B-17: Combat Missions: Fighters, Flak, and Forts: First-hand Accounts of Mighty 8th Operations Over Germany

by Martin W. Bowman

Combat Missions takes the reader through every crew position of the “Flying Fort” to show what it was like to fly—and fight—in what was one of the most famous bombers of World War II. Uniquely, first-hand accounts from crewmembers are grouped with archive and commissioned photographs of the plane and of items of memorabilia, to bring the stories of these “gladiators of the air” alive in truly vivid detail.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, World War II, Aviation

156 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Martin W. Bowman is one of Britain's leading aviation authors, with over 100 published books on the Second World War and post-war aviation history, and several on the landscape of East Anglia. He has also established an international reputation for his superb imagery and aerial photography. He has a passion for flying in military aircraft. He lives in Norwich, Norfolk.

Reviews

[Leo Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Kirby Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice look at the missions and memories shared by American soldiers who flew the B-17 bomber over Europe during World War II. The full-color book provides a good background on the campaign, breaking down crew roles in a concise, effective style, with plenty of personal stories and photographs to capture the moment and deliver the message.

[Jill Orr]

The mighty fortress: what my papa flew in during World War 2 during the last 6 months of the war, and then the first 6 months of the armistice. He was 18. And among the many experiences, even survived being shot down by the German Nazi's in Holland.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information about B-17s, the air war over Europe, and very personal accounts from the men who flew the missions, all accompanied by wartime photos.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

B-17 Combat Missions was an engrossing read. The author did a great job in setting up his subject with a background and history of the plane and the bombing operation. Each successive chapter then focused on a different station in the B-17 (pilot, navigator, bombadier, etc.). The narrative is centered around recollections of members of the 8th Air Force, and was well written.

It was fascinating, and a little frightening, to read of the experiences of these airmen. The bombers flew so high that the crew members had to wear electric suits to keep them warm and oxygen masks. If they needed to move around, they had to take a portable oxygen container with them. There were several stories related of casualties, and I was left amazed by the sacrifice of these men. A great read, and highly recommended.

[Polarbearandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read if you want to know what the basic life of a b-17 crew member was like. no real insights that sets this book apart, it reads like a matter of fact brochure. the pictures in this book are a different story, there is a tresure chest of cool things. i love all the little brikabrak from the war. little things like training manuals to things like K-rations.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty to look at, this book provides a thumbnail sketch of each crew position in a B-17 Flying Fortress along with several excerpts of first-hand accounts of combat for each one. I thought it was a good book, but I think B-24 Combat Missions (another book in this series, by the same author) is the best one I've read so far.

[Master of Puppets (I'm pulling your strings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it. It was very informative, and gave great edge-on details on fiery battles, both between crates* and men.

*Planes

[Austin Arndt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provides a good look at what the B-17s and their crews did during the war. It's a very interesting book. I enjoy flipping through the pages over and over again.