The 55th Fighter Group vs the Luftwaffe [Hardcover]

John Gray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 1998

Starting with the P-38 Lightning and eventually converting to the P-51 Mustang, the 55th not only achieved distinguished status as escort bombers and low-level tactical operations, they were also champion 8th Air Force locomotive busters. This is the definitive record of the 55th FG in the WWII aerial struggle over Europe, told largely by its veterans, and with insights from former Luftwaffe pilots.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Specialty Press; illustrated edition edition (December 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580070043
• ISBN-13: 978-1580070041
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,316,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-rounded History of the "Double Nickel" Group at War!, February 27, 2006

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The 55th Fighter Group vs the Luftwaffe (Hardcover)

John Gray relates the exciting story of the 8th Air Force's 55th Fighter Group in this nicely produced book by John Lambert's Specialty Press.

Gray has clearly done his research, interviewing many 55th FG veterans and their German adversaries along with combing through old microfilm records to produce a comprehensive, nicely written record of the "Double Nickel" Group. Along the way he has assembled a wonderful collection of photos of group personnel and their P-38 and P-51 mounts, Luftwaffe aircraft and gun camera images. To that was added some nicely done color profiles by John Valo. Great value for the price!

The 55th Fighter Group, created in 1940, flew its first missions with the 8th Air Force in October 1943. At that time the American B-17 and B-24 formations were suffering crippling losses due to the lack of fighter escort. Despite problems with the P-38, the Group valiantly provided that protection, saving many U.S. bombers from attack but suffering losses in return.

The Group really hit its stride once it re-equipped with the P-51 in July 1944. Along with scoring air kills, the 55th took to strafing with a passion. By war's end, thanks to efforts of Group pilots like Jack Jenkins, John Landers, Bob Buttke, Ed Giller, Bob Welch and the great strafer ace "Eager El" Righetti, the 55th had racked up 303 air kills and 283 ground kills.

If you are interested in 8th Air Force fighter groups, you should pick up a copy of this book. It's a winner!