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Check Six!: A Thunderbolt Pilot's War Across the Pacific
“Makes you proud to be an American . . . a wonderful, fast-paced read, and I highly recommend it for any World War II aviation enthusiast” (Military Review).There were no mission limits for a pilot in the Pacific during World War II; unlike in Europe, you flew until it was time to go home. So it was for James “Jug” Curran, all the way from New Guinea to the Philippines with the 348th Fighter Group, the first P-47 Thunderbolt outfit in the Pacific.After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Curran volunteered to try flying in the blue yonder and trained as an Army fighter pilot. He got his wish to fly the P-47 in the Pacific, going into combat in August 1943, in New Guinea, and later helping start the “Black Rams” fighter squadron. The heavy US Thunderbolts were at first curious to encounter the nimble, battle-hardened Japanese in aerial combat, but soon, the American pilots gained skill of their own and their planes proved superior. Bombers on both sides could fall to fighters, but the fighters themselves were eyeball to eyeball, best man win.Check Six! is an aviation chronicle that brings the reader into flight, then into the fight, throughout the Pacific War and back. This work, from someone who was there, captures the combat experience of our aviators in the Pacific, aided by pertinent excerpts from the official histories of units that “Jug” Curran flew with.“Jim Curran is not afraid to share his moments of fear and emotions during the air battles with his readers which gives the book an extra dimension.” —AviationBookReviews.com
463 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2015
340 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Jim Curran
15 books10 followers Jim Curran has been around on the British climbing scene for over forty years. Over that time he has sought, and succeeded, to express himself creatively through a broad range of work. As a cameraman he has filmed 15 mountain-based documentaries, ranging in subject from Everest to the remote Scottish islands of St Kilda and Hoy, via the Andes, Caucasus and Atlas mountains.
He also filmed, scripted and narrated the documentary, Rock Queen with Catherine Destivelle, the French climbing superstar, which won him an Emmy Award for outstanding electronic camerawork.
As an award-winning biographer, his work has covered similar ground. Trango, The Nameless Tower, K2 - Triumph and Tragedy, Suspended Sentences, and K2 - The Story of the Savage Mountain, are all important reads in the field of mountain literature. He has also written the authorised biography of Sir Chris Bonington: High Achiever - The Life and Climbs of Chris Bonington.
More recently, he has returned to his early passion – painting – as his chosen means of expression. He has had two one-man exhibitions of his paintings and drawings: at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, and most recently at the Alpine Club in 2004. He is now painting full-time.
He lives in Sheffield where his painting is constantly interrupted by the attractions of the Peak District in general, and the attractions of climbing on gritstone outcrops in particular.
His films and books have won many awards world-wide, and he has been short-listed four times for the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature.
He also filmed, scripted and narrated the documentary, Rock Queen with Catherine Destivelle, the French climbing superstar, which won him an Emmy Award for outstanding electronic camerawork.
As an award-winning biographer, his work has covered similar ground. Trango, The Nameless Tower, K2 - Triumph and Tragedy, Suspended Sentences, and K2 - The Story of the Savage Mountain, are all important reads in the field of mountain literature. He has also written the authorised biography of Sir Chris Bonington: High Achiever - The Life and Climbs of Chris Bonington.
More recently, he has returned to his early passion – painting – as his chosen means of expression. He has had two one-man exhibitions of his paintings and drawings: at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, and most recently at the Alpine Club in 2004. He is now painting full-time.
He lives in Sheffield where his painting is constantly interrupted by the attractions of the Peak District in general, and the attractions of climbing on gritstone outcrops in particular.
His films and books have won many awards world-wide, and he has been short-listed four times for the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 30, 2016
A story of James Curran and the men that he flew with in a squadron of P-47 Thunder Bolts. The story begins with him volunteering in Chicago, and then going through a series of tests along with other men. Then 66 of them were sent to Oklahoma for training. They then went to Texas, and Florida. A group of them were sent to California and from there he sent to New Guinea to begin flying with squadron 348th. Other units already there flying made fun of them for the look of their planes, but after they were able to see their ability opinions changed. He also started another fighter squadron the “Black Rains”. He moved along with the different battles up to different Islands either doing bombing runs, protection of troops, ships, and aerial fighting with the enemy. He flew over two hundred missions. They of course started behind because of all of the planes lost during the attacks of Dec 7. Once they the air power got to full strength they were able to overtake the enemy not only on land but in the air also. This is a good story of one of those fighting groups of the air corps and the not only the missions they did but also some of the men that passed while serving. A story about the thunderbolts in the Pacific that you don’t hear about often enough. A good book. I got this book from net galley. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
March 25, 2017
I’m still not sure about this story. It’s a conglomeration of Mr. Curran’s memoirs, the factual history of the 460thFS and a mass of end notes.
Perhaps it’s the way the book was structured that threw me off. There were times I wasn’t sure if what I was reading was from Curran’s own recollections or a narrative by the author. While this story is packed with excellent information and photos, it read more like a documentary than a memoir.
Don’t get me wrong, Curran was a true patriot who went to war and performed his duty like millions of other Americans. The depravity he and his fellow pilots suffered is not the stuff you saw on the television show, “Baba Black Ship.” Far from it. He was sent to R&R to Australia three times so he could put on weight. His normal flying weight varied from 145 to 130 pounds, for a twenty year old! It remined me of the German pilot Hans Marseille. He and his mates went through similar circumstances in North Africa. I’m not comparing the men, but the conditions they fought. Under. Lack of good food, water and shelter.
I believe I’m going to have to reread this to get the true drift of Mr. Curran not that I understand how its structured.
Four Stars
Perhaps it’s the way the book was structured that threw me off. There were times I wasn’t sure if what I was reading was from Curran’s own recollections or a narrative by the author. While this story is packed with excellent information and photos, it read more like a documentary than a memoir.
Don’t get me wrong, Curran was a true patriot who went to war and performed his duty like millions of other Americans. The depravity he and his fellow pilots suffered is not the stuff you saw on the television show, “Baba Black Ship.” Far from it. He was sent to R&R to Australia three times so he could put on weight. His normal flying weight varied from 145 to 130 pounds, for a twenty year old! It remined me of the German pilot Hans Marseille. He and his mates went through similar circumstances in North Africa. I’m not comparing the men, but the conditions they fought. Under. Lack of good food, water and shelter.
I believe I’m going to have to reread this to get the true drift of Mr. Curran not that I understand how its structured.
Four Stars
March 20, 2024
Good book, broken into three parts.
First part is by the credited author James Curran, who flew the missions and experienced the events. That’s about half the book. He passed in 2012, and the writing is kind of like a diary, or just an old man speaking. It’s good, to the point.
Second part is the squadron/group history that begins many chapters. This comes from the squadron histories. This is usually just a paragraph or two.
The third part are the very extensive footnotes, often taking up more pages than the chapter. It would have been a bit easier on the eyes if these had been included within the chapters, just highlighted differently. But they are valuable and serve to put Mr Curran’s statements in context and cross check his claims with records of the events.
Overall this is a valuable book. We owe these guys so much, most of them are gone now, like Mr Curran. So, if you want a little history, this is a fine book.
First part is by the credited author James Curran, who flew the missions and experienced the events. That’s about half the book. He passed in 2012, and the writing is kind of like a diary, or just an old man speaking. It’s good, to the point.
Second part is the squadron/group history that begins many chapters. This comes from the squadron histories. This is usually just a paragraph or two.
The third part are the very extensive footnotes, often taking up more pages than the chapter. It would have been a bit easier on the eyes if these had been included within the chapters, just highlighted differently. But they are valuable and serve to put Mr Curran’s statements in context and cross check his claims with records of the events.
Overall this is a valuable book. We owe these guys so much, most of them are gone now, like Mr Curran. So, if you want a little history, this is a fine book.
June 3, 2019
This is not great literature, and it is not thrilling as the jacket says, but it is quite interesting. The author was an Army fighter pilot in the Pacific during WWII. Usually the war in the Pacific is seen through the eyes of island-hopping Marines and carrier pilots. These guys were based in New Guinea and the Philippines, working the MacArthur side of the war. The book describes his training as a pilot, the planes they flew and the day to day life in steamy jungle air fields. It gives the reader a sense of how important planning and logistics were to winning the war and why the USA had such an edge. Moving men and material around is essential but difficult. Curran was not a hot shot fighter pilot – he had only one confirmed kill in air to air combat, although two other unwitnessed kills were seen on film. Most of his time was involved in escorting bomber, flying cover for ships and air fields, and bombing and strafing ground targets and enemy ships. I found this down to earth narrative by a regular guy to be insightful and a worthwhile read.
April 15, 2016
Great insight into the inner workings of a squadron engaged in combat. More of a diary. If you are looking for a story, this book is probably a little too much 'inside baseball' details.
May 10, 2020
Combining the combat veteran James Curran's memoirs with missions reports and other research, Terrence Popravak has written a very thorough book about what it was like to be a fighter pilot in the Pacific between 1943 in New Guinea to 1945 in the Philippines. Mr. Curran logged an amazing 221 missions flying the P-47 Thunderbolt with the 348th Fighter Group. The detailed chronicle includes several pages of photos, extensive footnotes, and several appendices.
James Curran still owned the chair he was sitting in when he heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He joined the Army Air Force right away.
These young pilots lived in all sorts of conditions and sometimes ate what they could, all the while flying missions. One amazing episode in New Guinea told about a couple of very nervous pet dogs at night, leading to the discovery of a huge python which was 30 feet long and a foot wide, and whose meal (300 pounds of it) it became the next day.
James Curran still owned the chair he was sitting in when he heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He joined the Army Air Force right away.
These young pilots lived in all sorts of conditions and sometimes ate what they could, all the while flying missions. One amazing episode in New Guinea told about a couple of very nervous pet dogs at night, leading to the discovery of a huge python which was 30 feet long and a foot wide, and whose meal (300 pounds of it) it became the next day.
July 22, 2020
This is a remarkable history because of the extensive links to referential records that reveal the intricate and parallel operations involved in the pacific strategy. Read the footnotes and links and you will discover amazing events and reasoning behind the effort to defeat this formidable adversary. A fitting compliment to William Manchester's unforgettable
"Goodbye Darkness". The pacific war was won without the aid of Russia as in Europe. The unbelievable adversity of far flung islands in vast seas and tropical storms is mind numbing. See great minds and American resiliance in action.
"Goodbye Darkness". The pacific war was won without the aid of Russia as in Europe. The unbelievable adversity of far flung islands in vast seas and tropical storms is mind numbing. See great minds and American resiliance in action.
May 3, 2018
A bit dry
I bought this book to learn about the P 47 pilots' role in the South Pacific. I did learn quite a bit as a result. However, the book is quite dry in a lot of sections and I couldn't wait to finish. There are two perspectives given in the book, one from the perspective of the veteran pilot, and the other is historical in nature. The historical aspect is bone dry; the pilot's perspective often lacks sufficient detail to enable you to feel like you are there. That said, I certainly respect and appreciate the service the pilot provided during World War II.
I bought this book to learn about the P 47 pilots' role in the South Pacific. I did learn quite a bit as a result. However, the book is quite dry in a lot of sections and I couldn't wait to finish. There are two perspectives given in the book, one from the perspective of the veteran pilot, and the other is historical in nature. The historical aspect is bone dry; the pilot's perspective often lacks sufficient detail to enable you to feel like you are there. That said, I certainly respect and appreciate the service the pilot provided during World War II.
January 16, 2018
Great Read
This, like so any stories to come out of WW II seems almost unbelievable in today's modern world, but what these men fought and died for was something that it would seem is forgotten in today's modern world. The sacrifices that these men made can NEVER be repaid. So many rest beneath a marker on foreign soiled hat to many doesn't even register on many in today's world.
This, like so any stories to come out of WW II seems almost unbelievable in today's modern world, but what these men fought and died for was something that it would seem is forgotten in today's modern world. The sacrifices that these men made can NEVER be repaid. So many rest beneath a marker on foreign soiled hat to many doesn't even register on many in today's world.
February 10, 2019
This book could really have used a good editor. The author's recollections are wonderful and give vivid depiction of what what life was like as a fighter pilot in the Pacific theatre. However, his account is amalgamated with snippets of his units official histories. The historical accounts are many time echoed by Curren in the very next paragraph. The note sections at the end of each chapter seem longer than the chapter itself.
September 28, 2020
A thrilling and accurate telling of the fighter pilots life in the south pacific d uring the war
In the last few years I have been making an effort to read more time diaries and biographies written by various fighter pilots from world war 2. This particular book caught my attention Because I haven't read much about the P47. In this book the author has put as much personal recollection of detail in and has followed it up With extensive ' notes and reference material.
In the last few years I have been making an effort to read more time diaries and biographies written by various fighter pilots from world war 2. This particular book caught my attention Because I haven't read much about the P47. In this book the author has put as much personal recollection of detail in and has followed it up With extensive ' notes and reference material.
January 24, 2018
Not a bad read at all. Curran's story is an entertaining one and mostly follows him through his tour in the Pacific. We get glimpses into the life of Curran and his unit, a little background on what was going on during the war, and some commentary on the side. The footnotes definitely add a lot to the book so try not to skip them!
April 1, 2018
Pacific Thunder(bolt)!
This is a good book, though it's not like other pilot memoirs that I have read. It's a bit sparse on details, from the pilot's view, though there are footnotes that supply the details. But, the reader has to jump between the narrative and the notes, which I admit, *I* found kind of annoying. Still, I enjoyed reading this book.
This is a good book, though it's not like other pilot memoirs that I have read. It's a bit sparse on details, from the pilot's view, though there are footnotes that supply the details. But, the reader has to jump between the narrative and the notes, which I admit, *I* found kind of annoying. Still, I enjoyed reading this book.
January 16, 2019
Wonderful first person account of a WW2 fighter pilot
Jim Curran flew 221 missions as a P47 Thunderbolt pilot in the Pacific. His story is fascinating from beginning to end. Lots of detail of training, flying and his fellow flyers. Funny stories along with tragedies and successes. You WANT to read this very personal book!
Jim Curran flew 221 missions as a P47 Thunderbolt pilot in the Pacific. His story is fascinating from beginning to end. Lots of detail of training, flying and his fellow flyers. Funny stories along with tragedies and successes. You WANT to read this very personal book!
August 9, 2017
Great remembrance of a difficult time
Great story and super follow up data from the coauthor. So many do not tell their personal stories of the war and we need these more than just stats of battle to get the real view of the war.
Great story and super follow up data from the coauthor. So many do not tell their personal stories of the war and we need these more than just stats of battle to get the real view of the war.
January 15, 2018
Boring
Not very exciting. Felt like I was reading a text book could not finish skimmed through to the end. Was familiar with the had 2 brothers and brother in law in WW 2 army navy and Air Force. I was to young.
Not very exciting. Felt like I was reading a text book could not finish skimmed through to the end. Was familiar with the had 2 brothers and brother in law in WW 2 army navy and Air Force. I was to young.
December 27, 2018
An interesting chronicle of a pilot and a particular fighter bomber.
Not a novel; a memoir of a pilot with good backup notes and history. For anyone interested in the use of the P-47 in the Pacific, it delivers a wealth of information.
Not a novel; a memoir of a pilot with good backup notes and history. For anyone interested in the use of the P-47 in the Pacific, it delivers a wealth of information.
February 8, 2019
Delightful minutiae
Day to day living and flight by flight detail provide fine grain views of fighter squadron life and death and survival in a most unique way. Worthwhile and fun read for old buffs and neo buffs.
Day to day living and flight by flight detail provide fine grain views of fighter squadron life and death and survival in a most unique way. Worthwhile and fun read for old buffs and neo buffs.
July 31, 2019
A very good book. It's a personal version of the author's experiences in the Pacific and at that it excels. Excellent references to documentation from the time, detailing when and where the events took place (or where there is no documentation).
May 26, 2017
Very good read.
Takes you to the exhaustive grit of performing your duty. I can still smell the fumes, taste the air, and feel the need to perform the mission.
Takes you to the exhaustive grit of performing your duty. I can still smell the fumes, taste the air, and feel the need to perform the mission.
August 31, 2017
Great Book
Well written book by a P-47 pilot who flew in the Pacific Theater. A must read for anyone interested in this theater or the air war in general.
Well written book by a P-47 pilot who flew in the Pacific Theater. A must read for anyone interested in this theater or the air war in general.
December 2, 2017
Well written and informative.
This was good coverage of AAF fighter missions and accomplishments in the war against Imperial Japan. I enjoyed it very much.
This was good coverage of AAF fighter missions and accomplishments in the war against Imperial Japan. I enjoyed it very much.
January 21, 2018
Fascinating story
Really enjoyed the book. As a pilot in Vietnam I really enjoyed how their story unfolded compared to what we experienced.
Really enjoyed the book. As a pilot in Vietnam I really enjoyed how their story unfolded compared to what we experienced.
June 27, 2018
Interesting book regarding the experiences of a WWII P-47 pilot. The details of the pilots story are verified through squadron records in the book.
August 7, 2018
Great book !
This is a very readable and enjoyable book about the P-47 in the Pacific Theater of WWII and the young men who flew them.
This is a very readable and enjoyable book about the P-47 in the Pacific Theater of WWII and the young men who flew them.
January 12, 2019
AN informative read about one mans' adventure from enlistment to the end.
November 20, 2019
Detailed history.
Check Six is a very well researched and documented history of the P47 in the Pacific theater.
A good resource for history buffs.
Check Six is a very well researched and documented history of the P47 in the Pacific theater.
A good resource for history buffs.
April 22, 2020
An interesting first-hand account of the Pacific air-war. The editing isn't great and the Kindle format was hard work, but worth a read.
December 19, 2020
A Good History of Pacific Flyers
The war in the Pacific was well documented by a P 47 pilot as they made they way towards Japan.
The war in the Pacific was well documented by a P 47 pilot as they made they way towards Japan.
May 6, 2024
Truth here.
I liked the first person account of his adventures. Just first person singular. Very easy to read. No exaggerated baloney. Just writings from his journals.
I liked the first person account of his adventures. Just first person singular. Very easy to read. No exaggerated baloney. Just writings from his journals.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews