Bazooka Charlie: The Unbelievable Story of Major Charles Carpenter and Rosie the Rocketer

by James P. Busha, Carol (Carpenter) Apacki

In the annals of the Second World War, a resounding figure emerged, etching his legacy through audacious feats and indomitable spirit. Major Charles Carpenter, a name forever intertwined with valor and innovation, garnered international attention for his ingenious adaptation of six bazookas onto his modest Piper L-4 observation aircraft. The exploits of this remarkable figure, affectionately dubbed "Bazooka Charlie," and his airborne companion "Rosie the Rocketer," resonated across military and civilian spheres, securing their place in history's annals, notably enshrined within the pages of the venerable Stars & Stripes publication.

The major was a high school educator in the civilian world, teaching history and coaching football. Carpenter was talented, highly intelligent, and athletically gifted, but the war truly tested him. In 1945, the dashing pilot was forced out of the cockpit and into a hospital bed by Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which was discovered in his neck. In addition to the enemy and terminal cancer, Carpenter also battled cynicism and guilt, particularly in regard to the state of his marriage, which was on the brink of failure by the time he returned home from Europe. Charles Carpenter died in 1966, having resumed his career, salvaged his marriage, and long outlived the timeline afforded him by his doctors in the initial prognosis.

This revealing biography of the famous pilot was made possible through the collaboration of noted aviation author and magazine editor Jim Busha, and Carpenter’s daughter, Carol Apacki. Along with memories of her father in his postwar years, Carol provided a treasure trove of wartime correspondence between Charles and his wife, Elda Carpenter.

Genres: Aviation, Nonfiction, Biography

280 pages, Hardcover

Published May 28, 2023

About the author

Jim Busha has been writing historical WWII genre articles and books for over 20 years. Utilizing over 350 personal interviews with WWII veterans from both Allied and Axis nations, Jim has written over 320 aviation articles that have been published in 16 different magazines both here in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan, including Smithsonian Air and Space, Flight Journal, Fly Past, Combat Aircraft, Flieger Magazine, LeFana, Klassiker, EAA Sport Aviation, Warbirds, Vintage, and others. In 2006, Jim coauthored a bookend titled The High Battleground. In 2007, Jim was presented with the Flying Magazine Bax Seat Award, given to a writer who perpetuates the Gordon Baxter tradition of communicating the excitement and romance of grassroots aviation.

After retiring from 30 years in law enforcement, Jim was hired full time at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 2014, where he is a vice president overseeing publications, membership, retail,social media, and marketing. Jim is also a private pilot, having flown for over 33 years, and currently owns and operates a 1943 Stinson L-5 in WWII livery (the aircraft type flown by Major Carpenter).

Reviews

[Hella Comat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic true account of Charles Carpenter's experiences as a pilot in WWII Europe. The tiny Piper Cub he flew was considered a liaison mission - scouting enemy positions. Seeing an additional opportunity to shoot at them as well from a very low level, the Major mounted 3 bazookas on each strut, dived toward enemy tanks or other positions, and managed to inflict damage as well as gather information.

The story is mostly told in his own words - he sent regular letters home to his wife who kept them. Just recently, his daughter noticed negative comments about her father online, questioning whether it was even possible to shoot from a Piper Cub without setting the fabric tail on fire. She posted some of his letters to preserve his reputation. In doing so, she connected with the author.

Another positive outcome was the discover of the actual Cub - Rosie the Rocketer - in a museum in Austria. It had flown after the war, towed gliders, and been repainted a few times. The Collings Foundation in the US managed to acquire it and reconstruct and repaint it in its original colours. As a fitting final touch, the Major's granddaughter, an artist, painted the Rosie the Rocketer design on the airplane!

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

One major difference between this an other posthumous books about individual WWII soldiers is that Charles Carpenter was a prolific writer. This is evidenced by the many excerpts from the hundreds of letters he wrote to his wife. These along with documented evidence of his unorthodox method of "taking the battle to the enemy" make for a very interesting read. Do not skip the Introduction and Forward as many readers, even consummate ones, tend to do. The fact his actual plane survived and that the Collings Foundations was able to acquire and restore it is incredible.

As a personal aside, I have had the privilege of seeing the worlds only restored and flying B24 two times in the company of my father-in-law and his grand children. He flew B24's out of Italy with the 15th AAF/464th BG/778 BS. This plane is also owned and operated by the same Collings Foundation.

[Don Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MAGNIFICENT work and I HIGHLY recommend it, not only due to the close connection to the Fourth Armored, but also for the superb quality of the writing and depth of the character portrait. You want to add this to your library! As the author of the Fourth Armored Division's history ("Patton's Vanguard"), I was very familiar with the story of Major Charles Carpenter, but Author James P. Busha fleshes out Carpenter's story in intimate detail that far exceeded my baseline knowledge. Busha masterfully taps into Carpenter's own writings, provided by Carpenter's daughter, Carol (Carpenter) Apacki. Busha's deep knowledge on the topic of aviation made this a perfect pairing of author and subject.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading a book that emphasizes the determination of an individual that attempted to make the world a better place. When he recognized an opportunity he didn't sit on it and ruminate he charged forward with determination both in flying and attempting to do his part to help battle the enemy in WWII. Mr. Carpenter's writing about the ultimate losers of the great wars couldn't be more accurate; the lives of the men, women, and children that the war rolled over and bombed from above into oblivion were the ultimate casualties of war.

I wonder if there could be a sequel that would include more correspondence from Mr. Carpenter's wife, Elda. In some ways I'm equally curious about how she supported him through her letters and loving devotion.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bazooka Charlie" is a great book about the resourcefulness and bravery of Charles Carpenter. He used "Rosie the Rocketer," his Piper L4 Grasshopper, a liason aircraft, and went on the offensive with 6 bazookas att as scheduled to the struts. This book was well written by James Busha. This book did a fantastic job of combining the writing of author James Busha and Charles Carpenter, who was a very eloquent and prolific writer. It was nice to hear what was going on in the war from Charles' perspective. A first-person account of the war is a good way to get a picture of what was going on. I also enjoyed hearing about the restoration of Rosie.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of history, World War II, and aviation books.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there are a few typos and awkward sentences, this is a fantastic book about a forgotten World War II hero (though he wouldn't call himself that). Busha's book, leaning heavily on letters and articles saved by Carpenter's daughter (Apacki) not only tells the story of the "Mad Major" and his war exploits, but of the man behind the bazookas. Thanks to all of the source material provided by Apacki, we get to learn about Carpenter's war experiences in his own words. As someone who flies a WWII liaison plane himself, Busha was the perfect guy to bring this story to the world.

[Tom Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great history of an odd L4 Piper cub used for reconnaissance during World War Two. The odd but interestingly part of this Piper Cub, given the name, Rosie the Rocketeer, is how the pilot strapped six bazookas to the wing struts and kicked butt. Charlie is the pilot, and this book is about him. Before, during and after the war.
Well put together and interesting reading.

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great narrative about how a driven young man got involved as a liaison pilot in World War II. The war greatly and negatively affected Colonel Carpenter. Most apparent based on his personal behavior after hostilities ceased.

[John Dorcey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story!

[Adelbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to WWII aviation history. Also, it is a great personal story of one man's war and its effects.