Original Hell's Angels (Images of America) [Paperback]

Valerie Smart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2001

During World War II, there was a famed B-17 aircraft named Hell's Angels. The men who worked together to keep the plane flying over Hitler's occupied Europe, those of the U.S. Army Air Force's 303rd Bombardment Group, were the first in the 8th Air Force to complete twenty-five missions from their base in Molesworth, England. These men, or "Hell's Angels" as they became known, went on to complete forty missions without ever turning back to base for mechanical failure of the plane. In The Original Hell's Angels: 303rd Bombardment Group of World War II, you will take an exciting historical journey to meet these men and to experience the total forty-eight missions they flew without having a member wounded or killed before the plane and members of its crew were commissioned to return to America for a war-bond tour. Also, you will learn how the entire 303rd became known as Hell's Angels, the first heavy bombardment group to complete three hundred missions from American air force bases in England.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Valerie Smart is the great-niece of late Kasmer Wegrzyn, a member of the ground crew for the Hell's Angels plane. She was inspired to compile this pictorial history after discovering a scrapbook of her great-uncle's Hell's Angels days. This book honors all of the men who fought as Hell's Angels during World War II and all of the men and women who made the sacrifices necessary of Americans during that time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (August 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738509108
• ISBN-13: 978-0738509105
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tribute to the 303rd, December 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Original Hell's Angels (Images of America) (Paperback)

A touching tribute to the men stationed at Molesworth, England during WWII, "The Original Hell's Angels: 303rd Bombardment Group of WWII" provides a pictorial history into the lives of the men of the 303rd. While featuring the ground crew of the plane Hell's Angels, the book includes crew photos of other planes in the 303rd, the infamous nose art of the group's aircraft, and follows the members of the 303rd from their base, to the skies over Hitler's Europe, and back home to the USA for a war plant tour where they mingled with Hollywood greats of the era, including Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Over 200 photos in all. Provides new insight for WWII enthusiasts of all ages, and a chance to reminisce for heroes who were there.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Photo-Tribute to 303rd Bomb Group Crews!, December 2, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: Original Hell's Angels (Images of America) (Paperback)

The 303rd BG, nicknamed 'Hell's Angels,' was one of the first units assigned to the 8th Air Force in World War II. During three years of combat, Flying Fortresses of the 303rd BG flew 364 missions, the highest total of any Mighty Eighth group. One of the most famous B-17s flown by the 303rd was B-17F serial number 41-24577, which was named 'Hell's Angels.' The story of that particular Flying Fort is told in this 2001 Arcadia Publishing release written by Valerie Smart, a grand-niece to one of the ground crew that serviced #577.

The title of the book - THE ORIGINAL HELL'S ANGELS: 303RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP OF WORLD WAR II - is a bit misleading. The bulk of the book is given over to telling #577's story, especially its stateside tour. Almost 100 pages are devoted to well-captioned photographs of the plane, group and individual shots of crew members and ground crew, flightline activities, London and the English countryside, PR programs, celebrities, etc. The remaining 28 pages features photographs and information on other 303rd BG aircraft and crews.

If possible, I would have given the book 4 1/2 stars. Like all Arcadia books, it lacks an index.

In summary, Smart's book, part of Arcadia's IMAGES OF AMERICA series, is a nostalgic, evocative look back at some brave young men, the rugged aircraft they flew and the history they made. In no way definitive, it is nevertheless an appealing tribute to those Mighty Eighth warriors. Recommended.

*****
For a comprehensive history of the 'Hell's Angels' in combat, see Brian O'Neill's 303rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Hell's Angels, February 19, 2007

By 

Pat Quinney "Pat" (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Original Hell's Angels (Images of America) (Paperback)

A wonderful compilation of facts, pictures, and information about the 303rd Bomb Group. As their association winds down, and approaching the final reunion of these amazing men, it is magical to be able to read about their lives as young men and teenagers.

I found some pictures in this book that I had never seen before in my research of this group, including one of my father, Capt. Donald E. Quinney, (Engineering officer for the 358th and 360th Squadrons), at the officers club. Also, found his name of the "Hell's Angels" plane in several of the pictures. He signed across the bombs painted for each mission. I had never seen that, although I have a picture of him at the plane signing at Molesworth, and have always suspected he signed it somewhere. What a wonderful thing to find. Many thanks to Valerie Smart for giving us this great book!