Customer Reviews

Protect & Avenge: The 49th Fighter Group in World War II (Schiffer Military/Aviation History)

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There are several photos of me in this wonderful description of the greatest P-38 fighters ever, the 9th! I have been planning to write my own memoirs but have been too busy. Now 86+ years old and may never do it. "Protect and Avenge" may have do it for me. It is a great overview. Dr. Bob

This is a great reference book on the 49th Pursuit/Fighter Group. It includes notables such as Paul Wurtsmkith, Boyd "Buzz" Wagner, Jack Donalson, John Landers, Joe Kruzel and George Preddy. It also includes our top aces Bong and McGuire, one and two, respectively. However, I want to discuss George Preddy, our eighth ranking American ace who has 26.83 aerial victories. Preddy was involved in a mid-air collision with Lt. Sauber in July 1941. Lucien Hubbard described the event in his Reader's Digest article (December 1942), and Jack Donalson -- who was in the flight of four aircraft -- described it for me. Both said that Sauber was simulating a dive on Preddy and misjudged. Sauber clipped the tail off Preddy's P-40, and Preddy was able to bail out. Sauber was unable to bail out and was killed in the collision. Preddy was hurt badly, but recovered and went on to become the leading active ace in the European Theater when he was killed on Christmas Day 1944. See Preddy's biography, GEORGE PREDDY - TOP MUSTANG ACE, for Jack Donalson's account of that day. That book is listed on Amazon.com, also. This book says that Preddy was diving on Sauber. I am trying to find the source of that information. Perhaps the authors will note this review and respond. I REPEAT, THIS IS A GREAT BOOK.

Excellent book. If you like to read about WW11 aviation, buy this book.