbolts
in March 1943, followed by the iconic American ace-maker, the P-51
Mustang, in December 1944. Arriving in the European Theatre of
Operations (ETO) in November 1942, and eventually committed to combat
five months later, the 78th, along with the 4th and 56th FGs, 'wrote
the book' on long-range fighter escort by VIII Fighter Command in the
ETO.
This volume charts the group's highs and lows during its two years in
action from Duxford, focusing on the exploits of the 51 pilots who
achieved ace status with the 78th during World War 2. These men
included Capt Charles London, the very first Eighth Air Force ace, and
Maj Quince Brown, who was the 78th's most successful aerial ace prior
to being murdered by the SS after he was shot down over Germany.
Alongside stunning illustrations, Thomas McKelvey Cleaver explains
how, by VE Day, the 'Eagles of Duxford' had downed 316 aircraft and
destroyed a further 320 machines on the ground during strafing attacks
on German airfields.
Les mer
The Early Dreadnoughts
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781780967172
Publisert
2020
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Bloomsbury UK
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter