SIGNED BY WWII ACE PERRY DAHL
GALLAGHER, James. With the Fifth Army Air Force. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, (2001). Oblong quarto, original cloth, original dust jacket.
First edition of this airman’s photobook of his experiences in the Pacific Theatre of World War II with the Fifth Army Air Force, inscribed and signed on the half title "Perry J. Dahl, P-38 — 9 victories, 475 FG."
Perry "PJ" Dahl racked up nine victories flying a P-38 Lightning in the Pacific Theatre from 1943-45. "Any real fan of World War II aviation will appreciate Gallagher's photos. During his service, Gallagher came into contact with almost every famous unit of the Fifth Air Force… Aircraft photographed, very well, include the major planes in the Pacific, such as the P-38, P-40, P-47, B-24, and B-25. But there was an avalanche of aircraft in the theater, and Gallagher picks up the odd ones as well: a B-26 of the Silver Fleet, an A-24, a Supermarine Walrus, a Black Widow, an Australian Mosquito, a late-war A-26 Invader, and a Tigercat. Gallagher even encountered a fighter from the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force. His photos of Japanese aircraft will also interest aircraft enthusiasts. The photos show the planes the way they really looked… The planes he dealt with daily and often photographed were worn, scratched, and dented. Planes that in today's Air Force would be junked instantly soldiered on. There was a war to be won. As much as I like Gallagher's photos, I am partial to his economical and elegant prose" (Foreword). Foreword by Eric Bergerud, author of several histories of the PTO, including Fire in the Sky: The Air War in the Pacific.
Lower corners very gently bumped. About-fine condition.