by Wayne P. Rothgeb
Hardcover, 261 pages
Iowa State University Press, 1992
ISBN: 0813808367

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A Fighter Pilot's View of World War II

This book details the wartime experiences of Wayne Rothgeb, who served as a pilot in the 5th Air Force, 39th Fighter Squadron in Australia and New Guinea. Rothgeb flew the P-39 Airacobra and P-38 Lightning on 139 combat missions.

Rothgeb's book begins with a unique experience. Contacted by Bruce Hoy, then curator of the PNG Museum Modern History Department. Rothgeb was one of the former pilot's of P-38F 42-12647 #34, that was salvaged and displayed at the museum.

After a crash landing flying a Thomas Lynch's P-38H Lightning, Rothgeb was burned and sent to to the 116th Station Hospital near Port Moresby.