The Glider Gang: An eyewitness history of World War II glider combat
Author: Milton Dank
Publisher: Lippincott NY
Edition: Firsr
Cover: Hardcover w/Dust Cover
ISBN: 0-397-01161-X
Special
Synopsis: Milton Dank presents a comprehensive examination of World War II glider operations through the firsthand accounts of pilots, troops, and support personnel who participated in these dangerous and crucial missions. The book provides a unique perspective on one of the war's most hazardous aviation specialties, combining personal narratives with historical analysis to document the development and employment of combat gliders. Dank traces the evolution of glider technology and tactics from early experimental programs through major combat operations across multiple theaters. The narrative covers the selection and training of glider pilots, who often came from civilian aviation backgrounds and faced the unique challenge of flying aircraft that could only land once per mission. Technical aspects of glider design and operation are thoroughly examined, including the various aircraft types employed by different nations and their specific capabilities and limitations. The book provides detailed accounts of major glider operations including the invasion of Sicily, D-Day landings, Operation Market Garden, and the Rhine crossing, showing how these silent aircraft delivered troops and equipment behind enemy lines. Personal accounts from glider pilots reveal the extraordinary challenges of flying overloaded aircraft into combat zones, often landing in small fields under enemy fire with minimal navigation aids. The work documents the high casualty rates among glider crews and the psychological challenges of flying essentially disposable aircraft on one-way missions. Dank examines the tactical advantages and limitations of glider operations, showing how these aircraft provided unique capabilities for delivering troops and heavy equipment to inaccessible locations. The book includes accounts of glider operations in the Pacific theater, where different terrain and tactical situations created unique challenges and opportunities. Training procedures and aircraft development are covered in detail, showing how rapidly evolving technology and tactics improved operational effectiveness throughout the war. The work also addresses the post-war fate of glider pilots and the lessons learned from combat glider operations that influenced subsequent military aviation development.
The Glider Gang: An eyewitness history of World War II glider combat, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.
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