The Day We Bombed Switzerland: Flying with the US Eighth Army Air Force in World War II [Hardcover]

J.W. Granholm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2000

This book tells of the author's military service spent flying aerial bombing runs over Europe with the 8th USAAF. Granholm describes operational events and horrors of massive daylight bombing raids over Germany and its occupied territories, from D-Day until the end of WWII. Declassified documents, plus the author's own recollections, make for compelling reading.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Crowood (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840371358
• ISBN-13: 978-1840371352
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,793,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Walk Through History, July 18, 2000

By 

Joseph Alcorbo (New York City, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Day We Bombed Switzerland: Flying with the US Eighth Army Air Force in World War II (Hardcover)

Mr. Granholm has hit the spot with this wonderful true life vision of WW2 life in the Eighth Air Force. The great 458th comes to life in this novel, and in particular Mr. Granholm's vivid recollections of the humorous events during a time of great tragedy. He has captured the period in great detail, and his life as a "new recruit" through his position as lead navigator show the intense need for leadership in men who were recently just boys. This book is a clear picture of the affect of war on our nation's youth. The entire events surrounding the Bombing of Switzerland are well told. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nostalgic Look At Our Flyboys, July 11, 2000

By 

Kimberlee Lynne (Broomfield, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Day We Bombed Switzerland: Flying with the US Eighth Army Air Force in World War II (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this novel through and through. Clearly, this book was written with heartfelt imagery and recollection of the greatest war experienced by man. Mr. Granholm tells of his trials and tribulations during World War II. My father also spent time in the 8th Air Force, and was also stationed at Horsham St. Faith. Unfortunately, he did not return. Through Mr. Granholm's recollections, I have been able to see what my father accomplished and experienced on foriegn soil. I am certain that he would have appreciated this fine recollection of a time gone by. The book not only recounts history, but is uniquely entertaining as well. His accounts of Max Sokarl are hilarious, and his line that "Mojave is the anus of the universe" is a marvelously correct description. Finally, the trial involving the flyboys who errantly dropped bombs on a neutral country is a gripping tale that is amazingly real. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read, July 3, 2000

By 

John R. Granholm - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Day We Bombed Switzerland: Flying with the US Eighth Army Air Force in World War II (Hardcover)

This book is really two books in one. It's an intimate look at one man's wartime experiences, but it's also an important historical account of an event kept secret by the government for many years after WWII. Mr. Granholm's account of his military training and duty in England is both funny and touching, and contains many examples of the courage and fortitude displayed by so many of our young men during this horrible conflict.

I'd recommend this book for history buffs, airplane fans, even people interested in knowing more about Jimmy Stewart. I think almost anyone would find something interesting in this very readable account. Bravo!