Description
The only US 8th Army Air Force fighter group to retain the mighty P-47 Thunderbolt throughout its combat tour in the European Theatre of Operations, the 56th Fighter Group justified its nickname of 'Zemke's Wolfpack' by the aggressive attitude and tactics instilled by its original wartime commander Hub Zemke. This attitude continued through to VE-Day under the auspices of his successors Dave Schilling and Lucian Dade, and it became the top scoring 8th Air Force group for victories in air-air combat. Justifiably considered one of the greatest tacticians and leaders in VIII Fighter Command, Zemke's leadership engendered an esprit de corps that was second to none.
Fighting High Publishing brings together historians Nigel Julian and Peter Randall to tell the story of the 'Wolfpack', complimented by a foreword from the Group's wartime leader's son Hub Zemke Jnr. The two authors are the owners of the websites at 56thfightergroup.co.uk and littlefriends.co.uk respectively, universally acknowledged as the two finest sites on the 56th and VIII Fighter Command. Having researched the 56th Fighter Group for many years, they have established an international reputation for their expertise in the history of this famous unit.
Looking beyond the Thunderbolt flightline, the authors have delved deep into their own extensive collections, along with the 56th Fighter Group museum archives and the many private photograph albums, made available to them by veterans and veteran's families, in order to produce the most in-depth photographic record of the Wolfpack and its associated service units published to date. More than 400 photographs, the majority of which are previously unpublished, show views from behind the scenes alongside newly discovered aircraft noseart, social events, maintenance and repairs which, together with detailed captions, make this a visual and information feast. The modern day legacy is recorded with a section depicting memorials to the 56th Fighter Group. A full honour roll of those who made the ultimate sacrifice is included along with details of all confirmed claims by the Group's air-air 'Aces'.
About the Author
Hub Zemke Jr, author of the foreword to this book, is the son of Hubert Zemke who commanded the 56th Fighter Group during the Second World War. Peter Randall is the owner and founder of the website littlefriends.co.uk, one of the earliest sites on the Internet dedicated to the US 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command, and recognised as the most comprehensive on-line database for this specialised subject. Peter, motivated by the lack of detailed information contained in the early published 8th Air Force fighter unit histories, began collecting records of serial numbers, unit and pilot allocations and their respective fates, culminating in the online publication of his unique and exemplary website. Nigel Julian, as the son of a Royal Air Force pilot and Caterpillar Club member, grew up surrounded by aviation themed books, resulting in a lifelong passion for the history of the air war over Europe. Encouragement from 56th Fighter Group veterans and their families eventually resulted in the formation of the 56thfightergroup.co.uk website. Besides becoming a focus point for the Group's former members and their relatives, it has also provided the current 56th Fighter Wing with an insight into their unit's extraordinary and historic legacy.
Reviews
This is a goldmine of information, of memories and detail for the modeller. A fine tribute to a group or airmen in WW2 and clearly the work of two authors who have a particular passion for the history of 'Zemke's Wolfpack'. * Military Model Scene 04/08/2015 *
The photographs are as fascinating as the stories of the ground crew, trainers and pilots are unique. * History of War Magazine 17/02/2016 *
With a foreword by the son of the eponymous colonel himself, Zemke's Wolfpack charts the day-to-day of the 56th in more than 400 captioned photographs drawn from archives and rare personal collections. The photographs are as fascinating as the stories of the ground crew, trainers and pilots are unique. * All About History 17/02/2016 *
They have produced a masterpiece. Being a soppy old sod at heart I feel I can allow myself the use of an awesome on this occasion. It is a word never knowingly overused in our world of reviews and we pride ourselves in keeping such descriptive hype off your screen. But every now and again something comes along that makes the adjective perfect for the moment. Awesome! Go get. * War History Online 25/08/2015 *
These kind of books score outside the box; 6 stars out of 5! * Aviationbookreviews.com *
This work on the famous 56th Fighter Group is truly masterful and one that is an absolute must for the bookshelves of those who study the subject." - Book of the Month for June 2016 * Britain at War Magazine *
There is much for modellers and historians alike... and if one hankers for the full story behind the subject one is building, this is the perfect book. * Airfix Model World 17/02/2016 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780992620783
Author Hub Zemke Jr
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint Fighting High Ltd
Publisher Fighting High Ltd
Fighting High Publishing brings together historians Nigel Julian and Peter Randall to tell the story of the 'Wolfpack', complimented by a foreword from the Group's wartime leader's son Hub Zemke Jnr. The two authors are the owners of the websites at 56thfightergroup.co.uk and littlefriends.co.uk respectively, universally acknowledged as the two finest sites on the 56th and VIII Fighter Command. Having researched the 56th Fighter Group for many years, they have established an international reputation for their expertise in the history of this famous unit.
Looking beyond the Thunderbolt flightline, the authors have delved deep into their own extensive collections, along with the 56th Fighter Group museum archives and the many private photograph albums, made available to them by veterans and veteran's families, in order to produce the most in-depth photographic record of the Wolfpack and its associated service units published to date. More than 400 photographs, the majority of which are previously unpublished, show views from behind the scenes alongside newly discovered aircraft noseart, social events, maintenance and repairs which, together with detailed captions, make this a visual and information feast. The modern day legacy is recorded with a section depicting memorials to the 56th Fighter Group. A full honour roll of those who made the ultimate sacrifice is included along with details of all confirmed claims by the Group's air-air 'Aces'.
About the Author
Hub Zemke Jr, author of the foreword to this book, is the son of Hubert Zemke who commanded the 56th Fighter Group during the Second World War. Peter Randall is the owner and founder of the website littlefriends.co.uk, one of the earliest sites on the Internet dedicated to the US 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command, and recognised as the most comprehensive on-line database for this specialised subject. Peter, motivated by the lack of detailed information contained in the early published 8th Air Force fighter unit histories, began collecting records of serial numbers, unit and pilot allocations and their respective fates, culminating in the online publication of his unique and exemplary website. Nigel Julian, as the son of a Royal Air Force pilot and Caterpillar Club member, grew up surrounded by aviation themed books, resulting in a lifelong passion for the history of the air war over Europe. Encouragement from 56th Fighter Group veterans and their families eventually resulted in the formation of the 56thfightergroup.co.uk website. Besides becoming a focus point for the Group's former members and their relatives, it has also provided the current 56th Fighter Wing with an insight into their unit's extraordinary and historic legacy.
Reviews
This is a goldmine of information, of memories and detail for the modeller. A fine tribute to a group or airmen in WW2 and clearly the work of two authors who have a particular passion for the history of 'Zemke's Wolfpack'. * Military Model Scene 04/08/2015 *
The photographs are as fascinating as the stories of the ground crew, trainers and pilots are unique. * History of War Magazine 17/02/2016 *
With a foreword by the son of the eponymous colonel himself, Zemke's Wolfpack charts the day-to-day of the 56th in more than 400 captioned photographs drawn from archives and rare personal collections. The photographs are as fascinating as the stories of the ground crew, trainers and pilots are unique. * All About History 17/02/2016 *
They have produced a masterpiece. Being a soppy old sod at heart I feel I can allow myself the use of an awesome on this occasion. It is a word never knowingly overused in our world of reviews and we pride ourselves in keeping such descriptive hype off your screen. But every now and again something comes along that makes the adjective perfect for the moment. Awesome! Go get. * War History Online 25/08/2015 *
These kind of books score outside the box; 6 stars out of 5! * Aviationbookreviews.com *
This work on the famous 56th Fighter Group is truly masterful and one that is an absolute must for the bookshelves of those who study the subject." - Book of the Month for June 2016 * Britain at War Magazine *
There is much for modellers and historians alike... and if one hankers for the full story behind the subject one is building, this is the perfect book. * Airfix Model World 17/02/2016 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780992620783
Author Hub Zemke Jr
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint Fighting High Ltd
Publisher Fighting High Ltd
