Masters of the 'Jug'

摘要

The arrival of the first P-47 Thunderbolts in Britain undoubtedly provided a huge boost to the US Eighth Air Force whose bombers had taken heavy losses during daylight raids over enemy-occupied territory and had proven to be very vulnerable. With its particularly long range and powerful armament, the P-47 was able to escort the B-17s and B-24s deep into enemy-held territory. Fortress and Liberator crews soon began to appreciate the presence of their 'Little Friends', which also included North American P-51 Mustangs and twin-engined Lockheed P-38 Lightnings. The first Thunderbolts began arriving at Debden in Essex in January 1943. The 56th Fighter Group, originally based at King's Cliffe, was led by one of the US's greatest fighter pilots, Major Hubert 'Hub' Zemke.