B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Pacific War (Combat Aircraft) [Paperback]

Martin Bowman (Author), Mark Styling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Combat Aircraft | Publication Date: April 20, 2003

The B-17 saw combat in the Pacific from the moment a formation of these bombers arrived at Pearl Harbor during the midst of the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack. By the end of World War II (1939-1945), SB-17 rescue craft were saving combat crews in the waters off Japan. This book reveals why, to the public, the Flying Fortress was better known than the Spitfire, the Boeing 747, or Lindbergh's Spirit of St Louis. The name recognition enjoyed by the B-17 was that company's reason for creating B-17 Steak Sauce and Osprey's reason to round out the saga of this great wartime aircraft.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Combat series combines the best archival photography available with specially commissioned artworks and first hand accounts, making these books favourites amongst historians, modellers and aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

About the Author

Robert F Dorr is a well respected author of long-standing reputation - he has written over a dozen books for Osprey over the years. His histories on modern American combat aircraft like the F-101 Voodoo and A-6 Intruder have set the standard for works of this type. His ability to combine 'crew speak' with concise editorial comment gives his books a unique and revealing style of their own.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (April 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841764817
• ISBN-13: 978-1841764818
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,057,137 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flying Forts in PTO Action!, April 5, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Pacific War (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)

Though the B-17 was used globally during WWII, it was not the dominant U.S. bomber in the Pacific Theater of Operations. In the PTO the longer-ranged B-24 reigned supreme. Only five bomb groups operated the Flying Fort in the Pacific and their exploits are nicely chronicled in Martin Bowman's book for Osprey Publishing, the final volume in a 4-set series on Boeing's legendary bomber.

The B-17's Pacific war started on 7 December 1941 when unarmed Forts from the States flew into the Pearl Harbor attack, losing several aircraft to Zero fighters. In the Philippines most of the assigned B-17s were destroyed outright by Japanese airstrikes. The survivors from the 19th and 7th Bomb Groups found themselves flying desperate missions, trying to stop the Japanese juggernaut. Despite their best efforts, the Philippines fell, Java and so on. Later regrouping in Australia and now bolstered by new replacement crews and aircraft, the 19th BG along with the 43rd BG, both assigned to Kenney's 5th Air Force, began striking back at the now-stalemated Japanese. In the South Pacific Theater the 5th and 11th Bomb Groups began flying ops in mid-1942 as well. Yet as the Allies began getting the upper hand, the B-24 began its ascendancy and by late 1943, Consolidated's slab-sided bomber occupied the catbird seat as new Liberator units arrived and B-17 units converted to the B-24.

Given the fact that only five bomb groups operated in the Pacific and the limited duration of their service, Martin Bowman's book, #39 in the Osprey 'Combat Aircraft' series, has more action reports than similar Osprey books. It's jam-packed with first-person accounts of hairy missions so air action junkies will really enjoy the book.

The book includes over 90 black and white photographs and 16 pages of color profiles and nose art by Mark Styling. The nose art section is particularly appealing because PTO Forts featured some marvelous artwork.

All in all, B-17 FLYING FORTRESS UNITS OF THE PACIFIC WAR is a great purchase; lots of exciting action, a nice collection of photos and great artwork. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Money well spent, May 12, 2008

By 

Gregg S. Heilman "PA Dutchman" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Pacific War (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)

My own father was at Hickam on 12/7/1941 and went into the Pacific with the 11 BG H the 42 Squadron.

It has been very difficult to find anyone who might have served with my father in these areas of the Pacific during this time. They were the very first Air Corp to go after the Japanese.

In the book it mentions the 42 Squadron was down to 4 B-17s, they lost hard during 1942, on their last mission 3 of their 4 planes were lost.

Now I understand why I can not find anyone who might have served with my father during this period. There aren't any left.

The photos and illustrations are outstanding, the very best I have ever seen of the evolution of the B-17.

Great Book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great detailed reading on B-17's in WWII, August 22, 2008

By 

Gary J. Chenett "gary j chenett" (michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Pacific War (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)

This is a long read but worth every moment of it.
The author did so much research to bring reality and the real chaos of the air war in WWII to reality.
A fine writing job and a very interesting story on the sacrifices and lives led by our pilots in the Mighty B-17.
He misses not a round fired in his narrative.