| Second to None The History of the 368th Fighter Group |
SECOND TO NONE: THE HISTORY OF THE 368TH FIGHTER GROUP
Available now, the comprehensive history of the 368th Fighter Group, one of the most productive fighter groups of
World War II. Comprised of the 395th FS “Panzer Dusters”, the 396th “Thunder Bums,” and the 397th “Jabo
Angels,” the Group distinguished itself during six campaigns in Europe and was the recipient of the Presidential Unit
Citation. Before the D-Day invasion, the Group earned a solid reputation while operating fighter sweeps and attacks on
marshalling yards, locomotives and rolling stock, road and rail bridges, key roads, submarine pens, and rocket sites.
After the invasion, they gained notoriety while providing air cover for the First and Third Army sweeps across France ,
Belgium , Austria , and Germany .
The 368th had many notable firsts. Among them, in May of 1944, they were the first unit to attack the V-1 “buzz
bomb” sites, located along the French coast at Calaise. That same month, they were the first to drop experimental
incendiary napalm bombs in combat. The 368th FG was first group to fly in support of the disembarking infantry as
they stormed the beaches on the morning of June 6, 1944, D-Day. They were the first Group to operate missions from
advance landing strips and the first to be permanently based on the continent. After the breakout, the 368th
spearheaded the role of pilots as forward air controllers, placing them in front line Sherman tanks in order to call in
more effective air strikes. Despite the loss of 13 pilots killed in air-to-air combat, the 368th led all Ninth Air Force P-
47 units with 149 aerial victories. The Group had three aces, with Lt. Col. Paul P. Douglas of the 396th FS leading all
Ninth Air Force P-47 units with 8 aerial victories.
Finally, one of the most outstanding and overlooked Groups in World War II has its story told. Tim Grace, the son of
one of its pilots, has completed a 3 1/2 year project to preserve their story as a legacy for their families and World
War II aviation enthusiasts and historians alike. This 576-page paperback is written in narrative form and is a road map
and diary of their entire activation. The book begins with a brief history of the Air Force in order to set the context of
the Group's contributions to the war effort. It is followed by 6 chapters that trace the Group through each of its 6 battle
campaigns, and then as part of the Army of Occupation. This is followed by an entire chapter that contains 71 personal
stories. As an added bonus, the book has 18 essential appendixes that span their activation, in addition to
extraordinary ancillary data. Featured among them are detailed list of Victories, MIA, KIA, and POW lists; Missing
Air Crew reports; and various media publications of the day. The book contains a color section with many aircraft
profiles. As an added feature, there is a 74-page photo gallery with over 400 archive photos. There is much more that
is certain to be new for avid readers of World War II aviation history.
Available now, the comprehensive history of the 368th Fighter Group, one of the most productive fighter groups of
World War II. Comprised of the 395th FS “Panzer Dusters”, the 396th “Thunder Bums,” and the 397th “Jabo
Angels,” the Group distinguished itself during six campaigns in Europe and was the recipient of the Presidential Unit
Citation. Before the D-Day invasion, the Group earned a solid reputation while operating fighter sweeps and attacks on
marshalling yards, locomotives and rolling stock, road and rail bridges, key roads, submarine pens, and rocket sites.
After the invasion, they gained notoriety while providing air cover for the First and Third Army sweeps across France ,
Belgium , Austria , and Germany .
The 368th had many notable firsts. Among them, in May of 1944, they were the first unit to attack the V-1 “buzz
bomb” sites, located along the French coast at Calaise. That same month, they were the first to drop experimental
incendiary napalm bombs in combat. The 368th FG was first group to fly in support of the disembarking infantry as
they stormed the beaches on the morning of June 6, 1944, D-Day. They were the first Group to operate missions from
advance landing strips and the first to be permanently based on the continent. After the breakout, the 368th
spearheaded the role of pilots as forward air controllers, placing them in front line Sherman tanks in order to call in
more effective air strikes. Despite the loss of 13 pilots killed in air-to-air combat, the 368th led all Ninth Air Force P-
47 units with 149 aerial victories. The Group had three aces, with Lt. Col. Paul P. Douglas of the 396th FS leading all
Ninth Air Force P-47 units with 8 aerial victories.
Finally, one of the most outstanding and overlooked Groups in World War II has its story told. Tim Grace, the son of
one of its pilots, has completed a 3 1/2 year project to preserve their story as a legacy for their families and World
War II aviation enthusiasts and historians alike. This 576-page paperback is written in narrative form and is a road map
and diary of their entire activation. The book begins with a brief history of the Air Force in order to set the context of
the Group's contributions to the war effort. It is followed by 6 chapters that trace the Group through each of its 6 battle
campaigns, and then as part of the Army of Occupation. This is followed by an entire chapter that contains 71 personal
stories. As an added bonus, the book has 18 essential appendixes that span their activation, in addition to
extraordinary ancillary data. Featured among them are detailed list of Victories, MIA, KIA, and POW lists; Missing
Air Crew reports; and various media publications of the day. The book contains a color section with many aircraft
profiles. As an added feature, there is a 74-page photo gallery with over 400 archive photos. There is much more that
is certain to be new for avid readers of World War II aviation history.
| Limited Edition hardcover is sold out. |
Although our books are sold out, we
have had many requests for another
printing. In response we are planning
another limited hard cover printing in
the fall.
Please e-mail me if you are interested in
purchasing, we want our printing order
to meet the demand.
Stay tuned for details!
have had many requests for another
printing. In response we are planning
another limited hard cover printing in
the fall.
Please e-mail me if you are interested in
purchasing, we want our printing order
to meet the demand.
Stay tuned for details!