Wreaking Havoc: A Year in an A-20

Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series #91

by Joseph W. Rutter

Book by Rutter, Joseph W.

280 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great memoir of a pilot of a lesser known, but no less successful twin engine attack bomber (Compared to the B-25) in WWII. Puts you in the cockpit.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, open memoir of Rutter's time flying an A-20 Havoc in New Guinea and the Philippines. Rutter's time in combat was from 1944-1945 so it was in a phase of the war where the Allies had the upper hand in the air war in the Pacific.
Rutter talks about his experiences - time in training, arriving as a replacement, working as a new pilot in the squadron, becoming an experienced flight leader, and the trip home. His memoir includes his missions in the air and his time on the ground, working to establish a more hospitable living space at the various base camps.
Ritter is very open about his experiences - he is candid about times where he was lazy on navigation, made mistakes, tried to show off for new pilots in the squadron - the possible consequences and the lessons he learned.
Rutter also discusses the transitions from and back into civilian life.

[Mert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book on an admittedly, shall we say "esoteric" subject; specifically the A-20 Havoc aircraft. It is written in 1st person by a man who spent a year flying the Havoc in the Pacific theater. It is written in pretty common biographical form and is more about the man and his experiences rather than the aircraft itself. I found it fascinating and would recommend to anyone who enjoys WWII history or just the time period between the 1930's and the end of WWII. The A-20 was a unique aircraft either loved or hated and this story outlines the use of this aircraft in the doctrine of the times. Well written and interesting.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable accounting of a young man's war experiences in the SW Pacific theater. Assigned to the 312th Bomb Group flying an A-20 Havoc light bomber strafing Japanese troops and airfields, Joe Rutter weaves dramatic accounts of significant combat missions. His stories of flight training and combat flying were captivating to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[David Sakrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and engaging memoir of World War II aviation in the Pacific.