Customer Reviews

Backwards into Battle: A Tail Gunner's Journey in World War II

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can remember very few personal accounts of B-29 air crews. This is one if not the only book I have read concerning the B-29 air war. It is a short yet comprehensive account of a B-29 tail gunner over Japan. I enjoy the authors simple and to the point writing. I wish he would have gone more into the technical aspects of the tail position. I never learn what type of guns were in the tail position. All in all a very well written book. Certainly worth the time.

My dad served with Andy Doty and I read excerpts of this book out loud to my 11 year-old son, who's named after my father. The descriptions felt so real and took me to a place where it seemed like I could touch everything described in the book.

Combined with my father's past stories, this brought so much home for me and even for my son, who never met his grandfather, that we were both moved to tears.

Interestingly enough, it was written before Andy found my father after 51 years, just one week before my dad passed away, thanks to the internet. They had a chance to talk and reminisce about some of their experiences together...one of the most rewarding moments in his life.

They will always be heroes but, thanks to Andy Doty, everyone can now see exactly why.

I have just recently inquired with Mr. Doty about ordering this book directly from him as I hear he will sign them. I have a rather unique perspective as my Grandfather was captain (master) of the Cape Greig, the Merchant Marine cargo ship which picked the author out of the sea when his plane was forced to ditch when it ran out of fuel. I have a letter from the commander of the 19th bombardment group (you can see the text of it here at the bottom of the page: http://www.usmm.org/rescue.html ) , thanking his ship for the rescue and listing the four airmen who were rescued including Mr. Doty. I have read a little about the book and Mr. Doty online and it seems that up to eight of the crew were saved so I'll be interested to read his account and see if another ship was involved in the rescue.