Woodbine Red Leader: A P-51 Mustang Ace in the Mediterranean Theater

by George G. Loving

A COMBAT ACE’S ACCOUNT OF PILOTING THE GREATEST SINGLE-SEAT FIGHTER IN WORLD WAR II

World War II marked the end of an era; fighter pilots still flew by the seat of their pants, and George Loving recaptures the exhilarating world of aerial combat in all its stark terror and fiery glory. His first fighter was the famed Spitfire, hero of the Battle of Britain. By 1943, however, it was obsolescent and did not match up well against the first-line German Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs. Yet Loving survived 101 combat missions flying the Spitfire. In the spring of 1944, Loving’s 31st Fighter Group started flying P-51 Mustangs and was transferred to the new Fifteenth Air Force to escort heavy-bomber formations on long-range strategic strikes across southern Europe, including southeastern Germany. In the flak-filled skies over Ploesti, Vienna, Bucharest, Munich, and Stuttgart, where a number of the war’s fiercest air battles took place, Lieutenant Loving flew head-to-head against some of the Luftwaffe’s top fighter aces.

By the time George Loving completed his 151st, and final, combat mission on August 21, 1944, he had risen from a lowly second lieutenant and untested wingman to captain, group leader, and Mustang ace. Loving’s gripping account captures the savage action he experienced in all its intensity.

Genres: Military History, World War II, History, War, Nonfiction, Aviation, Historical

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Lt. General George Gilmer Loving, Jr., USAF

Reviews

[Spad53 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly generic pilot’s memoir of the second world war in Europe. What made me choose it was that George Loving was based in Italy, and flew the Spitfire before transitioning to the more usual P-51 Mustang. I knew US pilots flew Spitfires but not read very much about that. I’m a sucker for anything about Spitfires, so I enjoyed that part. I enjoyed all of it actually, he was on one of the shuttle bombing trips to Soviet Ukraine, and operated from an airstrip in Zaporizjzja. It was well-written and all aviation facts are on the button, not one of the very best, but well up there.

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best, most engaging Second World War fighter pilot memoirs I have yet read.

George Loving relates his wartime experiences with the 31st Fighter Group, United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. His is a unique story, for he was one of the few American fighter aces fortunate enough to have flown both the Supermarine Spitfire (with which the 31st Fighter Group was equipped when he was assigned to it as a replacement pilot) and the P-51 Mustang in combat against the Luftwaffe.

[Bill Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an exciting account of a WWII American fighter ace. The first part of the book details his training both in the US and in Italy. George Loving then describes his harrowing accounts of combat. The descriptions are vivid and honest. I like the honesty and lack of grandstanding. People fought, and people died. My only complaint is that the book reads like a list of facts. I would have preferred more insight. I also would have liked to know what happened after the war.
This is an excellent book, and I enjoyed reading it. I recommend it to three friends who appreciate WWII combat stories.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read, the author flew both the Spitfire and P-51B in the Mediterranean becoming an Ace with the Mustang. A detailed description of combat and squadron life, although I felt at times lacked emotion such as his first kill which came sometime after many of the other pilots and something George had been keenly anticipating but just mentioned in the course of the mission with no fanfare or thoughts.
Overall it was a hard book to put down and I look forward to reading his Korean War experiences in Bully Able Leader.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written memoir that offers some perspective on being a fighter pilot in the 15th Air Force, which was based in the Mediterranean. Loving was a P-51 pilot who started out in Spitfires.
One thing that jumped out at me was that he led the group of 40+ Mustangs on a mission on his first 21st birthday - it helped to bring home to me how much responsibility so many took on at a young age.

[Tyler Kuehne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a auto-biography on the life of George Loving, who was a U.S. Air Force pilot in World war II. The book is based on George's experiences as a fighter pilot, during dangerous missions in Europe. but the real meaning behind the book is to show how everyone fighting in a war struggles with being away from home and loved ones. The book starts off explaining how george decided to join the Air Force, since he didn't see another oppertunity in the future. He then explains his experiences in basic training, and then into the Air Force. His first taste of combat came when his squadron was first deployed to North Africa, in mid 1943. Then in the following years George and his Squadron moved to Italy, in the year 1944. Flying dangerous missions, escorting American bombers, over the skyies of Austria and Germany. George explains his life threatening fights with great German fighter pilots, many that he one only by escaping fire by a hair. George safely made it through the war, and now currently lives in his hometown in Virginia.

I loved this book, because it was very easy to read and understand. George Loving made his writing very simple, but he still illustrated the excitement that he had in his missions. The book was very well written and didn't drag on, it was very enjoyable to read. It taught me that everyone that has fought in a war has a kind of struggle with being in a war. George missed being away from his home, his family and is girlfriend. It makes me understand alot more what our military people fell today.

I would recommend this book to anyone how wanted a good book about someone in a war. It is very easy to read and isn't a gruesome, bloody book. It will make you appreciate our military even more. I think everyone should read this book.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like history, and WWII flying is something have loved since I was in elementary school. I hoped for gripping first person narrative, but found this a little to dry and repetitive. I think it is probably TOO accurate an account as air combat involved a lot of flying with a low percentage of actual action.

[Beth/Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good perspective on air combat in this theater. Points out some differences to what pilots flying over Europe encountered. I found it interesting that he preferred flying the older P-51B model as opposed to the newer D version.

[Andrew Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed delving into the life of George as he remembers it, full of the little details that brings this history back to life.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story of a P-51 Mustang pilot from his training until his last mission.