Customer Reviews

The Aleutian Warriors: A History of the 11th Air Force & Fleet Air Wing 4/Part 1

5 star:		(2)
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The American aviators who fought in the Aleutian theater in World War II faced not only the Japanese but also some of the absolutely worst weather conditions in existence. Many more aircraft and aircrew were lost in operational accidents than fell to enemy fire. Air Force historian John Haile Cloe details the air war fought in that forgotten theater by the 11th Air Force and Fleet Air Wing 4 in this impeccably-researched, well-written and wonderfully-illustrated book from Pictorial Histories Publishing Company.

Over the years Stan Cohen, the owner of Pictorial Histories, has published many fine aviation history books. THE ALEUTIAN WARRIORS tops the list. Cloe's book tops out at 344 pages and features hundreds of rare photographs, maps and diagrams depicting every aspect of the Aleutian campaign. In five well-crafted chapters Cloe introduces the reader to the Aleutian environment, describes the development of aviation in pre-war Alaska and provides a detailed summary of the combatants before tracing the various air, land and sea combats that ensued between June 1942 and war's end.

Cloe's book is fine history and a damn good read as well. It does an excellent job of recounting the combats seen by various American and Allied troops as well as describing the awful living - and flying - conditions they endured. After finishing THE ALEUTIAN WARRIORS, you wonder if all the effort, money and lives were worth it. What you don't doubt is the courage and determination of all the men who fought to expel the Japanese from U.S. soil.

In all likelihood, THE ALEUTIAN WARRIORS is the definitive history of the 'forgotten war.' Its depth of knowledge, wide-ranging coverage, wealth of illustrations and compelling text make it a must-have title. I'd give Cloe's book six stars if possible. Highly recommended.

If your looking for a book with all of it in it-this is the one. It even covers the Japanese submarine base you never knew existed on the Aleutian Islands.