CASTLES IN THE AIR The story of the B-17 Flying Fortress crews of the US 8th Air Force
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Characteristics
| ISBN-13 |
978-0850596755 |
| ISBN-10 | 0-85059-675-0 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( rounded spine binding ) |
| Special Features | Dust jacket |
| Condition | Like NEW |
| Author(s) | Martin W. Bowman |
| Publisher | Patrick Stephens Limited |
| Number of pages | 210 |
| Published date |
First published in 1984 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 20.1 x 24.2 x 1.9 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • AVIATION MILITAIRE • SECONDE GUERRE MONDIALE |
Description
One of the most revealing books ever written about aerial warfare, Castles in the Air is no 'nuts and bolts' catalogue on the B-17 nor an academic study of USAAF strategic bombing during the Second World War. It is, instead, a living record of days of tension, terror and tenacity, recreated—with many a humorous episode too—from the memories of surviving pilots, gunners, navigators and others who flew with the mighty 8th Air Force during 1942-45. The tedium of long flights into enemy airspace, the fearful concussion of flak during the bombing approach, the sudden appearance of German fighters, the agony of seeing friends' aircraft in flames, the drama of bringing a crippled bomber home—often in appalling weather conditions—all is revealed in the words of men who were there.
General Curtis LeMay, Paul Tibbetts (of Enola Gay fame), Generals Ira C. Eaker and Maurice Preston, Colonel Budd Peaslee and General Harold W. Bowman are among the famous contributors to this fine book which portrays, as no other, the real face of the heroism displayed by the young, untried and often frightened American airman so many thousands of miles from their homes on their remote East Anglian bases. Illustrated with dozens of superlative photographs, this fine tribute to the men of the USAAF First and Third Air Divisions will be welcomed by all war historians.
Front cover B-17F Sweet and Lovely,
42-30721 of the 381st Bomb Group, 533rd Bomb Squadron, at Ridgewell in the summer of 1944 (USAF). Back cover. Top A B-17 photographed over the Brest Peninsular during a raid on U-boat pens on February 27 1943 (USAF). Bottom B-17Gs of the 'Bloody Hundredth' leaving contrails high over enemy territory (100th Bomb Group Museum).