"The Fifth Air Force's 49th FG was the 'pioneer' USAAF fighter group in the Southwest Pacific, being sent to Australia in early 1942 in the hope that it could help stem the tide of Japanese conquest in the region. It went into action in the defence of Darwin, Australia, where the group's handful of P-40E Warhawks was thrown into combat. The group moved to New Guinea in mid 1942 as the action shifted to the defence of Port Moresby. Fully re-equipped with the P-38 Lightning by 1944, the group's contribution to the war in the Pacific climaxed with the invasion of the Philippines in the autumn of 1944. By VJ-Day the 49th FG had scored 667 aerial victories and won three Distinguished Unit Citations and ten campaign stars for its outstanding efforts." --Back cover.

Includes index.

Forging the 49th -- Jungle warriors -- Dobodura days -- Lightnings and thunderbolts -- Island hopping -- Philippines finale.