Customer Reviews

The B-24 in China: General Chennault's Secret Weapon in WWII (Stackpole Military History Series)

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A. B. Feuer partners up with veteran Elmer Haynes, a B-24 pilot in WWII to tell this story about the little known use of radar-equipped B-24's by General Chennault's Fourteenth Air Force in China. Told mostly through the use of Haynes' diary, the book is told through a first person account of what is was like to fly in the China-Burma-India theater.

Feuer's writing skills add to the raw emotion in Haynes' story, and the combination weaves a gripping and interesting story. Whether in combat against Japanese shipping or just trying to survive a flight over the "Hump," Haynes' experiences bring the reader with him through the boredom, fear, terror, loss, and camaraderie that was the life of a bomber pilot in the Fourteenth Air Force. Well-researched and well-written with plenty of personal touches, this book is a sure hit for those who enjoy WWII history or aviation history.

The great success of the 308th bomb group under the command of Gen. Claire Chennault is yet another inspiring tale to emerge from the CBI. Undermanned and understrength as was the rest of the 14th Air Force in China the 308th more than proved it's mettle in the bitter China struggle. Equipped with a new type of radar the B-24 was to prove a very lethal and effective weapon against Japanese shipping in the South China sea. The 308th was able to strike accurately in total darkness. The negative effect on the morale of the Japanese was great as they were completely helpless for a change. Over 2 million tons of shipping were sent to the bottom by the by the 14th Air Force and a large chunk of that was due to the 308th. Authors Feuer and Haynes also show the personal side of the war. The are many stories here of the missions and the accidents that always had death close at hand. The 308th had to fly it's own fuel over the Hump route from India as well as fly in their combat role. The B-24 and the men who flew it are given their due in this fine book. I enjoyed every minute of this book and you will too. China Pilot: Fighting for Chennault During the Cold War