DOC Intrepid Aviators: The American Flyers Who Sank Japan's Greatest Battleship by Gregory G. Fletcher in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Mosquitos -vs- the BehemothBy CustomerAny part of this WW II travelogue would rate 3 1/2 stars... it includes history leading to the WW II battles; technology used by each side; the geography over which they operated; and people who fought. Yes; each section includes trivia of ship construction; or aircraft features; or the size of antiaircraft guns; but they set the stage for future events.Flying in combat; young pilots depend upon their commanders; skill; their aircraft; and luck. That is where the individual story begins. Will Fletcher joined the Navy and after training; found himself in Torpedo Squadron 18; assigned to the carrier Intrepid (of 36;000 tons displacement). In a campaign to reduce aerial opposition to upcoming invasions; His ship is part of the force that bombs Japanese airfields in the Palaus; then Philippines; and Formosa; surprising enemy planes waiting to strike. Later; before MacArthur's return to the Philippines; they stand guard against the Imperial Japanese Navy's response.Three groups of powerful Japanese ships head for the beachhead to slaughter US troops and sailors. Air Group 18; with Fletcher; attack the center force. In it is Musashi; a Battleship of 72;000 tons and armed with 18 in guns. Face-to-face; the Intrepid would not survive long; but they never saw each other. In multiple strikes against Musashi; different planes drop many bombs; and 10 confirmed torpedoes besides 9 'possibles'. Fletch carried one of the torpedoes. Musashi sank that night.However; Fletch had been damaged by Musashi and crashed in the water. There follows a chronicle of his survival and joining the guerrillas. We follow him as he shares starvation rations with the natives; dodges Japanese patrols; endures leeches and heat. You will learn a lot about the trials of civilians preyed upon by the greedy Japanese.There is one perspective here- a young patriot who perservered despite frightening odds. If you have already read of these battles in (Dauntless Helldivers; The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour; Intrepid: The Epic Story of America's Most Legendary Warship); then skip ahead to read of the experiences of ordinary Filipinos under the occupation. *4 Stars*Scholars will like the bibliography; source notes; individuals interviewed; chapter end notes and extensive index. There are good maps and a selection of clear BW photos. *+1 Star*This explains the spirit of young men who were not afraid of Nipponese power.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. GrippingBy Jack SparacinoIntrepid Aviators takes the reader deep inside the Intrepid's air combat missions with a highly detailed focus on the brave torpedo bombers. Mr. Fletcher practically gives the reader flying lessons with his macro and (more frequently) microscopic descriptions of how the Avenger flew and fought. One quickly comes to identify with and root for the pilots and their crews; whose assignments ranged from challenging to close to impossible. It is easy to feel each casualty personally and to wish it were possible to rewrite history and allow more of these incredible men to return to their families after the war. My one lingering question mark surrounded how the author was able to accumulate the massive amount of mission details and the minute by minute circumstances of his father's crash; rescue; and service with the Filipinos. I saw no mention of a diary or the multiple recountings of his experiences that would seem necessary to capture his experiences so vividly. In any case; the book reads very well and lays out a fascinating piece of U.S. naval history.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wasn't exactly what i was expecting; left wanting more on the sinking of the battleship!By Jonathan MattsonI hope I’m not perceived as a harsh grader; but I didn’t hate the book but at the same time I didn’t love the book either.I think he does a good job of being able to tell the story with the people involved. He makes you feel connected to them which is always a good thing. I understood this wasn’t going to a dry operational history of a carrier’s air group; but at the same time I guess I was hoping for a little more coverage of the actual attacks and sinking of the battleship. It seemed to me he did a wonderful job of setting the stage for the actual attacks on the battleship; but once it got time for the actual attacks and sinking of the battleship it seems that things got glossed over quickly in my opinion.If you want details regarding carriers operations during the battle of Leyte Gulf; this is a fine book. If you are reading more to see how they sank the Musashi during the battle of leyte gult; you will be like me and left wanting more.