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Martin W. Bowman
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Duxford and the Big Wings, 1940–45: RAF and USAAF Fighter Pilots at War Kindle Edition

by Martin W. Bowman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
A pulsating account of the young RAF and American fighter boys who flew Spitfires, Hurricanes, Thunderbolts and Mustangs during 1940-45. It is unique in that the story is told using first person accounts from RAF, German and American Eagles who fought in the skies over England in the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 and the great air offensives over occupied-Europe from 1942 onwards. The first five and a half chapters cover the Battle of Britain period when the RAF squadrons fought dog fights with the Luftwaffe and then fought them in gathering strength using the Big Wings to meet the bomber fleets attacking London. The second part of the book covers the Eagle squadron period, which was expanded with Americas entry into the war. The action moves to the USAAF Big Wings of Thunderbolts and Mustang fighters that flew escort missions and dueled with the Luftwaffe over the continent during the massive bomber raids on German targets in France, the Low Countries and the Reich itself. A whole host of incredible first hand accounts by British, Polish, Czech, German and American fighter pilots permeate the action and describe the aerial battles as only they can. This unique book also includes many accounts and photos that have not previously been seen before while the rich mix of combat accounts from all sides are brought together for the first time in one volume.
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  1. ISBN-13
    978-1783467174
  2. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Aviation
  3. Publication date
    October 19, 2009
  4. Language
    English
  5. File size
    3.2 MB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Readers interested in World War II aviation history will appreciate the thoroughness of this account.”
Book News, Inc.

About the Author

Martin Bowman is one of Britain’s foremost aviation historians and has written many books and articles. He lives in Norwich.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00HEST8WM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation (October 19, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 19, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 478 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

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Martin W. Bowman

Martin W. Bowman

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
19 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • William S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Relating to Duxford as a volunteer
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed reading this book. My company moved me to the UK and now I live and work here. I volunteer at Duxford and this book really helped me to tie it all together. During the Battle of Britain, this base’s fighters were in the thick of things. I really connected to this book as it mentions different towns and villages where aircraft crashed or pilots were rescued and I know lots of these places. This book gave me a better understanding of how the American 78th Fighter Group operated the different squadrons, the base description and the pilots and their stories. As I mentioned, I volunteer there in hangar 4, the Battle of Britain of hangar. This hangar was also the briefing room of the USAAF 78th Fighter Group. The book covers the triumphs and the tragedies of war. Like the unfortunate accident of a B-17 bomber at the base that took the lives of the crew and passenger during a joy ride. The book uses lots of stories of the actual pilots, from both sides and is very well footnoted. It has provided me with information that I can pass along to visitors at Duxford. I highly recommend this book to better understand Duxford, the squadrons, and the men and women who found from here during the war.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • E. JORDAN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    good book.
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  • Mike O'Connor
    3.0 out of 5 stars The Fighters from Duxford!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2013
    During World War II, England's Duxford air base hosted a variety of RAF and, later, USAAF fighter units. Martin Bowman details the battles fought by Duxford fighters in DUXFORD AND THE BIG WINGS 1940-45, RAF AND USAAF FIGHTER PILOTS AT WAR, a 2009 Pen & Sword Books release.

    Duxford first saw use at the end of World War I. During the early years of World War II, it was the base for various RAF squadrons which, during the Battle of Britain, were formed into a 'Big Wing' led by Douglas Bader. In August 1942, the first USAAF unit arrived but it wasn't until early 1943 that Duxford officially became an American base, housing the 78th FG equipped with Republic Thunderbolts. Flying P-47s and, later, P-51s, the 78th was eventually credited with over 600 air and ground kills.

    Bowman does a workmanlike job of relating the combats flown by the various RAF and USAAF units. He utilizes a fair number of first-person reminiscences especially in the USAAF section where he uses large chunks of four books written by 78th vets.

    Fighter combat enthusiasts will enjoy DUXFORD AND THE BIG WINGS 1940-45. It's a detailed, action-packed account of Allied fighter pilots in combat. Recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate history
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Good book and well written
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