Fifteenth Air Force Story
Author: Kenn Rust
Publisher: Historical Aviation Album CA
Edition: First
Cover: Soft
ISBN: 0-911852-79-4
Unit
Synopsis: Kenn Rust presents a comprehensive organizational and operational history of the Fifteenth Air Force, documenting this strategic air force's vital role in the Combined Bomber Offensive against Nazi Germany from Mediterranean bases during World War II. The book traces the air force's formation in Italy and its development into one of the most effective strategic bombing organizations of the war. Rust meticulously documents the organizational structure and operational procedures that governed Fifteenth Air Force operations, showing how this strategic air force coordinated with the Eighth Air Force in England to conduct around-the-clock bombing operations against German industrial and military targets. The narrative covers the full scope of strategic bombing operations from Italian bases, including attacks on German aircraft factories, oil production facilities, transportation networks, and other strategic targets throughout southern and eastern Europe. Technical aspects of strategic bombing operations are thoroughly examined, including the B-24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft that formed the backbone of Fifteenth Air Force operations, along with the P-38, P-47, and P-51 fighters that provided escort protection. The book documents major bombing campaigns including Operation Tidal Wave against Romanian oil refineries, sustained attacks on German aircraft production, and the systematic destruction of transportation networks that crippled German logistics and mobility. Organizational development and command relationships are analyzed, showing how the Fifteenth Air Force evolved from initial formation to become a sophisticated strategic bombing organization capable of coordinating complex multi-target missions. The work examines tactical and strategic doctrine as practiced by the Fifteenth Air Force, including formation procedures, target selection priorities, and the evolution of bombing techniques that improved accuracy and effectiveness while reducing losses. Environmental and operational challenges receive comprehensive coverage, including weather conditions that affected operations from Italian bases, maintenance challenges under combat conditions, and the complex logistics required to support strategic bombing operations from forward bases. Personnel and training aspects are thoroughly covered, showing how the Fifteenth Air Force developed and maintained its operational capability while dealing with combat losses and the constant need to integrate replacement aircrew and support personnel. The book includes detailed statistical analysis of bombing operations, providing quantitative assessment of the air force's contribution to the strategic bombing campaign and overall Allied victory in Europe. Coordination with other military organizations is examined, showing how strategic bombing operations were integrated with tactical air operations, ground campaigns, and the broader Allied strategy for defeating Nazi Germany. Post-war evaluation examines the effectiveness of Fifteenth Air Force operations and their lasting impact on strategic bombing doctrine and Air Force organizational development.
Fifteenth Air Force Story, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.
Search Books Alphabetically by Title: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |