Hell's Angels ─ The True Story of the 303rd Bomb Group in World War II

During the air battles that destroyed Nazi Germany’s ability to wage war, one bomb group was especially distinguished.

The Hell’s Angels.

At the outbreak of World War II, the United States was in no way prepared to wage war. Although the U.S declared war against Germany in December 1941, the country lacked the manpower, the equipment, and the experience it needed to fight. Even had an invasion force been ready, a successful assault on Nazi-occupied Europe could not happen until Germany’s industrial and military might were crippled.

Because no invasion could happen without air superiority, the first target was the Luftwaffe?the most powerful and battle-hardened air force in the world. To this end, the United States Army Air Forces joined with Great Britain’s already-engaged Royal Air Force to launch a strategic air campaign that ultimately brought the Luftwaffe to its knees. One of the standout units of this campaign was the legendary 303rd Bomb Group?Hell’s Angels.

This is the 303rd’s story, as told by the men who made it what it was. Taking their name from their B-17 of the same name, they became one of the most distinguished and important air combat units in history. The dramatic and terrible air battles they fought against Germany changed the course of the war.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jay A. Stout is a retired fighter pilot who works as a senior aviation analyst for one of the world’s preeminent defense corporations. During his twenty-year military career he logged a remarkable 4,700 flight hours, including thirty-seven combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. His writing has been read on the floor of the U.S. Senate, and he has been widely hosted as an aviation and military expert on various television and radio news shows including Fox, NPR, and Al Jazeera. He is the author of Unsung Eagles: True Stories of America’s Citizen Airmen in the Skies of World War II; Fighter Group: The 352nd ?Blue-Nosed Bastards” in World War II; The Men Who Killed the Luftwaffe: The U.S. Army Air Forces Against Germany in World War II; Slaughter at Goliad: The Mexican Massacre of 400 Texas Volunteers; Hammer from Above: Marine Air Combat Over Iraq; To Be a U.S. Naval Aviator; Fortress Ploesti: The Campaign to Destroy Hitler’s Oil Supply; The First Hellcat Ace; and Hornets Over Kuwait.