Aces of the 78th Fighter Group

Informationen zum Autor Thomas McKelvey Cleaver Klappentext 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. 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. 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.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. Zusammenfassung 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. Inhaltsverzeichnis 30 July 1943 Beginnings Against the odds Battle of Germany Liberating Europe Coming of the Mustang Appendices

Product details

• Authors: Thomas Cleaver, Thomas Mckelvey Cleaver, Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, McKelvey Cleaver Thomas
• Assisted by: Chris Davey (Illustration)
• Publisher: Osprey Publishers
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 20.09.2013
• EAN: 9781780967158
• ISBN: 978-1-78096-715-8
• No. of pages: 96
• Dimensions: 182 mm x 246 mm x 10 mm
• Series: Aircraft of the Aces; Aircraft of the Aces; Aircraft of the Aces (Osprey)
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > 20th century (up to 1945); Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; HISTORY / Military / World War II, military history, HISTORY / Military / United States, Air forces & warfare, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Warfare & defence, Second World War, United States of America, USA, Air forces and warfare, Modern warfare, c 1940 to c 1949, Military aircraft, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General