Customer Reviews

The Eight Ballers: Eyes of the Fifth Air Force: The 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron in World War II (X Planes of the Third Reich Series)

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

 

 

First let me say that recon pilots have to have more guts than any fighter pilot! The bad guys are trying just as hard to kill you, but since all you're armed with is a camera, about the only thing you can do is take their picture and try to outfly 'em.

My dad was a P-38 pilot in the 8th Photo Squadron during WWII and I grew up hearing stories about his experiences. This excellent book takes the pages from squadron's daily journal and combines them with rare photographs supplied by the pilots themselves. It gives you a feel for the sometimes tedious, often terrifying conditions these men lived with day in and day out. They never knew if their next mission would be their last.

This squadron's efforts were vital to the success of the Pacific war, and their pride in what they were doing comes through in the pages of this book. Despite the sacrifices they had to make, these men knew they had an important job to do, and in the face of incredible hardships, they went out and did it.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in WWII, the Pacific theater, and in the courageousness of what has rightly been called "the greatest generation." Way to go, Pop!

Goes along with all the stories I have ever heard from my dad growing up. Great for anyone interested in WWII.

The book has alot of pictures and the histroy of the 8th Photo Recon Squadron. It is very detailed about the bases and locations from where they flew out of in the South Pacific. There is also numerous lists and pictures of the pilots and enlisted personal attached to the squadron from 1942 to 1946. For the historical value I rate this book very highly.

When my brother told me about this book, I had to buy it. My father was one of the pilots mentioned in
the book and he was MIA in 1943. I never knew him and he never met me.
I think the book is brilliant and having this daily diary of my father's missions while he was stationed in
New Guinea has changed my life.
I thank the author's for providing this information.