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37 reviews for:
The Wild Blue: 741 Squadron — On a Wing and a Prayer over Occupied Europe
Stephen E. Ambrose
3.74 AVERAGE
37 reviews for:
The Wild Blue: 741 Squadron — On a Wing and a Prayer over Occupied Europe
Stephen E. Ambrose
3.74 AVERAGE
This is the second Ambrose's book I've read since Band of Brothers. It tells about the experiences of B-24 bomber crews in World War II; 741st Squadron, 455th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, to be exact. The stories are from the beginning, i.e. the crews’ background, their vigorous training (the high requirements resulted in many “washouts”), the first mission, until when the war’s over.
Thus, it’s quite an extensive piece that offers lots of interesting details. If you love aircrafts (and aerial warfare), you’ll consider this book as a classic.
Ambrose fulfilled my expectation as a war historian, the story just flows with such a flair that makes you feel like want to be in that plane. B-24, or Liberator, is one of the five bombers utilized by the US Army during the war. It requires nine crew members: pilot, co-pilot, navigator/bombardier, flight engineer, radio operator, gunners (nose, waist, tail and ball turret). One can only imagine how heavy and cramped that bomber was. Over 18,000 B-24s were built, more than any other US planes. But they destroyed German refineries, marshalling yards, factories, air fields, thus destroying German’s ability to make war.
The first impression I’ve got after finishing this book is that the airmen in World War II suffered less than the infantry soldiers. Yes, the plane is too cramped, they faced those devastating flaks, penetrating cold in 20,000 feet height, but still, they got to sleep in tents with real beds, not in foxholes, helplessly waiting for enemy’s shells and mortars to blast them to oblivion. The Army Air Force also applied a not-so-strict segregation between officers and enlisted men, as well as behaviors. No chickenshits (army term for jack-ass officers) in combats either; a different case with the infantry. Last but not least, as bomber crews they did not have to see the faces of enemy and civilians they killed.
My favorite part of the book is the chapter telling about the P-51 (Mustang) black fighter pilots from the 99th Fighter Squadron, or known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The US Army in World War II still practiced discrimination, but those pilots did not discriminate, as admitted by the bomber crews. The P-51 pilots are honored for their bravery, discipline and dedication in their main role to protect the bombers.
One must not forget that airplane is the most destructive tool in this war. Not only hundreds of thousands people (including civilians) were killed, but hundreds of historical buildings, residences, infrastructures were destroyed. However, one must not also forget that aerial warfare saved the Western civilization. We can only hope that the currently-used smart bombs can improve their accuracy.
Thus, it’s quite an extensive piece that offers lots of interesting details. If you love aircrafts (and aerial warfare), you’ll consider this book as a classic.
Ambrose fulfilled my expectation as a war historian, the story just flows with such a flair that makes you feel like want to be in that plane. B-24, or Liberator, is one of the five bombers utilized by the US Army during the war. It requires nine crew members: pilot, co-pilot, navigator/bombardier, flight engineer, radio operator, gunners (nose, waist, tail and ball turret). One can only imagine how heavy and cramped that bomber was. Over 18,000 B-24s were built, more than any other US planes. But they destroyed German refineries, marshalling yards, factories, air fields, thus destroying German’s ability to make war.
The first impression I’ve got after finishing this book is that the airmen in World War II suffered less than the infantry soldiers. Yes, the plane is too cramped, they faced those devastating flaks, penetrating cold in 20,000 feet height, but still, they got to sleep in tents with real beds, not in foxholes, helplessly waiting for enemy’s shells and mortars to blast them to oblivion. The Army Air Force also applied a not-so-strict segregation between officers and enlisted men, as well as behaviors. No chickenshits (army term for jack-ass officers) in combats either; a different case with the infantry. Last but not least, as bomber crews they did not have to see the faces of enemy and civilians they killed.
My favorite part of the book is the chapter telling about the P-51 (Mustang) black fighter pilots from the 99th Fighter Squadron, or known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The US Army in World War II still practiced discrimination, but those pilots did not discriminate, as admitted by the bomber crews. The P-51 pilots are honored for their bravery, discipline and dedication in their main role to protect the bombers.
One must not forget that airplane is the most destructive tool in this war. Not only hundreds of thousands people (including civilians) were killed, but hundreds of historical buildings, residences, infrastructures were destroyed. However, one must not also forget that aerial warfare saved the Western civilization. We can only hope that the currently-used smart bombs can improve their accuracy.
Another Stephen Ambrose book that I wanted to like but couldn't. George McGovern comes across as a terrific guy - someone I'd love to have as a neighbor - but holy cow was he dull. There were some interesting parts (particularly the dangers of flying into flak) but Ambrose missed an opportunity to tell an interesting story here.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
My grandfather was a mid-waist gunner in a B-24 crew flying missions over Europe during 1945, so this book has been on my to-read list for a long time. I wish I had read it while he was still alive. Ambrose does a fantastic job of capturing the lives of the pilots and crews of the AAF in Italy and the terrifying hell of flying combat missions in a B-24.
At first, I had trouble with the name soup- the book primarily covers the experiences of George McGovern and his crew, but to provide depth, Ambrose extensively quotes other sources about different experiences, and it can be confusing. When I gave up on placing the names, and just read about the experiences, I enjoyed the book a lot more.
For those in my family (or just interested), because my grandfather was in a different bomb group, he flew different missions; however, the Feb 21st, 1945 Vienna run with "intense and accurate" flak described in the book was also flown by the 44th.
At first, I had trouble with the name soup- the book primarily covers the experiences of George McGovern and his crew, but to provide depth, Ambrose extensively quotes other sources about different experiences, and it can be confusing. When I gave up on placing the names, and just read about the experiences, I enjoyed the book a lot more.
For those in my family (or just interested), because my grandfather was in a different bomb group, he flew different missions; however, the Feb 21st, 1945 Vienna run with "intense and accurate" flak described in the book was also flown by the 44th.
I admittedly am a big Ambrose fan. This book did not disappoint. I did not know about McGovern's war experience and Ambrose brings history alive in a way that makes me feel I am experiencing everything first hand. I recommend this to any fellow history buffs.
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Ambrose is able to capture the characters in US history and bring them alive. George McGovern is the main character of this book. I was not familiar with McGovern. He ran for president in 1972 and represented South Dakota in the US Senate. The book is a quick read and does a remarkable job of telling the story of the B-24, the crews and their impact on the war. A story about America's finest and their sacrifice.
A book covering the life of a man and military pilot who joins the WAY and gets his wings to fly a B-24 bomber in the war.
This is not the sort of book I usually read. For one it is Non-Fiction which is a genre I have very little experience in and secondly it is about World War II and that is a topic I don't usually enjoy learning about. I say this because I would like to make it clear that I am not the audience for this book. That being said I really did enjoy this book.
I loved the writing style, while it is a Non-Fiction book the narrative style really makes it feel much more what you would expect from a fiction novel. It is well researched which I applauded with notes on almost every page that just means you can learn more about where the information comes from and additional information (which in my opinion) can really build a picture of the events and help learn some really interesting things about the people or the places or anything really. I learnt some good things about the bombers which I really appreciate were added but I agree they were not necessary enough to get out in the main body.
The biggest negative for me is a seeming lack of plot. Now I know this comes from the fact this is a character centric story that is as close to a biography you can get without actually being one. I just never really got the strong pull of a plot and everything just happened. That being said due to then style of writing which may be a fault in all Non-Fiction (I'll need to read more to know), there was this disconnect with the characters that made it hard for me to bond with them and grow to like them as deeply as I have other characters in Fiction.
This is not the sort of book I usually read. For one it is Non-Fiction which is a genre I have very little experience in and secondly it is about World War II and that is a topic I don't usually enjoy learning about. I say this because I would like to make it clear that I am not the audience for this book. That being said I really did enjoy this book.
I loved the writing style, while it is a Non-Fiction book the narrative style really makes it feel much more what you would expect from a fiction novel. It is well researched which I applauded with notes on almost every page that just means you can learn more about where the information comes from and additional information (which in my opinion) can really build a picture of the events and help learn some really interesting things about the people or the places or anything really. I learnt some good things about the bombers which I really appreciate were added but I agree they were not necessary enough to get out in the main body.
The biggest negative for me is a seeming lack of plot. Now I know this comes from the fact this is a character centric story that is as close to a biography you can get without actually being one. I just never really got the strong pull of a plot and everything just happened. That being said due to then style of writing which may be a fault in all Non-Fiction (I'll need to read more to know), there was this disconnect with the characters that made it hard for me to bond with them and grow to like them as deeply as I have other characters in Fiction.
I have wanted to read this book for years, but it was always checked out or in-transit with the library! I'm so glad that I read this book, it was one of the best I have read in a while! I saw some comments about it only about McGovern, no crediting other works, etc. Actually it was well documented with footnotes, bibliography for quotes, etc. and years ago I had spoke with veterans of other wars and just like it mentioned in the book an entire crew was dubbed after the pilot. So I liked how you heard from different members of the crew and squadron. It really humanized their feelings. Definitely would recommend this to others!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced