Customer Reviews

Shootdown: A World War II Bomber Pilot's Experience As a Prisoner of War in Germany

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WW II first person aviation history at its finest. As a pilot, Lt. Wheeler describes what it is like to fly a combat mission over Germany and get shot down. Well written descriptions of technical priorities and emotional reactions in combat. Lt Wheeler flew with the famed 91st Bomb Group (B-17 Heavy Bombers) out of Bassingbourn, England. He touchingly recalls the 6 months he spent in England, during which he met and fell in love with his future wife.

The meat of this book is Lt. Wheeler's experiences as a POW. Realistic portrayal of being taken prisoner, and the emotional effects of losing his freedom. Moving description of the depression and despair of captivity.

Flying the second to last of his 25 required missions, Lt Wheeler was shot down in August of 1943. Only one mission was left, and he could have gone home with Mary. Instead, he spent the next 21 months in Stalag Luft III. The best account of "The Long March" (in Jan. 1945 the Germans evacuated his POW camp with the sound of Russian artillery in their ears) I have ever read

Survival under the most difficult of circumstances. This moving, well written Memoir is highly recommended to anyone interested in first person accounts of WW II Aviation history.