The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two [Paperback]

Barrett Tillman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

Popularly known as the Douglas Dauntless, the U.S. Navy's SBD dive bomber was well named. Though considered obsolete at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Dauntless turned the tide of war in the Pacific with the destruction of four Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway, making its mark in aviation history for sinking more enemy carriers than any other aircraft. Still in service at war's end, the Dauntless was the only U.S. carrier aircraft in operation from Pearl Harbor to V-J Day. The Dauntless was the only American Navy aircraft to fly in al five of the naval engagements fought exclusively by aircraft carriers and was credited with sinking the first Japanese fleet submarine and dropping the first bombs on Japanese-occupied soil during the war. The SBD was also active in the Atlantic, sinking Vichy French shipping at Casablanca and German vessels in Scandinavian waters. In between his authoritative accounts of these missions, Barrett Tillman tells the rousing story of the men who took the "slow but deadly" Dauntless into combat, loving her for her ruggedness and dependability while wishing for more speed and firepower. Among the people he describes is the pilot who nearly single-handedly knocked out a Japanese carrier and died in the process, and SBD squadron that flew unexpectedly into the Pearl Harbor attack. Filled with fascinating photographs, this book was widely acclaimed in 1976 when first published and is now available for the first time in paperback.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Naval Aviation News: "Written in Tillman's highly readable style and profusely illustrated with photographs, this book should be in every collection of World War II literature." Morning Union (Springfield, MA): "Like Tillman's other books about great airplanes and the men who flew them, this is a thoroughly satisfying profile. The research is on target, the narrative is engaging, and the photographs are well chosen."

About the Author

Barrett Tillman, the son of a SBD Marine pilot, learned to fly when he was teenager and helped restore the Dauntless now on exhibit at the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico, VA. He is also the author of Corsair, Hellcat, and Wildcat (see pages XX and XX), among other books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press; New edition edition (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591148677
• ISBN-13: 978-1591148678
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barrett Tillman (b. 1948) was born into a NE Oregon ranching family and developed an early interest in aviation history. He learned to fly as a teenager, was first published at age 15, and graduated from the University of Oregon with a journalism degree in 1971. He has worked as a newspaper reporter, book publisher, and magazine editor, but has been self employed all but seven years since graduating from college. Though best known for his histories of US naval aviation, he also has published six novels plus short stories, and has sold a screenplay.

Tillman continues writing nonfiction books and has written more than 550 articles in the US and abroad. He frequently appears as a commentator on TV documentaries in addition to his speaking appearances. The recipient of six writing awards, he lives with his wife in Arizona.

Tillman's web site and blog are found at www.btillman.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic history of one of our truly great airplanes ., December 11, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Mojave, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two (Hardcover)

This book reveals the greatness of this plane that was developed before the war and the amazing feats that was accomplished with it and the men who flew them.Often used successfully as a fighter against the Japanese Air Force.This plane built by Douglas Aviation Co along with the Grumman F4F Wild cat kept us in the battle the 1st year of the war until more modern planes were produced, Having flown many hours of patroling as a crew member in this plane I can vouch for it's authenticity.An excellent and well written book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Right, September 11, 2005

By 

Don B. "Book Badger" (CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two (Hardcover)

This book does not attempt to astound the reader with lots of hyperbole. Instead it takes a simple, down to earth approach to to the history of an airplane, and it's pilots who did astounding things. The book is not dry, nor is it filled with exaggeration: it is not too hot, or too cold. "The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II" is just right.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Strike Is Deadly, March 10, 2006

By 

C. Dunn "THE Bart" (New Albany, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two (Hardcover)

This book is THE be all/end all source for the Dauntless. Mr. Tillman has once again put together an outstanding historical tribute to this fascinating war machine and the crews that operated her. I cannot express enough how important this book is on a very important player in the history of aviation and one's bravery.