Little Friends: The Fighter Pilot Experience in WWII England

by Phillip Kaplan

A profile of the "Little Friends"--the nickname given to American and British pilots who escorted U.S. bombers into German-occupied Europe

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Thomas Jr.]

Wonderful book for those interested in the American fighter pilot's role in the air war of the 40s. My only reservation involves the format, which includes various forms of marginal commentary that make progress through the main text challenging.

[Don]

Another exercise in nostalgia for the "last good war," combining first-person narratives with old snapshots and new ones, of the ruins today (1991) of wartime airfields. The first-person stories are admirably chosen from a wide range, including ATA delivery pilots as well as American, British and German fighter pilots. Sad truths (such as the RAF's slavish adherence to prewar formations and the USAAC's use of bombers as bait for fighters) are mentioned, but in context and not overemphasized. The reader reminds himself how much more has changed in the last 25 years (e.g. the important WW2 fighter station where I served in the 1950s now is buried under row housing and shopping centres . . .)

[Dave]

A singularly unique volume on the lofy realm of fighter piltos and their domain presented with flair and interesting belnd of carefully selected vintage images interspersed with modern images of airfields as they appear now along with other graphically interesting items. One of my very favorite books ever!