Thunderbolts Triumphant

The 362nd Fighter Group vs Germany's Wehrmacht

Nonfiction, History, Military, Aviation, United States, World War II
Cover of the book Thunderbolts Triumphant by Chris Bucholtz, Casemate
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Chris Bucholtz ISBN: 9781612006741
Publisher: Casemate Publication: November 10, 2018
Imprint: Casemate Language: English
Author: Chris Bucholtz
ISBN: 9781612006741
Publisher: Casemate
Publication: November 10, 2018
Imprint: Casemate
Language: English

During World War II the Ninth Air Force comprised air-to-ground aviators, charged with destroying the enemy close to the front and below the clouds, often bringing them face to face with their German opponents.

The 362nd Fighter Group, led by two very different leaders – the tough disciplinarian Col. Morton Magoffin and later the beloved motivator Col. Joe Laughlin – had one of the best track records in the Ninth Air Force. It destroyed over 5000 trucks, 350 tanks, 275 artillery pieces, 45 barges, and 600 locomotives. But this score came at a cost, as over the course of 15 months of combat in 1944 and 1945 more than 70 pilots were killed in action and in June 1944 alone 30 of their P-47 Thunderbolts were lost. The other groups jokingly referred to them as the "362nd Suicide Outfit".

Thunderbolts Triumphant provides a narrative history of the group and gives a glimpse at the fascinating men who flew these missions and maintained the aircraft as they navigated Europe. Starting with the D-Day invasion, the group was the aerial artillery support for U.S. ground forces, first in Normandy, then in reducing the defenses around Brest, then in supporting the U.S. Third Army as it drove across France and Germany.

Special emphasis is given to its most spectacular missions such as the breaching of the Dieuze Dam and its incredible performance during the Battle of the Bulge where it demolished much of the Sixth Panzer Armee as it tried to escape eastward.

Illustrated with 150 black and white photographs and 24 color aircraft profiles, this is a fascinating and detailed history of a group that played a significant part in winning the air war.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

During World War II the Ninth Air Force comprised air-to-ground aviators, charged with destroying the enemy close to the front and below the clouds, often bringing them face to face with their German opponents.

The 362nd Fighter Group, led by two very different leaders – the tough disciplinarian Col. Morton Magoffin and later the beloved motivator Col. Joe Laughlin – had one of the best track records in the Ninth Air Force. It destroyed over 5000 trucks, 350 tanks, 275 artillery pieces, 45 barges, and 600 locomotives. But this score came at a cost, as over the course of 15 months of combat in 1944 and 1945 more than 70 pilots were killed in action and in June 1944 alone 30 of their P-47 Thunderbolts were lost. The other groups jokingly referred to them as the "362nd Suicide Outfit".

Thunderbolts Triumphant provides a narrative history of the group and gives a glimpse at the fascinating men who flew these missions and maintained the aircraft as they navigated Europe. Starting with the D-Day invasion, the group was the aerial artillery support for U.S. ground forces, first in Normandy, then in reducing the defenses around Brest, then in supporting the U.S. Third Army as it drove across France and Germany.

Special emphasis is given to its most spectacular missions such as the breaching of the Dieuze Dam and its incredible performance during the Battle of the Bulge where it demolished much of the Sixth Panzer Armee as it tried to escape eastward.

Illustrated with 150 black and white photographs and 24 color aircraft profiles, this is a fascinating and detailed history of a group that played a significant part in winning the air war.

More books from Casemate

Cover of the book Castles by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book BAC SI by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Patrol by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Prisoner of the Samurai by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Intifada by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book American Guerrilla by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book The Way of the Eagle by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book King Of Airfighters The Biography Of Major "Mick" Mannock Vc Dso MC by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Greek Warriors by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book The Black Prince and the Capture of a King by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Major General George H. Sharpe and The Creation of American Military Intelligence in the Civil War by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Lions of Carentan: Fallschirmjager Regiment 6, 1943-1945 by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Building for War by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Jump: Into The Valley Of The Shadow The War Memoires Of Dwayne Burns Communications Sergeant-508th P.I.R. by Chris Bucholtz
Cover of the book Night Raiders of the Air by Chris Bucholtz
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy