Description

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The perfect companion to Masters of the Air on Apple TV+, this is a superbly illustrated examination of the aircraft, pilots, crews and operations of the US Eighth Air Force.

The US Eighth Air Force-known as the “Mighty Eighth”-was a combat air force activated in Georgia, USA on January 28, 1942. Its bomber command soon moved to Northern Europe to conduct strategic bombing missions, seeking to destroy Germany's ability to wage war. Among the major operations it participated in were “Big Week” in February 1944; the D-Day landings in June 1944; and the defeat of the Luftwaffe and destruction of German industry. Eighth Air Force was the largest of the deployed combat Army Air Forces in numbers of personnel, aircraft, and equipment. At peak strength, Eighth Air Force had 40 heavy bomber groups, 15 fighter groups, and four specialized support groups.

This work provides a superbly illustrated and fully comprehensive exploration of the Mighty Eighth's bomber and fighter planes, its incredibly brave pilots and crew, and its daring and dramatic operations. It also explores the careers of key personalities associated with the Mighty Eighth, such as Earle Partridge, James Doolittle, and William Kepner. Packed with hundreds of color aircraft profiles, battlescene artworks, and period photographs, The Mighty Eighth provides a truly comprehensive look at the illustrious history of the US Eighth Air Force.

About the Author

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Donald Nijboer lives in Toronto, Canada and has written about World War II aviation for Osprey since 2009. His other four books, Cockpit: An Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Interiors, Gunner: An Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Turrets and Gun Positions, Cockpits of the Cold War and Graphic War – The Secret Aviation Drawings and Illustrations of World War Two have been published by the Boston Mills Press. He has also written articles for Flight Journal, Aviation History and Aeroplane Monthly.

Praise For…

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“[I]t provides a comprehensive history of the Eighth, one spanning both the human and technical aspects of the story… It is marvelously illustrated… it is a good introduction to the topic. It provides all the information needed to finish with a clear understanding of what happened and why, without baffling a reader with technical jargon.” —Ricochet

“With The Mighty Eighth, Osprey offers modelers and historians a great deal of information to stoke our imaginations, springboards for more in-depth research, and source material for our research…I believe that for a modeler, this book is a treasure trove of images and source material, whether for individual aircraft or personnel equipment, or for dioramas. Recommended.” —Aerocscale

“The story of the Eighth Air Force's combat operations, along with all that made it possible – aircraft, leaders, tactics, organization – would be difficult to include in any book of this size. The author has included a lot in a limited space (especially when the extensive illustrations are considered). But even if the end result may not fully cover its subject, there is enough – text and illustrations – that may interest a reader to look at the broader (and deeper) story.” —Strategy Page