Synopses & Reviews
The P-38 made its combat debut in Europe in mid-1942, the first American fighters being flown to the UK before heading further east to Twelfth Air Force units in North Africa. Its service in this theatre, and later over the heartland of Germany itself, earned the P-38 the nickname 'der gabelschwanzer Teufel' (the 'fork-tailed' devil). This volume traces the careers of many previously unknown aces within the USAAF in Europe, and helps redress the balance which has in the past seen all the 'glory' for the fighter victories in this theatre shared between the pilots of the P-47 and P-51. Some 17 pilots scored 7 or more kills on the P-38 in the ETO/MTO.
Synopsis
The P-38 Lightning was built by Lockheed to fill the need for a high-speed, high-altitude, long-range fighter to escort the expanding B-17 bomber fleet. This volume traces the careers of many previously unknown P-38 aces of the USAAF in Europe, including William J. Sloan and Michael Brezas, who scored 12 kills apiece. It contains first-hand accounts by pilots, 12 pages of specially-commissioned color art, and archival black and white photos.
About the Author
John Stanaway has written two best-selling volumes in the Aces series both covering the exploits of the greatest Pacific fighter of them all, the P-38 Lightning. He is also an official historian of the National P-38 Pilots Association.