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No Merciful War #2
A Snowball's Chance
As the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy rolls south to the oil-rich Netherlands East Indies, a handful of Allied airmen and sailors stand in their way. Two brothers, Jack and Charlie Davis, pilots in the US Army Air Forces, are among that handful who face overwhelming odds to buy time for America to gear up to fight the war in the Pacific.
- GenresFiction
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 17, 2020
Amazing
The bravery of men from a number of countries in early Work War Two around Australia, Java and many other islands has gone without a whole lot of stories being told of their bravery and sacrifice. This series is well written and factual. This is book two and now I am on to book three. Read the series and enjoy (probably test up some too). Great job and Thanks Mr. Burkhalter!!!
The bravery of men from a number of countries in early Work War Two around Australia, Java and many other islands has gone without a whole lot of stories being told of their bravery and sacrifice. This series is well written and factual. This is book two and now I am on to book three. Read the series and enjoy (probably test up some too). Great job and Thanks Mr. Burkhalter!!!
July 10, 2020
LEST WE FORGET
I was taught that, in time of war, the first 40,000 would be sacrificed to buy time for a country to try and arm itself well enough to survive the first onslaught of an aggressor nation. This book underlines the lesson of being unprepared, in graphic detail. We must also remember that the Great Depression prevented many things from happening - there was no money. The armed forces were bare-bones in size and equipment. America and Australia were in that desperate situation when Japan attacked. I have to say that Tom Burkhalter had me tightly strapped into a B17 or P-40, flying and fighting every inch of the way as we wearily withdrew from place to place; the hairy, heart in the mouth takeoffs and landings from unsuitable soggy airstrips; the aircraft engines being well past their essential servicing hours and therefore likely to fail at a critical moment. Pilots and engineers know this only too well; the lack of spare parts; inadequate flying hours in aircraft type; the little known fact that authors nearly always miss - that an aircraft, when landing, must always have the correct landing checklist and technique carried out - even when badly damaged. It is all there, and I sweated throughout the encounters with the Zeros. We had nothing good enough to match them - not even the legendary Spitfire. Much later, the technique for our aircraft was to dive, fire at the Zero - and keep diving. To mix it was fatal. Tom brings this point out. When I was flying the Australian outback in the 1980s, some aviation maps had the words 'Designated Remote Area' in bold print. This meant 'If you MUST fly in this area, follow the road or the railway line - if one exists - otherwise KEEP OUT.' Unless experienced in bush flying, the country was featureless. In the 1940s hardly anyone knew how to navigate the area. Many aircraft became lost and were never found until years later. Mr Burkhalter put a lot of apprehension in me when I was reading this segment. I knew exactly how our pilot's felt. One thing, though, us Australians do not like WARM BEER - only the Brits lap that stuff up. Terrific story, Tom. Thank you. A well earned 5 stars.
I was taught that, in time of war, the first 40,000 would be sacrificed to buy time for a country to try and arm itself well enough to survive the first onslaught of an aggressor nation. This book underlines the lesson of being unprepared, in graphic detail. We must also remember that the Great Depression prevented many things from happening - there was no money. The armed forces were bare-bones in size and equipment. America and Australia were in that desperate situation when Japan attacked. I have to say that Tom Burkhalter had me tightly strapped into a B17 or P-40, flying and fighting every inch of the way as we wearily withdrew from place to place; the hairy, heart in the mouth takeoffs and landings from unsuitable soggy airstrips; the aircraft engines being well past their essential servicing hours and therefore likely to fail at a critical moment. Pilots and engineers know this only too well; the lack of spare parts; inadequate flying hours in aircraft type; the little known fact that authors nearly always miss - that an aircraft, when landing, must always have the correct landing checklist and technique carried out - even when badly damaged. It is all there, and I sweated throughout the encounters with the Zeros. We had nothing good enough to match them - not even the legendary Spitfire. Much later, the technique for our aircraft was to dive, fire at the Zero - and keep diving. To mix it was fatal. Tom brings this point out. When I was flying the Australian outback in the 1980s, some aviation maps had the words 'Designated Remote Area' in bold print. This meant 'If you MUST fly in this area, follow the road or the railway line - if one exists - otherwise KEEP OUT.' Unless experienced in bush flying, the country was featureless. In the 1940s hardly anyone knew how to navigate the area. Many aircraft became lost and were never found until years later. Mr Burkhalter put a lot of apprehension in me when I was reading this segment. I knew exactly how our pilot's felt. One thing, though, us Australians do not like WARM BEER - only the Brits lap that stuff up. Terrific story, Tom. Thank you. A well earned 5 stars.
April 24, 2023
It has been said that war is God’s way of teaching Americans geography. I didn’t know how close the forces of the Japanese Empire were to invading Australia in early World War II. Seemingly invincible, Japanese land, air, and sea forces swept southward. Within months of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, they had conquered the Philippines and most of the Dutch East Indies, gaining access to the rich oil and rubber resources. Singapore, viewed as the Gibraltar of the East, fell less than three months after Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces were able to easily bomb the northern city of Darwin, Australia.
Burkhalter drives home the feeling of the inexorable march of an invincible Japanese Empire as its forces sweep away the puny attempts of British, Commonwealth, and American forces. The reader is quickly placed in the miserable quarters of these defenders. Fighting heat, insects, and the lack of spare parts, the Far East Air Force retreats battling for every island.
As always, Burkhalter is at his best when he allows us to feel the cockpit and controls of a P-40 that’s been patched up so many times that getting into the air at all is a question. His use of the two brothers—one a pursuit pilot, the other a bomber pilot—initially seemed too contrived. As I was drawn into the story, it allowed me to understand the differences between the responsibilities of a B-17 captain with an eight-man crew, and those of a P-40 pilot.
The characters are there to give us eyes and ears but are otherwise pretty much stock. I don’t even care. The flying and the air battles are enough to keep me nailed to the seat of my P-40.
Burkhalter drives home the feeling of the inexorable march of an invincible Japanese Empire as its forces sweep away the puny attempts of British, Commonwealth, and American forces. The reader is quickly placed in the miserable quarters of these defenders. Fighting heat, insects, and the lack of spare parts, the Far East Air Force retreats battling for every island.
As always, Burkhalter is at his best when he allows us to feel the cockpit and controls of a P-40 that’s been patched up so many times that getting into the air at all is a question. His use of the two brothers—one a pursuit pilot, the other a bomber pilot—initially seemed too contrived. As I was drawn into the story, it allowed me to understand the differences between the responsibilities of a B-17 captain with an eight-man crew, and those of a P-40 pilot.
The characters are there to give us eyes and ears but are otherwise pretty much stock. I don’t even care. The flying and the air battles are enough to keep me nailed to the seat of my P-40.
March 17, 2021
Great Story about a Little Known Part of the War
Everyone has heard about Guadicanal and Midway, but not much is discussed about the Philippines and the South Pacific in the early stages of World War II. Allied forces from Australia, The US, and Holland all fought bravely trying to stop or at least slow down the Japanese victories. They did it with few supplies and equipment that wasn’t up to the standards of the Japanese. There bravery isnt well known. This series is their story.
Everyone has heard about Guadicanal and Midway, but not much is discussed about the Philippines and the South Pacific in the early stages of World War II. Allied forces from Australia, The US, and Holland all fought bravely trying to stop or at least slow down the Japanese victories. They did it with few supplies and equipment that wasn’t up to the standards of the Japanese. There bravery isnt well known. This series is their story.
May 28, 2021
Staying alive.
As a woman born right at the beginning of WW2 I heard many ref!actions from my Dad and my Uncles at family gatherings about the human side of the terror fighting against an enemy from 2 powerful aggressors. These books express that fear and the courage to get it done through to do the job. Tom Burkehalter gives a vivid perspective of the horrors of warfare and the wonderful men and women from that era and the courage and sacrifice that they made. It behooves us now that they are not forgotten.
As a woman born right at the beginning of WW2 I heard many ref!actions from my Dad and my Uncles at family gatherings about the human side of the terror fighting against an enemy from 2 powerful aggressors. These books express that fear and the courage to get it done through to do the job. Tom Burkehalter gives a vivid perspective of the horrors of warfare and the wonderful men and women from that era and the courage and sacrifice that they made. It behooves us now that they are not forgotten.
October 11, 2019
Excellent Storyline and Believable!
This is the second book of series and carries through with the main characters in a believable manner! It also covers the first part of WWII in Western Pacific that was not publicized, but was so critical to slowing down the advance of the Japanese during the first 9 months after Pearl Harbor! I recommend this to anyone interested in believable WWII Stories!
This is the second book of series and carries through with the main characters in a believable manner! It also covers the first part of WWII in Western Pacific that was not publicized, but was so critical to slowing down the advance of the Japanese during the first 9 months after Pearl Harbor! I recommend this to anyone interested in believable WWII Stories!
January 2, 2020
Early Stages of the War
Written about when the Japanese had almost everything going for them. Americans had virtually no supply line and a difficult to me keeping aircraft in the air. One gets very involved in the characters. Unbelievable what they went through but still persevered Dutch were good allies but had less than one he Americans as they slowly lost Dutch East Indies. Great descriptions of flying.
Written about when the Japanese had almost everything going for them. Americans had virtually no supply line and a difficult to me keeping aircraft in the air. One gets very involved in the characters. Unbelievable what they went through but still persevered Dutch were good allies but had less than one he Americans as they slowly lost Dutch East Indies. Great descriptions of flying.
November 23, 2020
The Defence Phase without much to defend with but they hand to buy time and learn how to win with what they actually had.
Told with humor and honor and understanding.
They pay in blood for the time and experience to start to win. No punches pulled. You can feel the battles from inside the thin skin of the fighters and the bombers. Courage and determination without excuses. Leadership lessons on how to hang in and win.
Told with humor and honor and understanding.
They pay in blood for the time and experience to start to win. No punches pulled. You can feel the battles from inside the thin skin of the fighters and the bombers. Courage and determination without excuses. Leadership lessons on how to hang in and win.
February 6, 2024
In addition to the obvious, nearly impossible, situation these guys lived through without proper supply chains, etc. this book is a real geography lesson on just how vast the whole East Indian area of the Pacific actually is. Having been to both Darwin and Singapore myself sailing around Australia, I can't imagine just how difficult it was to navigate to these faraway places. Burkhalter really paints that picture for us all.
April 17, 2020
Fascinating view of early days in the Pacific
Strong characters, good story line but an even better description of the horrendous logistical, equipment, manpower and weather conditions the FEAF operated under in the first few months of WWII in the far South Pacific. This isn’t well known in war chronicles so is appreciated. Excellent action portrayals make this a great read.
Strong characters, good story line but an even better description of the horrendous logistical, equipment, manpower and weather conditions the FEAF operated under in the first few months of WWII in the far South Pacific. This isn’t well known in war chronicles so is appreciated. Excellent action portrayals make this a great read.
May 3, 2020
A riveting tale of survival and heroism.
For readers of WW II actual or historical novels books 1 and two of this series offer graphic illustrations of the South Pacific air wars at the beginning of the Japanese march south towards Australia. Once a reader begins the books it is very hard to put them down unfinished.
For readers of WW II actual or historical novels books 1 and two of this series offer graphic illustrations of the South Pacific air wars at the beginning of the Japanese march south towards Australia. Once a reader begins the books it is very hard to put them down unfinished.
October 25, 2020
A piece of WW II seldom noted
Everyone has read stories of Pearl and Battan. This novel involves the reader in areas of the southwest Pacific as the Japanese began their conquest. A novel, yes, but very detailed in its description of how the planes were flown. A treat for pilots.
Everyone has read stories of Pearl and Battan. This novel involves the reader in areas of the southwest Pacific as the Japanese began their conquest. A novel, yes, but very detailed in its description of how the planes were flown. A treat for pilots.
November 27, 2020
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Good ok gibofioda, story enjoy
KWeext book hope
It lmmenokisly reading next book hope it's as good good author check out uother VB. Bookssw
Good ok gibofioda, story enjoy
KWeext book hope
It lmmenokisly reading next book hope it's as good good author check out uother VB. Bookssw
February 2, 2021
Second in the series, a nonstop read about the Army Air Corp in the Pacific at the start of World War II.
Two brothers continue one in bombers the other in fighters.
This segment has the Davis brothers fighting against long odds as the Army is losing the Philippines and the British lose Singapore, while the fliers attempt to hold on in the Dutch East Indies.
Great Read, onto volume 3
Two brothers continue one in bombers the other in fighters.
This segment has the Davis brothers fighting against long odds as the Army is losing the Philippines and the British lose Singapore, while the fliers attempt to hold on in the Dutch East Indies.
Great Read, onto volume 3
April 16, 2021
Great Book! The book shows how the crew blended into a great fighting machine. Very exciting., and revealing the bravery and honor of American fighter/bomber crews!
This book shows the rigors and test of .courage these brave airmen endured. Anyone interested InAmerican courage under
underdog conditions, would enjoy this good read!
This book shows the rigors and test of .courage these brave airmen endured. Anyone interested InAmerican courage under
underdog conditions, would enjoy this good read!
July 15, 2021
Okay
It could have been really good with a few less characters. Also since the airspeed indicator was put in an airplane their speed has always been Knots or nautical miles per hour KPH. Distances are in nautical miles about 1.15 miles. Why? I am not 100% sure but being a pilot I am sure of airspeed and distance. A nautical mile is equal to minute of latitude.
It could have been really good with a few less characters. Also since the airspeed indicator was put in an airplane their speed has always been Knots or nautical miles per hour KPH. Distances are in nautical miles about 1.15 miles. Why? I am not 100% sure but being a pilot I am sure of airspeed and distance. A nautical mile is equal to minute of latitude.
April 29, 2022
Scared the sickens out of me
This is only book 2 and I'm thinking this book was the best I've read..there's no way another one can beat this one!! Hope I'm wrong!!!
Those brothers are something else..their mom is going to have a lot of grey hair by the time they get home! ( they are both going to get home right??)
Fantastic reading. Don't miss out!
This is only book 2 and I'm thinking this book was the best I've read..there's no way another one can beat this one!! Hope I'm wrong!!!
Those brothers are something else..their mom is going to have a lot of grey hair by the time they get home! ( they are both going to get home right??)
Fantastic reading. Don't miss out!
January 26, 2024
I bought the complete set of six books, this is the second book that I got 135 pages into it and was so boring. I had to put it down, it’s supposed to be about the Pacific war against the Japanese and it’s not, I wish I could return the books that I bought but I bought them on Kindle . What a waste of time and money.
December 3, 2019
The next two months of war.
Tom Burkhalter’s second book traces the progress of Japanese expansion of the early war and the US and Australian air war to blunt it. Great story and great characters make it a great read.
Tom Burkhalter’s second book traces the progress of Japanese expansion of the early war and the US and Australian air war to blunt it. Great story and great characters make it a great read.
February 10, 2020
Holy cow
This is a page turner, even more so than the first book in the series, I had no idea that we had air assets in Java or there about , I hope that the author keeps writing, maybe until the end of the Korean War
This is a page turner, even more so than the first book in the series, I had no idea that we had air assets in Java or there about , I hope that the author keeps writing, maybe until the end of the Korean War
March 30, 2020
Pacific Bastards
Read the first two of the series. Written to wrap you in the what it was like in dealing with desert and jungle heat, bugs, and never enough of anything except the enemy.
Read the first two of the series. Written to wrap you in the what it was like in dealing with desert and jungle heat, bugs, and never enough of anything except the enemy.
May 5, 2020
Gives a Good Representation.
The book gives a good representation of the early war in the Pacific. With his other books, he follows much of what it felt like to be in that area at that time of the war.
The book gives a good representation of the early war in the Pacific. With his other books, he follows much of what it felt like to be in that area at that time of the war.
May 28, 2020
Good story, horrible language
The story line is most interesting and enjoyable, especially being about the grim first 6 months of WW2 in the Pacific. The ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE FOWL LANGUAGE just almost ruins it.
The story line is most interesting and enjoyable, especially being about the grim first 6 months of WW2 in the Pacific. The ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE FOWL LANGUAGE just almost ruins it.
October 29, 2020
This was my first time reading this author but it will not be the last time! As a retired USAF Flight Engineer I have some experience with flying four engine aircraft in conditions he describes and his story telling is right on. Hard to put this book down.
January 8, 2021
Wonderful mix of fact and fiction!
I am retired from the Air Force in 1994 after 25 years In the base operations career field. I have an affinity for this kind of military fiction that mixes it with factual information. This author is for the street!
I am retired from the Air Force in 1994 after 25 years In the base operations career field. I have an affinity for this kind of military fiction that mixes it with factual information. This author is for the street!
March 9, 2021
Movie script!
I WOULD LOVE to see John Wayne as Rosie, but I'm having a hard time coming up with two actors who resemble each other to be the brothers. They certainly could not state that no airplanes were hurt in the filming of this movie.
I WOULD LOVE to see John Wayne as Rosie, but I'm having a hard time coming up with two actors who resemble each other to be the brothers. They certainly could not state that no airplanes were hurt in the filming of this movie.
July 18, 2021
Greatest read! What a story!
This one literally makes a tear or two come! A great idea of the bravery and devotion to duty of these remarkable men.
If you are a proud American, you will love reading this book.
This one literally makes a tear or two come! A great idea of the bravery and devotion to duty of these remarkable men.
If you are a proud American, you will love reading this book.
May 28, 2022
Interesting to readers who are fascinated by the minutiae of flying missions in WWII Pacific. Unfortunately this reader is not one of them. I have endured 2 of these books, but not going any further.
June 13, 2022
Great read
Keeps you on the edge all the way through it.
Hard to put down.
Those were the hardest times in the war and it took brave men to beat Japan but they did.
Where did that fighting Spratt go too. Sure isn't here anymore. All government wants is power over us.
Keeps you on the edge all the way through it.
Hard to put down.
Those were the hardest times in the war and it took brave men to beat Japan but they did.
Where did that fighting Spratt go too. Sure isn't here anymore. All government wants is power over us.
September 8, 2022
Exhausting
The difficulty in waging war with out resources is graphical described in all the gory details to let the reader emotionally feel the despair and determination of a few dedicated men in the early stages of the war in the Pacific. Cudos to Tom Burkhalter!
The difficulty in waging war with out resources is graphical described in all the gory details to let the reader emotionally feel the despair and determination of a few dedicated men in the early stages of the war in the Pacific. Cudos to Tom Burkhalter!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews