Overview

Assigned to the C-47 troop carrier squadrons, more than 6,500 glider pilots played a key role in the newly developed U.S. Army Airborne Doctrine in World War II. These servicemen faced an especially daunting challenge: deliver heavy equipment, troops, and medical supplies behind well-fortified enemy lines in nonpowered, slow-moving aircraft made of fabric, plywood, and metal tubing. High casualties were expected on these ""one-way ticket"" flights. In July 1943, the Allies planned an offensive against Hitler's Fortress Europe. The British realized they needed glider pilots and asked the Americans for help. To fill empty CG-4A ""Waco"" glider pilot seats on a British combat mission, 26 American USAAF glider pilots volunteered, not knowing they would be participating in the imminent invasion of Sicily. Drawing on official United States Army Air Forces microfilm records, operational records in the National Archives, photographs from both collections, and many personal accounts, this book brings to life a new and unknown chapter in the USAAF's World War II history.

Full Product Details

9781476699363

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Colonel (Retired) Mark C. 'Plug' Vlahos, USAF, has done it again! With exquisite research and attention to detail his natural curiosity uncovered a little-known or written segment of World War II contributing to the Allied invasion of Sicily. Through his contextual background detail of the roots of the U.S. Army Troop Carrier Glider Pilots of WWII, through the Sicily mission--particularly focused on the Ladbroke and Fustian missions, readers are treated to an edge-of-your-seat readable accounting of both the success and failures of these pivotal missions. Vlahos is establishing himself as a foremost worldwide expert on the preservation and retelling of WWII Troop Carrier Operations and I will commend interested readers to find his other works if this work interests you, which I'm sure it will!""--Brig Gen (Ret) Chad Manske, USAF, former National War College Commandant ""As a family member of a WWII C-47 pilot, I highly recommend this book to provide a holistic understanding of USAAF troop carrier group and glider operations. Mark Vlahos has a gift for writing that when combined with his tenacious research, provides an engaging and enlightened read for his audience. Having done research of my own, I can attest to gaps that exist with data on the glider operations. Mark 'connects the dots' with plenty of undiscovered photographs and documents from families of veterans, then piecing together the glider operation story for the reader. As a USAF retired Colonel, he provides a voice for our long-lost glider pilot veterans of WWII, bringing their story to life. You will not be able to put this book down!""--Laura Briggs, researcher and Troop Carrier historian ""An important piece of the Greatest Generation mosaic has been added by author Mark C. Vlahos with American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily. The story of twenty-six intrepid volunteer glider pilots who blazed an important path for the airborne assaults that would follow in World War II is a largely unknown legacy. Meticulously researched based on first-person accounts, this is a worthy reference for those interested in a mission fueled with courage and sacrifice.""--Scott McGaugh, author of Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II ""Colonel Mark C. 'Plug' Vlahos (USAF-Ret) authors a compelling fully documented account of what really happened during the invasion of Sicily in July of 1943. American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily is carefully laid by out by Mark from the inception of the U.S. Army Glider Program through the courageous and heart-breaking events of the first WWII combat mission to use the American built CG-4A gliders. Plan to be captured by Mark's skill as a talented military history writer to draw you into the story of each of the U.S. Army glider pilots who literally gave their all to try to make the mission a success even under the worst possible conditions and inexperienced planning at the highest levels. This reads like a historically accurate thriller that you can't put down and it culminates with Mark's conclusions as to the real root causes of the failures of the mission and the lessons learned from them. Sometimes history must be re-written, and Mark does just that as no one else could.""--Gary Stripling, chair and research team project manager, National WWII Glider Pilots Association ""Mark Vlahos has discovered another World War II event which may have gone unnoticed were it not for his remarkable research. American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily is an enlightening and captivating story of the pivotal role played by American glider pilots in several British operations. With excellent writing and remarkable research, his narrative provides a comprehensive chronicle of the untold story of America's part in the Sicily glider missions. He weaves the combat actions and the daily lives of the pilots together by using an amazing array of official and personal documents to tell this previously untold story. Great photographs, maps, diagrams, and personal stories keep the reader engaged. This is a must-read for those interested in World War II history as well as aviation enthusiasts who wish to learn about this untold and tragic story from an American perspective.""--Colonel John Murphy, USAF (Ret), former Tactical Airlift Squadron and Group Commander ""Mark Vlahos has made a name for himself chronicling the experiences of American Troop Carrier units in the Second World War. In his latest effort, American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily, he focuses on the unique contributions made by a small group of American volunteer glider pilots who flew with the British Forces during Operation Husky. Mark leverages his understanding and experience as a United States Air Force officer, as well as deep knowledge or World War II glider operations to pen an engaging narrative of the organization, equipment, training, and combat performance of the British aircrews while specifically highlighting the contributions made by the American 'men with trooper hearts, ' as the 7th Troop Carrier Squadron historian called them. This is an in-depth look at a little-known aspect of Operation Husky, and highly recommended.""--Ben Powers, host of The Commander's Voice Podcast ""This book will make you feel like you are there! Experiencing the many ups and downs of the American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily. I especially enjoyed the historical beginning of the glider program. I was there! Mark Vlahos, a favorite author, does it again in keeping the history and stories of American glider pilots alive.""--Fred Lunde, WWII Glider Pilot, 49th TCS, 313th TCG

""As a family member of a WWII C-47 pilot, I highly recommend this book to provide a holistic understanding of USAAF troop carrier group and glider operations. Mark Vlahos has a gift for writing that when combined with his tenacious research, provides an engaging and enlightened read for his audience. Having done research of my own, I can attest to gaps that exist with data on the glider operations. Mark 'connects the dots' with plenty of undiscovered photographs and documents from families of veterans, then piecing together the glider operation story for the reader. As a USAF retired Colonel, he provides a voice for our long-lost glider pilot veterans of WWII, bringing their story to life. You will not be able to put this book down!""--Laura Briggs, researcher and Troop Carrier historian

Author Information

Colonel Mark C. ""Plug"" Vlahos, USAF (Ret.) is an internationally recognized expert on glider and troop carrier operations of World War II. He retired from the United States Air Force in 2011. During his 29-year career, he served in a wide-range of operational flying and staff assignments. He is a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America, as well as many other associations, foundations and societies, and has authored numerous articles for historical works and magazines. He lives in New Braunfels, Texas.

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