Search found 11 matches

by FinishForty
Sat Aug 20, 2011 4:20 pm
Forum: Books, Video & Other Media
Topic: New Book About B-24s in the Pacific
Replies: 4
Views: 7154

Re: New Book About B-24s in the Pacific

"Finish Forty and Home" is now #1 on Amazon's list for Aviation Military History! My hope is that it will honor the World War II airmen whose stories fill the book's pages. The audiobook is also now available. I invite forum members to contact me if you'd like to have a signed book plate for your co...
by FinishForty
Sat Aug 06, 2011 8:07 am
Forum: Wrecks & Losses
Topic: B-17 Ditched off Santos Island, August 6 1942
Replies: 0
Views: 2495

B-17 Ditched off Santos Island, August 6 1942

On this date in 1942, an 11th Bomb Group B-17 ditched off Santos, running low on fuel after bombing Japanese positions at Lunga Point. #2 and #3 engines were out and feathered on ditching. The plane broke in two aft of the radio compartment and sank quickly, but all ten men got out. It took them two...
by FinishForty
Wed Jul 20, 2011 10:18 pm
Forum: Wrecks & Losses
Topic: Skull Found in Pearl Harbor Likely Japanese Airman
Replies: 0
Views: 2741

Skull Found in Pearl Harbor Likely Japanese Airman

The U.S. Navy announced today that a skull recently excavated from Pearl Harbor is likely a Japanese aviator shot down during the December 7 attack. Full article here: http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?ri ... 011&page=1
by FinishForty
Wed Jul 13, 2011 1:03 am
Forum: Prisoners Of War (POW)
Topic: This Date in 1943: Louis Zamperini's 47 Days Adrift Ends
Replies: 0
Views: 12879

This Date in 1943: Louis Zamperini's 47 Days Adrift Ends

On July 13, 1943 Louis Zamperini and his pilot, Russell Phillips were captured by Japanese forces in the Marshall Islands on their 47th day adrift across the Pacific. A third man with them died after a month at sea, following the crash of their B-24 Liberator while on a low-level search mission. (Za...
by FinishForty
Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:04 am
Forum: Wrecks & Losses
Topic: This date in 1942: Zero Discovered in Alaska
Replies: 0
Views: 2507

This date in 1942: Zero Discovered in Alaska

On this date in 1942, an American patrol plane spotted this a nearly-intact Zero upside-down in an Alaskan bog. The plane was recovered, repaired, and thoroughly tested. Tactics were developed for engaging the Zero and the air war in the Pacific was changed dramatically. The full story is here: http...
by FinishForty
Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:23 pm
Forum: Books, Video & Other Media
Topic: July 5, 1943 LIFE Magazine War Memorial Issue
Replies: 0
Views: 3501

July 5, 1943 LIFE Magazine War Memorial Issue

On this date in 1943, LIFE magazine published its now highly-collectible war memorial issue. The magazine names the 12,987 Americans killed in action up to the publication date. (Actual losses were higher at that point but some names had not yet been released.) The names are listed alphabetically by...
by FinishForty
Sun Jul 03, 2011 9:29 pm
Forum: Warbirds & Restorations
Topic: B-24 Restoration Project Photos
Replies: 1
Views: 15848

B-24 Restoration Project Photos

I came across this B-24 Liberator restoration project by the National trust of Australia. Here is a photo of the plane as they acquired it: http://www.nattrust.com.au/trust_register/search_the_register/b_24_liberator_bomber. And more recent photos of the project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8779110...
by FinishForty
Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:35 pm
Forum: Wrecks & Losses
Topic: B-24J 42-73029 January 2, 1944
Replies: 3
Views: 5148

Re: B-24J 42-73029 January 2, 1944

Warren, I can't add much to what others have shared except that Maloelap was one of the best defended targets the 11th Bomb Group had to strike to that point in the war. The island had a centralized gun control system with radar on the island of Taroa. (Maloelap is an atoll, Taroa was the key island...
by FinishForty
Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:09 am
Forum: Books, Video & Other Media
Topic: New Book About B-24s in the Pacific
Replies: 4
Views: 7154

Re: New Book About B-24s in the Pacific

Thanks so much, Andy. I hope my book honors the men who served in the 11th. Can I ask my publisher to send you a review copy?
by FinishForty
Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:03 am
Forum: Wrecks & Losses
Topic: Disastrous Date in 11th Bomb Group History
Replies: 1
Views: 3650

Disastrous Date in 11th Bomb Group History

On June 27, 1943: Eight B-24s were scheduled to bomb Nauru. The first Liberator crashed into the ocean after take-off from Funafuti. Six more got airborne, then the eighth exploded in the air over the water right after take-off. The mission was cancelled but three planes pressed on to Nauru.
by FinishForty
Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:01 am
Forum: Books, Video & Other Media
Topic: New Book About B-24s in the Pacific
Replies: 4
Views: 7154

New Book About B-24s in the Pacific

I invite you to check out my new book, Finish Forty and Home. Finish Forty and Home is the compelling but little-known story of men and missions of the 11th Bomb Group and its operations in the vast Pacific. Laura Hillenbrand, bestselling author of Unbroken, had this to say in the acknowledgements o...