We're Poor Little Lambs

Author: Paul Andrews
Publisher: Foxfall Press VA
Edition: First
Cover: Soft
ISBN: 0-915779-04-8
Bomb
The Last Mission of Crew 22 and Piccadilly Lily (100th Bombardment Group: October 8, 1943)

More Reference Books

Synopsis: Paul Andrews's poignant memoir provides an intimate firsthand account of bomber crew experiences during World War II, capturing the dark humor, camaraderie, and psychological challenges faced by young airmen flying dangerous missions over enemy territory. The book's ironic title reflects the gallows humor that sustained bomber crews through repeated encounters with death, as they jokingly referred to themselves as "poor little lambs" while flying some of the war's most hazardous missions. Andrews begins with his training and preparation for combat operations, documenting the intensive process that transformed civilian volunteers into skilled bomber crew members capable of operating complex four-engine aircraft under extreme combat conditions. The narrative follows his deployment to England and integration into Eighth Air Force strategic bombing operations during the height of the campaign against Nazi Germany. The memoir provides detailed accounts of specific missions, capturing the pre-flight tension, combat experience, and post-mission reactions that characterized bomber operations during 1943-1944, when crew survival rates were frequently below fifty percent. Andrews's writing style maintains remarkable honesty about the fear, uncertainty, and psychological pressure of combat flying, avoiding heroic romanticism in favor of authentic portrayal of the bomber crew experience. The book extensively covers the relationships between crew members, describing how men from different backgrounds formed close bonds while sharing the dangers of repeated combat missions. The narrative provides insights into the superstitions, rituals, and coping mechanisms that helped airmen deal with the constant awareness that each mission might be their last. Andrews addresses the impact of casualties on crew morale, describing how units dealt with the loss of friends and comrades while continuing to fly dangerous missions against heavily defended targets. The memoir includes vivid descriptions of German defensive measures, including fighter attacks and anti-aircraft artillery that made bomber operations increasingly deadly throughout the unescorted period of 1943. The author examines the gradual improvement in survival rates following the introduction of long-range escort fighters, particularly the P-51 Mustang that finally made deep penetration missions survivable. Andrews provides detailed coverage of specific aircraft and their crews, creating personal portraits of the men who served alongside him in bomber operations. The book addresses the challenges of completing the required twenty-five mission tour, describing how few crews actually achieved this goal during the period of heaviest losses. The narrative concludes with Andrews's reflections on his combat service and its long-term impact on his life, providing insights into how aerial warfare experiences affected veterans throughout their post-war years. This authentic firsthand account serves as an invaluable primary source for understanding the human experience of strategic bombing operations, preserving the voices and memories of a generation that faced extraordinary challenges with remarkable courage and resilience.

We're Poor Little Lambs, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.