56th FIGHTER GROUP (Osprey Aviation Elite No 2)

Roger Freeman

One of the first Thunderbolt groups to see action in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) with the US Army Air Forces, the 56th Fighter Group was also the only fighter outfit within the Eighth Air Force to remain equipped with the mighty P-47 until war's end. Led by the inspirational 'Hub' Zemke, this group was responsible for devising many of the bomber escort tactics employed by VII Fighter Command between 1942-1945. By VE-Day the 56th FG had shot down 100 more enemy aircraft than any other group in the Eighth Air force, its pilots being credited with 677 kills during 447 missions. The group also produced the ETO's two leading aces in Francis Gabreski and Robert Johnson. The exploits of these men, and numerous others, are featured in this volume, which is the second in a series by Osprey Aviation focusing on the elite fighter and bomber units of the aerial conflicts of the 20th century. 128 pages.