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Above and Beyond: radio silence
Above and radio silence is a historical fiction account of an airman’s World War II
experience. While much focus is given to Generals and those who rise to glory in fierce battles, this
story focuses on a select group of airmen. Those who flew in unarmored, unarmed aircraft behind
enemy lines, over battles--to drop troops, supplies, and evacuate wounded. This story is based
on my father’s flight records, his notes, and his stories. The events actually happened, but much of
the personal detail is based on speculation and interpretation; the backdrop of war is historical.
Those who served in World War II grew up in the shadow of the great depression, many had nothing
but their freedom. Freedom was enough to risk dying for, so they volunteered to go into the unknown
to face the terrors of an enemy war machine fiercer than the world had ever known.
Our story revolves around the formation of the 60th Troop Carrier Group and drafting of the Douglas DC-3 into
combat. The DC-3 proved very quickly to be a workhorse or flying mule and became designated in
the military as a C-53. Orders soon came into Douglas to produce a military modified version, the C-
47 and C-47A. These troop transports and crews trained in the British Isles in preparation for the
invasion of North Africa, Operation Torch. In North Africa the transport teams took quick training in
the use of CG-4A “Waco” gliders. The combination of paratroop drops and gliders would be involved
in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily.
The story moves on to the night missions into the mountains of Yugoslavia, where supply drops and night landings into torch-lit meadows took place.
This story follows the effects of these events and war in general on average service men and women.
Real people serve, real families wait back home, war affects everyone, and it is our mission to document the
sacrifices those who serve make. Never forget why we have what we have, why we are a free
people.
Our current world was brought about by each individual participant, not just generals and politicians.
There is more to history than dates and events, there are emotions, feelings, fear, love, and hate.
experience. While much focus is given to Generals and those who rise to glory in fierce battles, this
story focuses on a select group of airmen. Those who flew in unarmored, unarmed aircraft behind
enemy lines, over battles--to drop troops, supplies, and evacuate wounded. This story is based
on my father’s flight records, his notes, and his stories. The events actually happened, but much of
the personal detail is based on speculation and interpretation; the backdrop of war is historical.
Those who served in World War II grew up in the shadow of the great depression, many had nothing
but their freedom. Freedom was enough to risk dying for, so they volunteered to go into the unknown
to face the terrors of an enemy war machine fiercer than the world had ever known.
Our story revolves around the formation of the 60th Troop Carrier Group and drafting of the Douglas DC-3 into
combat. The DC-3 proved very quickly to be a workhorse or flying mule and became designated in
the military as a C-53. Orders soon came into Douglas to produce a military modified version, the C-
47 and C-47A. These troop transports and crews trained in the British Isles in preparation for the
invasion of North Africa, Operation Torch. In North Africa the transport teams took quick training in
the use of CG-4A “Waco” gliders. The combination of paratroop drops and gliders would be involved
in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily.
The story moves on to the night missions into the mountains of Yugoslavia, where supply drops and night landings into torch-lit meadows took place.
This story follows the effects of these events and war in general on average service men and women.
Real people serve, real families wait back home, war affects everyone, and it is our mission to document the
sacrifices those who serve make. Never forget why we have what we have, why we are a free
people.
Our current world was brought about by each individual participant, not just generals and politicians.
There is more to history than dates and events, there are emotions, feelings, fear, love, and hate.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2023
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 25, 2025
Above and Beyond: Radio Silence is a stunning, very emotional work of historical fiction that illuminates a little-known aspect of World War II history. While many war stories honor generals, battles, and acts of valor, William A. Wright focuses on the pilots who flew unarmored, unarmed aircraft, men who carried soldiers, dropped supplies, and evacuated the wounded in some of the most perilous skies of the war.
Based on his father, Sgt. Edward G. Wright's flight records, notes, and reminiscences, the book depicts the brutal realism of transport missions as well as the emotional toll they took. The story follows the 60th Troop Carrier Group and the evolution of the Douglas DC-3 into its military derivatives, the C-53 and C-47 wartime workhorses that saved the lives of paratroopers and front-line soldiers. From Operation Torch in North Africa to Operation Husky in Sicily, and then the risky night sorties into Yugoslavia, Wright eloquently depicts how these "flying mules" and their crews dragged the war forward, one dangerous mission at a time.
What distinguishes this work is not only its accuracy to historical events, but also its focus on the inner lives of ordinary servicemen. Wright reminds readers that World War II was fought not only by generals and politicians, but by innumerable ordinary people, men raised during the Great Depression who sacrificed all for the promise of freedom. These pages are alive with their courage, humor, doubts, and sacrifices.
Few works tell the stories of US troop transport crews with such care and respect. This book guarantees that their dangerous, often underestimated, but crucial duty is not forgotten. Above and Beyond: Radio Silence is more than a war story; it's a memorial. It celebrates the men who flew without guns to protect themselves, who transported others to battle, and who endured the somber, unglamorous duties of war. It reminds us why we are free, and why we must never forget those who helped us get there.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Highly recommended for readers of military and aviation history, as well as anyone looking for a poignant, authentic depiction of war's human cost.
A KU read
Based on his father, Sgt. Edward G. Wright's flight records, notes, and reminiscences, the book depicts the brutal realism of transport missions as well as the emotional toll they took. The story follows the 60th Troop Carrier Group and the evolution of the Douglas DC-3 into its military derivatives, the C-53 and C-47 wartime workhorses that saved the lives of paratroopers and front-line soldiers. From Operation Torch in North Africa to Operation Husky in Sicily, and then the risky night sorties into Yugoslavia, Wright eloquently depicts how these "flying mules" and their crews dragged the war forward, one dangerous mission at a time.
What distinguishes this work is not only its accuracy to historical events, but also its focus on the inner lives of ordinary servicemen. Wright reminds readers that World War II was fought not only by generals and politicians, but by innumerable ordinary people, men raised during the Great Depression who sacrificed all for the promise of freedom. These pages are alive with their courage, humor, doubts, and sacrifices.
Few works tell the stories of US troop transport crews with such care and respect. This book guarantees that their dangerous, often underestimated, but crucial duty is not forgotten. Above and Beyond: Radio Silence is more than a war story; it's a memorial. It celebrates the men who flew without guns to protect themselves, who transported others to battle, and who endured the somber, unglamorous duties of war. It reminds us why we are free, and why we must never forget those who helped us get there.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Highly recommended for readers of military and aviation history, as well as anyone looking for a poignant, authentic depiction of war's human cost.
A KU read
May 6, 2023
Above And Beyond: Radio Silence is a memoir account of one airman’s World War II experiences. While the various scenes are fiction, the basis of the book and of the scenes themselves is historically accurate. Told in the first person, the stories are grippingly realistic. This is the third William Wright book that I’ve read and reviewed. The three are so different from one another that one might assume that they a reader might assume that they were from different authors., which screams of William Wrights skill as an author. Above and Beyond is a first person, fictionalized account of the rear stories told to Wright by his father. It is not the account of great battles or popular generals, but the down-in-the-trenches memories of a true war hero. I read the book in one sitting, and it was superb. My highest kudos William. The book was superb. Jeff Bailey, author of the thriller Not On My Watch.
August 23, 2024
Many folks who served in WWII would not share their experiences. In this heartbreaking story, details and experiences are shared through the journey of some of those people who served. There are reasons why veterans will or will not tell about their time of service. I thank the author of this book for giving me a glimpse into what life was like during that time. Bring the tissues.
July 26, 2025
Based on the life of his father, William A. Wright has written a masterful and introspective history of WWII during the difficult years of invading Sicily, Italy, and Yugoslavia. Edward G. Wright was awarded two Air Medals and three Oak Leaf Clusters as a radio operator with the 28th Troop Carrier Sq., 60th Troop Carrier Group in the Mediterranean Theater. Some of the most poignant scenes were clandestine missions including rescuing dozens of orphans from the Balkans. A remarkable chapter of WWII history.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews