98th Reading
SUGGESTED READING
The following books should be of keen interest to all 98th Pyramidiers.
THE LAST MISSION: By William Kollar:
THE LAST MISSION is the story of the last mission of MAGGIE”S DRAWERS. AKA HEAVENS DEVILS B-24 Liberator S/N 42-73077 in the 415th squadron with Fredrick Striescher’s crew . He relates his experiences of being shot down and the fate of his fellow crew members. Bill is still alive and well, and a member of our association. reviewed by Herb Harper.
Out of the Desert available now available at a special price.
- We have procured a very limited, last print supply, of OUT OF THE DESERT. This book is now out of print with no further plans for a reprint.John Blundel was a T/Sgt. in the 98thBomb Group Photo Section. In this book, he tells of his assignment and experience with the 98th from Palestine, through North Africa to Italy. in his book “OUT OF THE DESERT”. Particular interesting is; He describes how most of the cameras were mounted and set up on the TIDAL WAVE, Mission (Low Level Ploesti).The book is out of print with NO plans for a reprint. We have just obtained the remaining books from Turner Publishing and making them available at half retail price to our readers. The retail price was $25.00, so they are available to you at $14.95 post paid.Order here:
WORLD WAR II MEMOIRS: By Robert Travis Rutledge
“WWII Memoirs” is a wonderful book! It takes a young boy from Tennessee and follows him from induction into the Army Air Corps through the duration of WWII. It shows first-hand the evolution from boy to hero (and all of the boys who fought this war were, indeed, heroes). It shows the extremes of war from the boredom between missions, to the terror of the bomb runs themselves – flying through flak, being shot down over enemy territory and the sorrow & grief felt when friends and other crews were lost. Anyone who is interested in how it really was and what these guys went through, needs to read this book. It is incredible!
Joan Hensel
Proud daughter of 15th AF/98th Bomb Group veteran T/Sgt Charles Hensel, 344th BS, B-24 Liberator Radio Operator/Gunner
Order from Robert:
Robert T. Rutledge
197 Janine Drive
La Habra, CA 90631
Email= robert1942@roadrunner.comCost is $29.00 plus $5.00 shipping
FORCE FOR FREEDOM, Legacy of the 98th. This is a two part history of the 98th from 1942 to 1992.Volume # 1 is general history of the 98th group/wing and includes chronology of WW-II missions, maps and photos of significant events. Volume # II is all photos with captions of combat crews, individuals and events. Force For Freedom was produced by the 98th Veterans Association.The books are dark blue hard back 9″x 11 !/2″ with a B-24, B-29, B-47, KC-97,and KC 135 outlined in gold. These books are very hard to find. We are lucky enough to have a limited number of copies in our archives. CLICK HERE to order your copy.
Burning Hitler’s Black Goldby Bob Sternfels
I have a few books left but don’t plan to reprint them about the Low Level Ploesti on Aug. 1st,1943. It’s not a book that repeats data from other books. I was on the mission flying behind Col. Killer Kane, escorted him with Capt. Banks and a couple of other guys to the island of Cyprus after bombing Ploesti. My book tells the story of the mission and how it was screwed up by a wrong turn by the leader Col. K.K. Compton of the 376th BG. I also flew Col. Kane from Palestine to Benghazi after the mission, Banks had the job but had a flat tire so I was next in line …..!
If you will send me your E mail address I’ll give you all the info.
A good review of the mission is on:
www.homeofheroes,com/wings/part2/09_ploesti.html
the author took much of his information from my book as he made references to me in three different places in his review.
www.homeofheroes,com/wings/part2/09_ploesti.html
the author took much of his information from my book as he made references to me in three different places in his review.
My data was taken from personal interviews with the actual planner of the Low Level Ploesti, General Jake Smart and while researching more information for my book, I talked many times with the leader of the mission, General K.K. Compton. Both men have passed away now but their answers to my questions, some quite embarrassing, are in my book. One of my questions for Compton was ..how he rated the best location for his 376th BG at the horrible desert location near Benghazi, Libya? The 98th was actually in the desert whereas the 376th was very close to the Mediterranean with palm trees and cool breezes from the water.
Book is called “Burning Hitler’s Black Gold”…we also have a DVD which follows the theme in the book.
Bob Sternfels….pilot of plane called “The Sandman” <rwsternfels@cox.net>CO of 345 Sqd. 98th Bomb Group
MATERNITY WARDby Marguerita Aronowitz: Maternity Ward was a B-24 lost on the 1 August 1943 Tidal Wave mission. His is mainly the diary of her waist Gunner, S/SGT William J. Fay. For an autograph copy: Contact Marguerita Aronowitz, P.O. Box 4397, Prescott, AZ 86302.4397. Ph. # 520-775-3732.
BROTHER BOB”S WAR: By Ralph W. Ekwall
Although this book is about “that other airplane” the B-17, it contains many comparisons with the B-24 regarding performance and other aspects. One chapter is devoted to ACES, which compares bomber gunners to fighter pilot aces. I think this is the first time I have seen this subject presented in this way. This book should be of particular interest to all gunners. Reviewed by Herb Harper.
Order from:
Willard’s Books
P.O. Box 45804
Omaha, NE 69145-0804Price—Hardcover $17.95
Soft cover $11.95
Prices include postage.
THE PYRAMIDIERS, Story of the 98th 1942-1945. Written and produced by George Baroni as a private endeavor. This book is a limited edition and has been out of print for several years. It will be very difficult to locate and will be in excess of $150.00 IF you can find one.
Pilots Are Made, Not Born by Lloyd P. Lee. I have just received a complementary copy of a book by Lloyd Lee, a pilot of the 98th Bomb Group ”Paper Doll.” I had a good day with Lloyd in Servierville, TN. on Monday 16th Feb. 2004. It is an interesting read. Please be sure to check it out.
BURNING HITLER’S BLACK GOLDby Frank Way with Robert Sternfels. Bob Sternfels was the pilot of “THE SANDMAN” on the 1 August 1943 Low Level Ploesti Raid. The book has had three printings with revisions in each edition. For an autographed copy, contact Robert W. Sternfels, 395 Pinecrest Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1476. Phone 949-497-3534.
BOOSTER MCKEESTER And Other ExpendablesBy Wilson Chapman. This book deals with the early days of the 98th, their training and deployment to the Middle East and the personal experiences of Willie Chapman. Autograph copies may be requested from: Wilson Chapman, 4539 Pepperwood Ave. Long Beach, CA 90808. Tel 310-425-5259
Now for our B-29 readers. “BACKWARDS INTO BATTLE”By Andy Doty. A B-29 Tail gunners journey during WW II.
Published by Tall Tree Press Palo Alto, CA.
B-24 Liberator Units of the Pacific by Robert Dorr. Ever present in the Pacific from Pearl Harbor to VJ-Day, the B-24 Liberator proved to be the staple heavy bomber of the campaign. Order Below.
“Z SQUARE 7″. A B-29 True Story, by Frank Grube. This book is about the Eugene Thomas crew flying B-29s in WW II. Lt. Thomas was on his second combat tour, flying B-29s in the Pacific, having already completed a tour with the 98th Bomb Group in the Middle East Theatre. This book may be ordered by sending $23.00 toFrank L Grube
800 Sleater-Kinney Road SE
Lacy, WA 98503
Z SQUARE 7, A B-29 TRUE STORY
B-29 PHOTO COMBAT DIARY: The B-29 in WW-II and Korea by Chester Marshall and Warren Thompson Many photos and history. Several 98th B-29s are featured. Out of print, but should be available in military used book stores.
THE BRUSH OF ANGEL WINGS: by Vernon R. Hudder. Bob Hudder tell of his experience with a chronology of his missions as a B-29 navigator with the 98th during the Korean Conflict.
For our foreign readers, here are some books with details of the 15th Air Force and 98th Bomb Group.
“OPERACE (correct spelling) ARGUMENT”By Karel Foud, Jiri Klouch, Vladislav Kratsky, and Jan Vladar. This Czech Language book is about American bombers and crews operating in Slovakia in February 1944, known and referred to as The Big Week. Many 98th Bomb Group B-24s participated with some losses. Much of the research was done by Herb Harper, former 98th historian. Translation into English is planned.
ALI SPEZZATEby Sergio Costagli and Gerardo Unia. This Italian language book has one chapter detailing the last mission of the 98th B-24 “YANKEE DOODLE DANDY”. This aircraft was shot down on 11 November 1943. Four of the crew were KIA. Six crewmembers were helped to evade and escape with the help of Italian Partisans, some of them still alive as of November 1999. Much of the research on the crew and their relatives was done with the help of Herb Harper, Historian of the 98th Vets Association.
LIBERATORby Philippe Castellano: This French Language book deals with the 15th Air Force in Northern Italy and Southern France in WW-II. A quote in the book indicates that the 98th was “THE PREMIER” group in the 15th AF.
LUFTWAFFE TEST PILOTby Hans-Werner Lerche. This book in English is the account of Test Pilot Lerche’s experience in testing and flying captured Allied aircraft, two of which were 98th B-24s.
This is not an Air Force related item but one of our associate members has been in the Lawn Care business for about 14 years.
He has developed a tutorial course for anyone who is interested in starting their own company.
Give them a visit here: Lawn Care Business Guidebook
If you have a book you would like to include in our Suggested Reading list, please EMAIL US for details.
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