The Men Who Killed the Luftwaffe : The U.S. Army Air Forces Against Germany in World War II

- Winner of the San Diego Book Award for Military & Politics - Dramatic story of World War II in the air - How the U.S. built an air force of 2.3 million men after starting with 45,000 and defeated the world's best air force - Vivid accounts of aerial combat In order to defeat Germany in World War II, the Allies needed to destroy the Third Reich's industry and invade its territory, but before they could effectively do either, they had to defeat the Luftwaffe, whose state-of-the-art aircraft and experienced pilots protected German industry and would batter any attempted invasion. This difficult task fell largely to the U.S., which, at the outset, lacked the necessary men, materiel, and training. Over the ensuing years, thanks to visionary leadership and diligent effort, the U.S. Army Air Force developed strategies and tactics and assembled a well-trained force that convincingly defeated the Luftwaffe. San Diego Book Award Winner: “An excellent overview of the U.S. Army Air Forces'war against Nazi Germany.” —Barrett Tillman, author of Whirlwind: The Air War Against Japan 1942–1945 Bronze medalist, Military Writers Society of America When World War II began, the U.S. Army Air Corps numbered only forty-five thousand men and a few thousand aircraft—hardly enough to defend the United States, let alone defeat Germany's Luftwaffe, whose state-of-the-art aircraft and battle-seasoned pilots stood ready to batter any attackers. Yet by the war's end, the Luftwaffe had been crushed, and the U.S. Army Air Forces, successor to the Air Corps, had delivered the decisive blows. This book tells the story of that striking transformation—one of the marvels of modern warfare—while simultaneously thrusting readers into whirling, heart-pounding accounts of aerial combat. Britain's Royal Air Force had been just barely holding the line, and the might of the United States was needed to turn the tide. Almost from scratch, the US built an air force of more than two million men. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Henry “Hap” Arnold, Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, Ira Eaker, James Doolittle, and others, the USAAF assembled a well-trained and superbly equipped force unlike any ever fielded. And thanks to the brave Americans who crewed, maintained, and supported the aircraft, the USAAF annihilated the Luftwaffe, pounding targets deep inside Germany and elsewhere. A stirring tribute to these men as well as an engaging work of history, The Men Who Killed the Luftwaffe vividly describes World War II in the skies above Europe—and captures the personalities of the men who won it, whether on the ground or in the air.

Dramatic story of World War II in the air How the U.S. built an air force of 2.3 million men after starting with 45,000 and defeated the world's best air force Vivid accounts of aerial combat

In order to defeat Germany in World War II, the Allies needed to destroy the Third Reich's industry and invade its territory, but before they could effectively do either, they had to defeat the Luftwaffe, whose state-of-the-art aircraft and experienced pilots protected German industry and would batter any attempted invasion. This difficult task fell largely to the U.S., which, at the outset, lacked the necessary men, materiel, and training. Over the ensuing years, thanks to visionary leadership and diligent effort, the U.S. Army Air Force developed strategies and tactics and assembled a well-trained force that convincingly defeated the Luftwaffe.

Building an air force The Nazis and Eaker Spaatz and Eaker go to England First mission and the move to North Africa Casablanca and fighters in North Africa Romance, submarines, and Sicily Tidalwave The gunners Black Thursday and long-range fighters Doolittle, phased escort, and freedom for the fighters Big week, interns, and flak Pilot training Ground attack and bomber bailouts The oil plan D-Day Fighter-on-fighter combat The men who made it possible Frantic Mishaps, miscues, and near things Jets, rockets, and Tante Ju More fighters and g's The big blow that wasn't The general falls Bodenplatte Deadly to the end.