Photographs of the disastrous first Ploesti mission. A disaster for both sides. On August 1, 1943, 177 B-24 Liberators took off from their base in North Africa. Target - Ploesti, Roumania, Hitler's largest oil refinery. It was a low level attack, bombs released below 1000 feet. The target was almost completely destroyed, but only 33 of the 177 planes returned to their base in condition to fly again. 540 of the 1720 crewmen were lost.
These remarkable low level photographs show the extensive bomb damage, but the refinery was soon repaired, though never to operate again at full capacity. It was to be targeted a dozen more times before war's end.
A REAL GOOD WAR by SAM HALPERT
San Antonio Express: Halpert's spellbinding novel of men in aerial combat
will be compared to "Twelve O'Clock High". "The War Lover" and "Memphis Belle."
It will not suffer from the comparison
New York Times Book Review: What makes this book engrossing is its
evocation of the fine line between a close call and a tragedy, not to mention
the way guilt is detonated by war's deadly absurdity.
Publishers Weekly: Halpert's absorbing debut. Gripping fiction
Kirkus Reviews: Flying high above Platoon-movie cliches
An inspiring debut. Compelling suspense
Miami Herald: Harrowing portrait of the pitilessness of war
Fort Lauderdale Sun-SentinelWriting this sharp is its own justification
Robert Olen Butler (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)"A Real Good War is gritty and funny and rich with authenticity. The long overdue debut of a very talented writer."
Susan Minot "Sam Halpert shines his light on a well-worn subject, war, and gives us material glowing with stoic humor and a crusty humanity. This is a wonderful, unique and moving book."
Leonard Michaels "If you want to know what World War II air war was like; the blood, fire, death and hell for American boys, A Real Good War is the book to read"
For hard cover book with message signed by author, veteran of 35 missions in B-17 from 9/6/44 Ludwigshafen to 2/3/45 Berlin, send cash, check, money order for $19.95 to AUTHOR, 1010 SW 21st Ave. Gainesville, Florida 32601
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