VIII Fighter Command

Down to Earth VIII Fighter Command

In their own words, American fighter pilots of the Eighth Air Force provide their rules for conducting ground attack operations against the enemy. There was much more to ground attack than flying low and shooting up anything and everything, and these pilots tell how they did it in their own words. An extremely rare manual published in August 1944, just when ground attack was becoming a major factor in the war across the European continent. Originally published 30 August 1944 by VIII Fighter Command. Starts with "From the Zenith to the Deck" by Brigadier General Francis H. Griswold, USA, Commanding. Includes Pilots Rules for Ground Attack by these pilots: Colonel Donald J. M. Blakeslee, 4th Fighter Group, P-51; Colonel Thomas J. J. Christian Jr., 361st Fighter Group, P-51; Lt. Col. Ben Rimerman, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Lt. Col. William B. Bailey, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Capt. William J. Maguire, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Capt. Gordon B. Compton, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Capt. Vic L. Byers, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Capt. James N. Poindexter, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; 1st Lt. Horace Q. Waggoner, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Major Charles J. Hoey, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Capt. Leslie P. Cles, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Capt. Wayne K. Blickenstaff, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Major Kenneth W. Gallup, 353rd Fighter Group, P-47; Col. Joe L. Mason, 352nd Fighter Group, P-51; Col. Roy W. Osborn, 364th Fighter Group, P-38; Col. Avelin P. Tacon Jr., 359th Fighter Group, P-51; 1st Lt. R. B. Hatter, 368th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, P-51; 1st Lt. R. L. Thacker, 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, P-51; Lt. Col. John B. Murphy, 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, P-51; Col. John B. Henry Jr., 339th Fighter Group, P-51; Col. Hubert Zemke, 56th Fighter Group, P-47; Capt. B. M. Gladych, Polish Air Force, P-47; Lt. Col. Thomas L. Hayes Jr., 357th Fighter Group, P-51; Col. F. C. Gray, 78th Fighter Group, P-51. 76 photos, 1 drawing, 1 diagram. A Merriam Press World War II History Reprint.