Combat Crew

The Story of 25 Combat Missions over Europe from the Daily Journal of a B-17 Gunner

By: John Comer

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

John Comer kept a journal of the 25 missions he flew in 1943, when the casualty rate on his base was close to 80 percent. His book is handwritten history, recorded within hours after the battles occurred. Comer vividly creates his experiences as top-turret gunner/flight engineer in a B-17 squadron that was thrown against the best pilots the Luftwaffe could offer. In 1943 the army air force had no long-range fighters to protect the B-17s as they flew deep into enemy territory. Immediate, straightforward, and compelling, Combat Crew is a classic of aerial warfare.

©1988 John Comer (P)2015 Tantor

The greatest generation

My dad was one of the P-47 escorts, and became a POW while getting his ace kill. He commented on how impressive it was to break out of the clouds and see the "big friends" filling the sky from horizon to horizon.
This is an inspiring account of one crew member's life as a flight engineer and turret gunner. This is an unforgettable eloquent portrait.

Great Book

Good story. Firsthand personal account of each mission. Not my favorite narrator but he did ok.

Reminds me of my Grandpa

I got this because my grandpa was a B-17 pilot in England and I wanted to better understand some of what we he went through. Well written and well narrated.

This story was personal to me...

My Dad flew with the 381st 1944/1945. As I listened to this audio book, my mind would picture him in each character's place. It gave me a clearer idea of what life was like for him during those days...what he did on a dailey basis. I am amazed at what he and all those young men went through!

Worthy listen.

Good narration and story. I learned a few thing on this listen I wasn't aware of. The cold and oxygen problems were surprising.