We Flew Alone: United States Navy B-24 Squadrons in the Pacific (February 1943-September 1944) [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000 | Series: Schiffer Military History

We Flew Alone: United States Navy B-24 Liberator Squadrons in the Pacific: February 1943 to September 1944, is the first comprehensive book written on the operations of Navy B-24 Liberator squadrons in the Pacific War. In this first of two volumes, Alan C. Carey, the author of the Reluctant Raiders: The Story of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109 in World War II, examines the formation and use of the B-24 Liberator by the United States Navy. From the birth of the first squadron and their deployment to Guadalcanal in early 1943 to the squadrons that participated in the Central Pacific campaign, every Navy Liberator squadron is discussed in detail.

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"We Didn't Get a Damn Thing!"

Often the men manning such positions were not even mentioned in official after action reports as being the agent responsible for bringing down an enemy aircraft. Instead, the only name mentioned was the pilot.

Nate “Gremlin” Hodge a 24-year-old crewmember of Lieutenant Hager’s crew summed up the feelings among gunners when he stood in Commander Sears’ office after the war. His old skipper looked at the enlisted man’s uniform and asked, “Where’s all your medals?” Hodge replied, “What medals sir?” Sears couldn’t believe Hodge hadn’t been awarded any medals for his service with VB-104.

“We didn’t get a damn thing at the time. It took me eight years after the war to get the Purple Heart for wounds I suffered in 1944.”

A bomber crew was made up of men who relied on each other during an engagement. The pilot relied on his gunners to defend the aircraft from attack and the latter relied on the pilot’s ability to command a four-engine bomber. They worked as a team, enlisted or not. To give a plane commander solitary credit for bringing down enemy aircraft was a disservice to the individuals who actually brought enemy aircraft down.

Late in 1944, the system was revamped with every man entitled to an Air Medal or DFC based upon the number of missions flown. Still others were eventually awarded the Navy Cross or the Silver Star. However, some men still resent the fact that often they were overlooked for contributing to the success of a mission. It was often unfair to some and sometimes over generous to others, based on the circumstances. The issue remains unresolved with medals still trickling down to men over 50 years after the fact. Too little, too late.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.; 1st edition (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764311700
• ISBN-13: 978-0764311703
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lonely Heroes Remembered, August 31, 2000

By 

"thehoosierhotshot" - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Flew Alone: United States Navy B-24 Squadrons in the Pacific (February 1943-September 1944) (Paperback)

Alan Carey has done a magnificent job of capturing the many facets of the air war in the Pacific. Everyone should know that almost all of those who gave their lives in that war, died alone and their bodies will never be found. I hope you will pardon my biased feelings about this book (I was one of those men who participated in many long, lonely flights over the Pacific) but I can attest to the fact that his book is factual. I have read every book I can find on that subject and this an excellent report on that part of the war, the best to date.

The use of actual quotes from the men who were there, graphic, vivid descriptions of combat and many photographs of the crews and their planes make this a truly important book for those interested in the Pacific War. It has to rank among the best books of the war for the great mix of text and pictures, including many "action" photographs.

The book is well organized and easy to read with the material presented in chronological order. He has included three appendices providing a great deal of specific information for those who want more details about the squadrons, their records and their beloved aircraft. The research was well done and his book is a great tribute to all of those who served in the PB4Y1 (B-24 LIberator) in the Pacific Theater of World War Two.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Flew Alone: United States Navy B-24 Squadrons, September 6, 2000

By 

"[e-mail]" (Blandon, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Flew Alone: United States Navy B-24 Squadrons in the Pacific (February 1943-September 1944) (Paperback)

The first thing, and most important to me, is that Mr. Carey has the facts! Good for a bet almost anywhere is the fact of the existence of US Navy B-24s and the Privateers during WWII.

The reason I bought the book is that I'm researching my brother's service as a Naval aviator. On active duty during WWII and after, Allan W. Smith piloted PBYs and Privateers in the South Pacific. "We Flew Alone" has spurred me on in my efforts and provided ideas for further study.

I enjoyed the book from cover to cover and recommend it to all WWII history buffs and aviators everywhere.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed account of the "forgotten" Navy B-24 crews, February 22, 2002

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"mgcarnut" (Fair Oaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Flew Alone: United States Navy B-24 Squadrons in the Pacific (February 1943-September 1944) (Paperback)

This book (and the companion volume "Above An Angry Sea") detail the exploits of the men who flew the Navy version of the B-24 Liberator in the Pacific campaign. This was my father's war, and I have always felt cheated that there were so many books on Army Air Force B-24 action, but so few for the PB4Y-1 and -2. Alan Carey must have felt the same way, as his father was a gunner on one of those Navy PB4Ys. Bought this book and read it from cover to cover, and was truly amazed when my father was mentioned three times! Guess what I am sending him for his 86th birthday!