Black Cat Raiders of World War II

by Richard C. Knott

Book by Knots, R.

Genres: Aviation, History, World War II

253 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1981

About the author

Capt. Richard K. Knott (Ret.) is a recipient of the Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award for Excellence in Naval Aviation History and Literature and the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement.

Reviews

[John Lomnicki,]

intriguing story of an effective plane with many missions

Written as a newspaperman would. Copious vignettes of information. These may have been more valuable than the pt boats because of the number of Japanese ships and barges destroyed. Also viewed the utube clip The Story of the Black Cats to get a physical perspective. Had seen a black cat in Oregon next to the Spruce Goose.

[John Naylor]

Note: I read a British printed edition of this book with the same cover and page length. I did not feel the need to count it as a new edition.

The war that raged in World War 2 in the Pacific Ocean is often ignored for the parts of the war that raged in Europe as well as later wars on Asian shores. This book taught me a lot about what happened there and how a fleet of nearly obsolete seaplanes helped change the course of the war.

It lists how and why the "Black Cats" were formed and why they were so important to the war. It gives details of individual flights and the the men who flew them. It gives accounts if how and why some of them didn't make it back as well as why many were lucky to do so. It never strays too far from the planes and pilots involved so it has a narrow focus of the war that I feel will help a casual reader understand what happened.

The one thing it definitely lacks is any empathy for the Japanese. The author almost seems to relish describing how some of the enemy were shot down in cold blood and unarmed. I understand that this book was written by an American for an American audience but it crossed a few lines of taste on occasion. The narrow focus it has also means it has very little space for any other nationalities that helped the Allied war effort.

It is a fascinating read about some of the bravest men ever to fly a plane into a warzone. Especially as they flew into one more than once a night. It shows the determination and hardships that these men endured in the war. I would definitely recommend it to those interested in war, llanes, World War 2 and the history of certain Pacific Islands.

[Brian Page]

Having read quite a bit on the Second World War in the Pacific, I was surprised, after reading Black Cat Raiders of WWII by Richard C. Knott, that I was completely unaware of the offensive operations carried out by squadrons of black-painted, radar assisted Navy PBY flying boats, flying at night against Japanese warships and supply operations. Without slighting the combat operations of courageous U.S. service personnel, it is important to note that the war was, in large measure, a competition of industrial sectors and the interdiction of enemy supply operations was a significant factor in depriving the enemy of effective combat ability. The PBY was, for all practical purposes, obsolete when the war began and yet through creative adaptation and inspired operation, it excelled as opportunities & situations appeared that matched its unique capabilities. Knott’s account is a worthy telling of the roll of the PBY and the aviators who flew these surprisingly capable aircraft.

[Steve Barney]

Very interesting book about the changing role of the PBY flying boats in the Pacific theater of World War 2. Specifically, their role as “Black Cat” raiders during the war. One of sea rescue (which they did very successfully), and as night attack fighter bombers (also a very successful). The latter was the result of figuring a way to effectively use the outdated plane, very much out matched by the enemy’s Zeros, as an offensive weapon. Which it indeed became. A black painted, radar using, night flyer that could absorb lots of damage and still fly. They could be equipped with bombs, torpedoes and machine guns. It was effectively a WW2 stealth bomber. Used against an enemy that frequently didn’t see it coming.

[Lee]

Amazing intimate detail and photographs. The Arthur's research is thorough. The book provides a thorough look at the beginning of the WWII Pacific War when the Japaneses completely dominated the completely unprepared US and Australian Military. The Navy's PBY flying boats, aka The Catalina Flying Boats, Patroll Aircraft, the Black Cat Raiders, were converted for combat, painted black, for long range bombing missions. Book loaned to me by Don Odom.

[Lesa Young]

great read not the Hollywood WWII read

Great history of a version of WWII history I was not aware of. I would recommend this to any war historian

[Lee]

Good basic coverage of different squadrons and various engagements.

[Lew]

This was a very good book about the Black Cat Squadrons that operated in the Southwest Pacific islands during WWII. The Black Cats were the nick name for PBY Catalina planes that were painted black and when on Search & Attack missions at night. These squadrons did a lot of damage to Japanese shipping. Mr. Knott does very good job to telling the stories of the crews that flew this planes. A must read for anyone interested in Pacific Air War during WWII.