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gimpyknee's review against another edition
3.0
I take exception to the authors claim that during the Battle of the Coral Sea the carrier Lexington "sank rapidly" and "only the heroic maneuvers of Fletcher's destroyer skippers resulted in the rescue of over a thousand men". There was no "rapid sinking" of the Lexington. After being hit by two torpedos and two bombs at around 1100 hours, the Lexington's damage control teams got the ship back up to 24-25 knots so she could recover her aircraft. Explosions caused by gasoline vapors later that afternoon is what did in the Lexington. Her wounded were taken off beginning at 1600. Evacuation of her remaining crew began shortly after 1700. This evacuation was carefully and methodically performed. Many sailors left their shoes, lined up in neat and orderly rows on the flight deck; others ate ice cream before evacuating the ship. Capt Ted Sherman waited until 1830 to ensure that all of his crewman and his dog, "Admiral Wags" were off the ship before leaving himself - but not before returning to his cabin to retrieve his gold-braided hat. The Lexington finally sank about 45 mins later (nearly nine hours after being attacked) after the destroyer Phillips was ordered to fire torpedoes at the carrier. While support destroyers took on over a thousand Lexington men, the cruiser Minneapolis took on nearly 1500. A total of 2735 men were safely evacuated. Her losses of 216 men were due to the attack itself and subsequent explosions that wracked the vessel throughout the afternoon. No one who went into the water abandoning ship was drowned.
superiorweasel's review against another edition
5.0
If you are in need of a book written about a story only told in the circles of those who where there, then this is the book for you. It is a sobering telling of a bomber group in the pacific and tells of all the struggles they had to endure at the entry of the war. The obstacles range in both degree and impact. The authors write in a way that traps the reader and each page turns faster.
benfast's review against another edition
4.0
Lucky 666 was an amazing story of Second World War flight innovation, determination, and bravery. This is the story of a rag-tag crew of outcast airmen who go on to take it to the Japanese empire singlehandedly and with characteristic pluck and confidence.
But the book does a bit more than just cover the crew (and this is what earns it 4 stars). It also covers a lot of the history surrounding the Japanese occupation of Indonesia and the islands north of Australia, and what role the USA played in that area while focusing on the European Front. The story of the pilot, Jay Zeamer and his crew is pretty amazing, even though the backstory can be disjointed and the narrative jumps big lengths of time, but the context of the war in the Pacific really helps situate the reasons why such a crew could exist and why their missions were important.
The book all comes down to the "impossible mission," a photoreconnaisance flight over a Japanese stronghold that was outside fighter escort range and that, at the last minute, has another photo mission added in. It results in what was apparently the longest dogfight in Second World War history, some major injuries to the crew (and a death), and a rather dramatic result. I didn't really like the way the fight was described though, seeming to have less action than I expected, feeling more like an epilogue to the story than the main climax.
All in all, a good book, amazing war story, but with some holes I would have liked to see done better.
But the book does a bit more than just cover the crew (and this is what earns it 4 stars). It also covers a lot of the history surrounding the Japanese occupation of Indonesia and the islands north of Australia, and what role the USA played in that area while focusing on the European Front. The story of the pilot, Jay Zeamer and his crew is pretty amazing, even though the backstory can be disjointed and the narrative jumps big lengths of time, but the context of the war in the Pacific really helps situate the reasons why such a crew could exist and why their missions were important.
The book all comes down to the "impossible mission," a photoreconnaisance flight over a Japanese stronghold that was outside fighter escort range and that, at the last minute, has another photo mission added in. It results in what was apparently the longest dogfight in Second World War history, some major injuries to the crew (and a death), and a rather dramatic result. I didn't really like the way the fight was described though, seeming to have less action than I expected, feeling more like an epilogue to the story than the main climax.
All in all, a good book, amazing war story, but with some holes I would have liked to see done better.
gstone899's review against another edition
5.0
4.75/5. This was quite the book. Perfect length and an interesting story I knew nothing about. That's a win in my mind.
soundertillidie's review against another edition
4.0
*This is a Goodreads win and this is my honest review of the book.*
Lucky 666 is a Non Fiction story of a WWII bomber squadron based in the Pacific Theater of war. For those who don't know the Allies spent most of their resources on the European conflict leaving the Pacific with effectively second rate equipment and a undersized fighting force.
That leaves the "Eager Beavers" to fly whatever plane they can to accomplish their mission. Oh by the way while living in primitive grass huts. They attack islands in the South Pacific and try to keep the Japanese at bay.
A big battle is being planned by the US Army. The problem is its in an uncharted spot of the vast pacific ocean in a heavy defended area. The crew will need to fly straight and steady while under fire and take pictures of the enemy. Can they do it? Get the book and Find out....
I personally enjoyed the book. Would have enjoyed a bit more dialog but it is written well. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any WWII buffs out there.
Lucky 666 is a Non Fiction story of a WWII bomber squadron based in the Pacific Theater of war. For those who don't know the Allies spent most of their resources on the European conflict leaving the Pacific with effectively second rate equipment and a undersized fighting force.
That leaves the "Eager Beavers" to fly whatever plane they can to accomplish their mission. Oh by the way while living in primitive grass huts. They attack islands in the South Pacific and try to keep the Japanese at bay.
A big battle is being planned by the US Army. The problem is its in an uncharted spot of the vast pacific ocean in a heavy defended area. The crew will need to fly straight and steady while under fire and take pictures of the enemy. Can they do it? Get the book and Find out....
I personally enjoyed the book. Would have enjoyed a bit more dialog but it is written well. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any WWII buffs out there.
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