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SHOT DOWN The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B17 Susan Ruth Steve Snyder 9780986076008 Books

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SHOT DOWN The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B17 Susan Ruth Steve Snyder 9780986076008 Books

I love learning things but I'm not one to have the patience to sit and read an entire book. In fact, I haven't read a book cover to cover, literally, in decades. However, I had to change my tune when I became aware of this biography of a WWII pilot and crew that, coincidentally, belonged to the same bomb group as my own father, albeit about a year earlier. The 306th bomb group based in Thurleigh, England had the dubious distinction of being the very first bomb group to take the war to the skies over Germany. Yes, nearly every old WWII clip you see of B-17's in combat, being shot up and going down, it all started with the 306th. (The famous movie, "12 O'Clock High" was also heavily based on the 306th BG.) I'm not going to go into details because there are many reviews already so there's no point in being redundant. I'll just say that for the first time in eons I couldn't put a book down until I got to the back cover. The author tells a fascinating story that takes us back to the greatest days of The Greatest Generation, where these men came from and how they ended up where they did. Starting with the training, life on the numerous bases scattered all over the English countryside that were built in such short order - a monumental effort in its own right - then on to the actual combat these "kids" had to survive at least 25 times. At this point the story has become established and now we get to see another picture, the picture of what it's like not to be the lucky ones to return to base. Now we get to see what it's like to have your Fortress shot out of the sky 25,000 feet over enemy territory, to parachute down behind enemy lines, the new battle for survival and great details about what can happen to individuals of a crew and what it takes for them to get back to friendly lines...or not. One little tidbit most are not aware of, with the ferocity of the war in the skies over Germany the 8th Air Force had a higher attrition rate and lost more men than any other unit in the US military during the war! This isn't just a story, it's history, a history that needs to be revisited time to time lest we forget. A history that needs to be passed on to future generations of this great country lest they never learn why it was great or what it took to achieve that greatness. Buy. Read. Experience. Learn. Remember.


Tags : SHOT DOWN: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth [Steve Snyder] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves /> <w:TrackFormatting /> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF /> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark /> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning /> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents /> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps /> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val= Cambria Math /> <m:brkBin m:val= before /> <m:brkBinSub m:val= -- /> <m:smallFrac m:val= off /> <m:dispDef /> <m:lMargin m:val= 0 /> <m:rMargin m:val= 0 /> <m:defJc m:val= centerGroup /> <m:wrapIndent m:val= 1440 /> <m:intLim m:val= subSup /> <m:naryLim m:val= undOvr /> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p class= MsoNormal ><strong style= mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; >Belgium ... February 8,Steve Snyder,SHOT DOWN: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth,Sea Breeze Publishing LLC,0986076007,Military - Aviation,Military - General,Military - World War Ii,B-17 bomber.,World War, 1939-1945;Aerial operations, American.,World War, 1939-1945;Europe;Aerial operations.,History Military History,History,History Military Aviation,History Military General,History Military World War II,Military

SHOT DOWN The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B17 Susan Ruth Steve Snyder 9780986076008 Books Reviews

Author Steve Snyder was the only one who could write this book; he put his heart and soul into it, and it shows!
As a published aviation historian and researcher, I was amazed at the depth of his research and the lengths he went to uncover the facts!

The book is actually a collection of stories about the men of the B-17 crew SUSAN RUTH. We learn about their varied backgrounds, their training, entry into war over the skies of Europe, and what it was like to fly missions in the Flying Forts. I was amazed that the author left no stone unturned in his quest for historical accuracy, right down to locating the actual Luftwaffe pilot who shot down his dad's plane and getting his recollections!

If Steve's goal was to elicit an emotional reaction from his readers, he certainly succeeded with me! That's an example of mighty fine writing! After putting down the book, I was grateful and relieved that I never had to endure what the crew went through.

Steve and his father Howard pay tribute to the many sympathetic villagers in occupied Belgium and France who risked their lives to rescue and provide aid to our shot down airmen. Some of the survivors of SUSAN RUTH went back to personally thank the families. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing their smiling faces and the houses and farms where they hid from the Germans and their collaborators.

CONGRATULATIONS STEVE!
Meticulous and endearing tribute to the crew of the B17 Flying Fortress, the Susan Ruth during World War II. Complied by letters and records left behind, author Steven Snyder, son of the pilot, Howard Synder, recounts the exploits of the crew from their family background, to training to the fiery crash that caused them to parachute and survive in enemy territory. In a clear and crisp voice, Synder describes both his father and the world he lived in. The budding romance with his mother, courtship and finally marriage is tenderly told through personal letters that paint a vivid picture of their relationship. Training, deployment to England and the grueling and dangerous conditions are described in harrowing details. This is how we should learn about war, through the eyes of those who sacrifice so much to keep others safe. The book tells of their insecurities and fears, the heartache from being away from loved ones, missing births and other milestones in the home front. I loved this band of brothers, their camaraderie and courage, and when I read the parts of the outcome, the unfair vagary of fate, I was saddened by the wastefulness of war. Heartbreaking and poignant, families and wives at home, showed equal bravery and support. This was a memoir, a love letter from son to father, honoring him for his quiet dignity and courage. It is a wonderful snapshot of people preforming admirably under the worst of conditions, where some gave everything they had to give.
I read a lot of WWII history - mostly Veterans' accounts. I am not an historian or an expert - I just appreciate these men and women so much. Mr. Snyder's book about his father and what he and his crew experienced as USAAF fighters in Europe is just so good. Mr. Snyder has written this book in such a manner that anyone can understand the workings of the Armed Forces without being over simplistic or condescending. The story of these men is so worth reading. What they went through as fliers against the Luftwaffe was unimaginable, to me. The losses they suffered yet carried on shows how dedicated they were. What they went through as downed fliers was more so. Mr. Snyder conveys the conditions inside the B-17 and the fear and professionalism of these men so well - you almost feel like you're in that plane with them. Intermixed with the story of these men are letters to and from home which gives the reader a good idea of how it must have been to have your husband/brother/son/sweetheart overseas not knowing whether or not he'd come back - truly the Greatest Generation. Read it - you won't regret it.
I love learning things but I'm not one to have the patience to sit and read an entire book. In fact, I haven't read a book cover to cover, literally, in decades. However, I had to change my tune when I became aware of this biography of a WWII pilot and crew that, coincidentally, belonged to the same bomb group as my own father, albeit about a year earlier. The 306th bomb group based in Thurleigh, England had the dubious distinction of being the very first bomb group to take the war to the skies over Germany. Yes, nearly every old WWII clip you see of B-17's in combat, being shot up and going down, it all started with the 306th. (The famous movie, "12 O'Clock High" was also heavily based on the 306th BG.) I'm not going to go into details because there are many reviews already so there's no point in being redundant. I'll just say that for the first time in eons I couldn't put a book down until I got to the back cover. The author tells a fascinating story that takes us back to the greatest days of The Greatest Generation, where these men came from and how they ended up where they did. Starting with the training, life on the numerous bases scattered all over the English countryside that were built in such short order - a monumental effort in its own right - then on to the actual combat these "kids" had to survive at least 25 times. At this point the story has become established and now we get to see another picture, the picture of what it's like not to be the lucky ones to return to base. Now we get to see what it's like to have your Fortress shot out of the sky 25,000 feet over enemy territory, to parachute down behind enemy lines, the new battle for survival and great details about what can happen to individuals of a crew and what it takes for them to get back to friendly lines...or not. One little tidbit most are not aware of, with the ferocity of the war in the skies over Germany the 8th Air Force had a higher attrition rate and lost more men than any other unit in the US military during the war! This isn't just a story, it's history, a history that needs to be revisited time to time lest we forget. A history that needs to be passed on to future generations of this great country lest they never learn why it was great or what it took to achieve that greatness. Buy. Read. Experience. Learn. Remember.