The most famous of the World War Two US Army Air Forces was the Eighth Air Force, often called the mighty Eighth. It was forward deployed from the USA to the UK and spearheaded the American aerial onslaught against Nazi Germany.

The Eighth was formed on January 28, 1942, at Savannah, Georgia, and the significant historical part played by the Eighth in the war against Germany cannot be overestimated. Famous for its massed heavy bomber raids by B-17 and B-24 bombers, the Eighth performed a pivotal role in defeating the Third Reich, but at a considerable cost in airmen's lives.

The main theme of this FlyPast special publication is the UK airfields of the Eighth Air Force, including imagery past and present, maps, airfield plans and details of the wartime units.

Features are also included on the life of the GI airmen, provided by renowned Eighth Air Force historian Roger Freeman, as well as the development of fighter escort tactics, the B-17 and B-24 compared and a fascinating piece on the colourful but often neglected Liberator assembly ships.

Without any doubt the. Eighth Air Force is one of the most emotive subjects of World War Two. This is felt none more so than in the many communities that surrounded the dozens of Eighth Air Force airfields that were located in East Anglia, and is still felt today. The sacrifice of the thousands of American airmen helped to save Europe and indeed the World from Nazi tyranny - this magazine pays tribute to them.

Contents

Fields of Heros
An introductory feature by Mark Nicholls, summarising the Eight's strategic bombing offensive that was launched from 58 airfields in eastern England.

GI Airmen
Eight Air Force historian Roger Freeman examines the lives of those young American GI's suddenly thrust into a war zone.

Airfields of the Eighth
During World War Two the Eighth used a large number of airfields, chiefly in eastern England, of which 58 were used for combat missions. Includes a map of all the airfields, showing the three Air Division areas. Each of the three ADs are dealt with in separate articles that include period photos, group details, modern day images and airfield plans.

Shepherding the Flock
Extraordinary colourful B-24 assembly ships of the 2nd Air Division were an eye-catching way to help build large bomber formations. Robert F Dorr details the history of one of the less well-known Eighth Air Force operations.

Little Friends
Had it not been for the development of the escort fighter and its associated tactics thousands more lives would have been lost among the bomber crews. Warren Thompson charts the history of the Eight's escort fighters, better known as 'Little Friends'.

Collectair Part 1
A vast amount of memorabilia is available on the subject of the Eighth Air Force, here we examine books, jackets and research material such as Internet sites and museums..

Fortress vs Liberator
Robert F Dorr tries to answer an age-old question - which was the best, the B-17 or the B-24?.

Collectair Part 2
Continuation of the memorabilia feature - the time detailing visual material, such as paintings, videos and models.

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