Kriegies, Caterpillers and Lucky Bastards

Author: Glenn Stephens
Publisher: Robinson Typographics CA
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover w/Dust Cover
ISBN: 0-918837-06-5
Bomb

More Reference Books

Synopsis: This unique collection explores three distinct aspects of the World War II bomber crew experience: life as prisoners of war (Kriegies), survival after bailouts (Caterpillers), and those fortunate enough to complete their tours (Lucky Bastards). The book provides comprehensive coverage of experiences that defined the reality of bomber operations over Nazi-occupied Europe, where the odds of survival were disturbingly low. The "Kriegie" section details the experiences of American airmen shot down over enemy territory and subsequently captured, providing insight into the German prisoner of war system and the strategies developed by Allied POWs to maintain morale and resist interrogation. Personal accounts reveal the psychological challenges of captivity, including the constant uncertainty about the war's progress and the fate of family members back home. The book documents the remarkable resilience and ingenuity displayed by prisoners, including escape attempts, underground communication networks, and educational programs that helped maintain mental acuity during long periods of confinement. The "Caterpillar" section focuses on airmen who successfully used their parachutes to escape from damaged aircraft, named after the Caterpillar Club for those whose lives were saved by silk parachutes. These stories include harrowing accounts of bailouts under fire, dangerous landings in hostile territory, and the subsequent efforts to evade capture with the help of resistance organizations. The book details the underground networks that assisted downed airmen, including the courage of ordinary civilians who risked their lives to help Allied personnel return to friendly territory. Escape routes through occupied Europe are thoroughly documented, showing the complex organization required to move personnel across multiple borders while avoiding detection by German security forces. The "Lucky Bastards" section celebrates those airmen who completed their required combat tours and returned home alive, though the book acknowledges that survival often came at a psychological cost that wasn't fully understood at the time. These accounts reveal the survivor's guilt experienced by many veterans who lost close friends and crew members during their service. The work includes detailed statistics on loss rates, survival percentages, and the various factors that influenced an airman's chances of completing his tour. The book also addresses the post-war experiences of all three groups, showing how their wartime experiences continued to influence their lives long after returning to civilian society.

Kriegies, Caterpillers and Lucky Bastards, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.