An Ace of the Eighth An American Fighter Pilot's Air War in Europe PDF
Preview An Ace of the Eighth An American Fighter Pilot's Air War in Europe
Table of Contents Title Page Dedication Acknowledgments “LET’S GET ’EM!” High Flight Prologue Foreword Flight Training Primary Basic Advanced Operational Training The Queen Steeple Morden September 1943 DeCosta’s Art Studio October 1943 November 1943 December 1943 January 1944 February 1944 A Squadron B Squadron March 1944 April 1944 May 1944 June 1944 July 1944 Rest and Recuperation Meanwhile, Back at the War . . . October and November 1944 December 1944 January 1945 February 1945 March 1945 April 1945 May and June 1945 Glossary Epilogue Copyright Page To Jane My loving wife and best friend Acknowledgments “Memory isn’t the first thing to go,” I’m told, but it certainly doesn’t improve with age—at least not in my case. I had to rely on several sources—and people —to fill in large gaps. Among the many whose help was invaluable: Burt Sims, whose contribution to this book was written more than fifty years ago, when he wrote the diary-style History of the 354th Fighter Squadron. Without the squadron’s history to jog my memory, I couldn’t have written it with any degree of accuracy. A professional writer, Burt also gave me helpful tips when I started working on this book. Colonel Ray Shewfelt, USAF (Ret.), flew combat missions with the 2d Scouting Force at Steeple Morden, and was assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron for administration. Ray took on the monumental task of copying the histories of all 355th Fighter Group units from microfiche records at the USAF Historical Society at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He is the acknowledged, though unofficial, group historian. He allowed me to borrow his copy of the 354th Squadron history—more than a thousand pages—for months at a time. More importantly, Ray was an invaluable font of information about our chain of command, other Eighth Air Force units, bomber tactics, and even Luftwaffe units. He was a constant source of encouragement and support. Bill Marshall is the son of 355th legend Bert Marshall, and the author of Angels, Bulldogs, and Dragons. He furnished details of Bert’s career before and during World War II, and important information about another 355th legend, Clay Kinnard. He gave me unlimited access to his large albums of photographs of 355th people, aircraft, and events. My thanks also to my friend Gordon Smart, who helped edit my first draft. When I review that draft today, I realize what a chore that must have been. The one indispensable person in all this was Eric Hammel, author, historian, and publisher at Pacifica Press, California. It was Eric who told me—four years ago—that I had to write a book, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I dragged my way through the first draft. In retrospect, I wonder why he didn’t return it to me with a short note: “I was wrong!” Instead, he went through it page by page, making marginal notes as well as corrections, all the while recording a running commentary on audiotape. He was not only editing my early effort, he was also teaching me to be a better writer. This book would not have been written without his help. I shall always be grateful to him. My sincere appreciation to all. “LET’S GET ’EM!” About fifteen miles northwest of Bremen, I spotted five Focke-Wulf 190s at two o’clock, heading southwest at about fifteen thousand feet. We were above them and up-sun, so they didn’t see us. “Let’s get ’em!” I radioed to the flight. “Everybody take one.” My plan was to make one pass and keep going because we were all getting low on fuel, especially Taylor. We didn’t have enough for a prolonged dogfight. Back up to full power, I started the dive toward the two 190s on the left. Perry went after the three on the right. My speed built up considerably as I closed on the one at the left of the formation. I started firing at about three hundred yards, closing to a hundred yards, firing all the way from dead astern and slightly above. He never knew what hit him. . . . Books published by The Random House Ballantine Publishing Group are available at quantity discounts on bulk purchases for premium, educational, fund-raising, and special sales use. For details, please call 1-800-733-3000.
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