larso
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- May 2, 2008
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The Wild Blue by Stephen Ambrose
This is Stephen Ambrose’s tribute to the bomber crews of the US airforce in Europe in WW2. Here, like in ‘Band of Brothers’, his famous book on Easy Company of the 506 Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, he conveys the experience of bomber crews through looking at a crew in the 731st Bomber squadron. As with BOB, there is a lead participant, in this case pilot George McGovern (the latter presidential candidate). Ambrose gives the background of McGovern, his officers and crew and takes the reader through their extensive training and late war battles.
The interesting and at first surprising aspect of this book, was that the 741st was based in Italy. I guess, when the bomber campaign is thought of, it is usually in terms of B17s and the Eighth Airforce. Here we see B24s and the Fifteenth Airforce. Also, given McGovern and crew only started operations in late 1944, I expected their tour to be an easier one than those of the Eighth in 1943/44. I was therefore surprised to find that casualties were still severe and this was far from a soft option. It has to be said though, that the German Airforce was barely seen by McGovern, it having been broken early in 1944. (There were a couple of notable exceptions here) The flak though was incredible and the daunting nature of flying into the black cloud of shrapnel is made very clear. There were also the incredibly deadly accidents. The collisions, being hit by other craft’s bombs and simple take-off and landing crashes. What is particularly sobering, is these accidents started in training and several thousand men died before even leaving the States. The thought of such large aircraft being stricken fills me with horror.
McGovern survived to be interviewed years later. He certainly has some gripping stories to tell of his 35 flight tour. Several of his men contribute their recollections too. To fill the gaps, the experiences and observations of other members of the Fifteenth are given but the main story is that of McGovern’s. It is astonishing what he and the other extremely young men endured. Part of their success I think, was the extensive training they received – far more than that given to their allies or their opponents. It took time but it strongly increased their chance of survival.
Aside from the aircrew, there is fascinating information about the B24 and the formation and operation of the Fifteenth. Fighter escorts are mentioned too, as well as the business of bailing out and capture. There are a few strange mistakes – the Stalag Luft 3 escapers were not shot in front of the other prisoners and the German Airforce monthly casualty figures given are off the chart! These quibbles aside, this is an informative and important book. It gives a view of a lesser known theatre and strongly conveys the danger those in such large aircraft faced. Recommended. 3 1/2 stars
This is Stephen Ambrose’s tribute to the bomber crews of the US airforce in Europe in WW2. Here, like in ‘Band of Brothers’, his famous book on Easy Company of the 506 Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, he conveys the experience of bomber crews through looking at a crew in the 731st Bomber squadron. As with BOB, there is a lead participant, in this case pilot George McGovern (the latter presidential candidate). Ambrose gives the background of McGovern, his officers and crew and takes the reader through their extensive training and late war battles.
The interesting and at first surprising aspect of this book, was that the 741st was based in Italy. I guess, when the bomber campaign is thought of, it is usually in terms of B17s and the Eighth Airforce. Here we see B24s and the Fifteenth Airforce. Also, given McGovern and crew only started operations in late 1944, I expected their tour to be an easier one than those of the Eighth in 1943/44. I was therefore surprised to find that casualties were still severe and this was far from a soft option. It has to be said though, that the German Airforce was barely seen by McGovern, it having been broken early in 1944. (There were a couple of notable exceptions here) The flak though was incredible and the daunting nature of flying into the black cloud of shrapnel is made very clear. There were also the incredibly deadly accidents. The collisions, being hit by other craft’s bombs and simple take-off and landing crashes. What is particularly sobering, is these accidents started in training and several thousand men died before even leaving the States. The thought of such large aircraft being stricken fills me with horror.
McGovern survived to be interviewed years later. He certainly has some gripping stories to tell of his 35 flight tour. Several of his men contribute their recollections too. To fill the gaps, the experiences and observations of other members of the Fifteenth are given but the main story is that of McGovern’s. It is astonishing what he and the other extremely young men endured. Part of their success I think, was the extensive training they received – far more than that given to their allies or their opponents. It took time but it strongly increased their chance of survival.
Aside from the aircrew, there is fascinating information about the B24 and the formation and operation of the Fifteenth. Fighter escorts are mentioned too, as well as the business of bailing out and capture. There are a few strange mistakes – the Stalag Luft 3 escapers were not shot in front of the other prisoners and the German Airforce monthly casualty figures given are off the chart! These quibbles aside, this is an informative and important book. It gives a view of a lesser known theatre and strongly conveys the danger those in such large aircraft faced. Recommended. 3 1/2 stars
