The Skull and Crossbones Squadron by Lee Cook

The Skull and Crossbones Squadron by Lee Cook

This is the true story of one of the most successful of all United States Navy Fighting Squadrons in World War I. They were the top guns of their day and came to be feared by the Japanese fighter pilots who described them as attacks on us by wolves. Their victorious achievements are as follows: 152 Japanese planes destroyed in the air and two on the ground in only 76 days of combat; five small enemy cargo ships and 17 barges carrying troops and supplies sent to the bottom of the sea. No bomber escorted by them was lost to enemy aircraft and no ship covered by them was ever hit by bomb or aerial torpedo. The squadron had thirteen aces and two more who later went on to become aces with VF-84 (combat veterans of VF-17 composed the nucleus of this squadron). They were the first Navy squadron into combat action with the new Chance Vought Corsair and were instrumental in proving this powerful new fighter to the Navy. VF-17 were known as the Skull and Crossbones squadron and Blackburn's Irregulars - having adopted the old pirates ensign of the Jolly Roger as the squadron insignia; since World War I they have become known as the Jolly Rogers. The Skull and Crossbones Squadron is a mission by mission chronicle of all the squadron's great air battles. Also included are more than 350 photographs and detailed appendices listing all squadron aces, every confirmed victory and war diary.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780764304750
ISBN 10	0764304755
Title	The Skull and Crossbones Squadron
Author	Lee Cook
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Schiffer Publishing Ltd
Year published	1998-02-28
Number of pages	240
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.