Debden Warbirds

The P-51 Mustangs of the 4th Fighter Group were the first to escort bombers over Berlin during World War II, the first to escort bombers from England to Russia, and at war's end ranked first in the number of enemy aircraft destroyed (over 1,000). This authentic account, gleaned from the Squadron and Tower Diaries, is enhanced by dozens of combat reports and personal accounts from pilots and crews whose day-to-day encounters are faithfully recorded. The Debden Warbirds describes in detail the everyday workings of this record setting fighter group, from their Eagle Squadron beginnings in Hurricanes and Spitfires, to their unprecedented triumphs in Thunderbolts and Mustangs.

On a flight over Poland his aircraft was shot down. Author Frank Speer became an ace within seventeen missions over Germany flying P-51 Mustangs with the 4th FG, having been credited with destroying six enemy aircraft.