Osprey Aviation Elite Units Series

23rd Fighter Group by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU31Famous for the fearsome sharksmouths that adorned their planes, the 23rd FG fought a guerrilla war against the Japanese, steadily moving pilots and aircraft from one remote air base in China to another to keep the enemy off balance. Because China could only be supplied by air from India, there were constant shortages of aircraft, fuel and ammunition with which to contend. The 23rd FG met these challenges head-on, and by the end of the...

332nd Fg Tuskegee Airmen by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU24Aviation Elite Units 24Author: Chris BucholtzIllustrator: Jim LaurierAbout this bookThe USAAF's Tuskegee Experiment, designed to prove that African-Americans were not capable of flying combat aircraft, resulted in the creation of one of the USAAF's elite units. Commanded by Col Bejamin O Davis, the 332nd were able to boast 111 aerial kills, 150 strafing victories and even the sinking of a German destroyer by the war's end. The group were...

359th Fighter Group by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU10Aviation Elite Units 10Author: Jack H SmithIllustrator: Tom TullisAbout this bookNicknamed the 'Unicorns', the 359th FG was one of the last groups to arrive in the UK for service in the ETO with the Eighth Air Force. First seeing action on 13 December 1943, the group initially flew bomber escort sweeps in P-47s, before converting to the ubiquitous P-51 in March/April 1944. Throughout its time in the ETO, the 359th was credited with the...

475th Fighter Group by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU23Aviation Elite Units 23Author: John StanawayIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookFormed with the best available fighter pilots in the Southwest Pacific, the 475th Fighter Group was the pet project of Fifth Air Force chief, General George C Kenney. From the time the group entered combat in August 1943 until the end of the war it was the fastest scoring group in the Pacific and remained one of the crack fighter units in the entire US Army Air...

479th Fighter Group 'Riddle's Raiders' by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU32Aviation Elite Units 32Author: John StanawayIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookFormed in October 1943, the 479th FG claimed an impressive history against the Luftwaffe during the final year of the war. Originally flying P-38s, the 479th's pilots had a fierce pride of arms. They earned a Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation in the late summer of 1944 and were also credited with the USAAF's first German jet...

56th Fighter Group by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU2Aviation Elite Units 2Author: Roger FreemanIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookOne of the first Thunderbolt groups to see action in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) with the US Army Air Forces, the 56th Fighter Group (FG) was also the only fighter unit within the Eighth Air Force to remain equipped with the mighty P-47 until war's end. Led by the inspirational 'Hub' Zemke, this group was responsible for devising many of the bomber...

57th Fighter Group - First in the Blue by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU39Aviation Elite Units 39Author: Carl MolesworthIllustrator: Jim LaurierAbout this bookOrganized in January 1941, just as the United States was building up military forces for its inevitable entry into World War II, the 57th Fighter Group was the first USAAF fighter unit to go into action in North Africa. It went on to establish a number of other "firsts" during its illustrious combat history in this theatre. Flying...

B-29 Hunters Of The Jaaf by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU5Aviation Elite Units 5Authors: Henry Sakaida Koji TakakiIllustrator: Jim LaurierAbout this book'B-29!' No other term struck such terror in the hearts of the Japanese public during World War 2 than this single, most-hated name. It was then only natural that the pilots who attempted to shoot these high-flying Boeing bombers out of the skies over Tokyo, Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Kobe should become known as the elite of the Japanese Army Air...

Groupe De Combat 12 Les Cigogn by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU18Aviation Elite Units 18Author: Jon GuttmanIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookThis book traces the combat history of the most famous and highest-scoring fighter group in France's World War I Aviation Militaire. Groupe de Combat 12 boasted the highest-scoring Allied fighter pilot, Ren' Fonck, and France's most celebrated hero of the air, Georges Guynemer. Its ranks included numerous other famous aces, such as Rene's Dorme, Alfred...

Jagdeschwader 27'africa by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU12Aviation Elite Units 12Illustrator: John WealAbout this bookSynonymous with the Afrika Korps and the campaign in North Africa, JG 27 provided Rommel's army with fighter protection for virtually the whole 'roller coaster ride that was the war in the Western Desert from 1941-43. Formed in Germany on 1 October 1939 (with Adolf Galland as CO of I.Gruppe), JG 27 saw considerable action both during the Battles of France and Britain, downing 146...

Jagdeschwader 53 'pik-As by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU25Arguably the archetypal Luftwaffe fighter unit of World War 2, JG 53 aircraft were encountered on almost every fighting front from the first day of hostilities until the last. During almost six years of near-constant campaigning, JG 53 took a steady toll of Allied aircraft in every theatre it fought over. The variety of camouflage finishes worn by its machines -winter white, desert dapple and Reich's defence black - and the...

Jagdeschwader 54 Grunherz by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU6One of the most successful of the high-scoring Luftwaffe Jagdgeschwader during World War 2, JG 54 -Gr-nherz- (Green Hearts) was formed from three disparate fighter 'Gruppen' immediately prior to the Battle of Britain. Having enjoyed immediate success over the Channel and South-east England during the summer of 1940, the unit was transferred to the Eastern Front in the spring of 1941 in preparation for Operation Barbarossa - the...

When the revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter first appeared in the skies over northwest Europe in mid-1944, it represented one of the greatest challenges to Allied air superiority. The first group to solely fly jet fighters, Jagdgeschwader 7 was tasked with wrestling back command of the skies. Put almost immediately into action, despite fuel shortages, poor training and problems with the jet engine, victories quickly followed against both US and British aircraft. By the end of the...

Jagdgeschwader 2 Richthofen by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU1Aviation Elite Units 1Author: John WealIllustrator: Jim LaurierAbout this bookTracing its roots to Manfred, Freiherr von Richthofen's 'Flying Circus' of WWI, the Jagdgeschwader 'Richthofen' is arguably the most famous fighter unit of all time. Designated JG 1 during the Great War, then disbanded following defeat, the Jagdgeschwader reformed as JG 132. By September 1939 the unit had become JG 2, seeing much action during the Blitzkrieg...

Jagdgeschwader 400: Germany's Elite Rocket Fighters by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU37The Jagdgeschwader 400 group was formed for the sole purpose of flying one of the world's most revolutionary aircraft, the rocket-powered Me 163. Although the Me 163 scored relatively few kills, with a success rate much lower than the Me 262, it still had a massive psychological impact upon the Allies, and the technology and experiences gained in the Me 163 went on to influence the jet fighters of...

Jagdgeschwader 51 Molders by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU22Aviation Elite Units 22Illustrator: John WealAbout this bookJG 51 were one of the Luftwaffe's top wartime fighter units, yet their story has never been told in English. The unit's history encapsulates the fortunes of the Luftwaffe's fighter arm as a whole - the heady successes of the early months, the steady attrition and the growing strength of the opposition during the mid-war years, and the final chaos and collapse of the last days....

Jagdtaffel 2 Boelke' by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU26Aviation Elite Units 26Author: Greg VanWyngardenIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookBy August 1916, the German Air Service was fighting a losing struggle in the skies over the Battle of the Somme. In response, an entirely new type of fighting formation came into being -the Jagdstaffel, a unit designed solely as a fighting squadron. One of the most famous was Jasta 2, formed and led by Germany's premiere fighter ace Oswald Boelcke. Renamed...

Jagdverband 44 Squadron Of Experts by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU27There was no Luftwaffe fighter unit like Jagdverband 44. Formed in February 1945, the unit grew out of Hitler's bizarre decision that the Me 262 jet fighter should be used as a bomber, despite its potential in the daylight defensive battles over the Reich. Seen as a grave mistake by G-ring, a small fighter unit was formed in southern Germany to 'prove' the Me 262's ability as an interceptor. Formed with some of...

Jasta 18 - The Red Noses by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU40The history of Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel (or Jasta) 18 is one of the more unique and complex of German fighter squadrons of World War I. In fact, the unit could be said to have had something of a 'split personality'. Formed in Flanders at the end of October 1916, the Jasta was first commanded by Oblt von Grieffenhagen, who led it to 35 victories in nine months. In August 1917, the aggressive and demanding Oblt Rudolf Berthold...

Lentolaivue 24 by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU4Aviation Elite Units 4Illustrator: John WealAbout this bookFinland's premier fighter squadron during World War 2, Lentolaivue 24 (Flying Squadron 24) first saw action during the bloody Winter War of 1939-40, when the Soviet Red Army launched a surprise attack on the small Scandinavian country - the squadron enjoyed great success against numerically superior opposition. LLv 24 was once again in the thick of the action following the outbreak of the...

Luftwaffe Sciachtgruppen by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU13Aviation Elite Units 13Illustrator: John WealAbout this bookOne of the most important, and yet least publicised, components of the front-line Luftwaffe was the Schlacht, or ground attack, arm. This book details the Schlacht units who were in the thick of the fighting from the first day of the war until the last. They played a vital part in the heady successes of the early Blitzkrieg campaigns and went on to perform an equally essential...

No 126 Wing Rcaf by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU35Author: Donald NijboerIllustrator: Chris DaveyThe success of No 126 Wing began before the D-Day landings and through operations at Falaise Gap, Operation Market Garden, the winter offensive in the Ardennes, and crossing the Rhine into Germany. Donald Nijboer examines the wing-s operations chapter by chapter, demonstrating how the five squadrons of Spitfires of No 126 Wing were self-sufficient in everything they did and how, after the...

43rd Fighting Cocks Squadron by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU9Aviation Elite Units 2Author: Roger FreemanIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookOne of the first Thunderbolt groups to see action in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) with the US Army Air Forces, the 56th Fighter Group (FG) was al

No 56 Sqn RAF/RFC by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU33Aviation Elite Units 33Author: Alex RevellIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookBy the autumn of 1916, with the formation of the new Jagdstaffeln, the pendulum of aerial supremacy had once again swung in favour of the German Air Force. The battle of the Somme in 1916 saw the RFC suffer losses of nearly 400 aircrew between September and November, and British casualties were to reach a zenith in the -Bloody April- of 1917 when 319...

No 60 Sqn RFC/RAF by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU41When No 60 Sqn arrived in France in May 1916, partially equipped with the delightfully named Morane Bullet, there were only two dedicated single-seat fighter squadrons on the Western Front. Operating initially as a utility unit, No 60 Sqn's duties were mixed. It was involved in reconnaissance, fighter patrols and escort missions, as well as the landing of spies behind enemy lines. In the opening weeks of the battles of the Somme in the...

No 617 'Dambuster' Sqn by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU34Aviation Elite Units 34Author: Alex BatemanIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookMost famous for the dambusting raid in the darkest days of the Second World War, the No 617 Sqn were a vastly experienced crew. It was the first, and only, squadron to use certain equipment and weapons in combat. This study covers the history of the No 617 Squadron. It explains the men, aircraft, weapons and operations of this squadron.Contents *...

No 91 Nigeria Squdron by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU3Aviation Elite Units 3Author: Peter HallIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookFrom its humble beginnings as a reconnaissance flight, using second-hand aircraft at the very end of the Battle of Britain, No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron went on to become one of the most famous units in RAF Fighter Command. It achieved outstanding results using new low-level interception tactics along the south coast of England, employing the very latest marks of...

P-40 Warhawk vs Bf 109 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU38Duel 38Author: Carl MolesworthIllustrators: Jim Laurier Gareth HectorAbout this bookAlthough the P-40 and the Bf 109 joined the air war over North Africa at nearly the same time in 1941, the German fighter had already racked up a considerable combat career, dating back to 1937 in Spain. In contrast, the P-40 was a bit of an unknown quantity and was making its combat debut in the hands of the RAF"s Desert Air Force. Discover how...

Richtofen's Flying Circus by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU16Aviation Elite Units 16Author: Greg VanWyngardenIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookUndoubtedly the most famous of any nation's aviation units in World War 1 was the legendary Jagdgeschwader Nr 1, or 'The Flying Circus' as its respectful foes labelled it. Germany's first true fighter wing, it would always be associated with its first commander, the charismatic and revered Manfred von Richthofen. JG 1 was formed in July 1917, and for...

Spa Lafayette Escadrille by OspreyItem Number: OSPAEU17Aviation Elite Units 17Author: Jon GuttmanIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookThis book tells the story of one of World War I's most famous squadrons, Spa. 124 - the only French squadron made up entirely of American volunteers (save for the commander and executive officer.) Organised in April 1916, the group was successively dubbed the Escadrille Americaine, Escadrille des Volontaires and finally the Escadrille Lafayette. Its...

USAS 1st Pursuit Group by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU28Starting operations in the relatively quiet Toul sector in March 1918, the 1st Pursuit Group initially flew Nieuport 28s, given to the Americans because the French did not want them. Expanded by the arrival of additional squadrons, the 1st Pursuit Group went to war in earnest over Ch-teau Thierry in July, initially suffering heavy losses. Re-equipped with Spad XIIIs, the battle-seasoned group went on to fame over St. Mihiel and...

Very Long Range P-51 Units Pac by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU21Author: Carl MolesworthIllustrator: Jim LaurierThese pilots called themselves the -Tokyo Club-. It was a simple task to become a member. All you had to do was strap yourself into a heavily loaded P-51 Mustang, take off from Iwo Jima, fly 650 miles north over the sea - often through monsoon storms - in your single-engined aircraft to Japan, attack a heavily defended target and then turn around and fly home despite a...

Vf-11/111 Sundowners 1943-95 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU36Author: Barrett TillmanIllustrator: Tom TullisAbout this bookFighting Squadron 11 was established at San Diego in August 1943, beginning a half-century record that spanned aerial combat in three wars from the piston to the jet age. The squadron produced seven aces while fighting in World War 2, Korea and Vietnam. From World War 2 until after the Cold War, the -Sundowners- established an unexcelled record -at the tip of the...