Published Books
The Pioneer Mustang Group: The 354th Fighter Group in World War II
by Steve Blake
As the first unit to fly the Merlin-engined P-51B in combat, the 354th Fighter Group adopted the nickname "Pioneer Mustang Group." Until D-Day, it escorted 8th AF heavy bombers to targets on the European Continent. The group then moved to France and supported Patton's Third Army from Normandy to Bavaria, and also participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Its pilots scored over
600 confirmed air victories, and forty-three of them became aces. This book is an almost day-to-day account of their aerial combat experiences and the "gypsy" lifestyle they and their support personnel led as they moved from one airfield to another across Western Europe.
Where
to order this book:
Schiffer Publishing: Hardcover; 400 pages;
over 600 bw images.
Live Bait: WWII Memoirs
of an Undefeated Fighter Ace
by Clayton Kelly Gross
This is a story of a young man, typical of the youth in the 20's and 30's. He was talented in many areas -- sometimes over-confident.
As a youth, he built model airplanes from balsa wood. He devoured every issue of G-8 and His Battle Aces. He dreamt of being a fighter pilot and it did come true.
He flew fighters in WWII with a great group of men who formed the 354th Fighter Group. He became an ACE -- undefeated in dozens of kill or be killed "Dogfights."
It happened because of his Mother's prayers and a guardian angel to cover the bad parts along with confidence in himself and his mastery of flying "LIVE BAIT."
Foreword by Gen. Robert Lee Scott.
Where
to order this book:
Inkwater Press: Hardcover; 309
pages; 39 bw images.
One Step Forward: The Life of Ken Dahlberg
by Al Zdon and Warren Mack
From a Wisconsin dairy farm to the battlefields of World War II, from starting a small post-war business to running an international company, Ken Dahlberg's life follows the arc of the "Greatest Generation." He milked cows and shot squirrels as a kid, joined the Army Air Corps at 24, flew cover for the D-Day invasion of Normandy, and shot down 15 German planes to become one of America's few triple aces. He also was shot down three times, escaped twice and ended the war in a POW camp in Moosburg, Germany. Forward by Gen. Chuck Yeager.
Where
to order this book:
I Was There Press: Hardcover/Softcover;
160
pages; bw images.
354th Fighter Group: Osprey Aviation Elite 7
by William N. Hess
William N Hess. Osprey Aviation Elite No. 7. Concise combat histories of elite units, their aircraft and the pilots that flew them, highlighting their vital role in the development of warfare in the 20th century. A unique source of information researched by
recognized experts, and brought to life by first-hand accounts and combat reports from the pilots themselves.
Authoritative text is supported by up to 60 color profiles and
badge artwork, as well as the best archival photography from
official and private collections from around the world.
Where
to order this book:
Osprey Publishing: Softcover; 128 pages.
(Corrected web address)
Roar of the Tiger: From Flying Tigers to Mustangs - A
Fighter Ace's Memoir
by James H. Howard
Roar of the Tiger is the gripping memoir of a pilot whose skill, courage, leadership, and poise under fire made him a hero to America at large and to the men he flew with.
Jim Howard, who earned his wings as a Navy pilot in 1939, joined Claire Chennault's American Volunteer Group in 1941, hoping to see combat. He saw plenty, and became a leader of one of the most colorful and potent fighting forces in history, the Flying Tigers. Battling the Japanese air force over Burma and China, Howard earned the title of ace, destroying 6
1/3 Japanese planes and leading many daring missions against Japanese ground targets.
When the Tigers disbanded, Howard became a squadron commander in the new Ninth Air Force in Europe. His combat experience (and a new plane, the fabled P-51 Mustang) soon made him an ace in this theater as well. In one mission, on January 11, 1944, Jim Howard came, to the rescue of a defenseless American bomber group and singlehandedly fought off some thirty German planes. His heroism on that day made him a legend in the Air Force and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Where
to order this book:
Orion Books NY: Hardcover; 310 pages; 26 bw images.
Big Friend, Little Friend - Memoirs of a World War II
Fighter Pilot
by Richard E. Turner
This is the true life story of the boy next door who went to war.
Richard Turner was a student in college when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As a youngster, he had devoured the magazines and books that told of the exploits and adventures of the flying aces of World War I. When he came of age he took flying lessons, so that when war came he was welcomed into the Army Air Corps. The metamorphosis of this young college student into a crack fighter pilot is the subject of this fast-moving memoir.
The reader flies with Richard Turner into the largest sustained aerial conflict
ever witnessed in history; past barrage balloons, unmanned
missiles and enemy fighters, on hair-raising missions ranging
from the escort of heavy bombers (Big Friends), to accompanying
the Supreme Allied Commander on his historic personal reconnaissance of the front lines, the first time that a ground general had personally reconnoitered battle terrain in the presence of the enemy.
Lt. Col. Turner's memoirs also relate the rise to prominence of the Pioneer Mustang Group (Little Friends) as it aided the Eighth Air Force's heavy bombardment missions. And finally, his very personal book shows how a young generation endeavored to grasp and emulate the traditions of determination and courage of the preceding generation, fulfilling its duty in the proud privilege of serving.
Where
to order this book:
Doubleday Publishing: Hardcover; 176 pages;
31 bw images.
They Also Serve: An Armorer's Life in the ETO
by John Henkels
"This
is one of few books that I have seen that has been written about
the enlisted man's side of the story. It was very interesting to
read so many details of his experiences that was almost an
identical scenario to what we went through." ---William W.
Louie, 9th AF, 356th FS, 354th FG.
Everyone has heard tales of the glory of war, of generals' strategies and ace pilots' adventures, of policy makers' tough decisions and POWs who escape miraculously from behind enemy lines. But what of the ordinary civilian soldier, drafted out of freshman year at college and thrust in a terrifying and exciting unknown world? John B. Henkels lets us know firsthand what it was like to be at the mercy of the armed forces, from the uncertainty of basic training to the pride in becoming a full fledged armorer in World War II. HenkeIs gives us a comprehensive understanding of the importance of those who worked behind the scenes. As an aircraft armorer, his job was to maintain the eight machine guns on a P-47 and to load and fuse the bombs which the squadron dropped on enemy positions in support of infantry. Henkels began his overseas service in England, and then crossed the Channel into France. After seven months in France, he went on to Belgium and ended up in Germany just before the war was over.
Where
to order this book: (Updated place of order: March 22, 2009)
Dorrance Publishing Company: Hardcover;
248 pages; 20 bw images.