In a Now Forgotten Sky: The 31st Fighter Group in World War II

In a Now Forgotten Sky:

The 31st Fighter Group in World War II

by Dennis C. Kucerav. Flying Machines Press, Gunbarrel Tech Center, 7077 Winchester Cir., Boulder, CO 80301; www.flying-machines.com; (800) 392-2400; 418 pages; illustrated; $49.95.

Not long ago, I had a chance meeting with Capt. Bob Goebel, an 11-victory ace with the 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group. He provided some wonderful insight into flying his P-51D Mustang, The Flying Dutchman.

The 31st FG was not well known, yet it was special for several reasons. The much-traveled group flew in turn with the U.S. 8th, 12th and 15th Air Forces. It was one of only two units that flew the Spitfire in Africa and in the Mediterranean theater of operations; the group later moved into P-51 Mustangs when flying out of Italy with the 15th. Perhaps most interesting of all, it was the highest-- scoring unit in the Mediterranean and fifth of all time behind only the 49th, 56th, 354th and 35 7th Fighter Groups.

Now, enthusiasts and historians have easier access to the story. Author Dennis Kucera's "In A Now Forgotten Sky" is the first readily available account of the 31st Fighter Group of WW II. It is all here, from interesting narrative to great images. Some of the pictures are a little dark, but the content more than makes up for this. There are four pages of color side-view drawings and numerous lists of aces and scores. A particularly interesting section shows the jets flown by the 31st since WW II (many photos are in color).

Copyright Air Age Publishing Dec 2002
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