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The Great War #2
Broken Wings: WWI Fighter Ace’s Story of Escape and Survival
Hero WWI Fighter Pilot Shot Down and Captured.
With an engaging and authentic retelling of his experiences as an escaped prisoner of war, this gripping account details the life and struggles of a captured pilot in 1917 war-torn Europe.
Lieutenant John Ryan couldn’t wait to see action in WWI. He joined up with the British colors out of Canada. As one of several American pilots in the Royal Flying Corps before the US joined the war, he earned his wings and became an Ace through fierce air battles over the skies of Germany.
After getting shot down twice behind enemy lines, Lieutenant Ryan recounts the trials, tragedies, and tribulations of 72 days on the run behind enemy lines. These events are so incredible, you don’t dare take your eyes off the page.
If you like authentic accounts of astonishing stories set in World War One, then you won’t want to miss Broken Wings: WWI Fighter Ace’s Story of Escape and Survival.
With an engaging and authentic retelling of his experiences as an escaped prisoner of war, this gripping account details the life and struggles of a captured pilot in 1917 war-torn Europe.
Lieutenant John Ryan couldn’t wait to see action in WWI. He joined up with the British colors out of Canada. As one of several American pilots in the Royal Flying Corps before the US joined the war, he earned his wings and became an Ace through fierce air battles over the skies of Germany.
After getting shot down twice behind enemy lines, Lieutenant Ryan recounts the trials, tragedies, and tribulations of 72 days on the run behind enemy lines. These events are so incredible, you don’t dare take your eyes off the page.
If you like authentic accounts of astonishing stories set in World War One, then you won’t want to miss Broken Wings: WWI Fighter Ace’s Story of Escape and Survival.
- GenresHistory
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2020
148 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Wrinn
88 books12 followersI write books and narrate audiobooks about WWII Pacific Theater history.
My focus covers three areas: the island-hopping campaigns that defeated Japan, the cultural forces that made Japanese soldiers fight to the death, and the extraordinary stories of Pacific War survivors who defied the odds.
What matters are the real experiences—the Marines on the beaches, the sailors under kamikaze attack, the soldiers who refused to surrender, and the commanders making impossible decisions.
US Navy veteran. Military history author.
My focus covers three areas: the island-hopping campaigns that defeated Japan, the cultural forces that made Japanese soldiers fight to the death, and the extraordinary stories of Pacific War survivors who defied the odds.
What matters are the real experiences—the Marines on the beaches, the sailors under kamikaze attack, the soldiers who refused to surrender, and the commanders making impossible decisions.
US Navy veteran. Military history author.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 2, 2020
This is a book that is presented as history but written as historical fiction. It doesn’t appear to be an autobiography, but is written as if it were. The purpose appears to be to convey the “history” as entertainingly as possible, and in that regard it was certainly effective.
Lieutenant Ryan was an American who was obsessed with flying—so much so that when World War I broke out he traveled to Canada to enlist in their air force so he could test his skills against the Germans in aerial combat. He was a skilled and successful fighter pilot who gives an interesting account of his training and the basic problems fighter pilots encounter—problems which eventually led to his being shot down in enemy territory.
Ryan was captured and made a prisoner of war, yet his idealism won’t permit him to sit out the rest of the war. While being moved to a new prison further from the lines, he makes a daring escape and then spends 72 grueling days trying to get back across the lines rejoin his own side. His efforts would make quite an exciting movie and the authors do a good job conveying the intense peril and morale-breaking frustrations he had to contend with. While the “novel” like structure makes it difficult for me to judge whether or not it is good history or not, it is certainly an entertaining tale.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Lieutenant Ryan was an American who was obsessed with flying—so much so that when World War I broke out he traveled to Canada to enlist in their air force so he could test his skills against the Germans in aerial combat. He was a skilled and successful fighter pilot who gives an interesting account of his training and the basic problems fighter pilots encounter—problems which eventually led to his being shot down in enemy territory.
Ryan was captured and made a prisoner of war, yet his idealism won’t permit him to sit out the rest of the war. While being moved to a new prison further from the lines, he makes a daring escape and then spends 72 grueling days trying to get back across the lines rejoin his own side. His efforts would make quite an exciting movie and the authors do a good job conveying the intense peril and morale-breaking frustrations he had to contend with. While the “novel” like structure makes it difficult for me to judge whether or not it is good history or not, it is certainly an entertaining tale.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
August 1, 2025
I question the veracity of this story
I’m an avid military aviation reader and former military pilot. NOWHERE in this book does the author identify WHO it is about! At one point the pilot is identified as “Lt Ryan”. Also, NOWHERE in the book is the type of aircraft or what squadron the pilot is from. There is no information provided as to what happened to the pilot after the war. A Google search turned up no information on this pilot. The book is a very good read but I can only assume that the entire book is fiction. I mean, who writes a story like this (72 days behind enemy lines and ends up successfully escaping to neutral Holland) without identifying who the pilot is and what happened to him after the war? I am left only to assume that it’s fiction and the author deliberately makes you think this is a true story. I would love to see someone prove me wrong.
I’m an avid military aviation reader and former military pilot. NOWHERE in this book does the author identify WHO it is about! At one point the pilot is identified as “Lt Ryan”. Also, NOWHERE in the book is the type of aircraft or what squadron the pilot is from. There is no information provided as to what happened to the pilot after the war. A Google search turned up no information on this pilot. The book is a very good read but I can only assume that the entire book is fiction. I mean, who writes a story like this (72 days behind enemy lines and ends up successfully escaping to neutral Holland) without identifying who the pilot is and what happened to him after the war? I am left only to assume that it’s fiction and the author deliberately makes you think this is a true story. I would love to see someone prove me wrong.
October 19, 2020
A fascinating incredible account of this pilots escape and journey back to freedom, Some of it is really incredible. The story has a fair few details missing that I would have liked to know, who was the famous German pilot he shared a vehicle with, what type of fighter did he fly in combat but the account itself has many other little know facts and tactics, how to attack German balloons and the type of anti-aircraft weapons used against him, it gives an excellent account of life on the run as an escaped prisoner what his diet was like who helped him who tried to take advantage of him. The narrator is could have done a better job of bring the story to life but is OK.
August 14, 2020
A small town boy forced to become a hero and he meets the King
Lt. Ryan was the same age as my Grandfather , who also served in WWI. This fantastic, true story reads like movie on the pages. Reading it shows a brief glimpse into the deep, creative thinking of our American soldiers who grew up using that same ingenuity to be successful in our free economy and competitive world. Read it and see how many people it reminds you of whom also use American grit.
Lt. Ryan was the same age as my Grandfather , who also served in WWI. This fantastic, true story reads like movie on the pages. Reading it shows a brief glimpse into the deep, creative thinking of our American soldiers who grew up using that same ingenuity to be successful in our free economy and competitive world. Read it and see how many people it reminds you of whom also use American grit.
November 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this story about an American pilot who was shot down over Germany, sent to a POW camp. Told from the pilot's point of view, it reads like a time capsule of Europe during the First World War with all of it's heart-stopping danger and privation, the fierce courage of an American hero and the generosity of the European farmers.
This is an excellent story for anyone looking for a real life adventure and for those who just want to know a little more about life during the war.
This is an excellent story for anyone looking for a real life adventure and for those who just want to know a little more about life during the war.
February 22, 2021
Really good read, especially when written by someone who has died.
I think it took me a while to forget the “author “ was deceased and the book was written by the stated authors.
Very well done. To compose a novel like this, from notes interviews etc, must have been quite difficult.
It really read as if it was the subject himself.
I have read several of this author’s books and so far, totally enjoyed them all.
I think it took me a while to forget the “author “ was deceased and the book was written by the stated authors.
Very well done. To compose a novel like this, from notes interviews etc, must have been quite difficult.
It really read as if it was the subject himself.
I have read several of this author’s books and so far, totally enjoyed them all.
July 11, 2021
A WWI POW's Heroic and Challenging Travel to Freedom in Holland
A truly thrilling story of an American flying with the British Air Force that is shot down and captured by the Germans. He makes his escape from a POW Prison and through perseverance and courage navigates through Germany and Belgium to finally arrive in Holland. His exploits reach the King of England and he has an audience with his majesty that lasts over an hour. A great read.
A truly thrilling story of an American flying with the British Air Force that is shot down and captured by the Germans. He makes his escape from a POW Prison and through perseverance and courage navigates through Germany and Belgium to finally arrive in Holland. His exploits reach the King of England and he has an audience with his majesty that lasts over an hour. A great read.
July 8, 2021
Escape
Daniel Wrinn has provided us with a wonderful story here. His writing style is somewhat like talking to your neighbor. He includes a character that you feel you may know . the book is interesting and at times keeps you worried for the main character. Fun read.
Daniel Wrinn has provided us with a wonderful story here. His writing style is somewhat like talking to your neighbor. He includes a character that you feel you may know . the book is interesting and at times keeps you worried for the main character. Fun read.
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October 27, 2023Great Read!
Mostly I e joyed the historical aspects of the novel. Although some parts were a bit of a stretch it was easy to visualize the hard ships POW's endured during time in captivity.
Mostly I e joyed the historical aspects of the novel. Although some parts were a bit of a stretch it was easy to visualize the hard ships POW's endured during time in captivity.
December 14, 2020
Well written and captivating
Well written and captivating. This was suspenseful and entertaining. Hard to put down once you got into it. I would highly recommend it
Well written and captivating. This was suspenseful and entertaining. Hard to put down once you got into it. I would highly recommend it
Read
September 13, 2021The more things change...
This first person story is truly impressive. I went straight through this one. I also learned how hard it can be to cross a frontier.
This first person story is truly impressive. I went straight through this one. I also learned how hard it can be to cross a frontier.
March 21, 2023
Entertaining reading.
An interesting story, light reading, can be read in one sitting. In fact one is almost compelled to read it in one sitting, to reach the finale.
An interesting story, light reading, can be read in one sitting. In fact one is almost compelled to read it in one sitting, to reach the finale.
April 4, 2023
Interesting story but written at an 8th grade level.
December 7, 2024
exciting read
A well written great page turner. I am not familiar with the pilots that fought in WWI. This book was fascinating.
A well written great page turner. I am not familiar with the pilots that fought in WWI. This book was fascinating.
August 22, 2021
This turned out to be a pretty good adventure-type book, with all the World War I background and settings that I enjoy. Granted, this is an historical fiction book, told by the dashing and derring-do aviator from Waldron, Illinois, Lieutenant John Ryan.
The following passage sent me to doing a little bit of research:
On Christmas eve, I arrived in New Brunswick and eventually into my little village of Waldron, Illinois, on the Kankakee river. My mother stood in the doorway to greet me with a big hug and tears in her eyes. She didn’t stop crying for over an hour.
My search revealed that Waldron, Illinois is actually an historical district near Kankakee, Illinois in Stark County. (And here I thought I knew every location in the state!) The passage in itself was masterful written, as I could visualize the scene very well. In fact, throughout this book, scenes are believable, accurate, and engaging.
I caught what I deemed a bit of humor in the name of Ryan’s buddy, Owen Wrinn – Wrinn’s surname being the same as the author of this book:
Most of my Squadron thought I was killed or captured. They never expected to see me again except for my one friend, Owen Wrinn. He held out that I was going to be alright.
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction, I learned a little tidbit, and the writing style was believable, even with the smattering of fragmented sentences here and there.
💥 Recommended.
🟣
The following passage sent me to doing a little bit of research:
On Christmas eve, I arrived in New Brunswick and eventually into my little village of Waldron, Illinois, on the Kankakee river. My mother stood in the doorway to greet me with a big hug and tears in her eyes. She didn’t stop crying for over an hour.
My search revealed that Waldron, Illinois is actually an historical district near Kankakee, Illinois in Stark County. (And here I thought I knew every location in the state!) The passage in itself was masterful written, as I could visualize the scene very well. In fact, throughout this book, scenes are believable, accurate, and engaging.
I caught what I deemed a bit of humor in the name of Ryan’s buddy, Owen Wrinn – Wrinn’s surname being the same as the author of this book:
Most of my Squadron thought I was killed or captured. They never expected to see me again except for my one friend, Owen Wrinn. He held out that I was going to be alright.
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction, I learned a little tidbit, and the writing style was believable, even with the smattering of fragmented sentences here and there.
💥 Recommended.
🟣
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews