Final Mission The North Woods

by Joseph R. Wax

On a frigid winter afternoon at the height of the Cold War, a Strategic Air Command B-52 Stratofortress departed Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts for a routine training mission. Hours later, the aircraft's smoking wreckage lay scattered across a snow-encased mountainside in Maine's desolate North Woods. This gripping account chronicles the events and aftermath of that fateful day as revealed by the men who miraculously survived and the families of those who perished.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2019

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd always heard the basic story of the B-52 crash just north of Greenville on Elephant Mountain, but I'd never learned all of the details. The site of the crash is both awful and beautiful and has been a regular spot for us to visit when we're up at Mooshead.

Final Mission: The North Woods clinically details the mission, the airmen involved, the accident, the recovery of the two surviving airmen, and the aftermath of the crash. Joseph Wax, the author, did a wonderful job interviewing the families of the airmen, the surviving airmen and others involved in the rescue, and historians interested in the topic to weave a thorough story of what happened. This is no-frills, but comprehensively details this tragedy that impacted so many people.

[Ruth York · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having visited the site of the crash, I was excited to find this book and read it. I enjoyed learning about the men, the crash, and the rescue. But the story fell flat on the personable front. It felt more like a bare list of facts, less strength given to the human element side. Overall, not a bad book to learn about it though.

[Irene Frielich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book about a little-known story. Joseph helps remember the participants of the "final mission" in his well-researched book. Nicely done!

[Ethan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A detailed account of the men, families, and mission of an ill-dated flight, but very staid , plain writing. Probably worth reading if you already have an interest in B-52s or military aviation.