Silent Wings At War - Combat Gliders in WWII

Author: John Lowden
Publisher: Smithsonion Inst Press WA
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover w/Dust Cover
ISBN: 1-56095-121-0
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Synopsis: John Lowden provides a comprehensive examination of combat glider operations during World War II, documenting the development, deployment, and tactical employment of these unique aircraft across all major theaters of operation. The book traces the evolution of military glider technology from early experimental programs through the sophisticated combat aircraft that delivered troops and equipment behind enemy lines in crucial operations. Lowden details the selection and training of glider pilots, who faced the extraordinary challenge of flying aircraft designed for single-use missions into combat zones often defended by enemy forces. Technical aspects of glider design and operation are thoroughly examined, including the various aircraft types employed by different nations, their payload capabilities, and the unique challenges of flying unpowered aircraft loaded beyond normal weight limits. The narrative covers major glider operations including the invasion of Sicily, D-Day landings, Operation Market Garden, and the Rhine crossing, showing how these silent aircraft provided unique capabilities for delivering troops and heavy equipment to inaccessible locations. Personal accounts from glider pilots and passengers reveal the extraordinary dangers and challenges of these operations, including landing in small fields under enemy fire, dealing with equipment failures, and the psychological stress of flying one-way missions. The book examines the tactical advantages and limitations of glider operations, showing how these aircraft could deliver concentrated forces behind enemy lines but required extensive support and coordination to be effective. Manufacturing and procurement aspects are covered, including the industrial mobilization necessary to produce thousands of gliders and the logistical challenges of positioning these single-use aircraft for combat operations. Lowden addresses the high casualty rates among glider crews and passengers, examining factors that contributed to losses and efforts to improve survival rates through better training and equipment. The work includes coverage of glider operations in the Pacific theater, where different terrain and tactical situations created unique challenges and opportunities for employment. Post-war analysis examines the lessons learned from combat glider operations and their influence on subsequent military aviation development, including the transition to helicopter-borne assault tactics.

Silent Wings At War - Combat Gliders in WWII, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.