B-24 Liberator Units of the Eighth Air Force (Osprey Combat Aircraft 15)

Osprey's examination of the B-24 Liberator Units' participation in World War II (1939-1945). The B-24 Liberator was built in greater numbers than any other US warplane, yet its combat crews live, even today, in the shadow of the less plentiful, but better-known, B-17. Accounts of the 'Mighty Eighth' in Europe, and indeed many of the books and films that emerged from the greatest air campaign in history, often overlook the B-24, even though it was in action for as long as the Flying Fortress, and participated in just as many perilous daylight bombing missions.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent portrayal of the B-24 in the Eighth Air Force

By Dennis Daniels - December 16, 1999

Waging war in the modern era not only requires an army of soldiers, sailors, and aviators, but the weapons to fight the war with as well. Hordes of books focus on the leaders, battles, and tactics, far fewer concentrate on the tools of war. Dorr's exceptional book captures an aspect of the air war against Germany that too few are aware of, the roll of the B-24 Liberator. Always seemingly in the shadow of the more popular B-17 Flying Fortress, the Liberator was used in 19 heavy bomb groups in England alone and when combined with the bomb groups that flew from the Mediterranean accounted for close to 227,000 sorties. Dorr's book is a fine capsulized history of the B-24 and its impressive role with the Eighth Air Force. The aerial photos, color plates, and nose art accurately captures the spirit and sacrifice of the crews and the planes they flew. Included is an invaluable appendices that lists all B-24 units of the Eighth. Adding to the readability of the book, is the... read more

Educational

By Lester K. McGuire - January 23, 2013

I'm learning as much as I can about my father's World War II outfit the 445th BG. The book taught much about the aircraft, the men, and the thought process during the war.

Excellent coverage of B-24 bombing missions over Europe.

By Allen Benzing - April 21, 2013

This book covers a lot of material, from the B-24 in various models, the intricate battle plans and the many difficulties faced by the crews - before event getting to battle. I appreciate the amount of research and detail presented in mission descriptions. It gives the reader some idea of what these men faced and how so many flew into conditions with the high probability of death.

It can be difficult to comprehend the structure of the 8th Air Force, but this book makes a point of clearly delineating the complexity of this military organization.

Well worth the read - and to keep as a ready reference to the air war over Europe.