56th Fighter Group (Osprey Aviation Elite 2) [Paperback]

Roger Freeman (Author), Chris Davey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Aviation Elite Units | Publication Date: October 25, 2000

One of the first Thunderbolt groups to see action in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) with the US Army Air Forces, the 56th Fighter Group (FG) was also the only fighter unit 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 VIII Fighter Command between 1943 and 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 exploits of this elite fighter unit are detailed in this volume together with photographs, their aircraft profiles and insignia.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Looking at elite fighter and bomber units in action, these books draw on profile artworks, black and white photographs, fully detailed appendices and breathtaking first hand accounts.

About the Author

Semi-retired Essex farmer Roger Freeman is undoubtedly the most published author on the Eighth Air Force, having produced the seminal works ‘The Mighty Eighth’ - the most popular book of all time in ‘Flypast’ survey - and the ‘Mighty Eighth War Manual’ in the early 1970s. This is his first book for Osprey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841760471
• ISBN-13: 978-1841760476
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.4 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top rank unit history, February 21, 2002

By 

Stephen Fedor (Richmond, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 56th Fighter Group (Osprey Aviation Elite 2) (Paperback)

The outstanding 56th FG has already been extensively covered. But this volume is by Roger Freeman. He's the leading authority on the 8th AF; also tops in virtually anything he signs his name to. Reason enough to go for it.

He's done it again, praise Osprey's good judgement in selecting him for this one. First, it's as freshly readable a unit history as can be found anywhere. Then, for those already versed in 56th FG ops/accomplishments, there's plenty of new info, as if Freeman reviewed everything already out on the subject and deliberately decided to offer material that wouldn't be redundant. Sprinkled through the text are relevant sidebars, combat reports from pilots participating in the event. So readers get the big picture in context with the human scale.

Illustrations! Rare photos in abundance, with detailed captions to add further interest. Art profiles -- 58! These start with a few prior to shipping out overseas. The bulk are combat a/c: illustrating the chronologically evolving array of camo & markings styles during the War; and while every ace a/c from Osprey's P-47 ACES of the EIGHTH AF is repeated, there are a few additions. Lastly, there's some noncombat types also serving the 56th. Plus, the profile captions are especially informative.

Too bad that there are a few goofs, minor, mind you, that should have been caught in the copyediting. This is small stuff that readers can sort out without too much of a problem.

As exciting as the Osprey series is, the quality of each varies. The 56th FIGHTER GROUP is in the top rank of them all.