Double Nickel - Double Trouble, by Robert M Littlefield

Subtitled 'KIAs, MIA, POWs and Evaders of the 55th Fighter Group in WWII'

Published by the author in 1993, 203 pages. Hardback with Dust Jacket - 22cm by 28.5cm (A13KWSO)

In this book former 55th fighter pilot Robert Littlefield records the fate of each pilot from the fighter group who was downed - whether from flak, enemy fighters, mechanical failure, weather, etc. The chronological list of operational losses begins with High Gillette, who was KIA on 18 October 1943 in a P-38H, and ends with the last loss, Phil Erby, who was KIA on 17 April 1945 in a P-51D.

In all, 181 pilots were KIA, MIA or POW and Littlefield documents each one with first-person reminiscences, squadron or group records, loss reports, crash scene reports, etc. In many cases a photograph of the pilot is included. The entries range from a few short paragraphs to several pages.

The condition of the book is generally very good. The dust jacket has some minor scuffs, and light creasing and wear along the edges and corners, but the spine is intact and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound. There is light foxing to the outside page leaves.