welch james editor (7 Ergebnisse)

Paperback. Zustand: Brand New. second edition edition. 261 pages. 8.25x5.75x0.75 inches. In Stock.

Hardback. Zustand: Very Good. Zustand des Schutzumschlags: None. VERY GOOD+ No dust jacket as issued. No marks in text. Binding is tight and square. . . . . . . . . . A detailed unit history of the 457th Bomb Group (H), a B-17 Flying Fortress group in the Eighth Air Force that flew strategic bombing missions over Europe in the Second World War. Compiled by Homer Briggs and James L. Bass and edited by John F. Welch, the book traces the group from its activation and training in 1943 through its deployment to England, covering major operations such as Big Week, pre-invasion strikes for Normandy, D-Day missions against coastal defenses, and subsequent support for campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine crossings. Drawing heavily on official records and veterans? recollections, the narrative emphasizes the group's identity as the *Fireball Outfit* and documents its 7,000 plus sorties, losses, and evolving tactics as part of the broader Allied air offensive. The volume presents an organized chronological account rather than a mere anecdotal scrapbook, making it a foundational reference for researchers, families, and enthusiasts interested in the operational history, missions, and personnel of this specific heavy bombardment group.

Hardcover. Zustand: Very Good. Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Very Good. Near fine condition, quarto, black boards, in near fine condition, illustrated throughout, 284 pages. This is a heavy book (1.5kg net weight). [QH] [QP].

Paperback. Zustand: Brand New. 3rd edition. 724 pages. 9.50x7.50x1.75 inches. In Stock.

Hardcover. Zustand: Brand New. 104 pages. 9.61x8.19x0.71 inches. In Stock.

Hardcover. Zustand: Good. Presumed First Edition, First printing. The format is approximately 6.125 inches by 9.25 inches. xvi, 408 pages. Map. Illustrations. Tabular Data. Appendix. Index: Names of 457th Members by Mission. Index II. Names by page numbers. Glossary. Decorative front cover. No dust jacket present. Ex-library with the usual library markings. Front flyleaf has been roughly removed. The group was activated during World War II as the 457th Bombardment Group. It flew Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress from England, entering the strategic bombing campaign during Big Week. It flew 7,086 sorties before returning to the United States for inactivation in the summer of 1945. Homer Briggs joined the 457th with the original cadre. He served as an assistant crew chief and mechanic. James L. Bass served as a radio operations and was assigned to the 748th squadron. John F. Welch was assigned to the 748th Squadron and flew both as a co-pilot and crew commander. He was recalled to active during the Korean War in 1951. He retired from the service as a Colonel. The 457th Bombardment Group was activated at Geiger Field, Washington on 1 July 1943 with the 748th, 749th, 750th and 751st Bombardment Squadrons assigned. It moved a week later to Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, where it began training with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber and completed the first two phases of its training there. It completed its training at Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington, then moved to Wendover Field, Utah for final preparation for overseas movement. It departed for the European Theater of Operations on New Years Day, 1944. The group assembled at its combat station, RAF Glatton by the end of the month. The air echelon had begun arriving at Glatton on 21 January. The group flew its first mission during Big Week on 21 February 1944, as Eighth Air Force concentrated its attacks on Germany's aircraft manufacturing industry. It engaged primarily in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, attacking ball bearing plants, oil refineries and aircraft factories until June 1944. In July 1944, the group returned to strategic targets, which remained its primary objectives through April 1945. On 2 November 1944, the 457th and another group strayed from the main bomber stream and its fighter cover. Luftwaffe fighter controllers directed a geschwader of interceptors against the formation. Nine of the 457th Group's Flying Fortresses were lost to this attack. In June 1944, the group was diverted from its strategic mission to prepare for Operation Overlord, the invasion of France. On D Day, it attacked coastal defenses on the Cherbourg Peninsula. For the remainder of the month it was engaged in air interdiction, striking airfields, rail systems and roads and depots behind enemy lines. The group was also diverted to tactical targets for shorter periods. In July 1944, it supported Operation Cobra the breakout of ground forces at Saint Lo. During Operation Market Garden, the attempt to secure bridgeheads across the Rhine River in the Netherlands, it supported the British 1st Airborne Division. It provided similar support during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, and Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945. The group flew its last combat mission on 20 April 1945. In fourteen months in combat, the group had flown 7086 sorties. It claimed the destruction of 33 enemy aircraft, but lost 83 Flying Fortresses. Following V-E Day, it transported prisoners of war from Austria to France. The air echelon departed Glatton between 19 and 23 May, while the ground echelon sailed on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on 24 June, arriving at the New York Port of Emarkation five days later. It assembled at Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota in late July. It was inactivated there the following month. Special NOTE: On Saturday, 28 July 1945, Lieutenant Colonel William F. Smith lost his way while ferrying a 457th North American B-25 Mitchell bomber from Bedford Army Air Base to Sioux Falls.

Hardcover. Zustand: Brand New. 1st edition. 248 pages. 9.00x6.25x0.75 inches. In Stock.