VIII Fighter Command at War - ‘Long Reach’

This volume focuses on the little known official Army Air Force report commissioned by the Eighth Air Force's VIII Fighter Command (FC) in May 1944. The detailed document chronicled the experiences of 24 pilots who had seen extensive service in the frontline escorting B-17s and B-24s on daylight raids deep into Germany. Briefed to provide a candid report on combat flying that could be used as a teaching 'manual' for potential fighter pilots, the VIII FC veterans openly discuss their secrets to success, and survival in the deadly skies over occupied Europe. Exactly half of those pilots who contributed to The Long Reach subsequently achieved ace status.

List of contents

Author's introduction
Period preface by Major General W E Kepner

CHAPTER ONE
P-47 THUNDERBOLT PILOTS

CHAPTER TWO
P-38 LIGHTNING PILOTS 77
CHAPTER THREE
P-51 MUSTANG PILOTS 110

Appendices
Colour plates commentary
Index

About the author

Michael O'Leary, illustrated by Iain Wyllie, Tom Tullis

Summary

Focuses on an official Army Air Force report commissioned by the Eighth Air Force's VIII Fighter Command in May 1944. It chronicled the experiences of 24 pilots in service escorting B-17s and B-24s on daylight raids deep into Germany. Scale drawings and archival photographs are included.

Product details

• Authors: Michael O'Leary
• Assisted by: Michael O'Leary (Editor)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 25.12.2000
• EAN: 9781855329072
• ISBN: 978-1-85532-907-2
• No. of pages: 144
• Dimensions: 184 mm x 248 mm x 7 mm
• Weight: 578 g
• Illustrations: 137 b/w; 40 col
• Series: Aircraft of the Aces (Osprey); Osprey Aircraft of the Aces Special S.; Aircraft of the Aces; Aircraft of the Aces (Osprey); Osprey Aircraft of the Aces Special S.
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Cultural history; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; History: specific events & topics, HISTORY / Military / World War II, HISTORY / Military / General, HISTORY / Europe / General, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century, HISTORY / Military / United States, HISTORY / Military / Weapons, Air forces & warfare, Warfare & defence, Second World War, United States of America, USA, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), History: specific events and topics, Air forces and warfare, Battles & campaigns, Modern warfare, c 1939 to c 1945 (including WW2), Weapons & equipment, Battles and campaigns, Weapons and equipment, HISTORY / Military / Aviation & Space, History / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / European Theater