57 Fighter Group
57 Fighter Group
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]oday is very common sight to see fighter aircraft loaded with ordnance designed for ground attack but that was not regular practice in past. Very first US unit to begun to operate in ground attack role was 57th Fighter Group, USAAC. Osprey has one of the latest release book from Aviation Elite Unit series about this unit and author of the book is the Carl Molesworth.
Book is divided into six chapters and start with the early service in the US homeland, where the 57th Pursuit Group was established on 15. January 1941 at Mitchel Field, New York. Due to the commanding error, unit has lost number of airplanes during the ferry flight so some commanding changes was made in the mid of December of the same year. In the summer 1942 they was sent to Africa and they made take off aboard aircraft carrier and land in desert. They have very soon there operational missions and most important was introduce of fighter bomber practice, first in USA. Most shining moment came on 18. April 1943 when the Group shoot down over 70 German Ju 52 aircraft over Cape Bon.
In later operations unit participated in missions over Panterellia and later on the invasion of Sicily and Italy main land. There in Europe they get brand new and more powerful type of aircraft- Republic Thunderbolt. Until then, unit operated Warhawks.
Books is written in very interesting style and it is easy to read. What catch my eye is that authors has in several places mention personal interview with unit pilots so this give special value to the book. Must note that book have some eight pages of color profiles, author Jim Laurier and they are among the best I have ever seen.
Title: 57th Fighter Group
Author: Carl Molesworth
Publisher: Osprey
Format : B5 softcover
Pages: 128
ISBN: 978-1-84908-337-9
Very interesting book in every aspect and recommend to everyone interesting in this field. Direct buy book here!
Srecko Bradic
Sample book provided by Joseph McCullough, Marketing Coordinator Osprey Publishing
