Shadow: A Cottontail Bomber Crew in World War II [Hardcover]

Neil Hunter Raiford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786419067 | ISBN-13: 978-0786419067 | Publication Date: October 5, 2004

This is the poignant and exciting story of a statistical anomaly, a B-24 bomber crew that completed 50 combat missions in World War II. This crew was part of the famous 450th Bomb Group, which was nicknamed the "Cottontails" because of their white rudders. As part of the 15th Army Air Force, they flew strategic bombing missions out of Manduria, Italy (in the heel of the boot) and struck strategic targets which were out of the reach of the 8th Army Air Force bases in England. The group lost 1,505 airmen in only a year and a half—the equivalent of losing their effective flying strength three times over. The book’s title comes from the crew’s bomber, Shadow, which in turn was named for the pilot’s black cocker spaniel that flew with them on training missions.

Based on interviews with the surviving crewmembers and their families as well as extant archival source material, the book details the childhood, training and post-war life of each of its 13 principal characters. Chapter One is a discussion of each man’s boyhood years and Chapter Two provides details of the training that each received. In Chapter Three, the original crew of ten (Crew #4-N-33) was formed in Clovis, New Mexico. An assignment for training in Clovis and in B-24s meant that the crew had been designated for heavy bombardment. Chapter Four includes a description of the four main objectives for the crew, one of which was to participate in POINTBLANK, the Combined Bomber Offensive, which called for the destruction of German fighter aircraft plants, ball bearing plants, oil refineries, rubber plants, munitions factories, sub pens and bases. Details of the structural components of most missions are provided in Chapter Five. The crew completes its first missions in C! hapter Six. In Chapter Seven, "Shadow" completes its last after taking enemy fire, and Chapter Eight introduces a new plane, Sleepy Time Gal. The book’s Epilogue contains information about the post-war lives of the crew.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Accurate, well-researched, well-written account of an actual crew in combat...a great job...photographs are excellent" -- S/Sgt. William Crawford Dudley, 450th Bomb Group, 720th Squadron

"Unique...absorbing, fast-paced and entertaining. Highly Recommended!" -- WWII Aviation Booklist

About the Author

Neil Hunter Raiford is also the author of The 4th North Carolina Cavalry in the Civil War (2003). He lives in Decatur, Alabama.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (October 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786419067
• ISBN-13: 978-0786419067
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cottentail review, March 2, 2011

By 

Mr. Bob - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadow: A Cottontail Bomber Crew in World War II (Hardcover)

This book is a very good view into the men of the 450th Bomb Group, and some of the trials and tribulation while in a foreign nation, defending the American way of life. I enjoyed reading the daily logs of the Shadow and some of the personal logs of the crew. My father was assigned to the same squadron and I was hoping his name would pop up in the book, but it didn't. I'm sending it to my brothers and sister for them to read, and how we as a family were so proud of our father.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, June 12, 2010

By 

F. Shackleford (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadow: A Cottontail Bomber Crew in World War II (Hardcover)

Bought to read about a part if WWII history. Excellent book, great content about a specific B-24 bomber group. Much enjoyed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story of 15th Air Force Bomber Crew, February 17, 2010

By 

Nancy Jean - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadow: A Cottontail Bomber Crew in World War II (Hardcover)

I found this to be a great book about the lives, training, and military service,of a B-24 bomber crew. Neil really brought these these men to "life" with his excellent historical research and interviews. I would highly recommend this book. It's a great tribute to the brave young men who flew through the flak filled skies of Europe,to preserve our freedom.