The Last Time I Saw Them

Author: Corey Ford
Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons NY
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover
Published: 1946
Misc
History of the US Army Air Forces in WWII written thru the perspectives of individual’s stories. Chapters range from Alaska, England, Greenland, India, Burma, China, the US, the Philippines and the Marianas. 

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Synopsis: Corey Ford's "The Last Time I Saw Them" presents a poignant and comprehensive examination of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, told through the personal narratives of individual airmen who served across the globe. This masterful work distinguishes itself by focusing on human stories rather than grand strategy, creating an intimate portrait of American aviation personnel who fought in every theater of the war. Ford's approach brings together accounts from airmen who served in diverse and challenging environments, from the frigid conditions of Alaska's Aleutian Islands to the steaming jungles of Burma and the hostile skies over Nazi-occupied Europe. The book's structure allows readers to understand the global scope of American air operations while maintaining focus on individual experiences that illustrate the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of Army Air Forces personnel. Through chapters covering operations in Alaska, England, Greenland, India, Burma, China, the continental United States, the Philippines, and the Marianas, Ford demonstrates how American airmen adapted to vastly different operational environments, weather conditions, and enemy threats. Each geographic section reveals unique challenges faced by air crews, from Arctic survival techniques required in Greenland to jungle warfare training necessary for operations in Southeast Asia. The author's treatment of the China-Burma-India theater is particularly valuable, as it illuminates a often-overlooked aspect of the air war where American pilots supported Chinese forces and flew supplies over the treacherous "Hump" route across the Himalayas. Ford's narrative captures the evolution of American air power from the desperate early days following Pearl Harbor through the overwhelming superiority achieved by 1945. The book chronicles the development of long-range bombing capabilities, the establishment of training programs that produced thousands of skilled aircrews, and the logistical achievements that enabled operations across vast distances. Personal accounts from bomber crews reveal the psychological toll of repeated missions over heavily defended targets, while fighter pilot stories demonstrate the skills and courage required in aerial combat. The work also addresses the human cost of air warfare, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice while celebrating the resilience of survivors. Ford's writing style combines journalistic objectivity with emotional depth, creating portraits of military aviators that emphasize their humanity while respecting their service. The book serves as both historical record and memorial, preserving individual stories that might otherwise be lost while contributing to broader understanding of American air operations during World War II.

The Last Time I Saw Them, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.