A comprehensive guide to the history of the Army Air Force, tracing the development of U.S. military aviation from the Civil War to 1944

The story and statistics behind the remarkable achievements of the AAF in WW II, a unique perspective as prepared with the urgent voice of a nation [then] at war, distributed to civilian readers as well as those in uniform. A comprehensive profile of the leaders and equipment of the AAF, before it became an independent branch of the military. Biographies, training, production, supply, airbases, hazards of flight, awards, history.

Foreword by General H. H. Arnold: "This book is a useful, accurate guide to our operations and should be of wide personal interest to those who know the AAF through relatives and friends in the service. It will be especially valuable to those who hope to become directly associated with us. To the officers, men and women of AAF it should serve as a helpful work of reference.”

This book, written at the height of World War II, is about the US' air combat forces when they were still part of the U. S. Army, not a separate military service, the U. S. Air Force. ."Fundamentally, the AAF is a people's air force, and its bombs dropping on the enemy represent the work of millions of Americans in and out of uniform. In a democrarcy it is fitting that the people should have the opportunity to obtain a thorough understanding of their military air organization. This book furnishes that opportunity. It coordinates the many aspects of our activity and provides an integrated picture of the AAF as it is today. " The Chapters: What we are; Who we are; How we train; What we fight with; How we keep 'em flying; What we fight from; Our battlefield; Our Air Forces in action; Historical highlights; Awards and Insignia; Rotogravure Sections; Bibliography; Abbreviations; AAF Vernacular; Index. . 61 pages of b/w photos and drawings. 1 full-page color photo. 3 pages of full-color illustrations of Awards and Insignia. Occasional small b/w drawings.

wartime guide to the US Army Air Force, its leaders, history, aircraft, units and structure, medals and decorations, operations, training, goals, much more, filled with illustrations and reference materials. Wraps, contains tables, charts, illustrations, war calendar, historical highlights section, abbreviations, AAF vernacular list, indexed,