
Part of Series
The first few American volunteers flew Spitfires with the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Many more joined their ranks, often posing as "Canadians", eventually forming three Eagle squadrons who earned a fierce fighting reputation. When the United States entered the war the Eagle fighter sections were issued with Spitfires and eventually transferred to the Eighth Air Force. In just two years of service with the USAAF, 22 pilots claimed five or more victories flying the Spitfire, whilst a further two dozen aces claimed part of their total flying them, a testament to their skill and success at the controls of this legendary warbird. Discover the experiences of a variety of American aces in their own words through first-hand accounts, interviews and combat reports, in a thrilling read that transports the reader from the Battle of Britain to the deserts of North Africa to Fortress Europe itself.
Author
Andrew Holmes has worked as Osprey's aerospace editor since 1989, having previously served as an author/photographer for this publishing house. He established the critically acclaimed and hugely popular Aircraft of the Aces series in 1994. Andrew Thomas is one of Britain's most prominent RAF researchers, having published numerous squadron histories. He is presently a serving officer in the RAF. Please refer to Andrew R. Holmes for the American author who writes on aviation security and geopolitics (amongst other topics).