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Normandy to Nazi Surrender: Firsthand Account of a P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot
"Slayden piloted the Army's flying tank from the Battle of the Bulge into the heart of Germany, telling us what it was like to fly by the seat of his pants against the Nazis–engrossing and unforgettable." –James Jay Carafano, Washington, DC, author of After D-Day
The late Van Slayden trained on the PT-3 kite-like biplane in 1937, but he learned fighter pilot operations flying "by the seat of his pants," walking away from five crashes. Shortly after the invasion of Normandy, he landed on Utah Beach to help establish a US Army Air Forces' (AAF's) presence in Europe. He flew the P-47 Thunderbolt, a fighter-bomber, in combat over Northern France and commanded the 36th Fighter Group-the "Fightin' 36th-at Batogne, St. Vith, the Bridgehead at Remagen, Operations Grenade, Clarion, Varsity and other missions. His 22nd Fighter Squadron was the first in the AAF to land voluntarily on German soil.
He was deep into Germany when the Nazis surrendered on May 8, 1945, which was remarkably anticlimactic. Van Slayden, a country boy from rural Tennessee, like so many of his contemporaries, stepped up to the challenge as part of the Greatest Generation.
The late Van Slayden trained on the PT-3 kite-like biplane in 1937, but he learned fighter pilot operations flying "by the seat of his pants," walking away from five crashes. Shortly after the invasion of Normandy, he landed on Utah Beach to help establish a US Army Air Forces' (AAF's) presence in Europe. He flew the P-47 Thunderbolt, a fighter-bomber, in combat over Northern France and commanded the 36th Fighter Group-the "Fightin' 36th-at Batogne, St. Vith, the Bridgehead at Remagen, Operations Grenade, Clarion, Varsity and other missions. His 22nd Fighter Squadron was the first in the AAF to land voluntarily on German soil.
He was deep into Germany when the Nazis surrendered on May 8, 1945, which was remarkably anticlimactic. Van Slayden, a country boy from rural Tennessee, like so many of his contemporaries, stepped up to the challenge as part of the Greatest Generation.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 23, 2020
I have always been interested in personal accounts of WWII. This book chronicles the life of the author from his youth to the end of the war. It also includes several appendices about family members, personal letters, etc.
Strangely, I found the appendices more interesting than the chapters. The chapters often read like after action reports with little personal information. However, the appendices were filled with interesting stories of life before the war and letters that detailed events in the war. Worth reading, but you have to go to the end of the book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Strangely, I found the appendices more interesting than the chapters. The chapters often read like after action reports with little personal information. However, the appendices were filled with interesting stories of life before the war and letters that detailed events in the war. Worth reading, but you have to go to the end of the book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2021
If you are looking for a book full of factual information with a relatively dry and straight to the point style, this book is for you. If you are looking for a book that will keep you feeling like you are reading fiction whilst knowing that it is actually real history, this is not it.
Whilst this book tells a personal story, it doesn't tell it in a very personal way. A lot of this book reads like a play by play on individual actions and event and honestly, I struggled to complete reading it, which, was sad, considering that the information it provides is so important to the history of the war.
I didn't think this was a bad book, and for academic purposes it would be excellent, but it wasn't the kind of book I just couldn't wait to get back to, either. You should take the time to read it and see what you think.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Whilst this book tells a personal story, it doesn't tell it in a very personal way. A lot of this book reads like a play by play on individual actions and event and honestly, I struggled to complete reading it, which, was sad, considering that the information it provides is so important to the history of the war.
I didn't think this was a bad book, and for academic purposes it would be excellent, but it wasn't the kind of book I just couldn't wait to get back to, either. You should take the time to read it and see what you think.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 15, 2023
It was a fast read, but not what I expected. I enjoyed reading it.
February 9, 2021
Normandy to Nazi Surrender: Firsthand Accountof a P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot by Colonel Van H. Slayden
4 stars
I really liked this book! One of the most interesting and detailed personal accounts of a life in the US Air Force I have ever read. Very well done. Colonel Slayden tells his own story interwoven with US Air Force history. From the earliest bi-wing aircraft of the 1930’s to WWII, Korea and ICBM’s. This book reads like you are sitting down over a glass of something interesting and Slayden is telling you all his stories. The details in the book add to what could have been just another look at a military memoir; but the humor and personal details elevate it. A bit light on photos but Slayden and his entire military family is fascinating. The co-author is his daughter who brings her own military chops as retired Editor of the Field Artillery professional journal at Fort Sill. Four stars, any military history buff will enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book. This is my own opinion of the work.
4 stars
I really liked this book! One of the most interesting and detailed personal accounts of a life in the US Air Force I have ever read. Very well done. Colonel Slayden tells his own story interwoven with US Air Force history. From the earliest bi-wing aircraft of the 1930’s to WWII, Korea and ICBM’s. This book reads like you are sitting down over a glass of something interesting and Slayden is telling you all his stories. The details in the book add to what could have been just another look at a military memoir; but the humor and personal details elevate it. A bit light on photos but Slayden and his entire military family is fascinating. The co-author is his daughter who brings her own military chops as retired Editor of the Field Artillery professional journal at Fort Sill. Four stars, any military history buff will enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book. This is my own opinion of the work.
February 15, 2021
This is a book of memoirs in the life of a country boy who grew up in a small rural town rural in Tennessee from the early 1900s, joined the Army Air Corps and fought across Europe in World War II. I enjoyed this book. Written in the first person, it is easy to read, frequently in a humorous vein. Approximately half of this memoir is about his pre WW2 and wartime experiences in the USAAF and the other half, reported in the form of nine Annexes (Appendices) including anecdotes ‘growing up’ in Tennessee during the great depression and how he came to join the Army Air Corps. The personal detail makes for interesting reading but be warned, this is not a serious military history, although to be fair, his wartime reminiscences does include events not necessarily covered in a formal history book. Daughter and co-author, Patrecia Slayden Hollis, formally the Editor of the Army and Marine Corps professional journal “Field Artillery” for 20 years, collaborated with her father on this book. 4 stars.
An electronic copy of this book was provided for review by the publishers Black Rose Writing.
An electronic copy of this book was provided for review by the publishers Black Rose Writing.
September 16, 2021
I'm drawn to WWII books produced by a veteran with a child or grandchild. I was expecting a war memoir, but the years from Normandy to the Nazi surrender is only about the middle third of the book.
The best part is Slayden's backstories, which are added as annexes: Early 1900s Life of a Tennessee Country Boy and his memories of the struggle to attend college during the Great Depression. The first chapters are also fascinating, about ending up in the military and details of flying early planes rushing into primitive areas in order to defend the Panama Canal Zone.
Slayden became obsessed with the Search for the Lost Dutchman's Goldmine when stationed in the area in 1942. He must have talked about it for decades, because later in life, he and seven family members (adult children and one of their spouses) packed into the area, even camping several nights to reach the area, to search the area where he'd filed an official claim on behalf of. There are several more miscellaneous annexes at the end, a list of sources, and a glossary.
His daughter, Patrecia, with whom he worked on the book, was born during the war, July 4, 1944.
The best part is Slayden's backstories, which are added as annexes: Early 1900s Life of a Tennessee Country Boy and his memories of the struggle to attend college during the Great Depression. The first chapters are also fascinating, about ending up in the military and details of flying early planes rushing into primitive areas in order to defend the Panama Canal Zone.
Slayden became obsessed with the Search for the Lost Dutchman's Goldmine when stationed in the area in 1942. He must have talked about it for decades, because later in life, he and seven family members (adult children and one of their spouses) packed into the area, even camping several nights to reach the area, to search the area where he'd filed an official claim on behalf of. There are several more miscellaneous annexes at the end, a list of sources, and a glossary.
His daughter, Patrecia, with whom he worked on the book, was born during the war, July 4, 1944.
February 5, 2024
Reminds me of many of my commanders during my service years
This Commander's personality leaps from the pages of this memoir as he relates his first hand account of actions during WWII. It's a great read and feels like you're sitting in a briefing room, with the inevitable mug of strong coffee, listening live to the after action reports. You really cannot put this book down. I highly recommend reading this.
This Commander's personality leaps from the pages of this memoir as he relates his first hand account of actions during WWII. It's a great read and feels like you're sitting in a briefing room, with the inevitable mug of strong coffee, listening live to the after action reports. You really cannot put this book down. I highly recommend reading this.
February 28, 2021
I like WW2 books. I went into this one with high hopes. To me this book was a 3.5 star book. Some interesting bits, but just not enough for a 5 Star review of this NetGalley ARC copy. Annexes 5 & 7 were both 5 Stars each. A okay story of a man who bravely served the USA in WW2. To all who serve: Thank You 4 your service.
August 30, 2024
Excellent World War II Account of the USAAF
A very enjoyable memoir of an Army Air Corps officer's service prior and during WW II. It provides a colorful vignette of what was life like prior to the war as well as an excellent account of his war time service. It's an excellent addition to the first person accounts of fighter pilots in WW II.
A very enjoyable memoir of an Army Air Corps officer's service prior and during WW II. It provides a colorful vignette of what was life like prior to the war as well as an excellent account of his war time service. It's an excellent addition to the first person accounts of fighter pilots in WW II.
December 9, 2020
An excellent account of the air war from the Normandy landing to the end of the war. The author’s personal story is compelling and really held my interest. I found the book enjoyable and a quick read. A must read book.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2021
Good account of WW11 as well as the delightful life of this man and his family. A good read for those interested in this time and we all should be , is part of our history and we need to know our history.
November 26, 2022
Great Read By Someone Who Was Directly Involved
Slayden was involved in air action from the beginning of the war, and before. Information was very personal and detailed. I found the book very interesting and informative.
Slayden was involved in air action from the beginning of the war, and before. Information was very personal and detailed. I found the book very interesting and informative.
March 16, 2025
Misleading
Lots of bumf. orders, names of generals he served with when they were cadets, not a word about flying the P47.
Don’t bother.
Lots of bumf. orders, names of generals he served with when they were cadets, not a word about flying the P47.
Don’t bother.
July 13, 2025
Very well written account
December 19, 2025
Normandy to Nazi Surrender: Firsthand Account of a P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot, is exactly the kind of book I enjoy reading. It follows the story of Colonel Van H. Slayden, a US Army Air Forces fighter pilot during the Second World War, from basic training to war's end, with extra chapters included that cover his life before and after the war. The book's focus is on Slayden's personal experiences rather than the events taking place as there are countless other books out there if you simply want to learn the history of the war itself. But if you, like me, enjoy reading about the people who experienced the conflict, this is the book for you.
The anecdotes within the book are endless; running from hilarious to sad to bitter. Any student of military history will enjoy this book and I'd like to note that it was co-written by Slayden and his daughter, Patrecia Slayden Hollis (and yes, her name is spelled right). Thankfully, she had plenty of family archival information to go on as her father sadly passed away before the book's completion.
www.daniellittle.com
The anecdotes within the book are endless; running from hilarious to sad to bitter. Any student of military history will enjoy this book and I'd like to note that it was co-written by Slayden and his daughter, Patrecia Slayden Hollis (and yes, her name is spelled right). Thankfully, she had plenty of family archival information to go on as her father sadly passed away before the book's completion.
www.daniellittle.com
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews