15th AF book

[Frank Olynyk]

John,
I received the book several days ago. It is hardback, but plastic image cover. Pages are 9 by 6 inches, glued binding to a backing strip. Roughly xx plus 483. Four maps showing the targets over a 4-5 month period, covering Nov 43 to May 45. 12 pages of pictures, fairly standard, printed on the same paper as the book, so not high quality reproduction.

The text is quite good, being a daily record from Nov 1, 1943 to May 8, 1945 of all missions flown by the bombers and fighters of 15th AF. For each day the targets hit by each Wing, or Group if the Wing's targets were split up. Description of the results of the bombing. Total aircraft lost by group, and claims by group. Claims and losses are not broken down any further; no squadrons, names or serials. A glossary, chapter source notes, bibliography (heavy use of NARA II and the microfilms from USAFHRA), index to targets, and an index to subjects.

All in all, a very good beginning to the in depth history of the 15th AF. Hopefully the 15th will start to see a greater emphasis, and maybe people can lay off the 8th for a while.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[John Beaman]

Thanks, Frank.

Like you said, a promising start to help document the undereported 15th. Perhaps others will pick up some pieces like a series the way the "Mighty Eighth was done. Too bad Ken Rust retired.