Introduction
Genesis
VIII Fighter Command
Chapter 1: The Friendly Invasion: "Over Paid, Over Sexed, and Over Here!"
Strategic Air Depots
Daily Life and Conditions of Service
Easily Replaced
Love, London, and Longing
Tents and Castles
"Consider Yourselves Already Dead"
Chapter 2: The Light of Day: The USAAF Strategic Bombing of Germany 1942-45
1942: First Missions
1943: A Decisive Year
1944: Winning the Argument
1945: Crippling Nazi Germany
Chapter 3: Organization of Eighth Air Force: Air and Ground Units
Air Units
Ground Crews and Personnel
Eighth Air Force order of battle, January 1945
Chapter 4: Aircraft of the Eighth Air Force: Bombers, Fighters, Reconnaissance
Bombers
Fighters
Photo-recon and Reconnaissance
Chapter 5: The Tools of Battle: Training, Formations, Technology, Armament, Tactics
Training
Formations
Technology
Armament
Fighter Tactics
Chapter 6: The Experience of Battle: Facing the Flak, Dueling the Fighters
Enemy Coast Ahead
12 O'Clock High
Receiving Flak
Bailing Out
Air Sea Rescue
Returning Home
Relief and Debrief
Casualties
Combat Focus: 303rd Bomb Group "Hell's Angels"
Fighter Mission
Combat Focus: 4th Fighter Group "Debden Eagles"
Combat Focus: 56th Fighter Group
The Opposition: Defending the Reich
Chapter 7: Eighth Air Force Personnel: Leaders and Aces
Senior Leadership of Eighth Air Force
Heroes at the Sharp End
Chronology
Further Reading and Research
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acknowledgments
Index