Customer Reviews

B-17 Combat Missions

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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More books have probably been written about the 8th Air Force than all other WWII USAAF Air Forces combined. The latest 8th AF book, by Martin Bowman, takes a somewhat fresh approach to the subject, blending first-hand combat accounts with color photographs of B-17 interiors/exteriors and the equipment used by Flying Fort crewmen.

Each chapter in Bowman's book describes a crew position (navigator, pilot, ball gunner, etc.), telling that individual's duties and environment followed by one or more narratives by actual 8th AF personnel who served in that capacity. Though some of the history and photos have been seen before, Bowman includes enough new material to make the book worthwhile. Likewise the color photos of flak vests, bombsights, A-2 jackets, helmets, etc. give an immediacy to those long-ago warriors.

Barnes & Noble sells B-17 COMBAT MISSIONS, and its stablemate U-BOAT COMBAT MISSIONS, under its own imprint as a remainder book for $5.95. Given its low price along with the color photographs and new material, Bowman's book can't be beat. If possible, I would have given B-17 COMBAT MISSIONS 4 1/2 stars. Why not 5? No index! Recommended.

As written above, you are taken through each position in the B-17 with wonderful color phots and more, a true treasure trove for those of us who build scale models of this famous WWII bomber

This is a really nice book. It has detailed pictures and information that is really helpful. Very nice book for anyone interested in the 8th Air Force history during WW II over Germany. Alot of facts.

This is author's Bowman's second book describing the US heavy bomber activities in World War Two on a position-by-position basis. One book was on the B-24 Liberator and the other - the one under review here - on the B-17 bomber. In both cases, the aircraft are seen through the somewhat narrow lens of their use by the Eighth Air Force. This isn't a surprise, nor is it a detriment. Martin Bowman is a recognized authority on the 8th AF in England between 1942 and 1945.

He uses his knowledge of the times and places to paint a picture of what it was like for a crewman on one of those hours long missions over-occupied Europe. The narrative is a mix of Bowman's words and those of the participants themselves. After informing us briefly about the roles and responsibilities, the author then lets those who did it tell their stories. Interspersed with the text are photographs and drawings - some familiar if you're interested in this stuff but more that are unique - providing a visual reference to the story. These include not just photos of the aircraft and crew, but also items the men would carry and/or use. Most of the B-17 pictures are contemporary; some are of 909, the restored Flying Fortress operated by the Collings Foundation and available for rides.

While there's no epic story here in the conventional sense, this book is a lot more than a scrapbook. It allows - maybe even makes - the reader think about just what these flyers did and what they endured.