Aces of the 325th Fighter Group (Aircraft of the Aces, 117) - Softcover

Ivie, Tom

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780963017 ISBN 13: 9781780963013

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2014

Synopsis

American pilots flew P-40 Warhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-51 Mustang fighters over Noth Africa, Sicily, and Italy in the World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations as part of the 325th Fighter Group.

The 325th FG was activated under General Order number 50 on 30 July 1942 and set up training operations at Theodore F Greene Field in Providence, Rhode Island. By mid-December 1942 the group was considered ready for combat and the alert for overseas duty arrived on 2 January 1943. The pilots and their P-40s departed on the carrier USS Ranger on 8 January and flew their aircraft off the vessel into Cazes airfield, near Casablanca, on 19 January 1943. After the remainder of the personnel arrived in late February, the group prepared for combat, and finally flew its first mission on 17 April 1943 as part of the Twelfth Air Force. During the next four months it participated in the North African campaign, and operations against enemy-held islands in the Mediterranean Sea. By the end of the Sicilian campaign on 17 August the 325th FG had scored 128 aerial victories, been the first P-40 unit to deliver 1000-lb bombs against enemy targets, and had escorted 1100 bombers without losing a single one of them to enemy action.
In September 1943 the 325th began its conversion to the P-47 Thunderbolt and in late December headed for its new base in Italy. During the next six months the 325th flew escort missions over Italy and the Balkan countries as part of the Fifteenth Air Force. During its P-47 period the 325th's pilots claimed 153 aerial victories and established itself as a very aggressive escort group. In May 1944 the 325th began converting to the P-51 Mustang, which it flew with great success for the remainder of the war. Thirteen of its 27 aces achieved this status while flying the Mustang. By VE Day the 325th FG had destroyed 537 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and 281 on the ground, as well as numerous ground targets such as locomotives, trucks etc. The group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations and its pilots earned numerous medals, including four Distinguished Service Crosses, for individual bravery in combat. The cost was high, however, as 148 pilots were lost in action - being killed or becoming PoWs.

About this title

About the Author:

Thomas G Ivie is a veteran of six years service in the US Army and a retired buyer of developmental parts for a major US jet engine manufacturer. He has had a life long interest in World War 2 aviation and has written eight books and numerous magazine articles on the subject. One of his books was Osprey AEU 8 - 352nd Fighter Group. His articles have appeared in the Museum of the United States Air Force's Friends Bulletin and in Air Classics magazine. The author lives in Fort Thomas, KY.

Review:

“The book is well researched and includes information from official reports as well as interviews with the pilots. This makes its read very well balanced between facts and first person narratives describing the details--and sometimes confusion--of aerial combat. There are many unknown images in the book, most of them coming from the collection of the official archivist of the 325th Fighter Group making this book of high historical value. The B&W pictures of the airplanes and the color profiles are inspiring, to say the least, for the modeler. Highly recommended to historians and modelers alike.” ―IPMS/USA

“In line with other books in this series, there are a ton of well done period photographs as well as the usual large center section of full color profiles of the planes that were flown by the unit during the war. There are many names which enthusiasts will recognize and their planes were some of the more colorful of the war, especially in the last months. The war stories told by the pilots is a staple of these books and this one is no exception. An excellent read and a great reference book. Pick it up when you see it.” ―Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com

“Details the rise of the 325th and its service in the North African and Sicilian campaigns. By the end of the Sicilian campaign, the 325th had scored 128 aerial victories and escorted 1,100 bombers without losing a single one to enemy action.” ―Model Retailer

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1780963017
• ISBN 13: 9781780963013
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Davey Chris