Description
Book SynopsisThe perfect companion to Masters of the Air on Apple TV+, this is a superbly illustrated examination of the aircraft, pilots, crews and operations of the US Eighth Air Force.
The US Eighth Air Forceknown as the Mighty Eighthwas a combat air force activated in Georgia, USA on January 28, 1942. Its bomber command soon moved to Northern Europe to conduct strategic bombing missions, seeking to destroy Germany's ability to wage war. Among the major operations it participated in were Big Week in February 1944; the D-Day landings in June 1944; and the defeat of the Luftwaffe and destruction of German industry. Eighth Air Force was the largest of the deployed combat Army Air Forces in numbers of personnel, aircraft, and equipment. At peak strength, Eighth Air Force had 40 heavy bomber groups, 15 fighter groups, and four specialized support groups.
This work provides a superbly illustrated and fully comprehensive exploration of the Mighty Eighth's bomber and figh
Table of Contents
Introduction Genesis VIII Fighter Command Chapter 1: The Friendly Invasion: “Over Paid, Over Sexed, and Over Here!” Strategic Air Depots Daily Life and Conditions of Service Easily Replaced Love, London, and Longing Tents and Castles “Consider Yourselves Already Dead” Chapter 2: The Light of Day: The USAAF Strategic Bombing of Germany 1942–45 1942: First Missions 1943: A Decisive Year 1944: Winning the Argument 1945: Crippling Nazi Germany Chapter 3: Organization of Eighth Air Force: Air and Ground Units Air Units Ground Crews and Personnel Eighth Air Force order of battle, January 1945 Chapter 4: Aircraft of the Eighth Air Force: Bombers, Fighters, Reconnaissance Bombers Fighters Photo-recon and Reconnaissance Chapter 5: The Tools of Battle: Training, Formations, Technology, Armament, Tactics Training Formations Technology Armament Fighter Tactics Chapter 6: The Experience of Battle: Facing the Flak, Dueling the Fighters Enemy Coast Ahead 12 O'Clock High Receiving Flak Bailing Out Air Sea Rescue Returning Home Relief and Debrief Casualties Combat Focus: 303rd Bomb Group “Hell’s Angels” Fighter Mission Combat Focus: 4th Fighter Group “Debden Eagles” Combat Focus: 56th Fighter Group The Opposition: Defending the Reich Chapter 7: Eighth Air Force Personnel: Leaders and Aces Senior Leadership of Eighth Air Force Heroes at the Sharp End Chronology Further Reading and Research List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Acknowledgments Index
