B-24 Combat Missions: First Hand Accounts of Liberator Operations Over Nazi Germany [Hardcover]

Martin W. Bowman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2009

B-24: Combat Missions takes the reader through every Liberator crew position to show what it was like to fly-and fight-in the plane that was produced in greater quantities than any other US military aircraft in World War II, including the B-17. First-hand accounts from crewmembers are grouped with archive and commissioned photos of the plane and of items of memorabilia, to bring the stories of "Lib" combat crew alive in truly vivid detail. -Some 75 first-person accounts, many previously unpublished, from Liberator crewmembers in the ETO. -Each crew position is featured in turn-the pilot and copilot, the navigator and nose gunner, the radio operator, the bombardier, the engineer/top turret gunner, the waist gunners, the ball turret gunner, and the tail gunner-to give a complete overview of what it was like to fly a B-24 combat mission. -Illustrated with more than 100 items of memorabilia, some 50 specially commissioned photos of B-24 crew positions, and more than 200 archive photos.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Fall River Press (2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435112202
• ISBN-13: 978-1435112209
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Look at 8th Air Force B-24s!, November 17, 2009

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: B-24 Combat Missions: First Hand Accounts of Liberator Operations Over Nazi Germany (Hardcover)

A companion piece to his B-17 COMBAT MISSIONS published in 2007, B-24 COMBAT MISSIONS is Martin Bowman's latest volume on the 8th AF. Like its B-17 predecessor, B-24 COMBAT MISSIONS takes a fresh approach to the subject, combining first-hand reminiscences by 8th AF Liberator vets with b&w and color photographs of B-24 interiors/exteriors, combat gear/equipment, combat scenes and squadron life. At $12.98, it's a bargain and a good read to boot!

After a short chapter detailing the B-24's development and combat history, Bowman details how an 8th AF mission was mounted. He then focuses on the Liberator, each chapter describing a crew position in the bomber (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator, Nose Gunner, etc.), telling of that individual's duties and environment followed by several reminiscences by actual 8th AF B-24 personnel who served in that capacity.

Though some of the material and accompanying pix has been previously seen, Bowman includes enough new material to justify its purchase. Likewise the color photos of flight suits, squadron patches, bombs, turrets, parachutes, first aid kits, ammunition belts and other combat gear help bring the life and times of those long-ago Liberator warriors to vivid life. If possible, I would have given B-24 COMBAT MISSIONS 4 1/2 stars; no index! Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent presentation of the B-24 in action, April 28, 2011

By 

Jersey Kid (Katy, Texas, America!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: B-24 Combat Missions: First Hand Accounts of Liberator Operations Over Nazi Germany (Hardcover)

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-17 Liberator and the other - the one under review here - on the B-24 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-24 pictures are contemporary; some are of Witchcraft, the restored Liberator 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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Experiences of Liberator Crews & Excellent Photography, October 15, 2011

By 

cpt matt (tanktown, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: B-24 Combat Missions: First Hand Accounts of Liberator Operations Over Nazi Germany (Hardcover)

After reading Into the Fire about the Ploesti raids, I wanted to hear more about the crews of the B-24's. I grabbed this seeing it was from Martin Bowman, an author I trust - didn't read the product description, so I was very pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a paperback of war stories.

It's a hardback, with high glossy color pages, excellent WW2 B&W photos of the crews, photos of some of the memorabilia (equipment, medals, unit patches, 1st aid kits, accessories). There is a very brief description of the B-24 design & development, this is not a nuts and bolts story and the each chapter tells of the crews' experiences by position - bombardier, pilot, waist gunner, etc. The color photos of the restored planes make this book for me.

It's unbelievable the conditions these guys faced in a plane not designed for high level missions over Europe. Seeing the details of the cockpit, nose, turrets (some of the best photos I've seen), weapons is just amazing.

This book is helpful for modelers with an eye for super detailing of the interior, although the exterior is not as well represented here. Anyone interested in WW2 aviation, B-24 buffs who want to flesh out more technical books such as Rugged But Right, War Bird Tech Series will enjoy this book. The book addresses only the European front, but is a very good primer on the Liberator and a real treat for aviation buffs.