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Air Apaches: The True Story of the 345th Bomb Group and Its Low, Fast, and Deadly Missions in World War II
The American 345th Bomb Group--the Air Apaches--was legendary in the war against Japan. The first fully trained and fully equipped group sent to the South Pacific, the 345th racked up a devastating score against the enemy. Armed to the teeth with machine guns and fragmentation bombs, and flying their B-25s at impossibly low altitudes--often below fifty feet--the pilots and air crews strafed and bombed enemy installations and shipping with a fury that helped cripple Japan. One of the sharpest tools in the U.S. arsenal, the 345th performed essential missions during Gen. Douglas MacArthur's campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines, earning an impressive four Distinguished Unit Citations. This was punishingly dangerous work, and the 345th lost 177 aircraft and 712 men--young men doing their duty in the spirit of the Greatest Generation. Neither was this the more gentlemanly war of Europe, with its more temperate climate, resistance networks aiding downed crews, and POW camps. Airmen shot down in the Pacific theater faced drowning in the ocean, disappearing in the jungle, or torturing and beheading by the Japanese in a war of no quarter expected, no quarter given. A compelling follow-up to Stout's Hell's Angels, Air Apaches reconstructs the missions of the 345th Bomb Group in striking detail, with laser focus on the men who manned the cockpits, navigated the B-25s, dropped the bombs, serviced the planes, and helped win the war. To tell this remarkable story, Stout worked closely with the group's surviving veterans and dug deep into firsthand accounts. The result is a compelling narrative of men at war that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2019
97 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Jay A. Stout
23 books32 followersJay A. Stout is a retired Marine Corps fighter pilot. An Indiana native and graduate of Purdue University, he was commissioned during June 1981 and was designated a naval aviator on 13 May 1983. His first fleet assignment was to F-4S Phantoms at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. Following a stint as an instructor pilot at NAS Chase Field Texas from 1986 to 1989, he transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet. He flew the Hornet from bases on both coasts and ultimately retired from MCAS Miramar during 2001.
Aside from his flying assignments, he served as the executive officer of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, and in a variety of additional assignments with various staffs around the world. During his twenty-year career he flew more than 4,500 flight hours, including 37 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.
Following his military career Stout worked for a very short time as an airline pilot before being furloughed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He subsequently flew for the Kuwait Air Force for a year before returning to the States where he now works for as a senior analyst for a leading defense contractor.
Lieutenant Colonel Stout's writing has been read on the floor of the U.S. Senate and has been published in various professional journals and newspapers around the nation. Works published while he was on active duty addressed controversial topics (women in the military, the MV-22 Osprey, effectiveness of the AV-8B Harrier, etc.) and took viewpoints that were often at odds with senior military leadership. Nevertheless, his cogent arguments and forthrightness contributed considerably to his credibility. Indeed, his expertise is widely recognized and he has made many appearances as a combat aviation expert on news networks such as Fox, Al Jazeera and National Public Radio.
Aside from his flying assignments, he served as the executive officer of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, and in a variety of additional assignments with various staffs around the world. During his twenty-year career he flew more than 4,500 flight hours, including 37 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.
Following his military career Stout worked for a very short time as an airline pilot before being furloughed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He subsequently flew for the Kuwait Air Force for a year before returning to the States where he now works for as a senior analyst for a leading defense contractor.
Lieutenant Colonel Stout's writing has been read on the floor of the U.S. Senate and has been published in various professional journals and newspapers around the nation. Works published while he was on active duty addressed controversial topics (women in the military, the MV-22 Osprey, effectiveness of the AV-8B Harrier, etc.) and took viewpoints that were often at odds with senior military leadership. Nevertheless, his cogent arguments and forthrightness contributed considerably to his credibility. Indeed, his expertise is widely recognized and he has made many appearances as a combat aviation expert on news networks such as Fox, Al Jazeera and National Public Radio.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 8, 2019
Just as he's done with the 303rd Bomb Group (The Hell's Angels) and the 352nd Fighter Group (The Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney), author Jay Stout has once again given us a great book on the men who served in one of the premier B-25 units of the Pacific War: the 345th Bomb Group, aka "The Air Apaches".
Arriving in the Pacific Theater in mid-1943, the group originally flew missions out of the Port Moresby area before re-locating across the Owen Stanley Mountains of New Guinea into a succession of air bases closer to their intended targets. As they moved across New Guinea, and eventually further north into the Philippines and Ie Shima, the 345th achieved a spectacular record of success in destroying Japanese military targets on the land, in the air and at sea. Almost always flying at very low altitude, the group was originally known as "The Tree-Top Terrors" before coming up with a name change in 1944. Major Japanese bases such as Rabaul, Wewak and Clark Field were all subjected to the Air Apaches' wrath, and oftentimes they exacted a high toll for these intrusions.
The book isn't a comprehensive account of the group and all their missions (see Lawrence Hickey's book, "Warpath Across the Pacific" if comprehensive is what you want), but more about the men who made up the unit and what they went through in oftentimes primitive environments while fighting a determined and hostile enemy. There are plenty of personal stories about what happened on various missions, mostly from official reports, personal recollections and correspondence of those who were there. Along the way, you'll get to know some of the men very personally from diary excerpts, letters to family and loved ones and remembrances of those who paid the ultimate price.
The book is also a testament to the remarkable plane the men flew in combat: the B-25 Mitchell bomber. Originally fitted with a glass-enclosed nose, the B-25s were field-modified to incorporate several machine guns in the nose, thus turning the bombers into far more deadly strafing machines. As the war progressed and the bombers gained even more firepower, up to 12 forward-firing .50 caliber machine guns on the latest models, the Air Apaches cut a swath of destruction through Japanese shipping, air bases, military targets and pretty much anything which got in their path. The planes carried a variety of bombs on their missions, from general purpose 500 and 1000 pound high explosives to smaller 23 pound fragmentation bombs attached to parachutes. At one point, they even fashioned a kitchen sink to drop on the Japanese, and there's a photo of the sink included in the many which the book contains. While the group was known for its colorful artwork on many of its planes, the photos only show a bit of this, so don't get your hopes too high if aircraft nose art is your thing.
Overall, another excellent book on a fine American aerial combat group by Jay Stout.
Arriving in the Pacific Theater in mid-1943, the group originally flew missions out of the Port Moresby area before re-locating across the Owen Stanley Mountains of New Guinea into a succession of air bases closer to their intended targets. As they moved across New Guinea, and eventually further north into the Philippines and Ie Shima, the 345th achieved a spectacular record of success in destroying Japanese military targets on the land, in the air and at sea. Almost always flying at very low altitude, the group was originally known as "The Tree-Top Terrors" before coming up with a name change in 1944. Major Japanese bases such as Rabaul, Wewak and Clark Field were all subjected to the Air Apaches' wrath, and oftentimes they exacted a high toll for these intrusions.
The book isn't a comprehensive account of the group and all their missions (see Lawrence Hickey's book, "Warpath Across the Pacific" if comprehensive is what you want), but more about the men who made up the unit and what they went through in oftentimes primitive environments while fighting a determined and hostile enemy. There are plenty of personal stories about what happened on various missions, mostly from official reports, personal recollections and correspondence of those who were there. Along the way, you'll get to know some of the men very personally from diary excerpts, letters to family and loved ones and remembrances of those who paid the ultimate price.
The book is also a testament to the remarkable plane the men flew in combat: the B-25 Mitchell bomber. Originally fitted with a glass-enclosed nose, the B-25s were field-modified to incorporate several machine guns in the nose, thus turning the bombers into far more deadly strafing machines. As the war progressed and the bombers gained even more firepower, up to 12 forward-firing .50 caliber machine guns on the latest models, the Air Apaches cut a swath of destruction through Japanese shipping, air bases, military targets and pretty much anything which got in their path. The planes carried a variety of bombs on their missions, from general purpose 500 and 1000 pound high explosives to smaller 23 pound fragmentation bombs attached to parachutes. At one point, they even fashioned a kitchen sink to drop on the Japanese, and there's a photo of the sink included in the many which the book contains. While the group was known for its colorful artwork on many of its planes, the photos only show a bit of this, so don't get your hopes too high if aircraft nose art is your thing.
Overall, another excellent book on a fine American aerial combat group by Jay Stout.
March 12, 2019
This is a true and factual account of the 345th Air Apaches that fought the Japanese in WWII.
While most of the world was fixated on Hitler and the war in Europe,thousands of our men were living and dying in a Japanese nightmare.
n
This book was very hard to read,because of all the personal stories of the men who fought and the many that didn't make it home.
There was a lot of technical information
about the Airplanes used and the size of the bombs and the destruction they wrought.
I could only read this a little at a time,as my father served in the War
and never talked about his time spent there.
Now I understand why?
The Japanese were very cunning and when they saw a plane fall from the sky,they raced to it.If they didn't kill the Airmen immediately,they took them captive and tortured them by withholding food and denying them medical care.
Towards the end of the War,when the Japanese men were starving,there was even talk of cannibalism.
Anyone interested in a story about Planes and Airmen will certainly enjoy this book,but remember this isn't a made up story it's all true.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review
and also to the publisher and the author Jay Stout,for writing such a factual account of a horrible time in our History.
While most of the world was fixated on Hitler and the war in Europe,thousands of our men were living and dying in a Japanese nightmare.
n
This book was very hard to read,because of all the personal stories of the men who fought and the many that didn't make it home.
There was a lot of technical information
about the Airplanes used and the size of the bombs and the destruction they wrought.
I could only read this a little at a time,as my father served in the War
and never talked about his time spent there.
Now I understand why?
The Japanese were very cunning and when they saw a plane fall from the sky,they raced to it.If they didn't kill the Airmen immediately,they took them captive and tortured them by withholding food and denying them medical care.
Towards the end of the War,when the Japanese men were starving,there was even talk of cannibalism.
Anyone interested in a story about Planes and Airmen will certainly enjoy this book,but remember this isn't a made up story it's all true.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review
and also to the publisher and the author Jay Stout,for writing such a factual account of a horrible time in our History.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2020
A wonderfully told and researched book about the ground attack missions of the USAAF in the PTO. Caused me to go out and purchase a B-25H model to build and paint. Glad I own quite a few other title's of Jay's as well.
January 28, 2019
This was a free book from NetGalley
A Review of “Air Apaches” by Jay Stout
The 345th Bomber Group was part of the AAF (Army Air Force) that fought in the Pacific Theater during World War Two under General MacArthur, and the Fifth Air Force. Made up of the 498th, 499th, 500th and 501st Bomber Squadrons, they mainly flew Mitchel B-25 bombers. They were active from September 1942 thought December 1945. They went combat operational from July 1943 through the end of the war.
The men of the 345th Group, were involved in every campaign in the Pacific Theater, beginning with the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Philippines, Formosa, and Okinawa. They were positioned on Io Shima (near Iwo Jima), at the end of July 1945, preparing to support the invasion of the Japanese main islands, which were superseded by the Surrender after the dropping of the A-Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They stayed on Io Shima until the disbanding of the Group at the end of 1945.
Originally known at the “Tree Top Terrors” because of their propensity to fly at altitudes of under 300 feet when attacking a target with bombs and 50 caliber machine guns, they later changed to the “Air Apaches” because it sounded more military. After the war, Japanese veterans remembered the 345th as the most feared and effective of all the bombardment groups in the Pacific.
The book is a paean of a marine retired fighter pilot (he flew in Iraq as part of Desert Storm), who has written about other fighter and bomber groups from World War 2. He writes using information, daily logs, and personal diaries and interviews, to give a seat of the pants feeling of being a member of these bomber groups. He tells the story with all the warts and follies, as well as the everyday heroism of these civilian flyers.
Zeb Kantrowitz zebsblog@gmail.com zworstblog@blogspot.com
A Review of “Air Apaches” by Jay Stout
The 345th Bomber Group was part of the AAF (Army Air Force) that fought in the Pacific Theater during World War Two under General MacArthur, and the Fifth Air Force. Made up of the 498th, 499th, 500th and 501st Bomber Squadrons, they mainly flew Mitchel B-25 bombers. They were active from September 1942 thought December 1945. They went combat operational from July 1943 through the end of the war.
The men of the 345th Group, were involved in every campaign in the Pacific Theater, beginning with the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Philippines, Formosa, and Okinawa. They were positioned on Io Shima (near Iwo Jima), at the end of July 1945, preparing to support the invasion of the Japanese main islands, which were superseded by the Surrender after the dropping of the A-Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They stayed on Io Shima until the disbanding of the Group at the end of 1945.
Originally known at the “Tree Top Terrors” because of their propensity to fly at altitudes of under 300 feet when attacking a target with bombs and 50 caliber machine guns, they later changed to the “Air Apaches” because it sounded more military. After the war, Japanese veterans remembered the 345th as the most feared and effective of all the bombardment groups in the Pacific.
The book is a paean of a marine retired fighter pilot (he flew in Iraq as part of Desert Storm), who has written about other fighter and bomber groups from World War 2. He writes using information, daily logs, and personal diaries and interviews, to give a seat of the pants feeling of being a member of these bomber groups. He tells the story with all the warts and follies, as well as the everyday heroism of these civilian flyers.
Zeb Kantrowitz zebsblog@gmail.com zworstblog@blogspot.com
February 2, 2019
The author has written a detailed meticulously well researched book on the subject that is both educational and informative to the reader. As one who had family in WWII that flew bombers I enjoyed this read and learned more about the Air Apaches.
This book is broad in scope including the implementation of the mission strategy of B-25's, used heavily for low level bombing in the American 345th Bomb Group. in the Pacific Theater of war.
The airmen were primary in destroying Japanese supply lines, ships and garrisons. The inroads they made with their bombings made a important differance in the fight. They were able to often fly undetected and surprised their victims .
The author has brought the war to our armchairs in a very realistic and educational way that is enthralling and at times heart stopping. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and highly recommend this book for all that enjoy reading about history. .These men need their story to be known . Their efforts were remarkable and their time in history is respectfully well documented here. Very well done to the author. This book is a excellent addition to any history buff of WWII to add to their library.
This book is broad in scope including the implementation of the mission strategy of B-25's, used heavily for low level bombing in the American 345th Bomb Group. in the Pacific Theater of war.
The airmen were primary in destroying Japanese supply lines, ships and garrisons. The inroads they made with their bombings made a important differance in the fight. They were able to often fly undetected and surprised their victims .
The author has brought the war to our armchairs in a very realistic and educational way that is enthralling and at times heart stopping. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and highly recommend this book for all that enjoy reading about history. .These men need their story to be known . Their efforts were remarkable and their time in history is respectfully well documented here. Very well done to the author. This book is a excellent addition to any history buff of WWII to add to their library.
March 24, 2019
"Air Apaches" eBook was published in 2019 and was written by Jay A. Stout (https://www.jayastout.com). Mr. Stout has published more than 10 books on military aviation.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Vionence. The story is set in the South Pacific during World War II, starting in 1943 and continuing thru the end of the war. The book did not focus on one set of men, but covered the entire 345th Bomb Group.
I thoroughly enjoyed the nearly 12 hours I spent reading this 432-page history of World War II. I learned a lot about the B-25 bomber which the 345th flew more as a fighter bomber. With the large number of .50 caliber machine guns, it proved to be a formidable gunship. I like the chosen cover art. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Vionence. The story is set in the South Pacific during World War II, starting in 1943 and continuing thru the end of the war. The book did not focus on one set of men, but covered the entire 345th Bomb Group.
I thoroughly enjoyed the nearly 12 hours I spent reading this 432-page history of World War II. I learned a lot about the B-25 bomber which the 345th flew more as a fighter bomber. With the large number of .50 caliber machine guns, it proved to be a formidable gunship. I like the chosen cover art. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
July 1, 2022
Very young men fighting a tenacious and brutal enemy with great courage. For many, it was the first time away from home and even the first time flying and yet they fought through their fears to push back the Japanese onslaught in the Pacific theater. Touching how the letters from home were such an inspiration and actual lifeline to maintaining their sanity. The actual experience of engaging in combat was very graphic and the fear of being captured and tortured was riveting. The pilots comment that "at least the Germans didn't eat you" was a true statement. The Japanese actually ate some of the prisoners. The writer made you feel like you were actually back in the 1940's and experiencing the struggles of the crews. Well written testimony to the bravery of "The Greatest Generation"!
April 14, 2022
New author and narrator for me. Wow. What an incredible listen. Always amazing to hear what feats people are capable of, individually or as a group, and the men of the 345th accomplished several. ❤️🇺🇲 My favorite part is actually in the epilogue when a tire needs to be changed. Made me think of the quote, "All gave some; some gave all" by Howard William Osterkamp, Korean War veteran and purple heart recipient. As a civilian, I can't even hope to repay those responsible for my freedom; all I can do is what I can, by helping my Vietnam veteran father. So the civilian helping with the tire was very poignant for me. Loved this! Highly recommend.
November 13, 2019
I have no idea how you take a fascinating subject with such rich material and have this bore as the finished product. The material is disorganized and presented in such a boring format. The author is using letters and diary's as source material and quoting from them directly instead of creating an interesting narrative. Add the narrator who reads the book flat takes it over the top boring. Very disappointed. I was looking forward to this book.
June 21, 2020
Must Read
The author seems to have captured the reality of the stress, fear, anxiety, courage, and bravery of the men in Air Apache. Most missions captured in his writing left me with great anticipation wondering which plane and crew would complete their mission and those who would never go home. All in all, this is a great book, but terribly sad.
The author seems to have captured the reality of the stress, fear, anxiety, courage, and bravery of the men in Air Apache. Most missions captured in his writing left me with great anticipation wondering which plane and crew would complete their mission and those who would never go home. All in all, this is a great book, but terribly sad.
April 3, 2022
This book has been on my radar for quite some time, but I’ve not made a point of reading it until now. I knew little of this unit and their missions but found in the stories of the men flying these dangerous missions a history representative of the whole of the unit spanning their formation through the close of hostilities in the Pacific. Excellent story, well written, superbly researched.
February 13, 2024
A very well written book by an experienced author. It tells a different story of bombers in the Pacific war, These B-25's operated at less than 200' on their bombing and strafing runs. Very exciting!! Enjoyable. A surprise ending, how the surrender of Japan came down to the 30 minute ceremony on the Missouri.
March 19, 2024
This is the story of a group of B-25 Mitchell bombers modified for ultra low level strafing and bombing. Overall the book was quite good. Even though the details varied, the stories of the numerous raids got quite repetitive. It was the stories of the personnel and the in-between bits that kept the book interesting. It was my first time hearing about these low level raiders.
June 10, 2024
Outstanding history
What a wonderful addition to the history of World War II. The research is impeccable and the style engaging. It ranks in the top ten of this genre that I’ve read in the past half century or so.
What a wonderful addition to the history of World War II. The research is impeccable and the style engaging. It ranks in the top ten of this genre that I’ve read in the past half century or so.
July 8, 2019
Poorly written
Unfortunately, although the story is exciting, the writing style is boring. I have to admit that I could only take about three chapters.
Unfortunately, although the story is exciting, the writing style is boring. I have to admit that I could only take about three chapters.
September 21, 2019
Detailed, personal and - ultimately - very moving.
April 22, 2020
Excellent book,a must read for everyone
A good book about the warand the men who forght for our freedom, should be read by all, could not put it down once I started reading
A good book about the warand the men who forght for our freedom, should be read by all, could not put it down once I started reading
April 20, 2021
3.5 Stars.
More a collection of loosely related anecdotes than a narrative story of the group
More a collection of loosely related anecdotes than a narrative story of the group
February 5, 2023
Very good book. I read “Race of Aces” earlier. This was an excellent follow-up. Very detailed history of a great unit.
March 15, 2023
actually a 4.5 a Good Read but not the Best
November 2, 2020
Prior to reading this book, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the Asia-Pacific war from Pearl Harbor through the New Guinea campaign. The battlespace is vast, New Guinea itself is the second-largest island in the world (who knew?) and with aircraft based here, bombing missions over there, and damaged aircraft diverting all over the place, it's nice to have an idea of where things are and the distances involved. That being said, the book is very good and the author does a great job keeping the reader in the loop, but sometimes there's nothing like having a map to stare at – at least for me.
June 21, 2021
Excellent narratives of the brutality of air-to-ground combat, intriguing characters, and a real "you are there feel" also makes me miss the touch of an historian who would better contextualize and consider how and why young men sacrificed so much, perhaps say a bit more on the women who themselves sacrificed even if they were not allowed into the cockpits, and why those men and women felt comfortable using racist language to describe Papuans who often sacrificed beside them.
December 6, 2018
I have just finished reading a prepublication galley of "Air Apaches," thoughtfully provided to me by Stackpole Books and written by Jay Stout. If you are at all interested in the air war in the Pacific Theater of action during WWII, this is a worthwhile read. At the center of the action are a group of heavily modified B 25 Mitchell bombers which were expressly armed for low level attacks and strafing runs designed to cripple IJN air and sea forces in the South Pacific. The text is engaging and heavily documented through primary sources. For those of you not immediately familiar with the aircraft and their exploits, these are the medium bombers, often garishly painted in a manner not very different than the better known Flying Tigers. They learned to use special weapons and tactics to engage their enemies at very low level, often relying on the element of surprise since they had been stripped of the defensive armaments ordinarily associated with medium U.S. bombers of the time in order to allow them to support the weight of a massive battery of forward firing heavy caliber machine guns. In effect they were as much gunships as bombers, and the men who flew and maintained them in often abysmal conditions deserve to have their stories told. The text is sometimes somewhat ponderous in its use of lengthy quotes from primary sources, but this is easily overlooked once you become engaged in the author's tale.
April 12, 2019
Air Apaches is a well researched and extremely engrossing history of the 345th (B-25 bombers) in the Pacific Theater during WWII. It was not dry. It was organized, well sourced, conversational rather than lecture, and didnt read like history. That's a compliment in my scheme of things, I want to read about the people, not just the missions, and Jay Stout delivers. I purchased the book for my brother's collection and will be seeking out more from Mr. Stout.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews