56th Fighter Group

56th Fighter Group (Osprey Aviation Elite No. 2)
by: Roger Freeman
Illustrator: Chris Davey
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Publishing Date: 2000
ISBN: 9781841760476

Description by Publisher:
One of the first Thunderbolt groups to see action in the European Theatre of Operations with the U.S. Army Air Forces, the 56th Fighter Group was also the only fighter unit within the 8th Air Force to remain equipped with the mighty P-47 until war’s end. Led by the inspirational 'Hub' Zemke, this group was responsible for devising many of the bomber escort tactics employed by VIII Fighter Command between 1943 and 1945. By VE-Day the 56th FG had shot down 100 more enemy aircraft than any other group in the 8th Air Force, its pilots being credited with 677 kills during 447 missions. The exploits of this elite fighter unit are detailed in this volume together with photographs and their aircraft profiles and insignia.

• Formation and History of the 56th Fighter Group
  
• Famous Aces of the 56th Fighter Group
  
  • Lt. Col. Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski - 28
    
  • Major Robert S. Johnson - 27
    
  • Col. David C. Schilling - 22.5
    
  • Capt. Fred J. Christensen Jr. - 21.5
    
  • Major Walker M. "Bud" Mahurin - 19.75
    
  • Major Gerald W. "Jerry" Johnson - 16.5
    
  • Col. Hubert A. "Hub" Zemke - 15.25
    
  • Capt. Joseph H. Powers Jr. - 14.5
    
  • Capt. Felix D. "Willie" Williamson - 13
    
  • Major Leroy A. Schreiber - 12
    
  • Major James C. Stewart - 11.5
    
• More Books on the 56th Fighter Group
  • Wolfpack Warriors: The Story of World War II's Most Successful Fighter Outfit
    
  • P-47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Eighth Air Force
    
  • Thunderbolt! An Extraordinary Story of a World War II Ace
    
  • 56th Fighter Group (Aircraft Specials)