The 55th Fighter Group vs The Luftwaffe, by John M. Gray

From the inside front fly leaf: In late 1943, when the 55th Fighter Group entered the air war over Europe, US. Army Air Force heavy bombers were flying well beyond the range of escort fighters. Luftwaffe flak and fighters were exacting a terrible toll. In just two and one-half months in the Fall of 1943, the Eighth Air Force lost 351 four-engine bombers and their ten-man crews. The daylight strategic bombing campaign was in jeopardy.

The long range P-38 Lightning, flown by the 55th, permitted escort deeper into France and Germany, and the tide of battle began to turn. By June 1944 the 55th acquired the P-51 Mustang and sortied even deeper into the Reich. Scourging the Luftwaffe both in the air and on their airdromes, the 55th destroyed over 580 enemy aircraft. Also reknowned for their low level operations and tactics, the group won two distinguished unit citations.

This is the definitive record of the 55th Fighter Group in the World War 11 aer­ial struggle over Europe, told largely by its veterans, and with insights from former Luftwaffe pilots.

The condition of the book is generally excellent. The dust jacket has one or two very minor scuffs but is clean and bright, the spine is intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.