Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

I was very pleased with the photography, presentation, and variety of stories. This is a great book. I may well buy a copy for each of my siblings.