4th Fighter Group - Debden Eagles (aviation Elite Units)
by Chris Bucholtz /
2008 / English / PDF
4.5 MB Download
Formed around a nucleus of pilots already seasoned by their
experience as volunteers in the RAF's Eagle Squadrons, the 4th
Fighter Group was established in England in October 1942. Initially
flying Spitfires, the Debden Eagles went on to fly the P-47 and
P-51, becoming in July 1943, the first Eighth Air Force fighter
group to penetrate German air space. The group's record of 583 air
and 469 ground victories was unmatched in the Eighth Air Force, and
the group produced a cast of characters that included legendary
aces Don Blakeslee, Pierce McKennon, 'Kid' Hofer, Duane Beeson,
Steve Pisanos and Howard Hively.
Formed around a nucleus of pilots already seasoned by their
experience as volunteers in the RAF's Eagle Squadrons, the 4th
Fighter Group was established in England in October 1942. Initially
flying Spitfires, the Debden Eagles went on to fly the P-47 and
P-51, becoming in July 1943, the first Eighth Air Force fighter
group to penetrate German air space. The group's record of 583 air
and 469 ground victories was unmatched in the Eighth Air Force, and
the group produced a cast of characters that included legendary
aces Don Blakeslee, Pierce McKennon, 'Kid' Hofer, Duane Beeson,
Steve Pisanos and Howard Hively.
While primarily a bomber escort group, the 4th also played roles in
supporting the D-Day landings, Operation Market Garden, the Battle
of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine. The group's
achievements came at a price, however, for 248 aircraft were lost
in combat, with 125 pilots killed in action and 105 being taken
prisoner - a 42 percent casualty rate. Packed with first hand
accounts, detailed aircraft profiles and full combat histories,
this book is an intriguing insight into the best-known American
fighter unit in World War 2.
While primarily a bomber escort group, the 4th also played roles in
supporting the D-Day landings, Operation Market Garden, the Battle
of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine. The group's
achievements came at a price, however, for 248 aircraft were lost
in combat, with 125 pilots killed in action and 105 being taken
prisoner - a 42 percent casualty rate. Packed with first hand
accounts, detailed aircraft profiles and full combat histories,
this book is an intriguing insight into the best-known American
fighter unit in World War 2.