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The B-25 Over the Mediterranean, 50th Anniversary

by: The 57th Bomb Wing Association, 1992: Creative Graphics, Jackson, Michigan

A collection of Unit Histories for the five B-25 groups that served in the MTO and at sometime operated under the 57th Bomb Wing once it was formed.  Also has several short stories, and other anecdotes.

Download a copy of this book in its entirety, or select the section of interest to you:

Complete copy "The B-25 Over the Mediterranean" (218MB)

Part 1 (57MB): Intro; The B-25; 12th Bomb Group; 310th Bomb Group
Part 2 (44MB): 319th Bomb Group; 321st Bomb Group
Part 3 (35MB): 340th Bomb Group; M.A.A.F.; 12th Air Force; 57th Bomb Wing
Part 4 (79MB): 308th Signal Wing; Stories, Anecdotes & Memories; Reunions

B-25 Mitchell Units of the MTO

by: Steve Pace, © 2002: Osprey Publications

A relatively recent book about the 57th Bomb Wing.  A lot of photographs and information.  However, has many errors, and seems to have been rushed out.  (i.e. it shows several B-25H planes of the 12th BG that were never in the MTO, but where used in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater of operations).  Has a lot of great stories from different veterans. 

USAAF Medium Bomber Units, ETO and MTO, 1942-45

by: Rene J. Francillon, © 2002: Osprey Publications

A reprint of a book first published in 1977.  This book summarized all of the medium bombardment groups in the ETO and MTO, including the five groups of the 57th Bomb Wing.

Available- through Amazon in paperback

U.S.S Corsica

by: Dominique Taddei, © 2003: Albiana

French version only. Contains many stories and photos, focusing on the human side of the USAAF's presence on Corsica. It focuses on the men of the 57th Bomb Wing and includes many first-person accounts of wartime experiences.

A la Libération de la Corse (octobre 1943) les forces alliées installent dix-sept camps d'aviation en appui é leurs offensives contre les forces de l'Axe. Des milliers d'aviateurs amèricains découvrent è cette occasion l'île qu'ils nomment affectueusement " USS Corsica ". L'ouvrage est une extraordinaire récolte de leurs photos, de leurs journaux intimes, de leurs témoignages, de leurs souvenirs. Il ouvre une page méconnue de l'histoire de la dernière guerre en l'abordant par ceux qui la vécurent.

264 pages
Format : 24 x 32 cm
ISBN : 2-84698-006-3

Available- through Albiana in paperback

We "Corsicans"

by: Dominique Taddei, © 2016: Albiana

French version only. Contains many stories and rare photos. Unlike USS Corsica this book extends its reach to other USAAF and British units that served on Corsica. The men of the 57th are not ignored. There are many references and stories from and about them in this book.

278 pages
Format : 24 x 32 cm
ISBN : 9782824103853

Available- through Albiana in paperback

The Bridgebusters:
The True Story of the Catch-22 Bomb Wing

by: Thomas Cleaver, © 2016: Regnery Publishing

This book represents a comprehensive look at the activities of the 57th Bomb Wing. It contains many first-person accounts of combat and camp life. It was produced with the technical assistance of the 57th Bomb Wing Association.
It is an excellent and exciting history of the Wing.

ISBN : 978-1-62157-488-0

Available- through Regnery Publishing in hardback

Gothic Line 1944-45:
The USAAF starves out the German Army

by: Thomas Cleaver, © 2022: Osprey Publishing

Gothic Line focuses on the actions of the 57th Bomb Wing beginning with Operation Bingo, the destruction of the electric plants powering the railroads in the Brenner Pass, then Operation Mallory Major, the destruction of the bridges over the Po River, and then the continued hammering of the rail lines, bridges, and troop concentrations which led to the surrender of the German Army in Italy.

The author worked closely with the 57th Bomb Wing Association in the preparation of this history. It is lavishly illustrated and includes photos from the Wing Archives, most of which have never been seen in print.

ISBN : 978-1-47285-338-7

Available- through Osprey Publishing in paperback, eBook and PDF formats

Also available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

Battle of the Brenner

US Army Publication, 57th Bomb Wing 1945

This is the quintessential book on the battle which raged through the last six months of the war. The Germans filled the Brenner Pass with over 700 heavy flak guns. Enemy engineers rebuilt the bridges as fast as the 57th Bomb Wing destroyed them, forcing the boys of the 57th to return again and again and again.

The story of the German defense of this vital supply route is fascinating.

The Battle of the Brenner is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the role of the 57th Bomb Wing in ending the war in Italy and learning about the dangers they braved to get the job done.

Available for immediate free download at: Battle of the Brenner

Blockade - The Isolation of Italy from the Reich

US Army Publication, 1945

Blockade is the story of the efforts of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force to completely seal off the German forces of the Army Group "C" in North Italy from rail connections with the Reich.

It is the story of the dogged execution of a carefully planned program of rail interdiction in the most difficult terrain our airmen have ever faced, the Alps. It is the story of flak, the very heaviest concentrations the Germans could muster, and what we did to counter it.

Available for immediate free download at: Blockade (247 pages, 109MB)

Operation Bingo

US Army Publication, December 1944

Most see Operation Bingo as being the opening shots fired in what came to be known as The Battle of the Brenner.

The 57th Bomb Wing played a key role in the mission along with elements from other bomber groups operating in the region.

Immediately after the missions, in December of 1944 the 941st Engineering Battalion published this 30-page report on the operation

Available for immediate free download at: Operation Bingo (30 pages, 2MB)

La Battaglia del Brennero

By: Agostino Alberti and Luca Merli, © 2025 IBN Editore

Available through IBN Editore at: La Battaglia del Brennero (in Italian)

57th Works of Fiction

The Ninth Air Force in World War II

by: Kenn C. Rust © 1967: Aero Publishers. Inc., Fallbrook, California.

A well researched book on the 9th Air Force in World War II.  Covers all of the different fighter and bombardment groups in this Air Force. 245 pages.

Ninth Air Force Story

by: Kenn C. Rust © 1982: Historical Aviation Album, Published by Sunshine House, Terre Haute, Indiana.

A well researched book on the 9th Air Force in World War II.  Covers all of the different fighter and bombardment groups in this tactical air force in the MTO and ETO. 64 pages

The 12th Over the Mediterranean

by: Jack Bozung, 1945: AAF Publications, Los Angeles, California.

Has a short history write up on the 12th Air Force.  A photographic collection of planes, places and people in the MTO. 40 pages

Download a copy of this book (100MB)

Twelfth Air Force Story

by: Kenn C. Rust © 1975: Historical Aviation Album, Published by Sunshine House, Terre Haute, Indiana.

A well researched book on the 12th Air Force in World War II.  Covers all of the different fighter and bombardment groups in this tactical air force in the MTO. 64 pages