Desert Fire: The Untold Story of the Air Mission That Cut Off Hitler's Oil

by John E. Blundell

Overview

The daring, low-level mission to the oil refineries of Ploesti has long been considered one of the most significant missions of World War II. The Allies were determined to annihilate the very source of the fuel which fed the German war machine.

In Desert Fire: The Untold Story of the Air Mission That Cut Off Hitler's Oil, John Blundell, distinguished veteran of the 98th Bomb Group, provides not only an insider's point of view on the critical mission in Europe and North Africa but also compelling photos of the heroes and hardships faced by America's Force of Freedom," the 98th Bomb Group. Alma Joyce Hahn of the Benton Courier describes the book as "an adventure story you will laugh, you will wipe a tear away; you will be inspired.""

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596528192
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	03/21/2011
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

John E. Blundell is a distinguished veteran of the 98th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force, of World War II. During the Ploesti oil fields mission in Northern Africa, he was assigned as chief of the Bomber Photographic Section and successfully carried out his duties of installing photographic equipment in planes to record the effects of refinery attacks.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

1 The Long Trip 1

2 Getting It All Together 16

3 Palestine: The Land and the People 30

4 Egypt: Ancient Mysteries and Modern Ways 42

5 North Africa: Perils and Victory 61

Images 81

6 Ploesti: Planning and Performance 111

7 Return to Cairo: A Dream Realized 133

8 Italy: Civilization at Last 147

9 U.S.A.: Home Again 174

98th Air Offensive: Campaigns, Awards, and Honors 194

98th Combat Crews Participating in the Ploesti Mission 196

Mission Board 217

Bibliography 220

Index 222

Editorial Reviews

A compelling story of survival in a wartorn combat zone.” — Major General Sidney McMath “An adventure story—you will laugh, you will wipe a tear away; you will be inspired.” —Alma Joyce Hahn, the Benton Courier

From the Publisher