Air Apaches: The True Story of the 345th Bomb Group and its Low, Fast, and Deadly Missions in World War II

The 345th Bomb Group - the Air Apaches - was a legendary American unit in the war against Japan, performing essential missions in New Guinea and the Philippines. Despite the dangerous work, the 345th lost 177 aircraft and 712 men. Author Stout worked closely with surviving veterans to reconstruct the missions, providing a compelling narrative of men at war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2019
Publisher: Stackpole Books

The American 345th Bomb Group, known as the Air Apaches, achieved legendary status in the war against Japan. Sent to the South Pacific as the first fully trained and equipped unit, the 345th inflicted a devastating toll on the enemy. Armed with machine guns and fragmentation bombs, they flew their B-25s at astonishingly low altitudes, often below fifty feet, engaging in intense strafing and bombing operations that crippled Japan's military infrastructure and shipping. The 345th was a formidable asset in the U.S. arsenal, playing a critical role in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines. Their exceptional performance earned them four Distinguished Unit Citations, a testament to their bravery and dedication. However, the war in the Pacific was a brutal and unforgiving affair, with the 345th suffering significant losses. They lost 177 aircraft and 712 men, young men who gave their lives in service to their country. This was no gentlemanly war of Europe, with its temperate climate, resistance networks, and POW camps. In the Pacific theater, airmen faced the grim realities of drowning, disappearing in the jungle, or being subjected to torture and beheading by the Japanese. The Air Apaches, by author Richard Stout, provides a compelling account of the missions of the 345th Bomb Group. Stout collaborated closely with the surviving veterans of the group, drawing upon first-hand accounts to reconstruct the experiences of the men who manned the cockpits, navigated the B-25s, dropped the bombs, serviced the planes, and played a vital role in winning the war. The result is a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, offering a profound insight into the lives of these brave soldiers and their remarkable contributions to the Allied victory.

Weight: 754g
Dimension: 230 x 165 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811738019