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, known as the Air Apaches, was a legendary American unit in World War II. They flew low-altitude missions with their B-25s, armed with machine guns and bombs, severely damaging enemy installations and shipping. Despite the dangerous work, they earned four Distinguished Unit Citations and lost 177 aircraft and 712 men. This book reconstructs their missions in detail, using firsthand accounts and interviews with surviving veterans to tell the story of these brave men who helped win the war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2023
Publisher: Stackpole Books

The American 345th Bomb Group, known as the Air Apaches, was a legendary force in the war against Japan. Sent to the South Pacific as the first fully trained and equipped unit, the 345th achieved a devastating record of success against the enemy. Armed with powerful machine guns and fragmentation bombs, the pilots and air crews flew their B-25s at incredibly low altitudes, often below fifty feet, engaging in intense strafing and bombing operations that severely crippled Japan's military infrastructure.

The 345th Bomb Group was a vital asset in the U.S. arsenal, playing a crucial role in General 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 skill. However, the cost of their missions was high, with the 345th losing 177 aircraft and 712 men. These young men, who selflessly served in the spirit of the Greatest Generation, paid a heavy price for their duty.

The Pacific theater of war was a brutal and unforgiving environment, far different from the more temperate conflicts of Europe. Airmen who were shot down faced a multitude of dangers, including drowning in the ocean, disappearing in the jungle, or being subjected to torture and beheading by the Japanese. The war in the Pacific was marked by a lack of quarter, with both sides willing to employ any means necessary to achieve victory.

In his book, Air Apaches, author Richard Stout reconstructs the missions of the 345th Bomb Group in remarkable detail, focusing on 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. Stout collaborated closely with the surviving veterans of the 345th to gather firsthand accounts, providing a deeply researched and compelling narrative that brings the reader into the heart of the action.

The book offers a unique perspective on the war, shedding light on the experiences of the ordinary men who served in the 345th Bomb Group. It highlights the courage, determination, and sacrifice of these men, who faced unimaginable hardships and dangers in the name of freedom and justice. Air Apaches is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and it will leave readers on the edge of their seats as they relive the stories of these remarkable heroes.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811772686