A Wing and a Prayer: The "Bloody 100th" Bomb Group of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in Action over Europe in World War II

by Harry H. Crosby

Hardcover, 1993

Status

Available

Call number

940.54

Publication

Harpercollins (1993), Edition: 1st, 336 pages

Description

They began operations out of England in the spring of '43. They flew their Flying Fortresses almost daily against strategic targets in Europe in the name of freedom. Their astonishing courage and appalling losses earned them the name that resounds in the annals of aerial warfare and made the "Bloody Hundredth" a legend. Harry H. Crosby-soon to be, portrayed by Anthony Boyle in the miniseries Masters of the Air developed by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg-arrived with the very first crews, and left with the very last. After dealing with his fear and gaining in skill and confidence, he was, promoted to Group Navigator, surviving hairbreadth escapes and eluding death while leading thirty-seven missions, some of them involving two thousand aircraft. Now, in a breathtaking and often humorous account, he takes us into the hearts and minds of these intrepid airmen, to experience both the triumph and the white-knuckle terror of the war in the skies.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member B-17Dave
B-17 combat crew memoirs don't get much better than this!
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Author Crosby has written an autobiography of his experiences during WWII in the 8th Air Force. I read it because this book was the basis of the mini-series, "Masters of the Air" which did not do justice to Crosby's character. "Masters" writers obviously took license with the book upon which it was
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based. The book reinforced two things from my career as an Air Force (SAC) navigator during the 1970s-1980s.. 1. In 30 years, nothing changed with respect to the way that navigators are treated. 2. Strategic Air Command's character was forged by the 8th Air Force over Europe during WWII. Crosby after "Masters" includes several more war stories and his lifetime decisions. An excellent read.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1993

Physical description

336 p.; 6.41 x 1.25 inches

ISBN

0060169419 / 9780060169411

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