Wolfpack Warriors

The Story of World War II's Most Successful Fighter Outfit

Roger Freeman

• Publisher: Grub Street Publishing
• Year: 2004
• eBook ISBN: 9781908117564
• Topic: Histoire
• Subtopic: Seconde Guerre mondiale

In the later years of the Second World War Germany was subjected to a tremendous onslaught by the bomber commands of both the RAF and USAAF, as well as being assaulted by land. For these twin strategies to succeed the Allies had to obtain and hold air supremacy over Western Europe. That this was achieved was predominantly the work of USAAF long-range fighters operating from the eastern shores of England, who thereby made a major contribution to victory. The 56th Fighter Group, or Zemke’s Wolfpack as they became known, more than any other, led the way and at the end of hostilities had the highest score of enemy aircraft shot down as well as having produced the top American fighter aces of the conflict. This is an account of why and how this famous unit became so successful and the way in which its ethos and spirit was forged. Although following a chronological path of training and operations, this book is not a dedicated unit history, the narrative being primarily concerned with the personnel, both pilots and ground crew. Some one hundred veterans have been contacted by the author over the past ten years of his research and many of their recollections and photographs are woven into the story, reflecting in candid fashion the thoughts and actions of the young fighting men of this ground-breaking unit. Roger A. Freeman is the author of more than fifty books on Second World War subjects and specialises in the men, aircraft and operations of USAAF.His interest stems from boyhood experiences including working on and around an airfield which housed the organisation that is the subject of this book.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Author’s Note
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 Born and Weaned
• Chapter 2 First with Thunderbolts
• Chapter 3 Hub takes Command
• Chapter 4 The Move Overseas
• Chapter 5 Introduction to England
• Chapter 6 Operations Commence
• Chapter 7 The First Victory
• Chapter 8 Norwich Neighbours
• Chapter 9 Hard Times
• Chapter 10 Winning Ways
• Chapter 11 Work and Play
• Chapter 12 Combat Ascendancy Continues
• Chapter 13 On and Off the Base
• Chapter 14 Winter Battles
• Chapter 15 George Goldstein’s Story
• Chapter 16 Hub Returns
• Chapter 17 Keeping ’em Flying
• Chapter 18 The Happy Hunting Ground
• Chapter 19 Lead up to D-Day
• Chapter 20 Summer at Boxted
• Chapter 21 Schilling in Command
• Chapter 22 Young Men’s Fancies
• Chapter 23 From Dearth to Plenty
• Chapter 24 Winter Blues with the P-47M
• Chapter 25 Final Weeks of Combat
• Chapter 26 Waiting to go Home
• Epilogue