Angels Bulldogs & Dragons The 355th Fighter Group in WWII
Author: Bill Marshall
Publisher: Champlin Fighter Museum AR
Edition: First
Cover: Soft
ISBN: 0-912173-02-5
Unit
Synopsis: Bill Marshall presents a comprehensive unit history of the 355th Fighter Group, documenting this distinguished P-51 Mustang unit's exceptional combat record during World War II operations from England. The book traces the group's formation and training through its deployment to the European Theater and emergence as one of the most effective fighter groups in the war. Marshall meticulously documents the group's participation in major air campaigns including long-range bomber escort missions deep into Germany, fighter sweeps over occupied Europe, and ground attack operations supporting the Normandy invasion and subsequent Allied advances across Western Europe. The narrative incorporates extensive firsthand accounts from pilots and ground personnel who served with the group, providing personal perspectives on the challenges and triumphs of fighter operations during the European air war. Technical aspects of P-51 Mustang operations are thoroughly examined, including the aircraft's superior performance characteristics that made it ideal for long-range operations, armament configurations for different mission types, and maintenance procedures that ensured high aircraft availability rates. The book documents the group's outstanding combat achievements, including detailed accounts of aerial victories, successful escort missions, and innovative tactics that contributed to the unit's reputation for excellence and effectiveness. Personal profiles of distinguished pilots and their achievements provide insights into the leadership and individual contributions that shaped the group's combat record and maintained high standards of performance throughout the war. The work examines the evolution of fighter tactics as practiced by the group, showing how combat experience led to improved techniques for bomber escort, air-to-air combat, and coordination with other military units. Command and leadership are extensively analyzed, showing how effective command decisions and unit cohesion contributed to the group's exceptional performance while maintaining morale and effectiveness during sustained combat operations. Environmental and operational challenges are addressed comprehensively, including weather conditions that complicated mission planning, maintenance difficulties under combat conditions, and the complex logistics required to maintain high-performance fighter operations from English bases. Training procedures and pilot development receive detailed coverage, illustrating how the group maintained its combat effectiveness despite continuous personnel changes due to combat losses, tour completions, and organizational requirements. The book includes extensive documentation of the group's role in major air battles and strategic campaigns, analyzing their contribution to achieving Allied air superiority and supporting the broader objectives of the European air offensive. Aircraft markings and unit insignia are thoroughly documented, providing valuable reference information for historians and enthusiasts interested in the visual identification and unit traditions of this distinguished fighter group.
Angels Bulldogs & Dragons The 355th Fighter Group in WWII, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.
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