The 20th Air Force Album

Author: Richard Keenan
Publisher: Newsfoto TX
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover
Published: 1982
Bomb

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Synopsis: This comprehensive photographic album chronicles the remarkable story of the 20th Air Force, the strategic bombing command that played a pivotal role in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Author Richard Keenan meticulously documents the formation, training, and combat operations of this elite force, which was specifically created to conduct B-29 Superfortress operations against the Japanese mainland. The book explores the unique challenges faced by the 20th Air Force, from the initial deployment to bases in China and India to the later establishment of operations in the Mariana Islands. Through rare photographs, personal accounts, and detailed mission records, readers gain insight into the daily lives of aircrews who flew some of the longest and most dangerous bombing missions of the war. The album covers the strategic bombing campaign against Japanese industrial targets, including the controversial firebombing of Tokyo and other major cities, as well as the atomic bomb missions to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Keenan provides context for each photograph, explaining the technical aspects of B-29 operations, the challenges of long-range bombing in the Pacific, and the human cost of these operations. The book also examines the evolution of strategic bombing doctrine and how the 20th Air Force's experiences influenced post-war military aviation. Personal stories of heroism, loss, and camaraderie illustrate the human dimension of these massive military operations. This album serves as both a historical record and a tribute to the men who served in one of the most technologically advanced and strategically important air forces of World War II, making it an essential resource for aviation historians and enthusiasts.

The 20th Air Force Album, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.