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The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II
From its design and development through the major battles of World War II, this is the story of the dive bomber used by both the U.S. and Japan.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1976
About the author
Barrett Tillman
96 books66 followersBorn a fourth-generation Oregonian, descended from American pioneers, Revolutionary War Patriots, Pilgrims (e.g. Priscilla Alden) and Pocahontas, Tillman was raised on the family wheat and cattle ranch. His younger brothers include a breeder of exotic animals and a Rhodes Scholar. In high school he was an Eagle Scout[citation needed], won two state titles as a rudimental drummer, and was a champion speaker and debater. Tillman was first published in 1964 at age 15 and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 9, 2012
I have always thought that the Dauntless was underappreciated compared to other aircraft such as the F4U Corsair, which seemed to attract all the attention. It is a testament to both the aircraft and its pilots that flew that the Dauntless made the contribution it did to the war.
Barrett Tillman’s book is a great overview of the Dauntless in World War II. The book details the development of the aircraft, and a description of all the major operations that the Dauntless participated in, from the initial raids in the Marshalls, through all the major carrier battles of the war, to the endless raids on bypassed Japanese occupied islands. There is also a short chapter on its contribution to the European theater, such as Operation Torch and in Norway. Concluding the book is a short description of the Dauntlesses that survive today.
The chapters on the battles are necessarily limited to the Dauntless’ role in them, so if you are looking for a blow-by-blow description of the great carrier battles, this isn’t the book for you. But if you’re looking for a Dauntless-centric book, then this is it.
I understand that the author has flown a restored Dauntless, and I would have appreciated a chapter or some words on the author’s personal impressions from a pilot’s perspective.
Barrett Tillman’s book is a great overview of the Dauntless in World War II. The book details the development of the aircraft, and a description of all the major operations that the Dauntless participated in, from the initial raids in the Marshalls, through all the major carrier battles of the war, to the endless raids on bypassed Japanese occupied islands. There is also a short chapter on its contribution to the European theater, such as Operation Torch and in Norway. Concluding the book is a short description of the Dauntlesses that survive today.
The chapters on the battles are necessarily limited to the Dauntless’ role in them, so if you are looking for a blow-by-blow description of the great carrier battles, this isn’t the book for you. But if you’re looking for a Dauntless-centric book, then this is it.
I understand that the author has flown a restored Dauntless, and I would have appreciated a chapter or some words on the author’s personal impressions from a pilot’s perspective.
August 9, 2009
Tillman's Dauntless Dive Bomber is a great read about a classic aircraft. The theory that the dive bomber was the most effective weapon in the Battle of Midway is brought home in Tillman's book. His aircraft "biography" of the Corsair was tremendous and this "biography" of the Dauntless is just as exceptional. It is a must read for any naval aviation enthusiast and or any one interested in understanding the true winning weapon of the Battle of Midway. After reading this book its strongly reccommended you read Harold Buell's Dauntless Helldivers since he flew both the Dauntless and the Helldiver in combat.
January 30, 2015
Excellent book about the Dauntless dive bomber of World War II. Covers all aspects of World War II where Scout Bomber Douglas (SBD) were used. Well worth my time. Valuable addition to anyone's World War II aviation bookshelf.
July 4, 2009
A little dated, but written with an air of enthusiasm for the subject. Not a bad read - recommended if you're interested.
September 13, 2024
While not a history, military, or aviation buff myself, I still found my mind flickering with the intrigues of those scopes while diving through the pages of this book. This tome was a gift from my grandpa as he described it, "A story of one of the greatest heroes of WW2" and I always believed him to be describing a specific pilot. When I finally got around to reading this document, I found the truth to be much grander as he was obviously referring to the Northrop aeroplane who valiantly delivered throughout the second world war. The author gives expert recounting of the events of the battles which Dauntless participates, remained objective to facts about the plane, and gave scholarly passion to this topic.
April 15, 2019
A respected workhorse
The father of a friend of mine flew the Douglas Dauntless for the Marines in WW 2. He loved the airplane. This book goes into the details of both the design and the usefulness the Dauntless played in the the Pacific campaign as well as mentioning the African campaign. Interesting and informative.
The father of a friend of mine flew the Douglas Dauntless for the Marines in WW 2. He loved the airplane. This book goes into the details of both the design and the usefulness the Dauntless played in the the Pacific campaign as well as mentioning the African campaign. Interesting and informative.
June 17, 2023
The Dauntless Dive Bomber of WWII
Barrett Tillman
The SBD Dauntless dive bomber is undoubtedly one of the most important aircraft of the second world war. Even more definitely the most important of the Pacific war.
If you are not a history nerd, this book probably won’t hold your attention. If you are, it is a must read. It details all of the combat service for the Dauntless.
Barrett Tillman
The SBD Dauntless dive bomber is undoubtedly one of the most important aircraft of the second world war. Even more definitely the most important of the Pacific war.
If you are not a history nerd, this book probably won’t hold your attention. If you are, it is a must read. It details all of the combat service for the Dauntless.
July 7, 2020
This book is on my top 10 reads of WWII Air War.
December 26, 2020
Love airplanes of ww ii
I was a child during world war II. Heard about all the campaigns, watched movietone news reels. Always wanted more depth.
I was a child during world war II. Heard about all the campaigns, watched movietone news reels. Always wanted more depth.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews