The only US 8th Army Air Force fighter group to retain the mighty P-47
Thunderbolt throughout its combat tour in the European Theater of
Operations, the 56th Fighter Group justified its nickname of 'Zemke's
Wolfpack' by the aggressive attitude and tactics instilled by its
original wartime commander Hub Zemke. This attitude continued through to
VE-Day under the auspices of his successors Dave Schilling and Lucian
Dade, and it became the top scoring 8th Air Force group for victories in
air-air combat. Justifiably considered one of the greatest tacticians
and leaders in VIII Fighter Command, Zemke's leadership engendered an
esprit de corps that was second to none.
Fighting High Publishing brings together historians Nigel Julian and
Peter Randall to tell the story of the 'Wolfpack', complimented by a
foreword from the Group's wartime leader's son Hub Zemke Jr. The two
authors are the owners of the websites at 56thfightergroup.co.uk and
littlefriends.co.uk respectively, universally acknowledged as the two
finest sites on the 56th and VIII Fighter Command. Having researched the
56th Fighter Group for many years, they have established an
international reputation for their expertise in the history of this
famous unit.
Looking beyond the Thunderbolt flight line, the authors have delved deep
into their own extensive collections, along with the 56th Fighter Group
museum archives and the many private photograph albums, made available
to them by veterans and veteran's families, in order to produce the most
in-depth photographic record of the Wolfpack and its associated service
units published to date. More than 400 photographs, the majority of
which are previously unpublished, show views from behind the scenes
alongside newly discovered aircraft noseart, social events, maintenance
and repairs which, together with detailed captions, make this a visual
and information feast. The modern day legacy is recorded with a section
depicting memorials to the 56th Fighter Group. A full honor roll of
those who made the ultimate sacrifice is included along with details of
all confirmed claims by the Group's air-air 'Aces'.
