Solo into the Rising Sun

The Dangerous Missions of a U.S. Navy Bomber Squadron in World War II

By: Ed Kittrell

Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon

When we think about World War II bombers, we picture formations of scores of bombers, escorted and protected by fighters, flying into enemy territory and bombing the hell out of the enemy. In Europe and usually the Pacific, this was the standard approach, but some bomber squadrons flew a different kind of mission. This was the case for VPB-117 - the Blue Raiders - unique not only because its B-24 Liberators flew for the US Navy and not the Army, but also because most of the Raiders’ missions entailed bombers venturing out over the Pacific, alone, to seek and destroy on long-range missions of a thousand miles out and a thousand back, often at altitudes close enough for sea spray to cloud their windows. This is their story.

©2020 Ed Kittrell (P)2020 Rowman & Littlefield

Brave Men Flying Forgotten Missions

Almost everyone including the biggest World War II Buffs have completely forgotten the incredibly dangerous and very important missions that lone B-24s flew sometimes thousands of miles into occupied Japanese territory. These were Recon missions, but the the Navy aircrews often use their big slow planes as bombers and sometimes even Fighters. It's an almost unbelievable War Story very well told.

Excellent from start to finish!

Riveting WW2 aviation stories with great narration. I have listened to many aviation books and this ranks among the top. The author does a great job of connecting the personal stories of the greatest generation with the overall war.

This is a story I had not previously read much about. I have read much about the more storied 8th and 15th Air Force groups, among others. But the tales of these amazing solo missions deserve to be heard as well. If you want to be entertained and learn more about more of the unsung heroes of the Pacific theater of war, you won’t be disappointed.