Eighth Air Force Strategic & Tactical Collection SDASM.SC.0054

Finding aid prepared by Alan Renga

San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park

San Diego, CA, 92101

(619) 234-8291

10/20/2014

Title: Eighth Air Force Strategic and Tactical Collection

Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.0054

Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 0.3 Cubic feet One photo album in one box

Date (inclusive): 1941-1945

Abstract: The Eighth Air Force was formed in 1942 and specialized in daylight precision bombing. The collection consists of a photographic book containing a narrative, ranging from the years 1943 to 1945.

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use note

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Preferred Citation note

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Biographical/Historical note

The Eighth Air Force was formed in 1942 and specialized in daylight precision bombing. The collection consists of a photographic book containing a narrative, ranging from the years 1943 to 1945. In the collection it is attributed that without the Eighth Air Force’s methodical destruction of the railroad tracks around France, there was a chance that D-Day could have been stalled or even repelled and that Operation Overload would have completely failed. The Eighth Air Force consisted of several models of planes, but the core aircraft involved in the campaign were the B-17, B-24, P-51, and Spitfire.

Scope and Contents note

There is only one item in this collection. It is a photographic album containing a narrative with photographs ranging from the years 1943 to 1945.

Related Archival Materials note

Consolidated/Convair Collection - HD 9711 .963 .G4527 SCA QM – specifically B-24

Related Research Institutions: Hoover Institution Archives - http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf4290030t/?query=Eighth+Air+Force+Strategic+&+Tactical+US+Army+Air+Force

Secondary Sources: Stafford, Gene B. and Hess, William N. Aces of the Eight: fighter pilots, planes & outfits of the VIII Air Force. Michigan: Warren, 1973.

Woolnough, Lt. Col. John H. The 8th Air Force album: the story of the mighty Eighth Air Force in WWII. Florida: Hollywood, 1978.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Eaker, Ira, 1896-1987

United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 8th.

United States. Army Air Forces.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Family

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Family

North American P-51 Mustang Family

World War, 1939-1945

Box 01

Photographic album

Physical Description: . 191 pages of photographs of the Eighth Strategic Air Force’s campaign during WWII with supporting captions and narrative, c.1942-1945.