56th Fighter Group

One of the first Thunderbolt groups to see action in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) with the US Army Air Forces, the 56th Fighter Group was the only unit within the Eighth Air Force to remain equipped with the mighty P-47 until the War's end. This group was responsible for devising many of the bomber escort tactics employed by VIII Fighter Command between 1943 and 1945. By the War's end the 56th Fighter Group had shot down more enemy aircraft than any other group in the Eighth Air Force, its pilots being credited with 674.5 kills during 447 missions. The group also produced the ETO's two leading aces, Francis Gabreski and Robert Johnson. The exploits of these men, and numerous others, are featured in this volume, which is the second in a series focusing on the elite fighter and bomber units in action.