BATTLE COLORS VOLUME VI – INSIGNIA AND AIRCRAFT MARKINGS OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES IN WWII – CHINA – BURMA – INDIA & THE WESTERN PACIFIC

Apparently, a number of readers missed this explanation, so it is repeated here in hopes of answering several queries regarding the absence of the Twentieth AF from BC/Vol. V. Suffice to say, all combat units of the Twentieth AF are indeed included in this work, along with those of the Tenth and Fourteenth AFs, in addition to other units that served in this particular area of operations during World War II.

As with previous volumes, the primary emphasis of this work is on group and squadron emblems, in addition to combat aircraft tactical markings.

Combat Insignia

Extensive research has resulted in the most complete assemblage of World War II-era AAF/CBI combat insignia yet compiled. As in all Battle Colors volumes, these insignia images include both approved as well as unapproved versions, including common variations representative of the time. Where space has allowed, historical period photographs depicting the applied applications of unapproved emblems are included in the text, thus providing empirical proof of their existence and use during WWII. All emblems have been carefully recreated to reflect, as nearly as possible, the original artwork as created by their designers.

Tactical Markings

The problems encountered when researching the Pacific Theater proved to be almost minuscule when compared to locating "paper trails" for many of the units that served in the China-Burma-India Theater. Due to a number of more pressing factors, maintaining accurate, detailed paperwork on group/squadron daily activities was understandably not a priority. It is this scarcity of paper trails when seeking the "what, where, and when" concerning the implication of CBI tactical markings that places a heavy reliance upon period photos, from both official and unofficial sources, to fill in some of the substantial gaps in research on this topic. As valuable as these visual sources are, they fail to provide important details that would normally be found in an official inter-group memo or general field order.

In spite of these handicaps, it is hoped that this volume will help fill in many of these blank spots in the history of the USAAF in the CBI.

Source: Publisher's summary printed on cover