B-24 Liberator: Combat Photographs from the Europe Theater

B-24 Liberator: Combat Photographs from the European Theater of Operations

Born from a need for more B-17s, the war career of Consolidated Aircraft Company’s B-24 Liberator began in earnest in January 1942. While it was less well received than the B-17, it could carry a heavier bomb load, had further range, and could take a substantial amount of flak and machine-gun damage. The 8th Air Force, based in the UK, had the largest collection of B-24s, with up to 15 heavy bomb groups. The Royal Air Force turned to mass night bombing and flew it with the aim of destroying entire cities, while the United States Army Air Forces stayed with daylight bombing, relying on the Norden bombsight and the ability of its heavily armed aircraft bombers to protect themselves in formations and, later, with long-range fighter escorts.

With more than 180 combat photographs, this book illustrates the B-24 in its various roles and the courage and resilience of the men and machines that flew the daylight-bombing missions in the skies of Europe from 1942 to 1945, in a war where no quarter was given.

Available: NOW

ISBN: 978 1 80282 457 5

Price: £15.99

Series: Historic Military Aircraft Series, vol 21

Format: Paperback, 96 pages

Author: Bob Livingstone