First Of The Many - A Journal of Action with the Men of the 8th Air Force

Author: John McCrary DavidScherman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster NY
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover
Published: 1944
Bomb

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Synopsis: John McCrary and David Scherman's collaborative work provides a unique contemporary perspective on the early operations of the Eighth Air Force in Europe, combining the insights of a military correspondent and a Life magazine photographer who documented the American strategic bombing campaign during its most crucial developmental phase. This journal-style account captures the immediate impressions and daily experiences of the men who pioneered daylight precision bombing tactics during 1942-1943. McCrary and Scherman begin with the arrival of the first American bomber units in England, documenting the massive effort required to establish operational bases and integrate American air power into the European theater. Their narrative provides intimate portraits of the aircrews and commanders who developed the tactical procedures and formations that would guide American bombing operations throughout the war. The book extensively covers the early experimental missions when American bombers attempted unescorted daylight raids against German targets, honestly portraying both the courage of the aircrews and the heavy losses that called into question the entire strategic bombing concept. The authors provide detailed accounts of specific missions, capturing the pre-flight preparations, combat experiences, and post-mission debriefings that characterized bomber operations during this critical period. Their contemporary perspective avoids the retrospective analysis that often characterizes later accounts, instead providing immediate reactions to events as they unfolded. McCrary and Scherman address the development of American bombing doctrine, examining how tactical lessons learned in combat gradually modified pre-war theoretical assumptions about the effectiveness of strategic air power. The narrative includes extensive coverage of the personalities and leadership styles of key commanders, providing insights into the decision-making processes that guided early bombing operations. The book chronicles the evolution of bomber aircraft and equipment, describing how combat experience led to continuous improvements in armament, armor, and operational procedures. The authors examine the international aspects of Allied cooperation, describing how American and British forces worked together despite different approaches to strategic bombing doctrine and tactics. Their account provides valuable insights into the logistical challenges of supporting strategic bombing operations, including the enormous effort required to maintain hundreds of heavy bombers in combat-ready condition. McCrary and Scherman address the human cost of early bombing operations, documenting the high casualty rates that characterized unescorted missions during 1943 while maintaining respect for the airmen who flew these dangerous operations. The narrative captures the unique culture and camaraderie of bomber crews, describing how men formed close bonds while facing shared dangers during repeated combat missions. The book concludes with the authors' assessment of early bombing campaign results and their expectations for future operations, providing historical perspective on the development of strategic air power. This contemporary account serves as an invaluable primary source for understanding the early development of American strategic bombing operations and the experiences of the men who conducted them.

First Of The Many - A Journal of Action with the Men of the 8th Air Force, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.