Ace in a Day: The Memoir of an Eighth Air Force Fighter Pilot in World War II

by Wayne K. Blickenstaff, Graham Cross (Editor)

Lt. Col. Wayne K. Blickenstaff, known as “Blick,” was a stalwart of the 350th Fighter Squadron of the 353rd Fighter Group based at Goxhill, Metfield and Raydon, England as part of the Eighth Air Force prosecuting the strategic air campaign against Germany. As an original cadre member, he rose steadily through the ranks from a Second Lieutenant Element Leader to Flight Leader, Squadron Operations Officer, Squadron Leader and finally to a Lieutenant Colonel and Group Operations Officer. Flying the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang, he completed two tours of operations between 1943 and 1945 encompassing 133 missions and claims of 10 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air. His double “ace” status included a Me262 jet fighter and the destruction of five aircraft in one mission—giving him rare “ace in a day” status.

Ace in a Day is Blick’s honest and gritty personal memoir of his air war in Europe. His vivid writing places you in the cockpit as he and his comrades battle the enemy in the skies or attack ground targets across Europe. His account conveys a true sense of just how dangerous flying World War II fighters, in all weather conditions, really was. It was not just the enemy that could kill you. A moment’s inattention, overconfidence or simple mistake could be deadly. As a keen observer of character, Blick’s pen portraits of those around him, including many of those who sadly did not survive the war, offer a poignant and deeply moving tribute to those with whom he served.

Anyone wanting an understanding of the dynamics of a working fighter squadron at war and the dilemmas faced by those in command should read this book. Supported by an impressive array of original documentation, photographs, and detailed appendices, including Blick’s never-before published wartime journal, Ace in a Day provides a unique and valuable insight into the harsh realities of the air war in Europe from one of the “Mighty Eighth’s” top fighter pilots.

Genres: World War II

360 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2022

Reviews

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wayne Blickenstaff's "Ace in a Day" isn't a victory lap, it's a white-knuckled rollercoaster ride through the skies of World War II. As a fighter pilot in the Eighth Air Force, Blickenstaff doesn't sugarcoat the adrenaline rush of combat, nor the bone-chilling fear that gnawed at him with every mission. This memoir is a raw, unflinching portrait of a young man thrust into the crucible of aerial warfare. Blickenstaff's prose is as sharp as his reflexes. He throws you into the cockpit, the roar of the engine filling your ears, the sun glinting off the Messerschmitts in your sights. You feel the sweat pricking your palms, the g-force pinning you to your seat, the split-second decisions that mean life or death. His descriptions are visceral, leaving you breathless after each encounter, whether it's dodging flak over occupied Europe or tangling with a jet-powered Me 262. But "Ace in a Day" is more than just dogfights and derring-do. It's a portrait of camaraderie forged in the face of unimaginable danger. Blickenstaff remembers his fallen comrades with poignant tenderness, their deaths a constant reminder of the fragility of life. He also grapples with the moral complexities of war, questioning the targets they're ordered to obliterate and the toll their actions take on civilians below. This isn't a glorification of war, it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Blickenstaff doesn't shy away from the trauma, the nightmares that haunt him long after the guns fall silent. He lays bare the emotional cost of combat, a vulnerability that adds depth and resonance to his story. “Ace in a Day" is a powerful, unflinching memoir that takes you deep into the heart of the aerial war in Europe. It's a story of courage, fear, and the enduring bonds forged in the crucible of combat. If you want to understand the true cost of freedom, and the men who paid it, read this book. It will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

[Robert M. Roth MD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but somewhat lacking

This memoir begins during the Depression, when the author is a young child, and culminates as a fighter pilot. Following successful completion of cadet training, he achieves the rank of Lt. Colonel by the end of the war.

Even while describing some harrowing dogfights, I got the sense that the author was trying to be factual, and I didn’t really feel that I was riding along with the pilot and seeing the action through his eyes. Others likely will disagree.