Serenade to the Big Bird: A Young Flier's Memoir of the Second World War

by Bert Stiles

Serenade to the Big Bird , first published in the United States in 1952, recounts author Bert Stiles experiences as an Army Air Force pilot in the European theater of World War Two. Stiles enlisted in the Air Force almost immediately after Pearl Harbor, and served as a Second Lieutenant in the 401st Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, and later in the 505th Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group. Stiles expressed doubts about the conflict, stating that "we aren't solving anything with this war." However, he realized "there is a time when every man must fight." After completing a tour of duty (thirty-five missions) in B-17 bombers, Stiles transferred to a fighter squadron where he flew the P-51 Mustang. Sadly, four months later, on November 26, 1944, he was killed in action while on an escort mission to Hanover, Germany. Stiles was 23 at the time of his death. Due to the efforts of his mother, Serenade to the Big Bird was first published in England in 1947 and in the United States in 1952. The book, long-considered one of the masterpieces of World War Two writing, has remained popular due to its description of the tragedy of war, and specifically, the sensitive portrayal of life and war by such a young, gifted writer. This new edition includes photographs and a biography of the author.

150 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2023

About the author

Bert Stiles was an American author of short stories who was killed in action during World War II while serving as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces.

Stiles enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, became an aviation cadet, and upon completion of training, received his officer's commision as a 2nd Lieutenant in November 1943.

Initially, Stiles served as a bomber pilot with the 401st Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group (U.S. Eighth Air Force) in Britain. He flew his first combat mission over Germany on April 19th, 1944 and completed his combat tour before the end of the summer of 1944.

Throughout his service with the 91st Bomb Group, Stiles continued writing (something he had taken to when he worked as a features writer for his college newspaper) both highly personalized pieces for the London Daily Mail, articles for Yank and Air Force Magazine, and the manuscript for a book.

Upon completion of his combat tour, Stiles refused an opportunity to return to the United States as a flight instructor and volunteered for a second tour with the Eighth, requesting an assignment in fighters. He completed conversion training and was assigned as a pilot with the 505th Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group, a P-51 Mustang unit stationed at Fowlmere, England, about five miles distant from his previous base at Bassingbourn.

On November 26, 1944, on the 16th mission of his second tour, Stiles' squadron was flying at 26,000 feet altitude south of Hanover, Germany, on a bomber escort mission. Stiles was flying a P-51 nicknamed Tar Heel, normally flown by Capt. James R. Starnes of his squadron (P-51D- s/n 44-14113). Encountering 40-60 Luftwaffe FW-190s, Stiles engaged one in combat and shot it down (Air Force Historical Study No. 85 credits Stiles with the kill), but apparently became disoriented when the dogfight descended to low altitude. His P-51 impacted the ground almost immediately, killing him. Stiles is interred at the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Liège, Belgium.