Zemke's Wolf Pack

by Hub Zemke

One of America's most effective and charismatic World War II fighter squadron leaders tells his whole dramatic, little-known story of how he contributed so much to victory in Europe. Four 8-page black-and-white photo inserts.

Genres: Biography, Aviation, History, World War II

243 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 1989

Reviews

[David Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the wall over my desk is a lithograph called "The Hunter Becomes the Hunted" by William S. Phillips. It depicts four B-17s, a Focke-Wulf 190 in pursuit, and in the foreground a P-47 zeroing in on the FW 190. It is signed by a B-17 pilot, B-17 top turret gunner, a FW-190 pilot, and a P-47 pilot. That P-47 pilot is Hub Zemke. The information card for the picture tells me that it depicts action on March 6, 1944, a large raid on Berlin, and that the signatories all participated in that action. Reading this book I realize that the P-47 depicted is that of Zemke.

This book, Zemke's Wolf Pack, is the first of two books about Zemke's exploits in WWII. The second book is Zemke's Stalag. That gives the reader a clue as to how this one ends. Of course, the story isn't so much about the destination as the journey.

Here on Goodreads the author is listed as Zemke but the book is (both books, in fact) written by Roger Freeman. Actually, on the cover it says "as told to Roger A. Freeman". That's a pretty apt description. For most of the book it's as if Zemke is talking to the reader, telling us his story. Freeman occasionally interjects a few paragraphs to provide some background or short anecdotes of some of the other characters in the story. In the last couple chapters the tone changes noticeably from "I did this" to "this was done".

When I bought the lithograph I had the impression that the men who signed it were "just" average Joes who took part in far from average events. Reading Zemke's story it's clear to me that "average Joe" is not a very good description of Hub Zemke.

[David Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting way of telling this story: Larger print was Zemke's words, smaller print was co-author. I loved hearing first-hand, unembellished accounts of life on base, formation flying, dealing with administrative tasks and dealing with higher-ups. Hub's command style was quite effective and his stories of flying the P-47 , P-38 and P-51 in aerial combat were gripping.

[Bill Freil · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting, detailed but a bit dry

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story of an outstanding pursuit group commander in WW II. His leadership style was effective as a result of his integrity and forthright dealing with his men. He was aggressive, skilled, resourceful and talented; definitely one of America's greatest generation. There are many useful life lessons in the book. It's a bonus for me that he was raised in Missoula, MT.