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As the Allied juggernaut rolled on toward the final collapse of the Third Reich in the spring of 1945, fighter aircraft of the 8th, 9th, 12th and 14th Air Forces fanned out in all directions, seeking targets of opportunity.
It was evident to all that the last days of the global struggle to end tyranny was near. It had taken four and a half years to arrive at this stage of the world war at great cost in human lives, both civilian and military against Germany, Italy and Japan. For the Germans, it had finally come down to this: a retreat back to its own borders, and a collapse into anarchy and foreign occupation. Faced with the Russians approaching the outskirts of Berlin in the east and the Allied armies crossing the Rhine in the west, the German army began its final retreat in disarray. By now, it was short of motivated foot soldiers and was desperate for supplies ranging from food and ammunition, to petrol.
Challenged with all this, they still had to face the 'Jabos,' which roamed the countryside, looking for anything and everything that moved and which could be interpreted as a target. It was at these times that the Germans paid their dearest price. Tanks, ground troops and armoured personnel carriers were hit almost daily. These encounters were no piece of cake for the pilots either. It was serious business, often at very low altitudes and more dangerous than air to air combat.
In Robert Bailey's action drama, P-5ls of the 99th. FS, 322nd. FG, have set upon an unfortunate armoured column headed back to Germany in broad daylight.
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