THE 350TH FIGHTER GROUP IN THE MEDITERRANEAN CAMPAIGN — 2 November 1942 to 2 May 1945
Prix régulier 55,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-10 | 0-7643-0220-5 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Perfect paperback |
| Condition | Used - Like NEW |
| Author(s) | Schiffer Military History |
| Publisher | Schiffer Publishing Ltd. |
| Number of pages | 96 |
| Published date | 1997 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 23 x 30.5 x 1 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • AVIATION MILITAIRE • SECONDE GUERRE MONDIALE |
Description
This facsimile reprint of the actual 350th Fighter Group War Book appears here in a new quality edition. The 350th Fighter Group, comprising the 345th, 346th, and 347th Fighter Squadrons, flew against the Luftwaffe during the Moroccan, Tunisian, Sicilian, and Italian campaigns in P-39s and P-47s.
Lt. Raymond Knight was a driven warrior, absolutely fearless and totally confident in his mission. The 346th Fighter Squadron flight leader would take his P-47 strafers into the gates of hell to destroy the Luftwaffe, proving it sortie after sortie. By April 1945, the Allies were poised to cross the Po River and liberate Milan, an objective only minutes from the 350th FG base at Pisa. Weather permitting, Knight was at times able to fly three missions per day in his pursuit of the last of the Luftwaffe.
He completely wore out one aircraft in the quest and had only recently acquired his latest P-47 from a Spanish squadron. Seeing the latest photo reconnaissance of the landing fields at Bergamo and Ghedi, he led many sorties there in his self-titled “JOHNNIE” for two days running. Purportedly responsible for at least twenty aircraft personally destroyed, the lieutenant seemed determined to find more.
In the morning twilight of April 25, 1945, Knight swept over Bergamo airdrome attempting to eliminate the last enemy planes hidden there. He was immediately bracketed by the withering crossfire of antiaircraft guns surrounding the field and barely escaped to the south in his riddled Thunderbolt. He opted to try Pisa, but the turbulence over the Apennine Mountains was too severe for his war-torn plane. As JOHNNIE snap-rolled and plummeted earthward, Knight attempted to bail out but was much too low.
Lt. Raymond Knight was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor, the last airman to be so honored for conspicuous bravery in the European theatre.