Shot Down: The True Story Of Pilot Howard Snyder And The Crew Of The B-17 Susan Ruth
by
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Pub Date May 13 2015 | Archive Date Jul 22 2015
Sea Breeze Publishing LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
Description
Through personal letters, oral and written accounts, military records, and interviews – all from people who took part of the events that happened 70 years ago, the stories of the crewmen come alive. Further enhancing their stories are more than 200 time period photographs of the people who were involved and the places where the events took place.
Even before the dramatic battle in the air and the subsequent harrowing events on the ground, the story is informative, insightful, and captivating. Prior to the fateful event on February 8, the book covers the men’s training, their journey to England, life while stationed there, and numerous combat missions. Everything is centered around the 306th Bomb Group stationed at Thurleigh, England of which the crew of the Susan Ruth was a part.
To add background and context, many historical facts about the war are entwined throughout the book so that the reader has a feel for and understanding of what was occurring on a broader scale. Thus, it is a fascinating account about brave individuals, featuring pilot Howard Snyder, set within the compelling events of the war in Europe. You will be given an insider’s seat to the drama surrounding a remarkable group of young airmen and the courageous Belgian people who risked their lives to help them.
A Note From the Publisher
Also available in all eBook formats.
Advance Praise
A great introduction to the history of the U.S. air war in Europe, humanized by the experience of a single bomber crew. -- BookLife
Foreword Clarion Review 5 star Rating
Snyder’s masterful book puts the reader inside the
cockpit, shoulder to shoulder with the pilot and crew. Accessible and relevant
both to historians and readers with a casual interest in WWII history, Shot
Down a must-read for anyone with an interest in this gripping period of
American history. – Claire Foster
BlueInk Starred Review
Highly recommended for historians and WWII aviation buffs, it’s a
thoroughly satisfying and worthwhile read. Extensively researched, packed with
photographs, and neatly interwoven with background remarks, this highly
engaging book offers a comprehensive, yet personalized portrait of a war.
War History Online
A masterful work. Enjoyable for those interested in the Eight Air
Force and/or the B-17 Flying Fortress, but it is also broad enough to appeal to
general history readers. Insightful, engrossing, and succeeds on every level.
Bravo. – Nate Sullivan
World War II Today
A magnificent job. Readily accessible to anyone not
familiar with the bomber war in Europe, but also much to interest those whose
real passion is wartime aviation. -- Martin Cherrett
_________________________
A wonderful read and compelling story of our B-17 aircrews that flew, fought, and died over Europe to save a continent from tyranny and oppression. Gives a great sense of the heroes that made up the “Greatest Generation.” — General Duncan J. McNabb, USAF, retired 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Snyder has reached a level of scholarship few amateur historians achieve. A story that all young Americans should read. — Vernon L. Williams, Ph.D., Director East Anglia Air War Archives
A great example of young men from the greatest generation fighting to defend the cause their country asked them to. — Chris M. Kuester, Lt Col, USAF Commander, 424th Air Base Squadron Chievres, Belgium
We organize an annual ceremony at a memorial in memory of the B17 Susan Ruth crew members honoring the memory of those who crashed in Belgium on February 8, 1944. The local population still remembers the heroes who crossed the ocean to come and help people who were totally unknown to them, to free them and to restore their honor and happiness. They gave their lives and we will be eternally grateful to them for their sacrifice. We will always remember these men as heroes of our freedom. Thank you. We will never forget you. — Christel Delahaye, President Association du Devoir de Mémoire de Momignies ‒ Belgique
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9780986076008 |
| PRICE | $27.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 205352
A powerful read.
Steve Snyder's passion to tell the story of his father certainly shines through.
The small details of the training and the equipment brought it all alive. The descriptive prose is excellent and that takes right to the heart of the action over Germany.
Highly recommended.
Donna M, Reviewer
I was delighted to be given an opportunity to read this book. I have been reading around a lot of the subject matter of WWII and this synopsis immediately drew my attention, I do love a true story. I really loved the way that the book was written and the extracts from the authors father to his mother when he was overseas are touching and I feel privileged to have been able to read these. The descrptions in the book are fantastic and it really goes in to the detail of what it would have been like to be fearful of becoming a POW and the threat of being caught by the Nazi's that were patrolling over Belgium and France at the time. It really does bring it home what these servicemen went through to assist a wartorn country hundreds of miles from home. They truly were very brave gentlemen, I feel honoured to have been given an opprtunity to read an advance copy. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Valerie S, Reviewer
I found this to be a wonderful book about the aviation effort of WWII, it really told a lot about what the pilots went through, the significant losses compared to other groups. But it also told the story of the author's father Howard, the pilot of the Susan Ruth, (named after Steve's sister). How he and his crew were shot down over Belgium that 8th of February, 1944, and what happens to everyone after that.
Then it really gets good! But you'll have to get it and read it for yourself to find out what all they endured, and all the things that happened with them. Its surely worth the read if you like this kind of book.
Philip B, Reviewer
An excellent portrayal of the bombing runs of the second world war. Descriptions of riding inside a bomber over Germany, being attacked by German fighter planes, flying through flak and anti-aircraft fire. This is likely one of the most realistic accounts I have read and it answered many questions I have often pondered regarding formation flying and high altitude without pressurization. The additional details of being shot down and surviving with the help of underground resistance groups is a bonus. Being born in 1946 I was always curious about the war and have read countless books of the European action as well as the Pacific theater during WW2. Comparing as best my memory allows, of all the books I have read this one stands out. An excellent picture of the men and their flying machines their fears and the perils they faced.
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