Hikoki Publications

Spitfires and Yellow Tail Mustangs

The 52nd Fighter Group in World War II

by Tom Ivie and Paul Ludwig

Reviewed By James Kelley, #42106

MSRP: $53.95 USD ($4.95 shipping)

ISBN 1-902109-43-0

Available from Specialty Press

1-800-895-4585 or www.specialtypress.com 

The USAAF 52nd Fighter Group enjoyed an outstanding record in World War II, but to date its story has never been told.

Activated in January 1941, it moved to England in July 1942 for an assignment with the Eight Air Force.  It flew combat missions in Spitfires to France during the summer of 1942 before being reassigned to the invasion force attacking North Africa in November 1942.

After moving to North Africa, it was assigned to the Twelfth Air Force and once again equipped with Spitfires.  As part of the Twelfth Air Force, it flew combat missions in the Tunisian campaign and during the invasion of Sicily.

In mid-1944, the 52nd was reassigned to the Fifteenth Air Force and converted to P-51 Mustangs.  During the remainder of the war, it flew bomber escort and strafing missions to targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia.  For its outstanding service the group was twice awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.

During its long campaign, the Group destroyed more than 425 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and damaged 135 plus many more on the ground.  The 52nd Fighter Group produced 21 aces.

Printed on 176 pages, this hardbound book contains 250 photos, many of which have not been seen before.  Also in the book are no fewer than 25 full-page, color profiles.  Chapters include:

  • Whiskey, Wives, Kids & Dogs

Activation and Training: January 1941 – June 1942

  • Flying Down a Village Street

Northern Ireland and England: June – October 1942

  • A Flip of the Coin

The Invasion of North Africa: November 1942 – February 1943

  • Aloft- Strafing, Spying, Escorting, and Patrolling

The Tunisian Campaign; February – July 1943

  • Sitting on Our Duffs Doing Nothing For the War Effort

Sicily – a Period of Frustration: July – December 1943

  • We Are All Wondering Just How a Spitfire is Going to Take off with a 250 Pound Bomb Under Each Wing

Corsica and a New Beginning: December 1943 – May 1944

  • This Little Corner of Italy

The Mustang Era Begins: May – June 1944

  • Mixing It Up

Destruction of the Luftwaffe in Italy: July 1944

  • Burning Aircraft and Twisted Wreckage

Destruction of the Luftwaffe: August 1944

  • Wings in the Hedgerow

Down to Earth: September 1944

  • Mud Almost Everywhere

General “Mud” Becomes the Enemy: September 1944 – March 1945

  • A Crack at Berlin

The Final Campaign: March – May 1945

  • Appendices

Commanding Officers

Aces

Reference Notes

Bibliography

Essentially a chronology of the 52nd, it is written in a style that lends itself favorably to reading. The authors offer a bit of insight into certain aviator’s lives, and provide anecdotal accounts of missions from the point of view of the men who flew them. Coupled with the plethora of incredible photos, this book is not just a history lesson; it is, quite simply, a snapshot in time. Highly recommended.

My thanks to John Noack, 1st VP IPMS/USA and Karen Hill, Promotions and Special Sales, Specialty Press for this review book.

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