This book, originally published in 1958 was reprinted in 2002 by the WWII Veterans Committee .  Whitcomb went on to become Governor of Indiana, but before WWII, he was a young Lieutenant bombardier in B-17s with the US Army Air Force. His book is one of the most frank, and readable personal narratives about his incredible story of service in the Philippines, and escape from Japanese captivity.

The book begins with his flight aboard B-17 Flying Fortress to Clark Field, part of the first bomber force to be deployed overseas as a deterrent to Japanese aggression. Wide eyed in this new country, Whitcomb describes life in the Philippines and Manila in the innocently idol final days of peace.  Even as conflict loomed, there was little appreciation of the impending danger coming on December 8, 1941.

Shocked, he witnesses the Japanese air raids against Clark Field that in one strike destroyed most American air power on Luzon, he has to fall back with American and Filipino forces to Battan.

Review by  Justin Taylan

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018