The New Kids: A Novel of the Air War on the Home Front August-September 1942

No Merciful War #5

by Tom Burkhalter

The Flight So Far After fighting in the Pacific since December 1941, Jack Davis leaves New Guinea for home in June 1942. Jimmy Ardana is now Boxcar Red Leader. On the way to Honolulu, Jack, worn down by combat, bad food, and previous attacks of tropical diseases, becomes ill and is admitted to Tripler Army Hospital at Fort Shafter in Honolulu. In late July 1942, the Japanese invade New Guinea at Buna, on the island’s north coast. They attack the greatly outnumbered Australians, pushing them back along the Kokoda Track across the Owen Stanley Mountains. The Japanese objective is Port Moresby, with its airfields and port facilities. Possession of Port Moresby will allow the Japanese to threaten Australia and its supply lines to the US. General George Kenney arrives to assume command of the Far Eastern Air Force as the Japanese begin to come overland to Port Moresby. The FEAF becomes the 5th AF. In early August the US Navy lands the 1st Marine Division on a previously obscure island in the Solomons called Guadalcanal. At first this goes unremarked among the troops fighting in New Guinea, who have problems of their own. Generals Kenney and MacArthur insist on a maximum-effort raid by Charlie Davis’ outfit, the 19th Bomb Group, on the airfield at Vunakanau near Rabaul. Partly this is to “take pressure” off the Marines on Guadalcanal, who have been experiencing daily air raids from Japanese bombers and fighters based at Vunakanau. The raid is a success, but the 19th Bomb Group suffers heavy losses. Charlie’s crew gains a new copilot in the person of Danny Evans, last seen as Boxcar Red Two, who recovered from illness and injuries and volunteers to switch from P-39s to B-17s. Danny shows promise as a copilot. During a night mission over Rabaul, Charlie’s B-17 is struck by flak and badly damaged. Several crew members are killed and almost everyone else, including Charlie Davis and Al Stern, are badly wounded. Danny Evans comes through without a scratch and flies them back to Seven-Mile Drome, where the wounded are whisked away to Australia. Jimmy and the rest of the pilots of the 35th FG fly air-support and ground attack missions against the improvised Japanese port at Buna and along the Kokoda Track, interdicting the flow of supplies and Japanese replacement troops. The Japanese base Zeroes at Buna. Attacks on Buna by the P-39s face interception by Zeroes as well as ground fire and the threat of mechanical failure. In early September Jimmy’s P-39 is badly damaged in a fight over Buna. He shoots down two Jap Zeroes. He makes it almost over the mountains before he is forced to parachute from his failing P-39. A squad of Australian commandos, lost behind enemy lines, picks him up, and he travels overland with them to Australian lines. Delays in communication due to wartime conditions mean no one outside of the SW Pacific know Jimmy is alive. This includes Jimmy’s family in Montana. In Connecticut, where Jack and Charlie have their home, their mother, Laura Lea Davis, waits for their return. And in Hollywood, California, Irina Aradhana impatiently waits for Jack to be released from hospital in Honolulu and return to the States.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2019

Reviews

[Graham Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the whole series. Some of the events were a bit of a stretch but on the whole the stories conveyed much of the atmosphere of what it must have been like - not that I have any personal experience. There are one or two errors which tended to spoil it for me. Anyone who took off a P39 in 'fully coarse pitch' would be likely to kill themselves in fairly short order! Unless a P39 is different to all other piston engined fighters, which I doubt. But overall not a bad read. I wondered whether the author was intending to continue the series - perhaps in to the European theatre.

[Thomas D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe The Best In The Series Yet. More personal stories than I expected told respectively with taste, understanding of young love & relationships, honor & duty.

In the massive build for victory, it was primarily young men & women most involved & affected. This tells their story in a way you are a part of it, like family. Commitment & Romance & families contend, and demand careful attention. Misson demands commitment, skill, & care to obtain the necessary support & resources. All of this becomes an engrossing tale with characters you will grow to know & love Life in the 49's is an interesting experience & worthwhile visit as well.

[James Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Whole Series

I enjoyed reading every book in this series - equally, and that is most unusual for me because I always find at least one book in a series is weaker than its predecessor or successor. This review is most positive and complimentary because I was a 8 year old boy when WWII was starting and through something called Newsreels, books, pictures and movies I followed our heroes in the planes of that time.
The author does such a good job of developing a wonderful story while skillfully weaving fact and actual history into his pages. Highly recommend.

[L. R. Hintonl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Military Stateside WWII

It was an easy read, but it is a total from shift from his earlier books. The story was touchy-feely and did give a general overview of World War II Life. I kept waiting for coverage of Jimmy of his experience from bailing out over the mountains and his escape,since it was in the discrimination of the book. I realize that this is a transition stories that will setup for the next book! 😎🇺🇸

[nicholas m. lacetera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. The continuing story of the Davis boy's and their buddies during ww2 . You really need to read the books in order to get the true feelings of what these young American hero's went thru.

I loved the way the author was able to put you in the action and made you feel the fear and strength of the young not fully trained pilots as they fought the maps over the pacific.

[Seth Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the series back to back. Interesting storylines. I generally have enjoyed the character development. It does appear the editor(s) have changed a bit over the course of the series. There are a few occasions where the character names are inadvertently transposed. Easily overlooked when two of the main characters are named Jimmy and Jack.

[Ronald E. Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!

When I started reading I thought this was going to be dull reading. Boy, was I ever wrong. Also, it was very emotional reading as it brought back a lot of memories from my days of flying in the Navy. Sights, sounds and smells flooded back. Love the detail and feelings of the plot and story. Outstanding!

[G. Patrick Cruikshank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Series slows down

In what was a pretty interesting series for the first 4 books, the 5th was a bit of a clinker. Plagued with little actual action and stilted, cornpone dialogue this book lands with a thud. Repeated use of the word jehosophat as some sort of exclamation is an indication of how the prose in book 5 is firmly rooted in the 1920's. Slow,hard read.
.

[Glenda Stonecipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I’ve read all of the books prior and this one. They’re well written and attention grabbing. I’m a private pilot - or, once was - I’m too old now. If anyone knows anything about aircraft and flying, this will really hold your attention.

[Clifford L Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Author!

This series has been about the ups and downs of combat from the first page of the first book! Fantastic series if you love airplanes and the brave men who fought in them!

[JOHN P GAMERTSFELDEER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine part of this series!

Entertaining to read, well written, historically and technically accurate and geographically speaking easy to follow. I recommend this series to all fans of historic military fiction and nonfiction.

[Ken Rauter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I thought this book had a great story line and flow to the story. I think you should cont

-inune on with the story, it has a lot more to offer than just stop it right here. I will recommend this book every one to read☺

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as intriguing as 1st book

This one go too wrapped up in back history and the fact there were family ties and relationships that were meant to tie it all together, but for me made it unbelievabl

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back stateside to refit and train

A nice break in the series, Bravo. In one book the character development of the principals is advanced. New secondary characters are the best part of The New Kids.
Another, cannot put it down novel . Thanks

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series

It really brings home my childhood memories of hearing stories and seeing old home movies and all the John Wayne movies of that era. My parents had a nightclub in south Texas and i listened to the stories as much as i could. So exciting.

[frank LaMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good family read with lots of tips of future story direction. I like reading To’s stuff.

I like reading Tom’s stuff. You know the Davis’s will be back in hot action sooner than we think. Good stuff.

[Cecil DeMonbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

It's the perils of Pauline a running story featuring brothers and friends coping with ww2. Here at home and there in the far off south Pacific. I'm finding it hard to put down and go to sleep.

[Robert W Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Writer

Learned a lot about Ww2 flight characteristics and living conditions. Back in the US overcoming tropical disease.
Author really seems to know his aircraft.

[Skip Paxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the continuing story of all people in the book, and how the author ties them together. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Thomas M. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Enjoyed front to back. Great read. Interesting characters. good storyline. Looking forward to the next one. Overall giving it 5 stars.

[Warren Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different and engaging

A very different look at the early years of the war. The novel exposes the family heart aches and stresses of the families and warriors involved.

[frances evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

When will this continue

I have read all this series. This last book I wasn't to crazy about. Left to much hanging. Wanted more about Jimmy.

[Neil Koelemeyer]

This series started as a pretty good WW II airwar in the pacific read. It has now turned into a soap opera with tent pole erections.

[Francis W Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I enjoy the way the author bring s the adventure along.I am sure you will find this book as great as I did.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series! This series is full of action and well developed characters. A must read series.

[Jim Earlie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love story or war story read like a penny novel

[S. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Kids

This is another excellent addition to Tom Burkehalter’s very entertaining and realistic series of stories about the growth of the USAAF in WW II. It’s a delight.

[Ray Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Home Front

Reminds me ever so much of W.E.B. Griffith. I. Am hooked. Hard to stop reading at bedtime. Great writing and deep characters.

[John E · Rating 3 out of 5]

stateside in WWII

This is a novel about stateside life for aviators during WWII. Some flying discussion but mostly personality. A little disappointing.

[Robert W Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good novel

I have enjoyed the series. This seems to be a very honest depicion of how things were then with all of the emotions, trials, etc.