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Combat Crew : The Story of 25 Missions over North West Europe
Arriving at Ridgewell Air Base in Cambrideshire in July 1943, at a time when the loss rate for bomber crews was at its highest during the war, John Comer miraculously survived his prescribed quota of 25 missions before being allowed to return to his native shores. With the aid of his log books, he recreates the extraordinary tension-packed existence of those six months. The surreal life at the air base, the constant danger, discomfort and wafer-thin escapes of the missions themselves, including some on which only 1 in 12 aircraft returned, and the fluctuating emotions.
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First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 11, 2012
Dad's book is based on the journal he kept during his first 25 raids from England over Europe in 1943 when the casualty rate on his base
was 80%. He got the crew together within a few days of each mission so he had a 360 degree view of each hair-raising raid. As many times as
I've read the book, I'm always amazed at how I feel as if I'm on the plane with the crew, surrounded by flak, but without the much-needed fighters that didn't arrive in force until 1944. We took a thousand pages of notes and edited them relentlessly and the book was a hit in hardcover in the 80's and now has found a new ebook audience in 2012, with almost 15,000 downloads and 103 reviews on Kindle, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Print on demand edition coming in early 2013.
was 80%. He got the crew together within a few days of each mission so he had a 360 degree view of each hair-raising raid. As many times as
I've read the book, I'm always amazed at how I feel as if I'm on the plane with the crew, surrounded by flak, but without the much-needed fighters that didn't arrive in force until 1944. We took a thousand pages of notes and edited them relentlessly and the book was a hit in hardcover in the 80's and now has found a new ebook audience in 2012, with almost 15,000 downloads and 103 reviews on Kindle, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Print on demand edition coming in early 2013.
August 24, 2015
4.5 stars.
I’m glad I read this book. It was written by a flight engineer/gunner with the Eighth Air force in 1943, when American B-17 crews were taking horrendous losses and the chance of completing a 25-mission tour was slim. Later, long-range fighter escorts would arrive, and things would improve (and the number of missions required would go up), but in the summer and fall of 1943, multiple enemies—German fighters, flak, mechanical problems, and the weather—seemed to be winning.
The men who flew the airplanes were just ordinary men (many of them were still boys), doing very hard things. Crews changed and shifted, but there was enough continuity, at least for Comer (the author), that I felt like I’d met him and some of his fellow crew members. There was the radio operator, who always seemed to think something was wrong with his oxygen. There was the navigator, who heard about another navigator’s injury and thereafter wore special gear to help prevent castration. And there was Comer’s original pilot, who got assigned the co-pilot’s position when they arrived in Europe.
The book included a few laugh-out-loud moments, like how to start a bar fight:
Despite having read several other books on the air war over Europe, I learned a few new things,
There were also the heartbreaking moments: parachutes catching on fire as crews bailed out, planes going down with no parachutes at all, and the horrible gut-punch of finding out some of Comer’s buddies didn’t make it back from their last raid.
Readers who have read numerous books about the air war in Europe during WWII might not learn much new, but if you go into this book expecting it to be one person’s story based on their diary, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
I’m glad I read this book. It was written by a flight engineer/gunner with the Eighth Air force in 1943, when American B-17 crews were taking horrendous losses and the chance of completing a 25-mission tour was slim. Later, long-range fighter escorts would arrive, and things would improve (and the number of missions required would go up), but in the summer and fall of 1943, multiple enemies—German fighters, flak, mechanical problems, and the weather—seemed to be winning.
The men who flew the airplanes were just ordinary men (many of them were still boys), doing very hard things. Crews changed and shifted, but there was enough continuity, at least for Comer (the author), that I felt like I’d met him and some of his fellow crew members. There was the radio operator, who always seemed to think something was wrong with his oxygen. There was the navigator, who heard about another navigator’s injury and thereafter wore special gear to help prevent castration. And there was Comer’s original pilot, who got assigned the co-pilot’s position when they arrived in Europe.
The book included a few laugh-out-loud moments, like how to start a bar fight:
Despite having read several other books on the air war over Europe, I learned a few new things,
There were also the heartbreaking moments: parachutes catching on fire as crews bailed out, planes going down with no parachutes at all, and the horrible gut-punch of finding out some of Comer’s buddies didn’t make it back from their last raid.
Readers who have read numerous books about the air war in Europe during WWII might not learn much new, but if you go into this book expecting it to be one person’s story based on their diary, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
September 25, 2024
This is a 5 Star first-person account of flying the B-17 during the toughest period of daylight bombing, July-Dec 1943. Comer gives you the behind-the-scenes action, what goes on in the airplane when sh%t happens. He is relieved that the crew is not going to the Bloody 100th but gets a harsh reality check on losses at his new unit:
July 1943:
If a gunner thought he had shot down a fighter he had made his claim at the interrogation, where the briefing officer could get confirmation from other gunners who might have seen the incident. Wilson was positive he had badly damaged a fighter. “What kind of fighter was it, Sergeant?’’ asked the interrogation officer. “F.W. 190, an’ I got in three heavy bursts. I could see ’em hittin’ and pieces flyin’ off.’
“Well, Sergeant, the enemy fighters who intercepted us today were all ME. 109s with liquid-cooled engines. The F.W. 190 has an air-cooled engine, but the only fighters today with air-cooled engines were our P-47s—did you hit one of them?’’
“Oh, no! I’m sure it wasn’t a P-47 . . .I-—uh—maybe there wasn’t as much damage as I thought. —uh—withdraw the claim.’’ Balmore said, “Go ahead with your claim, Wilson. Maybe you can get credit for downing a P-47.”
The bomber squadron gets a 4-day pass to London. Comer and a buddy meet up with some RAF Bomber Command guys and each tell stories about daylight and night bombing missions. One RAF crewman has a harrowing tale:
Heading home from the target, Comer's formation comes under fighter attack. They are relatively untouched in the middle of the package. Hard to remember these are young guys who don't always think big picture:
Many other scenes from Combat Crew really give you a great understanding of flying missions in the B-17. Some of the highlights:
Freezing-many injuries due to the intense cold at altitude
Oxygen system malfunctions, faults, and how to deal with them
Flak becomes personal to him-much more than balls of smoke over the targets
His crew flies a training mission with instructor pilot Jimmy Stewart--but doesn't realize who he is until told later.
Who does which jobs on board, especially when you have hung bombs
He comes up with a fix to the constantly jammed .50 cal machine guns in the new chin turret for the B-17G. He gets the machine shop to fabricate parts and installs them in an airplane. He is coaxed into volunteering to fly the next mission to check out if the fix really works. The target for the next mission is a surprise--Black Thursday the second mission to Schweinfurt. Never volunteer!
His formation is an early target for a new German tactic--ME210s firing rockets.
He sees a big silver bundle next to his airplane in the middle of a mission with flak bursting all around--Thought it was some kind of German weapon but it turns out to be a new Allied secret weapon-a bundle of chaff.
Sad final day, after flying his 25th mission, two of his best buddies still have a mission or two to go to 25. After seeing his friends off at their airplanes heading out on a mission, he leaves the airbase to head back to the States. The next day he finds out both airplanes went down. Neither friend survived.
Great 1st person account, highly recommended.
July 1943:
If a gunner thought he had shot down a fighter he had made his claim at the interrogation, where the briefing officer could get confirmation from other gunners who might have seen the incident. Wilson was positive he had badly damaged a fighter. “What kind of fighter was it, Sergeant?’’ asked the interrogation officer. “F.W. 190, an’ I got in three heavy bursts. I could see ’em hittin’ and pieces flyin’ off.’
“Well, Sergeant, the enemy fighters who intercepted us today were all ME. 109s with liquid-cooled engines. The F.W. 190 has an air-cooled engine, but the only fighters today with air-cooled engines were our P-47s—did you hit one of them?’’
“Oh, no! I’m sure it wasn’t a P-47 . . .I-—uh—maybe there wasn’t as much damage as I thought. —uh—withdraw the claim.’’ Balmore said, “Go ahead with your claim, Wilson. Maybe you can get credit for downing a P-47.”
The bomber squadron gets a 4-day pass to London. Comer and a buddy meet up with some RAF Bomber Command guys and each tell stories about daylight and night bombing missions. One RAF crewman has a harrowing tale:
Heading home from the target, Comer's formation comes under fighter attack. They are relatively untouched in the middle of the package. Hard to remember these are young guys who don't always think big picture:
Many other scenes from Combat Crew really give you a great understanding of flying missions in the B-17. Some of the highlights:
Freezing-many injuries due to the intense cold at altitude
Oxygen system malfunctions, faults, and how to deal with them
Flak becomes personal to him-much more than balls of smoke over the targets
His crew flies a training mission with instructor pilot Jimmy Stewart--but doesn't realize who he is until told later.
Who does which jobs on board, especially when you have hung bombs
He comes up with a fix to the constantly jammed .50 cal machine guns in the new chin turret for the B-17G. He gets the machine shop to fabricate parts and installs them in an airplane. He is coaxed into volunteering to fly the next mission to check out if the fix really works. The target for the next mission is a surprise--Black Thursday the second mission to Schweinfurt. Never volunteer!
His formation is an early target for a new German tactic--ME210s firing rockets.
He sees a big silver bundle next to his airplane in the middle of a mission with flak bursting all around--Thought it was some kind of German weapon but it turns out to be a new Allied secret weapon-a bundle of chaff.
Sad final day, after flying his 25th mission, two of his best buddies still have a mission or two to go to 25. After seeing his friends off at their airplanes heading out on a mission, he leaves the airbase to head back to the States. The next day he finds out both airplanes went down. Neither friend survived.
Great 1st person account, highly recommended.
December 17, 2015
I enjoy reading biographies of famous World War One and World War Two generals. I also enjoy reading the memoirs of the average soldier from these two Wars. These firsthand accounts by the ordinary soldier are great ways to understand these two Wars better.
Many of these memoirs are weak and fragmented trying to paste together memories from long ago. Therefore, I always am looking for those stores that are taken from a day to day diary. This is such a book; it provides us with the day to day viewpoint of a B-17 turret gunner/mechanic. Comer tells the story of his 25 mission in the early days of the American campaign against the Nazis. Comer tells us about his crew members and ground crews. I had the feeling that I was riding right beside Comer on his missions. Comer did a tour flying mission in Italy for a total of 80 combat missions. Comer died in 2005 in Texas.
I understand that with the help of his son he first self published the book in 1985. It was then bought by the William Morrow publishing company and was published internationally quite successfully. Recently it has been published as an e-book and an audiobook again with great success. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Patrick Lawler did a good job narrating the story. The book is of average length of about eleven hours.
Many of these memoirs are weak and fragmented trying to paste together memories from long ago. Therefore, I always am looking for those stores that are taken from a day to day diary. This is such a book; it provides us with the day to day viewpoint of a B-17 turret gunner/mechanic. Comer tells the story of his 25 mission in the early days of the American campaign against the Nazis. Comer tells us about his crew members and ground crews. I had the feeling that I was riding right beside Comer on his missions. Comer did a tour flying mission in Italy for a total of 80 combat missions. Comer died in 2005 in Texas.
I understand that with the help of his son he first self published the book in 1985. It was then bought by the William Morrow publishing company and was published internationally quite successfully. Recently it has been published as an e-book and an audiobook again with great success. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Patrick Lawler did a good job narrating the story. The book is of average length of about eleven hours.
October 27, 2015
This book, Along with MY WAR: THE TRUE EXPERIENCES OF A U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE PILOT IN WORLD WAR II by John C Walter and
The Wrong Stuff : The Adventures and Misadventures of an 8th Air Force Aviator By Truman "Smitty" Smith Brought about my return to my love of building
WWII Aircraft 1/72 scale modeling.
Through the gift of the internet I find myself reading about and researching the Bomb groups and Squadrons these men flew with as well as in depth histories and nose art of their aircraft.
At this time I am building several B-17 model aircraft in the 1/72 scale as a personal tribute to these men and their machines.
Trying my best to keep them historicly accurate, I end up spending hours and hours into the wee mornings of my days off enjoying my passion.
Thank you John Commer, Truman Smith, John C Walter and all the rest of the WWII flying crews for your courage and Jobs well done.
Also thank you for restoring my youth by bring me out, and back to some of the hobbies I enjoy most in life.
The Wrong Stuff : The Adventures and Misadventures of an 8th Air Force Aviator By Truman "Smitty" Smith Brought about my return to my love of building
WWII Aircraft 1/72 scale modeling.
Through the gift of the internet I find myself reading about and researching the Bomb groups and Squadrons these men flew with as well as in depth histories and nose art of their aircraft.
At this time I am building several B-17 model aircraft in the 1/72 scale as a personal tribute to these men and their machines.
Trying my best to keep them historicly accurate, I end up spending hours and hours into the wee mornings of my days off enjoying my passion.
Thank you John Commer, Truman Smith, John C Walter and all the rest of the WWII flying crews for your courage and Jobs well done.
Also thank you for restoring my youth by bring me out, and back to some of the hobbies I enjoy most in life.
June 30, 2013
This is one of the best combat memoirs I've yet read. Comer was an aircraft mechanic stationed stateside with the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in November 1942, when he volunteered for combat service as a flight engineer/gunner.
After completing his training, Comer ended up in Britain in July 1943 with a B-17 bomber group in the 8th Air Force. He arrived at a time when U.S. bomber groups were experiencing high casualty rates from flying missions over German-occupied Europe. Each member of a bomber group was required to fly 25 missions before he would be eligible to return to the States, job well done. Comer conveys so tellingly the pressures encountered with each mission, the way weather affected operations, and the importance of teamwork among crews as a factor toward enhancing one's chances of survival --- and sanity --- as one edged ever closer towards the completion of 25 missions. (Thank you, A.L. for recommending this book.)
After completing his training, Comer ended up in Britain in July 1943 with a B-17 bomber group in the 8th Air Force. He arrived at a time when U.S. bomber groups were experiencing high casualty rates from flying missions over German-occupied Europe. Each member of a bomber group was required to fly 25 missions before he would be eligible to return to the States, job well done. Comer conveys so tellingly the pressures encountered with each mission, the way weather affected operations, and the importance of teamwork among crews as a factor toward enhancing one's chances of survival --- and sanity --- as one edged ever closer towards the completion of 25 missions. (Thank you, A.L. for recommending this book.)
November 3, 2012
Excellent book about first-hand experience with (relatively) early B-17 mission over Europe. Day raids without fighter escort to the heart of nazi Germany. You wonder how they could have survived. You learn a great deal about life of an "ordinary" crewman on the land and in the air among the flak bursts and rocket volleys. Only pity is that mr. Comer did not include his later experience over Italy.
November 1, 2012
Written in matter-of-fact style, this account of a B-17 crewman over Europe is at times funny, but frequently startling.
Ten men flew in each B-17. When the author talks about witnessing a B-17 being shot down (as happens often in the tale), the reader realizes that 10 men likely just died. It's chilling knowing how intense and dangerous the skies over Europe were in World War 2.
It's historical and biographical; a good reminder that the cost of war is the loss of many young lives.
Ten men flew in each B-17. When the author talks about witnessing a B-17 being shot down (as happens often in the tale), the reader realizes that 10 men likely just died. It's chilling knowing how intense and dangerous the skies over Europe were in World War 2.
It's historical and biographical; a good reminder that the cost of war is the loss of many young lives.
August 29, 2013
I have numerous friends who were on B17's in the war and never tire of hearing about their experiences. This book, like the stories from my friends, makes the war that much more real for someone half their age. I'm grateful that he took the time and had the fore site to record and share his experiences.
February 1, 2014
I read this book when I was eleven and every subsequent year till I left for college. There was something in his accounting that held me and wouldnt let go. Maybe it was the humanity which filled the pages or the people crafted so carefully from memory it was like I knew them. A WWII story of the sky, one could never forget.
Want to read
March 8, 2011ok i think it is about a b-17's crew and how they fight in war. and what they went through .
May 30, 2011
A B-17 bomber crewman recounts his harrowing combat experiences. The best book of this type I've ever read. So exciting I could hardly put it down.
June 29, 2012
Good account of his first 25 missions, but he went on to fly 50+ more later on. The fact there were that many more missions left me wanting more.
April 10, 2012
Amazing recount of the battle in the skies over Europe. One of my favorite books growing up.
February 15, 2019
This book was written by John Comer, a combat engineer and gunner that flew with B-17 bomber crews 25 times during WWII. It is an interesting combination of detailed and gripping descriptions of the experiences of combat, very detailed characterizations of the men that he flew with, and thoughtful philosophical observations from a man that knew that he could die in combat on any given day, all mixed with a sense of sometimes grisly humor. John Comer's intelligence shines through on every page.
Based on his writing, he comes across as far above the average intelligence of the men that he flew with, but his descriptions of the men around him are always compassionate and never condescending. I found myself experiencing stimulation of adrenaline during the descriptions of the combat experiences, emotionally moved by the descriptions of the interaction that he had with the men with which he flew, and provoked to thoughtful contemplation by the philosophical musings scattered throughout the book. There were many scenes that provoked excitement because of the combat experiences. There were times I was literally moved to tears by descriptions of the relationships and interactions with the teams he flew with. There were numerous passages that made me contemplate what is important to me in my own life and my world view as I compared my own views to his.
At the end of an early chapter, he describes how being faced with possible death on a daily basis changes your view about what is important and what does not seem to be as important as one might think, and how critical it is to live in and enjoy the moment instead of worrying about the past or the future.
During his preparations for combat in one of the battle scenes, he describes how he mentally sent up a ritualistic prayer for safety, and was startled by an almost visceral response to the effect that it was ironic that he was praying for safety to the same God that was also hearing the prayers of the German fighter pilots that he was shooting down, and it was impossible for God to answer the prayers of supplicants that are wishing for directly opposing outcomes.
Men on bomber crews often experienced death in combat even if their plane survived, due to oxygen deprivation from faulty oxygen equipment or being hit by flack shrapnel or bullets from enemy fighters, but I don't think that John Comer ever experienced the death of a fellow crew member on a plane that was on during a mission. Some of his crew experienced very close calls, and he himself was instrumental in saving the lives of several of them due to his own actions, but I don't think any man was ever lost while on a plane that was flying a mission of which John Comer was a part. He himself would have described this as a combination of the skills and actions of the crew combined with simple good luck.
After he described the point at which he had safely completed 25 missions, he talks about the paradox of relief due to not being exposed to deadly experiences every day combined with the letdown of not experiencing the rigors and stimulation of combat. He also muses about the men he flew with that were later lost, and what happened to the men later in life who survived the war as he did.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I think it is well worth the time to read.
Based on his writing, he comes across as far above the average intelligence of the men that he flew with, but his descriptions of the men around him are always compassionate and never condescending. I found myself experiencing stimulation of adrenaline during the descriptions of the combat experiences, emotionally moved by the descriptions of the interaction that he had with the men with which he flew, and provoked to thoughtful contemplation by the philosophical musings scattered throughout the book. There were many scenes that provoked excitement because of the combat experiences. There were times I was literally moved to tears by descriptions of the relationships and interactions with the teams he flew with. There were numerous passages that made me contemplate what is important to me in my own life and my world view as I compared my own views to his.
At the end of an early chapter, he describes how being faced with possible death on a daily basis changes your view about what is important and what does not seem to be as important as one might think, and how critical it is to live in and enjoy the moment instead of worrying about the past or the future.
During his preparations for combat in one of the battle scenes, he describes how he mentally sent up a ritualistic prayer for safety, and was startled by an almost visceral response to the effect that it was ironic that he was praying for safety to the same God that was also hearing the prayers of the German fighter pilots that he was shooting down, and it was impossible for God to answer the prayers of supplicants that are wishing for directly opposing outcomes.
Men on bomber crews often experienced death in combat even if their plane survived, due to oxygen deprivation from faulty oxygen equipment or being hit by flack shrapnel or bullets from enemy fighters, but I don't think that John Comer ever experienced the death of a fellow crew member on a plane that was on during a mission. Some of his crew experienced very close calls, and he himself was instrumental in saving the lives of several of them due to his own actions, but I don't think any man was ever lost while on a plane that was flying a mission of which John Comer was a part. He himself would have described this as a combination of the skills and actions of the crew combined with simple good luck.
After he described the point at which he had safely completed 25 missions, he talks about the paradox of relief due to not being exposed to deadly experiences every day combined with the letdown of not experiencing the rigors and stimulation of combat. He also muses about the men he flew with that were later lost, and what happened to the men later in life who survived the war as he did.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I think it is well worth the time to read.
April 4, 2025
Combat Crew by John Comer is the story of a B-17 bomber crew and there 25 bomber missions over Europe in ww2. in the preface the author said his ultimate objective in the book was to make Combat missions come alive, and to the extent possible to take the reader along with him and his crew on the combat missions. And I say he did! I was there in the Flying fortress freezing at 25 thousand feet scared to death of flak and fighters, and the thought I might not maks it home. I could not put the book down. Most air war stories are more about drinking and Chasing the English girl after each mission and badly in need of a good editor with the combat flying almost a after thought. Not this book. It's one of my favorite books.
September 22, 2017
This was great; a no-nonsense, clearly written account of flying B-17 bomber missions over WWII Europe. No deep tangents into philosophy or other distractions, but taken mostly from the author's personal journal written at the time. Great first-person details and highly informative, delving into the realities of a working bomber, with improvised equipment repairs and the dangers of high altitude daylight attacks. Tons of information, easily read, and highly recommend.
June 23, 2020
This books does for the USAAF bomber crews in Britain during WWII what 'With the Old Breed' by E.B. Sledge did for the Marine grunts on Peleliu and Okinawa: it puts you into the action. It was as if you could feel the cold, the adrenaline rush, the fear, the sorrow and the triumph of some of the most intense and costly fighting of WWII. A great read.
March 8, 2024
Amazing book. One of the best combat books you can read about b17 missions above Europe in 1943-44. Absolulty amazing stories full of Action and emotions.
The writer was amazing regering describing his carrier from mission to mission with his b17 crew you can really feel the connection.
10/10 would recommend.
The writer was amazing regering describing his carrier from mission to mission with his b17 crew you can really feel the connection.
10/10 would recommend.
December 27, 2017
What men do to each other during a war, the hardships they are forced to endure by people sitting back in comfortable armchairs, is so wrong. At the same time it is admirable what a person can survive, putting the good of others before their own.
January 11, 2019
Excellent account by an American bomber crew member in WWII of flying his 25 missions. Possibly as close as you could get on paper to actually flying one of those amazing machines... if you survived (the death toll seemed insanely high).
August 13, 2020
I have read a lot of WWII books, primarily of the European theater. Additionally read a number of 8th AF books. For me, this was one of the most engaging and entertaining books I have ever read. I prefer the books written by first hand accounts. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!
August 2, 2022
Jaw dropping 1st hand account of a b17 gunner who became one of the few to complete 25 bombing raids over Germany
After which they could return home to States
His humility and courage are very evident and one canlearn much about the human condition
During warfare.
Recommend
After which they could return home to States
His humility and courage are very evident and one canlearn much about the human condition
During warfare.
Recommend
December 4, 2023
Outstanding
This book is outstanding in every way. The reader really connects with the author. The combat scenes are so real.that the reader understands the brutality of aerial warfare in W ll
This book is outstanding in every way. The reader really connects with the author. The combat scenes are so real.that the reader understands the brutality of aerial warfare in W ll
March 27, 2018
Good book
A good book and an easy read. Really puts you in the B17. Gives you a good understanding of what it was like to fly a bombing mission over Europe.
A good book and an easy read. Really puts you in the B17. Gives you a good understanding of what it was like to fly a bombing mission over Europe.
November 20, 2021
Amazing stuff!
Most of these military history books are written by officers. It is refreshing to read a book from the perspective of an enlisted man.
Most of these military history books are written by officers. It is refreshing to read a book from the perspective of an enlisted man.
October 3, 2022
Five stars for the action, determination of the author and his meticulous recording of his war experience along with the other guys in his crew. Just brilliant.
November 19, 2019
Easily the best book about World War 2 I have ever read---I felt like I was in his B-17 the entire time I read it.
Read
October 31, 2016To quote, “There's the right way, the wrong way, and the army way.” Okay, airforce in this case but same diff. The crew we are following learned they were on active duty when they were awakened at 2:30 AM for their first mission. They had not had gunnery practice nor did they know where the guns for their plane were located and lacked key parts for those guns until mere minutes before take-off. If encountering flak made a mission count to a crew's credit they encountered flak, no questions asked. Know how to play the game.
In a squadron that had suffered 100% casualties there's more than enough tension to go round. This account is matter of fact, embellishment seems unnecessary. The writer is American but his tales of fire bombings reminds me of the furor that followed the Canadian mini-series that highlighted the career of Bomber Harris. If ethics and warfare belong in the same discussion can anything justify the firestorm that incinerated a city such as Dresden?
Possible Spoiler
If you’ve watched the movie Memphis Belle you know that crew members who survived 25 missions got a ticket home. The fact that we’re reading this airman’s account means he survived 25 missions. Being in a Flying Fortress at 28,000 ft in negative 80 conditions on oxygen sounds frightening enough without the added horror of enemy fighter cannons firing on one. Add the boredom of life in a Quonset hut in camp waiting between missions.
Recommended reading.
In a squadron that had suffered 100% casualties there's more than enough tension to go round. This account is matter of fact, embellishment seems unnecessary. The writer is American but his tales of fire bombings reminds me of the furor that followed the Canadian mini-series that highlighted the career of Bomber Harris. If ethics and warfare belong in the same discussion can anything justify the firestorm that incinerated a city such as Dresden?
Possible Spoiler
If you’ve watched the movie Memphis Belle you know that crew members who survived 25 missions got a ticket home. The fact that we’re reading this airman’s account means he survived 25 missions. Being in a Flying Fortress at 28,000 ft in negative 80 conditions on oxygen sounds frightening enough without the added horror of enemy fighter cannons firing on one. Add the boredom of life in a Quonset hut in camp waiting between missions.
Recommended reading.
January 19, 2016
I enjoyed this book immensely, I find it far more interesting reading about the life and experiences of ordinary soldiers that occupied roles that folks like me would likely have ended up in if we were ever unfortunate enough to endear a event such as WW2. Very few pieces of literature covers normal soldiers lives and experiences in detail and Combat Crew did not disappoint. A story of an remarkable individual, in truly incredible and testing times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews