| Edition |
1st ed. |
| Physical description |
1 online resource (xiv, 373 pages). |
| Series |
Number 5 in the Mayborn literary nonfiction series |
|
Mayborn literary nonfiction series ; no. 5.
|
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Introduction -- Sergeant at seventeen -- Hawaii -- First mission -- Nauru -- Air raid -- Chance -- May 1943 -- The squadron's objectives -- The Pacific preferred -- Softening Tarawa -- Forever consequences -- Losing altitude fast -- Back to Hawaii -- Last flights -- Ask the man who owns one -- The meaning of boxes -- Guam -- Back in business -- Halfway to forty -- January 1945 -- Endings for some -- Epilogue. |
| Summary |
During the early years of World War II in the Pacific theatre, against overwhelming odds, young American airmen flew the longest and most perilous bombing missions of the war. They faced determined Japanese fighters without fighter escort, relentless anti-aircraft fire with no deviations from target, and thousands of miles of over-water flying with no alternative landing sites. Finish Forty and Home is the true story of the men and missions of the 11th Bombardment Group as it fought alone and unheralded in the South Central Pacific, while America had its eyes on the war in Europe. After bombing Nauru, the squadron moves on to bomb Wake Island, Tarawa, and finally Iwo Jima. These missions bring American forces closer and closer to the Japanese home islands and precede the critical American invasions of Tarawa and Iwo Jima. The 42nd Squadron's losses through 1943 were staggering: 50 out of 110 airmen killed. "Finish Forty and Home is a treasure: poignant, thrilling, and illuminating."--Laura Hillenbrand, best-selling author of Unbroken and Seabiscuit. |
| Subject |
Scearce, Herman, 1925-
|
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United States. Army -- Biography.
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Soldiers -- United States -- Biography.
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Radio operators -- United States -- Biography.
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Radar operators -- United States -- Biography.
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B-24 (Bomber) -- History.
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World War, 1939-1945 -- Pacific Area -- Aerial operations, American.
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World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Area.
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Pacific Area -- History, Military -- 20th century.
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Electronic books. |
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Biographies |
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History |
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Military history |
| ISBN |
9781574414370 (electronic bk.) |
|
1574414372 (electronic bk.) |
|
1574413163 (cloth ; alk. paper) |
|
9781574413168 (cloth ; alk. paper) |
|
1283395002 |
|
9781283395007 |
|
9781574413168 (cloth ; alk. paper) |
|
