The Second Air Division's first bombing mission was flown on November 7,
1942; the last on April 25, 1945. A total of 95, 948 sorties were flown
in 493 operational missions by the division's B-24s, dropping 199,883
tons of bombs.
Targets attacked ranged from Norway in the north, as far east as Poland
and Romania, while several Mediterranean countries were reached from
temporary bases in North Africa. Six 2nd Air Division groups received
special presidential citations for outstanding actions and five airmen
received the Medal of Honor (highest US award for bravery), four
posthumously. In combat the 2nd Air Division gunners claimed 1,079 enemy
fighters destroyed against losses of 1,458 B-24s missing in action and
many others lost in accidents.
This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each
base, what remains today and explores the favorite local wartime haunts
where aircrew and ground crew would go.