The Bomber Boys: Heroes Who Flew the B-17s in World War II
By (Author) Travis L. Ayres
Penguin Putnam Inc
New American Library
6th October 2009
United States
General
Non Fiction
Air forces and warfare
Military veterans
Second World War
Modern warfare
940.54497309
Paperback
304
Width 151mm, Height 229mm, Spine 17mm
323g
True tales of heroism and the men who fought and died in the skies of World War II Europe. In World War II, there were all too many ways for a fighting man to die. But no theater of operations offered more fatal choices than the skies above Nazi-occupied Europe. Inside of a B-17 Bomber, thousands of feet above the earth, death was always a moment away. From the hellish storms of enemy flak and relentless strafing of Luftwaffe fighters, to mid-air collisions, mechanical failure, and simple bad luck, it's a wonder any man would volunteer for such dangerous duty. But some very brave men did. Some paid the ultimate price. Some made it home. But in the end, all would achieve victory. Here, author Travis L. Ayres has gathered a collection of previously untold personal accounts of combat and camaraderie aboard the B-17 Bombers that flew countless sorties against the enemy, as related by the men who lived and fought in the air-and survived. They are stories of heroism, sacrifice, miraculous survival and merciless warfare. But they should all be remembered... INCLUDES PHOTOS
Praise for The Bomber Boys
Some of the stories read like combat fiction, with dogfights and shot-up planes and skies full of fire, at the end of which the pilot comes in on a wing and a prayer.New York Daily News
I have waited sixty plus years to have my World War II exploits accurately recorded.Mr. Ayres splendid workbased on interviewing combat airmen and many hours of researchhas told it well,and gotten it right! I applaud his tenacity.Peter Seniawsky (Scott), Waist Gunner, 384th B.G.
Prepare to climb aboard a bomb-laden B-17 bound from England to BerlinAn absorbing, insightful read.Bill Sloan, author of The Ultimate Battle
While working as a morning radio host, Travis L. Ayres met World War II veteran airman Anthony Teta and was moved by his story. He went on write The Bomber Boys- True Stories of B-17 Airmen.Ayres divides his timeamong New Jersey, Arkansas, and Louisiana.