American Spitfire Aces of World War 2
Author | : Andrew Thomas |
Publisher | : Osprey Publishing |
Total Pages | : 0 |
Release | : 2007-10-23 |
ISBN-10 | : 1846032024 |
ISBN-13 | : 9781846032028 |
Rating | : 4/5 (24 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: The first few American volunteers flew Spitfires with the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Many more joined their ranks, often posing as "Canadians", eventually forming three Eagle squadrons who earned a fierce fighting reputation. When the United States entered the war the Eagle fighter sections were issued with Spitfires and eventually transferred to the Eighth Air Force. In just two years of service with the USAAF, 22 pilots claimed five or more victories flying the Spitfire, whilst a further two dozen aces claimed part of their total flying them, a testament to their skill and success at the controls of this legendary warbird. Discover the experiences of a variety of American aces in their own words through first-hand accounts, interviews and combat reports, in a thrilling read that transports the reader from the Battle of Britain to the deserts of North Africa to Fortress Europe itself.