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When Heroes Flew #2
The Shangri-La Raiders
Inspired by the true story of Colonel Jimmy Doolittle’s raid on Japan in 1942, The Shangri-La Raiders is the next stunning installment of the When Heroes Flew WWII historical fiction series.
This gripping novel follows an American bomber crew through their secretive training, a harrowing raid on Japan, and on their desperate journey through occupied China to Chungking, the seat of the country’s wartime government.
The crew, along with an American missionaries’ daughter whom they’ve rescued, must evade the Japanese occupiers every step of the way. And amidst all the horror and turmoil of war, a romance blossoms between the rescued woman and the crew’s pilot.
When Heroes Flew: The Shangri-La Raiders is a captivating tale of bravery, determination and an unlikely love that will leave you hooked until the very end.
This gripping novel follows an American bomber crew through their secretive training, a harrowing raid on Japan, and on their desperate journey through occupied China to Chungking, the seat of the country’s wartime government.
The crew, along with an American missionaries’ daughter whom they’ve rescued, must evade the Japanese occupiers every step of the way. And amidst all the horror and turmoil of war, a romance blossoms between the rescued woman and the crew’s pilot.
When Heroes Flew: The Shangri-La Raiders is a captivating tale of bravery, determination and an unlikely love that will leave you hooked until the very end.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2021
1680 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
H.W. "Buzz" Bernard
16 books92 followersH. W. “Buzz” Bernard is a bestselling, award-winning novelist.
His debut novel, EYEWALL, published in 2011, became a number-one bestseller in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
Three of his next four novels won Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition (EPIC) eBook awards in the suspense/thriller category.
In 2020, with the publication of WHEN HEROES FLEW, Buzz switched from writing suspense/thriller novels to WWII historical fiction and began a new series. The first three novels in the series were awarded Gold Medals by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Buzz himself was honored with the MWSA’s highest accolade in 2023, the Founder’s Award.
WHEN HEROES FLEW: THE ROOF OF THE WORLD, the third book in the series, in addition to garnering an MWSA Gold Medal, won the 2023 Nancy Pearl Book Award for genre fiction. The award is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.
Buzz is currently working on his fifth WWII historical fiction book.
Before becoming a novelist, Buzz worked at The Weather Channel as a senior meteorologist for thirteen years. Prior to that, he served as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force for over three decades. He attained the rank of colonel and received, among other awards, the Legion of Merit.
Buzz is a past president of the Southeastern Writers Association as well as a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Willamette Writers, the Military Writers Society of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club.
Although a native Oregonian, Buzz lived for 35 years in Atlanta, and now resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife Barbara and their fuzzy Shih Tzu, Stormy . . . who doesn’t live up to his name.
Buzz’s website can be found at www.buzzbernard.com.
His debut novel, EYEWALL, published in 2011, became a number-one bestseller in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
Three of his next four novels won Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition (EPIC) eBook awards in the suspense/thriller category.
In 2020, with the publication of WHEN HEROES FLEW, Buzz switched from writing suspense/thriller novels to WWII historical fiction and began a new series. The first three novels in the series were awarded Gold Medals by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Buzz himself was honored with the MWSA’s highest accolade in 2023, the Founder’s Award.
WHEN HEROES FLEW: THE ROOF OF THE WORLD, the third book in the series, in addition to garnering an MWSA Gold Medal, won the 2023 Nancy Pearl Book Award for genre fiction. The award is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.
Buzz is currently working on his fifth WWII historical fiction book.
Before becoming a novelist, Buzz worked at The Weather Channel as a senior meteorologist for thirteen years. Prior to that, he served as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force for over three decades. He attained the rank of colonel and received, among other awards, the Legion of Merit.
Buzz is a past president of the Southeastern Writers Association as well as a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Willamette Writers, the Military Writers Society of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club.
Although a native Oregonian, Buzz lived for 35 years in Atlanta, and now resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife Barbara and their fuzzy Shih Tzu, Stormy . . . who doesn’t live up to his name.
Buzz’s website can be found at www.buzzbernard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 16, 2023
Told through fictional characters, an absorbing novel about the Doolittle raiders who bombed an unsuspecting Tokyo a few months after Pearl Harbor to make the Japanese aware they are far from invincible. The first half of the book is the build up to the attack and the second half about the protagonist and his crew dealing with the challenges they face in Japanese-occupied China, which is where they have to land.
September 19, 2023
Disappointing depiction of the Doolittle Raid. The first-person singular narrative voice was highly restrictive -- the entire book was seen from the perspective of one immature U.S. Army Air Force lieutenant. There were no mature voices, no NCO voices, no navy voices, no female and most importantly no Chinese voices or perspectives. The love story was very weak and the female lead bland. She was supposed to be courageous but just came across as weak and manipulative. Certainly, she never developed any character that set her apart from a flat place-holder. Even the POV character had few contours but seemed to spend far too much time thinking he was being asked to do too much given his experience -- which sounded rather the mature author's opinion rather than the views of a hot-shot pilot who has volunteered for the most dangerous mission of the war.
I strongly recommend "Doolittle's Men" by Paul Burgess instead.
I strongly recommend "Doolittle's Men" by Paul Burgess instead.
April 29, 2022
A required read
Quite possibly one of the best actions in World War 2, not necessarily the fighting action, but the effect on both the USA and Japan. The United States was still trying to understand and recover from Pearl Harbor. Tojo and other Japanese leaders had convinced their population that they were invincible. I have been fortunate enough to live in both countries and discussed this with a number of each country's people, the psychological aspects and boost of honor here and the loss in japan were tremendous.
Those of my age, eighty-eight, can remember what that meant to many in the USA. We had an air force base (B-17) nearby and there were a number of celebrations.
Quite possibly one of the best actions in World War 2, not necessarily the fighting action, but the effect on both the USA and Japan. The United States was still trying to understand and recover from Pearl Harbor. Tojo and other Japanese leaders had convinced their population that they were invincible. I have been fortunate enough to live in both countries and discussed this with a number of each country's people, the psychological aspects and boost of honor here and the loss in japan were tremendous.
Those of my age, eighty-eight, can remember what that meant to many in the USA. We had an air force base (B-17) nearby and there were a number of celebrations.
Read
March 6, 2022MWSA Review
When Heroes Flew: The Shangri-La Raiders by H. W. “Buzz” Bernard is a gripping, mesmerizing tale of young Lieutenant Ray Howzer in the Army Air Corps who, along with his crew, has a place in history. Author Bernard crafts a well-researched story with endearing characters who participated in a harrowing raid on Japan during World War II.
Drawing upon the true story of Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders, the author gives us a detailed look at the secretive mission these young men willingly accepted on behalf of their country. The crews were chosen, they were trained, they faced incredible tasks to achieve the impossible: take off from an aircraft carrier in a fully loaded B-25 medium bomber, skim the ocean waves, and bomb Tokyo.
The tale is told through the eyes of Lt. Howzer, nicknamed “Boss,” who receives a Dear John letter and struggles with lovesickness throughout his training. After completing the mission, “Boss,” and his crew fly their B-25 bomber, Bitter Route, into China as the needle on the fuel gauge approaches empty. They know they won’t make it to the predetermined landing spot, and one by one, as directed by “Boss” they don their parachutes and bail out over China. Each of the men pray that they don’t land in Japanese occupied territory where they would surely and swiftly be executed.
On the ground, but separated, the crew struggles to walk through bamboo fields to meet up and make their way to the house of a missionary family. One of the men is seriously injured in his landing. The missionaries assist the crew of the Bitter Route with the twenty-year-old daughter using her first aid skills to do what she can for the injured man. A budding romance ensues and the plot thickens as the Japanese occupiers hunt both the crew and the people that help them.
When Heroes Flew: The Shangri-La Raider captures the spirit of The Greatest Generation and is a captivating tale of bravery, determination and an unlikely love that will leave you hooked until the very end.
Review by Nancy Panko (February 2022)
When Heroes Flew: The Shangri-La Raiders by H. W. “Buzz” Bernard is a gripping, mesmerizing tale of young Lieutenant Ray Howzer in the Army Air Corps who, along with his crew, has a place in history. Author Bernard crafts a well-researched story with endearing characters who participated in a harrowing raid on Japan during World War II.
Drawing upon the true story of Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders, the author gives us a detailed look at the secretive mission these young men willingly accepted on behalf of their country. The crews were chosen, they were trained, they faced incredible tasks to achieve the impossible: take off from an aircraft carrier in a fully loaded B-25 medium bomber, skim the ocean waves, and bomb Tokyo.
The tale is told through the eyes of Lt. Howzer, nicknamed “Boss,” who receives a Dear John letter and struggles with lovesickness throughout his training. After completing the mission, “Boss,” and his crew fly their B-25 bomber, Bitter Route, into China as the needle on the fuel gauge approaches empty. They know they won’t make it to the predetermined landing spot, and one by one, as directed by “Boss” they don their parachutes and bail out over China. Each of the men pray that they don’t land in Japanese occupied territory where they would surely and swiftly be executed.
On the ground, but separated, the crew struggles to walk through bamboo fields to meet up and make their way to the house of a missionary family. One of the men is seriously injured in his landing. The missionaries assist the crew of the Bitter Route with the twenty-year-old daughter using her first aid skills to do what she can for the injured man. A budding romance ensues and the plot thickens as the Japanese occupiers hunt both the crew and the people that help them.
When Heroes Flew: The Shangri-La Raider captures the spirit of The Greatest Generation and is a captivating tale of bravery, determination and an unlikely love that will leave you hooked until the very end.
Review by Nancy Panko (February 2022)
December 1, 2023
Shangri La and Beyond
A very interesting tale of one crew flying the famous raid on Tokyo, in 1942. Popularly known as "the Doolittle Raid," this account is from the first person perspective of the pilot of one of the B-25s flying the mission.
Beginning with his volunteering for an undefined hazardous mission, the pilot relates his experiences through training, a voyage across the Pacific, and flying the first bombing of the Japanese home islands. This happens to be only the beginning.
The remaining chapters relate the adventures/challenges following their aircraft's crash on mainland China. From experiencing the brutality and horror of Japanese activities, through their ultimate escape, and return to the US,the story continues. Included is a romantic sideline that is unlikely to surprise the reader.
The epilogue provides "the rest of the story," from historical facts. This is an entertaining story I consider "light reading." That is not to say it is not worth the time to read, but it should not be considered a "documentary."
A very interesting tale of one crew flying the famous raid on Tokyo, in 1942. Popularly known as "the Doolittle Raid," this account is from the first person perspective of the pilot of one of the B-25s flying the mission.
Beginning with his volunteering for an undefined hazardous mission, the pilot relates his experiences through training, a voyage across the Pacific, and flying the first bombing of the Japanese home islands. This happens to be only the beginning.
The remaining chapters relate the adventures/challenges following their aircraft's crash on mainland China. From experiencing the brutality and horror of Japanese activities, through their ultimate escape, and return to the US,the story continues. Included is a romantic sideline that is unlikely to surprise the reader.
The epilogue provides "the rest of the story," from historical facts. This is an entertaining story I consider "light reading." That is not to say it is not worth the time to read, but it should not be considered a "documentary."
April 4, 2023
I love the When Heroes Flew books. They are just so darn fun! It doesn't hurt that there always seems to be a strong female character that winds up tagging along for the ride. Whether she actually exists in the annals of history doesn't matter to me. I'm just glad she's there.
H.W. "Buzz" Bernard writes historical fiction based on events that actually happened, and I love that at the end of every book, he wraps up with snippets about the actual missions and the actual men who flew these harrowing raids. The Shangri-La Raiders kept me on the edge of my seat. Not better than the first installment. Comparable. Exciting in its own right.
H.W. "Buzz" Bernard writes historical fiction based on events that actually happened, and I love that at the end of every book, he wraps up with snippets about the actual missions and the actual men who flew these harrowing raids. The Shangri-La Raiders kept me on the edge of my seat. Not better than the first installment. Comparable. Exciting in its own right.
May 29, 2024
Wonderful!! It’s even better than the first book!!! Amazing!!!
All I can say is wow! A wonderful story from a history perspective and an unbelievable one from the fictional part. I had no idea these men went through what they did and lost all their planes, knowing they would do so when they left the aircraft carrier in the beginning. I also love the way Buzz incorporates a happy ending to all the tragedy held within the reality of war. Thank you, Buzz for making this such a wonderful read and ending on a positive note for a change. I really enjoy historical fiction and learn a lot from it. But very rarely do you read and are in captivated by a very positive ending.
All I can say is wow! A wonderful story from a history perspective and an unbelievable one from the fictional part. I had no idea these men went through what they did and lost all their planes, knowing they would do so when they left the aircraft carrier in the beginning. I also love the way Buzz incorporates a happy ending to all the tragedy held within the reality of war. Thank you, Buzz for making this such a wonderful read and ending on a positive note for a change. I really enjoy historical fiction and learn a lot from it. But very rarely do you read and are in captivated by a very positive ending.
December 28, 2021
NOT the second coming of “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo “.
Well, the first part reminded so much of the earlier book. But facts are facts. They were chosen, they were trained, they faced terrible tasks to be able to do the “impossible” and impossible; take off from an aircraft carrier in a B-25 medium bomber, fully loaded, fly just over the waves, and bomb Tokyo.
But thereafter there were lots of us who questioned, whatever happened then?
One possible outcome is presented in this book.
Well written, plausible, but certainly a really good read.
Well, the first part reminded so much of the earlier book. But facts are facts. They were chosen, they were trained, they faced terrible tasks to be able to do the “impossible” and impossible; take off from an aircraft carrier in a B-25 medium bomber, fully loaded, fly just over the waves, and bomb Tokyo.
But thereafter there were lots of us who questioned, whatever happened then?
One possible outcome is presented in this book.
Well written, plausible, but certainly a really good read.
October 22, 2022
Wonderful Salute to the Men Who Flew from Shanghai-La!
Having previously read Lawson’s Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, I was moved to tears as I read the Shangri-la Raiders. Bernard crafted a well written tribute to the men who risked their lives to strike a blow to the Japanese and give the American public a much needed booster to the morale of the public. If you love reading about World War II, this should be a must read!
Having previously read Lawson’s Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, I was moved to tears as I read the Shangri-la Raiders. Bernard crafted a well written tribute to the men who risked their lives to strike a blow to the Japanese and give the American public a much needed booster to the morale of the public. If you love reading about World War II, this should be a must read!
April 19, 2023
absolutely Fantastic
This is one book you need,not have to,but need to read
Because it put you in the plane and the action of what is happening
At the time.
Thrilling,above and beyond, seemingly true, but probably historically correct. If you like the feeling of being there, you should read this book, it puts you in the pilots seat and that puts you in the parachute,
Have a great trip!!
This is one book you need,not have to,but need to read
Because it put you in the plane and the action of what is happening
At the time.
Thrilling,above and beyond, seemingly true, but probably historically correct. If you like the feeling of being there, you should read this book, it puts you in the pilots seat and that puts you in the parachute,
Have a great trip!!
May 21, 2023
Bombers from a carrier?
An excellent read describing the first use of bombers off the deck of a naval carrier, Samsung Galaxy used to bomb the Japanese homeland during WW2. This fictional story details the rigors the aircrews went through in training for the mission, the trials they endured while sailing to their launch point, the bombing mission itself, and the post-mission run to safety in China.
An excellent read describing the first use of bombers off the deck of a naval carrier, Samsung Galaxy used to bomb the Japanese homeland during WW2. This fictional story details the rigors the aircrews went through in training for the mission, the trials they endured while sailing to their launch point, the bombing mission itself, and the post-mission run to safety in China.
October 19, 2023
approachable history
For fans of historical fiction, this book, and the entire series written by Mr. Bernard exposes us to both interesting, creative characters, and through them shows the true heroism of the greatest generation. I had the privilege while in the military medical system to meet some of these heroes. Particularly well described in this book is the remarkable Madam Chang Kai Shek. She continued to grace those of us in the military with her presence and charm after her husband‘s untimely death in 1975. Her warmth should remind us today of the need to defend Taiwan.
For fans of historical fiction, this book, and the entire series written by Mr. Bernard exposes us to both interesting, creative characters, and through them shows the true heroism of the greatest generation. I had the privilege while in the military medical system to meet some of these heroes. Particularly well described in this book is the remarkable Madam Chang Kai Shek. She continued to grace those of us in the military with her presence and charm after her husband‘s untimely death in 1975. Her warmth should remind us today of the need to defend Taiwan.
April 12, 2024
A Great and True Story of Heroism
The Doolittle raid was a much needed boost to America’s morale when it was being steamrolled by advances by the Japanese army following Pearl Harbor. The courage of the men who flew in the raid knowing the chances of survival were slim. The courage of the Chinese people assisting our flyers who parachuted in China was remarkable. A very good read about an amazing true story of heroism.
The Doolittle raid was a much needed boost to America’s morale when it was being steamrolled by advances by the Japanese army following Pearl Harbor. The courage of the men who flew in the raid knowing the chances of survival were slim. The courage of the Chinese people assisting our flyers who parachuted in China was remarkable. A very good read about an amazing true story of heroism.
April 25, 2024
First, a warning. This book was written using the disparaging language of the era and may be objectionable to some. However, the purpose of the authors, I believe, was to create a more realistic depiction of the people and events described.
Second, the work suffers from overexposure to the events though the movie, '30 Seconds Over Tokyo,' and the book by that title, various documentaries on the Second World War, and at least one TV series, 'Victory at Sea,' that told the tale.
Second, the work suffers from overexposure to the events though the movie, '30 Seconds Over Tokyo,' and the book by that title, various documentaries on the Second World War, and at least one TV series, 'Victory at Sea,' that told the tale.
September 4, 2021
Fantastic novel based on a true story
This book opened my eyes to events of WW2 that I vaguely remembered. There are many historical figures and events included in the story. It is an excellent book about the early American attack on Tokyo and how it was accomplished. It is an interesting read for WW2 fans even though it is a novel.
This book opened my eyes to events of WW2 that I vaguely remembered. There are many historical figures and events included in the story. It is an excellent book about the early American attack on Tokyo and how it was accomplished. It is an interesting read for WW2 fans even though it is a novel.
September 24, 2021
great book!
Very well written, riveting suspense.
Wasn’t sure what I was going to get out of this book, but gotta say is one of most well written books I have read in a long time. While it is a fiction account the writer brings it internet such detail that it seems real. Loved it!
Very well written, riveting suspense.
Wasn’t sure what I was going to get out of this book, but gotta say is one of most well written books I have read in a long time. While it is a fiction account the writer brings it internet such detail that it seems real. Loved it!
September 18, 2022
This is the second in the "When Heroes Flew" series by Bernard and I could not put it down. His research was superbly detailed, and he expertly created personal stories of the heroes, those heroes in the Doolittle raiders. This is a must read for any fans of WW2 fiction. My husband gave it 5 stars too. I must read the others in the series!
February 17, 2023
Heroes indeed!
History and fiction woven together into an inspiring story that fills in the blanks about one of the most significant missions of the second world war. It offers excitement and adventure leading up to and following the Doolittle raid in Japan only months after the Pearl Harbor attacks. A must-read.
History and fiction woven together into an inspiring story that fills in the blanks about one of the most significant missions of the second world war. It offers excitement and adventure leading up to and following the Doolittle raid in Japan only months after the Pearl Harbor attacks. A must-read.
July 28, 2021
We owe so much to the few….
I was unable to stop reading this harrowing tale of bravery and commitment of those few men, and fewer women, who made a significant difference in the war. Just incredible what these Americans accomplished.
I was unable to stop reading this harrowing tale of bravery and commitment of those few men, and fewer women, who made a significant difference in the war. Just incredible what these Americans accomplished.
May 19, 2022
A great story of adventure and bravery.
The author has written a very good and intriguing story about the events and the outcome of a daring and heroic endeavor taken by the Army Air Core during WWII. A story full of action, suspense and heroism.
The author has written a very good and intriguing story about the events and the outcome of a daring and heroic endeavor taken by the Army Air Core during WWII. A story full of action, suspense and heroism.
September 19, 2022
Exceptional!
I usually don't get emotional about these 'fictional' WW hero stories, but finishing this book in a local bar...I cried. Exceptional writing, full character development brought tears to my eye (the ending will get you if you're human). Great job!
I usually don't get emotional about these 'fictional' WW hero stories, but finishing this book in a local bar...I cried. Exceptional writing, full character development brought tears to my eye (the ending will get you if you're human). Great job!
December 3, 2022
General Doolittle
I was vey fortunate to spend some time with him when he worked with mutual of Omaha. A sculpture of the controls of the bomber with his hands on the yoke. What a great man.
I was vey fortunate to spend some time with him when he worked with mutual of Omaha. A sculpture of the controls of the bomber with his hands on the yoke. What a great man.
February 3, 2023
Great war stories
This book was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. I thought I was familiar with the Dolittle raid but learned a better understanding of the trials our airmen endured
This book was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. I thought I was familiar with the Dolittle raid but learned a better understanding of the trials our airmen endured
March 9, 2024
Excellent storytelling by Buzz Bernard
Wonderful tale on the Doolittle Raiders who launched the first surprise air raid on Japan at a time when the Allies suffered defeat after defeat against the Japanese military machine. Brilliantly told with great characters.
Wonderful tale on the Doolittle Raiders who launched the first surprise air raid on Japan at a time when the Allies suffered defeat after defeat against the Japanese military machine. Brilliantly told with great characters.
July 18, 2024
30 Seconds Over Tokyo
I am familiar with this story thru both history and Hollywood. This was a more personal account even though the main characters were a fictional representation of the actual heroes who participated in this action.
I am familiar with this story thru both history and Hollywood. This was a more personal account even though the main characters were a fictional representation of the actual heroes who participated in this action.
January 23, 2025
Another great story by Bernard. I love the detail in which he describes scenarios and feelings of his characters. I appreciate that each book, while a series, stands alone with a new cast of characters and stories.
April 20, 2025
What Can I Say!
I honestly can't put into words what a wonderful book this is.... I could not put it down and read it in one day! If you love the history of WW2, you will love the story of Dolittle's raid over Japan and the story of one of it's crews that came down in China.
I honestly can't put into words what a wonderful book this is.... I could not put it down and read it in one day! If you love the history of WW2, you will love the story of Dolittle's raid over Japan and the story of one of it's crews that came down in China.
July 21, 2021
Great deeds are always from the ‘little’
August 8, 2021
A good tale
Not enough flying for me. Still, interesting story about factionalized members of Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo. Worthwhile read for me.
Not enough flying for me. Still, interesting story about factionalized members of Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo. Worthwhile read for me.
August 31, 2021
Great Read- Puts you right there in China with these guys!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews