56th Fighter Group: ''Wolfpack'' Operations Air Battle for Berlin

Major Frederick L. Breitinger Jr., USAF / Faculty Advisor & Sponsor: Lt Col David L. McFarland, ACSC/EDCJ

Published by Air Command and Staff College / Air University, 1988

About this Item

Blue cloth over boards, with gilt stamped title illustration on front cover. Previous owner's blind stamp on first leaf, else clean and unmarked. Illustrated with more than 20 photographs, two maps, and a handful of diagrams. xiv + 53, [5] pages. 11 x 8.5 inches. A history of the 56th Fighter Group (FG) during the month of March 1944. It was an Army Air Force (USAAF) in the European Theater of Operation (ETO) and flew P-47s throughout World War II. The 56th FG was one of the most successful allied fighter units of the war. It achieved more aerial victories and produced more aces than any other unit. One of the highlights of the 56th FG came during he Air Battle for Berlin, March 1944. This paper focuses on the exploits of the 56th FG during that historic air battle. The paper begins with a short history of the group, then examines the strategic decisions and tactics of the Allied Air Forces. The strategic decisions and tactics of the German Luftwaffe are examined as well. The battle itself is given in a chronological sequence using actual combat reports and narratives. The paper closes with the result of the battle and lessons learned. The 56th FG included the famous fighter pilots Francis ''Gabby'' Gabreski, Robert Johnson, David Schilling, Frederick ''Rat-Top''Christensen, Walker ''Bud'' Mahurin, Hubert ''Hub'' Zemke and Gerald W. Johnson, amongst their 47 aces. The previous owner's father was the highly decorated USAF combat ace, Clyde Bennett ''Stonewall'' East, the first American to shoot down an enemy aircraft on D-day, who also flew in Korea and over Cuba during the missile crisis; he was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters (US) , and Air Medal with 41 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Seller Inventory # 016331

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 56th Fighter Group: ''Wolfpack'' Operations Air Battle for Berlin
• Publisher: Air Command and Staff College / Air University
• Publication Date: 1988
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Near Fine
• Weight: 1 ounce