The Reluctant Raiders: The Story of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109 in World War II (Schiffer Military History) [Hardcover]

Alan C. Carey (Author), Alan C. Carey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999 | Series: Schiffer Military History

The Reluctant Raiders is perhaps the most documented and researched book on a United States Navy land-based squadron flying the PB4Y-1 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateer. The final result of five years of research, the book traces the squadron's history from its commissioning in August 1943, to the final days of World War II, including: never before published combat and nose art photography; the squadron's tactical organization; a chronology of each combat aircrew's mission record; personnel killed in action; and an appendix containing Japanese shipping and aircraft destroyed or damaged by the squadron

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

The Reluctant Raiders is about my father's squadron which served in the Central Pacific between December 1943 and September 1945. It was written because I realized that such a work on a Navy B-24 Liberator Squadron had never been told and published at an international level.

A considerable amount of historical information was obtained via the National Archives and the Navy History Center, such as After Action Reports and the Squadron History, and should be considered accurate. Therefore, the date, time, and location of missions are based upon official records. However, I decided to leave some controversial information out of the final draft as this work was a tribute to the men and I didn't want to distract from the central purpose of the book.

Maybe, one day, I can include additional stories that were told to me after the initial publication. Still, I salute my father and the veterans of VB/VPB-109 for their forgotten service to the United States.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.; 1 edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764307576
• ISBN-13: 978-0764307577
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #540,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Factual, Entertaining and Easy To Read, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Reluctant Raiders: The Story of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109 in World War II (Schiffer Military History) (Hardcover)

This book provides excellent reporting on the missions and personnel for the squadron I flew with during World War II. Much of the information contained in this book was reported in my squadron book, "A Pictorial Record -Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Nine" by Lt.T.M.Steele, but Steele's document is out of print and probably only available from '109 crewmen, like myself. Unlike the Steele publication, Alan Carey's book has much of this information summarized and tabulated and, if you are looking for something or some crewman,it's easy to find. I like that. I suppose this is one of the contributions of the book.

The pictures are good and generally clear. The publisher did a good job on that because I suspect many of the pictures were copied from dark or yellowed photos offered by crewmen which would be more than 50 years old.

The book should be of most interest to the living crewmen of VB-109 and VPB-109. But probably moreso to their children and the grandchildren of the crewmen. I know that to be my case; my grandchildren seem most interested in my role during WW II and this book tells most of the story at least for the combat end of it. So, my wife and I purchased one book for each of our childen with the intent that they pass the book on to our grandchildren. Then, when their grand father is gone, they will have the story. In the meantime, they may no doubt have questions which might "open grandpa up" to reveal more of his experiences that have not or may never be published.

Good history books on our VB-109 and VPB-109 squadrons are out of print or very hard to find. Here is an opportunity to get essentially the same information by way of Alan C. Carey's book, "THE RELUCTANT RAIDERS".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting and Personal, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Reluctant Raiders: The Story of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109 in World War II (Schiffer Military History) (Hardcover)

Mr. Alan C. Carey has written a riveting history of the United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB 109 during its existence from 1943-1945, while serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. He has defined not only the squadron's mission with accurate details of specific flights, individual crew achievements, and combat techniques but also the indomitable spirit of its personnel under the duress of the times. "The Reluctant Raiders, The Story of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB 109 in World War II" is an account of military life not only for the military historical buff but for the average reader as well. Mr. Carey has utilized personal interviews with crewmembers and old photographs to add dimension and depth to the cold statistics of this particular Navy Bombing Squadron. It is an account of a group of average, young men who achieved exceptional things, utilizing initiative, ingenuity, and courage on a daily basis under adverse conditions. Mr. Carey's historical documentation of VB/VPB 109 is an exceptionally outstanding tribute to the United States Navy, Commander Norman M. Miller and every individual who served in the 109th.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the grandson of another VB 109 Member, November 23, 2006

By 

Samuel B. Pierson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Reluctant Raiders: The Story of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109 in World War II (Schiffer Military History) (Hardcover)

My Grandfather, Lt Fredrick Theodore Pierson, also served with VB 109 as an Air Combat Intelligence Officer, I have read Buzz Miller's long out of print: I Took the Sky Road and I have a lot of copies of official photographs My Grandfather took during his service with the unit and it is nice to see some of them published.