Doomed at the start : American pursuit pilots in the Philippines, 1941-1942 / William H. Bartsch ; foreword by Herbert Ellis
Title
Doomed at the start : American pursuit pilots in the Philippines, 1941-1942 / William H. Bartsch ; foreword by Herbert Ellis
Subject
United States. Army. Air Corps. Pursuit Group, 24th--History.
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Philippines.
World War, 1939-1945--Regimental histories--United States.
Description
Well-researched and well-written account of the American fighter (then called pursuit) pilots in the defense of the Philippines.
Armed with some of the latest (and some of the older) fighters the US had, these pilots flew a one-sided battle against superior Japanese aircraft and pilots. Most planes and installations were lost in the first days of the war, and the planeless pilots and crew had to serve as infantry on Bataan, while the last P-40 fighters were hoarded for almost suicidal missions to attack the Japanese when possible.
Bartsch interviewed or contacted almost all surviving pilots at that time, and unearthed much historical (and photographic) material, resulting in a readable and definitive account.
Armed with some of the latest (and some of the older) fighters the US had, these pilots flew a one-sided battle against superior Japanese aircraft and pilots. Most planes and installations were lost in the first days of the war, and the planeless pilots and crew had to serve as infantry on Bataan, while the last P-40 fighters were hoarded for almost suicidal missions to attack the Japanese when possible.
Bartsch interviewed or contacted almost all surviving pilots at that time, and unearthed much historical (and photographic) material, resulting in a readable and definitive account.
Creator
Bartsch, William H.
Publisher
College Station, TX : Texas A&M University Press, c1992
Date
1992
Format
23 x 16 cm.
Type
Softbound
Identifier
890966796
Call Number
D 790 .B35 1992
Accession Number
13620
Pagination
xxi, 503 p.
Illustration
ill.
Files
Collection
Citation
Bartsch, William H., “Doomed at the start : American pursuit pilots in the Philippines, 1941-1942 / William H. Bartsch ; foreword by Herbert Ellis,” FHL-Roderick Hall, accessed September 12, 2026, https://fhl.omeka.net/items/show/839.