Hellbird War Book (Inscribed By Col. Alfred F. Kalberer, Commander of the 462nd Bombardment Group)

N.l.: A.F. Kalberer, 1944. First Edition. Oblong Quarto. 117 unnumbered pages, First and Only Edition. Signed by Col. Alfred F. Kalberer under his picture in the book and inscribed by him on the front endpaper as KAL (for Kalberer) . "To Bill Williams [William David Williams, Fort Worth] an old & good friend.." Stamp of J.C. Williams in Fort Stockton Texas. Lt. Col. Jesse Caleb Williams served as the chief intelligence officer for Maj. Gen. Chennault's Flying Tigers. In his memoirs, General Chennault was critical of many of his staff but noted a group of eight headed by J.C. were the exceptions. Once the 462nd was moved to the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater, they not only flew over the Hump to China with supplies and soon began attacks on railroad shops in Thailand and beginning in June 1944 took part in the first AAF strike on the Japanese home islands since the Doolittle Raid. Their daylight attack on the iron and steel works at Yawata, Japan in Aug 1944 was among the most spectacular, and laid in is a unit citation for this attack. Then, came the bombing of the industrial areas in Tokyo and Yokohama in May 1945. Finally the massive attack on the aircraft plat at Takarazuka on July 24, 1945. Two weeks later the Atomic Bomb led Japan to surrender. This was among the most decorated air force units in the Pacific Theatre. Bound in maroon padded pictorial cloth depicting an airplane and stars in silver, raised lettering, A very good copy with only light edgewear.