Relying heavily upon visuals, Battle Colors fills a long standing void in the annals of the Eighth Air Force during World War II. This volume focuses on all forty-eight Bomb Groups comprising the Eighth and features color illustrations depicting the evolution of all fuselage, wing and tail markings assigned to the individual units. Details concerning the proper size, placement, color and configuration of all tactical markings of U.S. Bomber Command are addressed. Group and squadron combat insignia as well as airfield location maps for each unit are also depicted. All bombardment units incorporated within the Eighth are indexed and easily cross-referenced by squadron, group, wing and division assignments. Additionally, all major components comprising the Eighth have been organized into quick reference organizational flow charts that show the actual order-of-battle for the Mighty Eighth. This book is an invaluable tool for anyone with an interest in the history of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in World War II.

This second volume focuses on the Fighter Groups, Scouting Force and Special Operations units of the Mighty Eighth. Battle Colors approaches a visual subject in a visual manner utilizing full color illustrations and wartime photos.

This collection of squadron histories has been prepared by the USAF Historical Division to complement the Division's book, Air Force Combat Units of World War II. The 1,226 units covered by this volume are the combat (tactical) squadrons that were active between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Each squadron is traced from its beginning through 5 March 1963, the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the 1st Aero (later Bombardment) Squadron, the first Army unit to be equipped with aircraft for tactical operations. For each squadron there is a statement of the official lineage and data on the unit's assignments, stations, aircraft and missiles, operations, service streamers, campaign participation, decorations, and emblem.

This third volume in the Battle Colors series focuses on the unit insignia and tactical aircraft markings of the 9th USAAF in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. All combat elements assigned to the Ninth AAF in the UK from 1943-45 are included: fighter, troop carrier, bombardment, reconnaissance, night fighter and liaison units. Squadron fuselage codes and recognition colors are shown within their respective sections and include maps with chronological listing and dates of each unit's assigned stations. Camouflage paint schemes with diagrams showing government specifications for the official placement of insignia and tactical markings for all major USAAF combat aircraft in the ETO are also covered.

The US 8th Air Force was based in the UK from 1942 onwards, spread exclusively across East Anglia and operating from over 40 locations. The remains of some of these sites can still be found and a few are still airfields. The 8th flew intensive bomber and fighter sorties over Europe. Over 2000 aircraft, mostly B-17s, B-26s and P-47s, involving 150,000 men and a vastly sophisticated supply chain, were engaged in a ceaseless war of high-altitude daylight precision bombing that did much to secure eventual Allied success.