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Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot
MUSTANG ACE
Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot
by
Robert J. Goebel
When Robert Goebel left home to join the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was a 19 years old and a high-school graduate. The only previous time he had traveled far from his native Racine, Wisconsin, was an epic trip in the summer of 1940, when he and a pal had ridden the rails to Texas and back to visit two of Bob's brothers who were in the service.
Even during his weeks in Pre-flight training, young Goebel found that he felt at home in the service, and he looked forward to the great adventure on which he had embarked out of a sense of patriotism and yearning to see the wide world. Easygoing and quick to learn, Cadet Goebel worked his way steadily through the Basic, Primary, and Advanced phases of military flight training, and found in himself an aptitude for flight. However, like nearly all of his comrades, Goebel could not learn how to hit a flying target with the guns mounted on the trainers he flew. Nevertheless, he—and they—graduated to fighter school and, after earning their wings and commissions, were sent on to join an operational fighter unit—in Panama.
The months of rigorous operational flying in Panama seasoned Lieutenant Goebel and his young companions, and made better aviators of them, but it did little to advance their gunnery skills. When a new crop of novices arrived, Goebel and his companions found themselves on their way to Europe to join the fight. They wound up in North Africa in the Spring of 1944 with orders to join the 31st Fighter Group in Italy.
Just as Goebel and his young companions were about to join the leading fighter group in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, the 31st turned in its British-made Spitfire fighters for new P-51 Mustang fighters. Within weeks, Bob Goebel had flown his first combat missions and had lost his element leader, who was shot down in a swirling dogfight.
But master the job he did. A steady succession of bomber-escort missions over southeastern Europe slowly and then more rapidly forced Lieutenant Goebel to settle in and master aerial gunnery and the mentally taxing high-speed dogfights in which he became engaged. At last, he shot down his first German fighter. And he advanced to positions of leadership, in due course leading the entire 31st Fighter Group deep into enemy territory. At length, he shot down a fifth German and thus became an ace—a Mustang Ace. And then he shot down three Germans in one day on a mission to Ploesti, Rumania. He flew to Russia and back, and supported the invasion of southern France. In the end, by September 1944, he had eleven confirmed victories to his credit and was one of the 308th Fighter Squadron's most respected combat leaders.
When he was sent home at the end of his combat tour, Captain Bob Goebel was not yet 22 years old.
Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot
by
Robert J. Goebel
When Robert Goebel left home to join the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was a 19 years old and a high-school graduate. The only previous time he had traveled far from his native Racine, Wisconsin, was an epic trip in the summer of 1940, when he and a pal had ridden the rails to Texas and back to visit two of Bob's brothers who were in the service.
Even during his weeks in Pre-flight training, young Goebel found that he felt at home in the service, and he looked forward to the great adventure on which he had embarked out of a sense of patriotism and yearning to see the wide world. Easygoing and quick to learn, Cadet Goebel worked his way steadily through the Basic, Primary, and Advanced phases of military flight training, and found in himself an aptitude for flight. However, like nearly all of his comrades, Goebel could not learn how to hit a flying target with the guns mounted on the trainers he flew. Nevertheless, he—and they—graduated to fighter school and, after earning their wings and commissions, were sent on to join an operational fighter unit—in Panama.
The months of rigorous operational flying in Panama seasoned Lieutenant Goebel and his young companions, and made better aviators of them, but it did little to advance their gunnery skills. When a new crop of novices arrived, Goebel and his companions found themselves on their way to Europe to join the fight. They wound up in North Africa in the Spring of 1944 with orders to join the 31st Fighter Group in Italy.
Just as Goebel and his young companions were about to join the leading fighter group in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, the 31st turned in its British-made Spitfire fighters for new P-51 Mustang fighters. Within weeks, Bob Goebel had flown his first combat missions and had lost his element leader, who was shot down in a swirling dogfight.
But master the job he did. A steady succession of bomber-escort missions over southeastern Europe slowly and then more rapidly forced Lieutenant Goebel to settle in and master aerial gunnery and the mentally taxing high-speed dogfights in which he became engaged. At last, he shot down his first German fighter. And he advanced to positions of leadership, in due course leading the entire 31st Fighter Group deep into enemy territory. At length, he shot down a fifth German and thus became an ace—a Mustang Ace. And then he shot down three Germans in one day on a mission to Ploesti, Rumania. He flew to Russia and back, and supported the invasion of southern France. In the end, by September 1944, he had eleven confirmed victories to his credit and was one of the 308th Fighter Squadron's most respected combat leaders.
When he was sent home at the end of his combat tour, Captain Bob Goebel was not yet 22 years old.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1991
About the author
Robert J. Goebel
6 books1 followerLt. Colonel Robert J. Goebel, USAF
WWII and post-war fighter pilot. Credited with 11 aerial victories during the Second World War. Recipient of the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with 17 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
WWII and post-war fighter pilot. Credited with 11 aerial victories during the Second World War. Recipient of the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with 17 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 15, 2012
This was one of the best Second World War fighter pilot memoirs I’ve ever read. Very comprehensive, well-written and fascinating to read. As a reader, you feel that you are in the cockpit with Goebel as he goes off on a sortie in his P-51 Mustang to engage the Luftwaffe in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations.
August 22, 2021
Best fighter pilot memoir I've read.
It does help that my father was in the same fighter group for part of his time in the Mediterranean theatre air war.
It does help that my father was in the same fighter group for part of his time in the Mediterranean theatre air war.
July 26, 2022
A rare view into the "greatest generation".
This is a great look into the experience of a member of the greatest generation and how that experience affected him during and, more importantly, after the war. As a fellow fighter pilot and Air Force veteran with no actual combat experience, it was a privilege to read this pilot's narrative of his wartime experiences and be able to have some insight into those experiences and share some of those feelings.
This is a great look into the experience of a member of the greatest generation and how that experience affected him during and, more importantly, after the war. As a fellow fighter pilot and Air Force veteran with no actual combat experience, it was a privilege to read this pilot's narrative of his wartime experiences and be able to have some insight into those experiences and share some of those feelings.
August 3, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Robert Goebel's combat memoir covers his induction, training, and service years until his somewhat involuntarily discharge. He describes his fights, victories, friendships, and psychological traumas. A very thoughtful man. He doesn't spare you the aeronautical jargon.
FWIW, this copy was autographed by Goebel, which was not in the eBay listing and was a pleasant surprise.
FWIW, this copy was autographed by Goebel, which was not in the eBay listing and was a pleasant surprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2026
Excellent memoir. I have never been interested in reading anything of this sort...war history/memoirs, about flying...but I recently became interested in learning more about my grandfather's history, who was a pilot during WWII so I came across this and decided to read it. It was very captivating! I highly recommend.
September 8, 2022
Great Book
I am very sorry that the author has passed my condolences to his family. This was a great book and the description of flying was awesome. The sons and grandsons have done a great job with this ebook. It was a great read.
I am very sorry that the author has passed my condolences to his family. This was a great book and the description of flying was awesome. The sons and grandsons have done a great job with this ebook. It was a great read.
August 2, 2025
I would have been interested to hear more about the author’s personal life before and after his service. Very little is said about his family life or integration to civilian status post service life. Over all, incredible read and a testament to what to the young men of the 308th achieved.
August 8, 2022
Cool stories of an Italian front that usually is not covered in most of the WW2 books or movies.
April 1, 2023
Well done
Greatest generation, as a child these were my hero. Not weak people. A worthy read, worth the time, enjoy. The experience.
Greatest generation, as a child these were my hero. Not weak people. A worthy read, worth the time, enjoy. The experience.
December 15, 2023
Why? Why though? Why though? Why though why though
June 9, 2025
I loved this book. The author starts out by telling the reader that he isn't a seasoned writer (or something to that effect). But he does a great job telling his story. I always wished that I had been a military pilot. Reading this story is the next best thing. We learn about all the training he went through and the missions he completed while becoming an ace pilot. The author must have a 'total recall' type memory as he describes his encounters and conversations in detail. To the family of Robert J. Goebel - His service as a WWII pilot and ability to tell his story to others is impressive. Thank you.
January 7, 2021
Outstanding autobiographical account by WWII fighter pilot.
Well written and contains great detail for tactics used in aerial combat with the P-51. Shows insight into the interior lives of himself and his comrades. One of the best of its type that I have ever read.
Well written and contains great detail for tactics used in aerial combat with the P-51. Shows insight into the interior lives of himself and his comrades. One of the best of its type that I have ever read.
November 27, 2021
A realistic , easy read , of an amazing type of Man.
An realistic, easy read, of an amazing type of Man. It’s easy to forget their huge contribution and our need to respect and appreciate it always!!
An realistic, easy read, of an amazing type of Man. It’s easy to forget their huge contribution and our need to respect and appreciate it always!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews