23rd Fighter Group
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Aviation Elite Units 31
Author: Carl Molesworth
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-846034-21-3
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 128
Made famous by extensive publicity and even a movie starring John Wayne, the “Flying Tigers” was the name given to the American Volunteer Group (AVG), which later became the 23rd Fighter Group. The collection of volunteers captured the spirit of the country as they fought against the Japanese in the early stages of the war, and their popularity has resulted in quite a few books written over the years. Osprey has decided to enter the fray with this book, their latest in their Elite Units series.
As this is a book on the 23rd Fighter Group, it begins with the transition from the AVG to a numbered USAAC group. Aside from the new designation, little else changed, and the group continued to fly their venerable sharkmouthed P-40s into combat. The Warhawk remained with the unit for several years, until the arrival of the P-51 Mustang, with which the unit finished the war.
The text takes a chronological examination of the 23rd Fighter Group and its fighter squadrons: the 16th, 74th, the 75th, and the 76th (and later the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. The author does a good job of detailing the daily operations of these units as they moved through the China, Burma, and India Theater. A good outline of their opponents is also presented, showing that this theater was not an easy one to fly and fight in.
In addition to the thorough text, the book contains a fair number of photos showing the various pilots, aircraft, and opponents of the 23rd Fighter Group. Many of these are new, at least to me, so this book is welcome in that regard. Complementing these photos is the usual center section profile spread, with many excellent examples of 23rd Fighter Group aircraft. Also included here is a two-page spread showing the unit emblems, a very nice touch.
This is a great addition to the growing Elite Unit series of Osprey, and one that is bound to be popular with those looking for something other than 8th Air Force Fighter Groups. My thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy.