57th Fighter Group - First in the Blue by Osprey Publishing
Item Number: OSPAEU39
Aviation Elite Units 39
Author: Carl Molesworth
Illustrator: Jim Laurier
About this book
Organized in January 1941, just as the United States was building up military forces for its inevitable entry into World War II, the 57th Fighter Group was the first USAAF fighter unit to go into action in North Africa. It went on to establish a number of other "firsts" during its illustrious combat history in this theatre. Flying P-40 Warhawks, the pilots of the 57th entered combat in August 1942 and fought throughout the final Allied advance from El Alamein through the Axis surrender in Tunisia, the capture of Sicily and the invasion of Italy. Converting to the P-47D Thunderbolt in late 1943, the 57th continued pounding the retreating Axis forces in Italy until the end of the war in Europe. The 57th Fighter Group produced a number of aces during the war, and was also recognized for its pioneering achievements in the fighter-bomber role.
Contents
Growing Pains
Race Across the Desert
Invasion Force
Operation Strangle
Appendices
Paperback; March 2011; 128 pages; ISBN: 9781849083379