Operation Pineapple Express Audio Book Review

Operation Pineapple Express

Written and Narrated by LCOL Scott Mann

Audiobook, 10 hours and 34 minutes

Published by Simon & Schuster Audio

Language: English

ASIN: B09MV7DBXN

Americans and their allies fought in Afghanistan for over two decades as part of the “Global War on Terror”, at the cost of over 2,100 Americans and 1,100 NATO soldiers killed, along with countless Afghans fighting alongside the coalition.  A significant effort was made to train and equip Afghans who stood against the Taliban.  These Afghans fought alongside coalition forces and were integrated into allied units, and visa versa.

An agreement was reached to withdraw U.S. and coalition forces from Afghanistan by September 2021.  Despite the Taliban beginning a fresh offensive in violation of the agreement, President Biden accelerated the pace of the U.S. withdrawal against the council of his military advisors.  Providence by providence, resistance to the Taliban collapsed, and the Afghan National Security Forces dissolved.  Bagram Airbase was abandoned despite being a fortified and defensible position, and coalition forces scrambled to evacuate their military personnel, contractors, and Embassy staffs.  Elements of the 82^nd Airborne and U.S. Marines were deployed to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

Billions of Dollars worth of military equipment was abandoned, with no plan in place to remove or destroy the supplies they soon fell into the hands of the Taliban.  There was also no plan to evacuate the Afghanis who had fought for years alongside the Americans.  These Afghani allies were known to the Taliban, and they and their families were soon being hunted down and killed.  One of these was an Afghan soldier named Nazam, who was a graduate of the Green Beret’s Q course at Fort Bragg.  The author was Nazam’s former commanding officer, who soon learned of his plight and began organizing efforts to get Nazam aboard a USAF transport out of Kabul.  Soon an ad hoc organization of military veterans was formed, which eventually succeeded in getting Nazam out.  However, the group was soon flooded with calls to help other Afghani operators and their families.  This effort became known as “Operation Pineapple Express”.

This book reflects the best and the worst of America.  Veterans who remained loyal to their comrades stepped in to do the job the politicians refused to do or even acknowledge needed done.  The evacuation was (and is) a national disgrace, and no one in the Administration or senior military leadership has been held accountable or resigned in protest.  This book is a difficult read, but remains relevant today.  Recommended.

Greetings from Afghanistan Audio Book Review

Greetings from Afghanistan, Send More Ammo: Dispatches from Taliban Country

Written by Benjamin Tupper, Narrated by Johnny Heller

Audiobook, 5 hours and 1 minute

Published by Tantor Audio, June 2010

Language: English

ASIN: B003S8305S

One component of the U.S. effort to train and equip the fledgling Afghan National Army (ANA) was a concept known as the Embedded Training Team.  This involved the assignment of small numbers of U.S. Army soldiers to ANA units as advisors and liaisons to other U.S. units fighting alongside.  National Guard Captain Benjamin Tupper was one such member of an ETT assigned to an Afghan company.  With one other American, Tupper would fight with the ANA against the Taliban.

Tupper originally recounted his experiences in his unofficial blog.  These blog posts gained a following during Tupper’s deployment, and several were broadcast on NPR.  He took the attitude that it was easier to ask for forgiveness than it was to ask for permission, with the predictable result that his posts made him both friends and enemies within his chain of command.  However, nothing he writes comes across as toxic or overly political, although a few passages may be a bit graphic for the sensitivities of some.

I am not sure if the book is drawn directly from Tupper’s blog posts or if they are based upon them, but the chapters are composed of individual anecdotes and stories.  In that way they can be viewed as an anthology of Tupper’s observations and experiences during his tour.  He is great storyteller and writer, I found the book very engaging and also way too short.  Recommended.

German Fighters in the West Book Review

German Fighters in the West from Poland to the Defence of the Reich

By Michael Meyer and Paul Stipdonk

Hardcover, no dustjacket, 508 pages, 1,038 photographs, 41 color profiles, and index

Published by JaPo Publishing, September 2022

Languages: English and German

ISBN-13: 978-80-907049-6-1

Dimensions:  8.4 x 12.0 x 1.3 inches

This work is not a history of the Luftwaffe in the Second World War in the West directly, but rather an extensive collection of photographs which tells that history in visual form.  This spans from the formation of the Luftwaffe before the war, the beginning of the war with the Polish Campaign through the Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich), and the ultimate German defeat.  The war in the East is not covered, perhaps there will be a companion volume detailing the units which fought against the Soviets.

The book contains over one thousand photographs, some familiar and others published for the first time.  These are reproduced well, and the typical layout is two photographs per page so they are large enough to be useful.  A considerable effort has been put into the captions.  These are extensive and well detailed, and published in both English and German.  Scattered throughout are more than three dozen full color profiles of interesting aircraft from the photographs.

This sort of work will be of great interest to the Luftwaffe enthusiast.  It is not the type of book you can finish in an afternoon, but one which demands careful study.  There is an index of pilot names for those researching a particular individual.  I have an interest in the Jagdwaffe and the Luftwaffe in general, so this book checks several boxes for me.  Heartily recommended.

Building the B-17 Flying Fortress Book Review

Building the B-17 Flying Fortress: A Detailed Look at Manufacturing Boeing’s Legendary World War II Bomber in Original Photos

By Bill Yenne

Softcover, 240 pages, appendices

Published by Specialty Press, May 2021

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1580072712

ISBN-13: 978-1580072717

Dimensions: 11.0 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Arguably the most important factor in the Allied victory in the Second World War, or at least one of the most important factors, was American industrial capacity.  America produced war material at a scale unmatchable by any other nation, and while not all of the designs were the most advanced available, American equipment was functional, reliable, well-constructed, and supplied in overwhelming quantity.

Little has been written about the production effort past generalities and output totals.  This volume describes the production of just one of the many American aircraft types, the B-17 Flying Fortress.  The title is a bit of a misnomer – the design was Boeing’s, but the bomber’s production was sub-contracted to the Vega plant at Burbank and the Douglas plant at Long Beach, in addition to Boeing in Seattle. Aircraft often went directly from these factories to modification centers, where additional equipment was installed.  In all, over 13,000 Flying Fortresses of all types were constructed.

The strength of this book is the photographs, which show production changes to the airframes as well as the tooling and assembly lines within the production centers.  Many of the photos show interior views of the crew stations, the waist guns and nose compartments are particularly well represented.  The text can be somewhat dry as it much of it notes which production batches introduced specific changes at each factory, but this type of detail is also what is interesting to aviation geeks who would buy a book like this in the first place.

I will pick a couple of nits because they may be important to modelers.  The text is clear about the early B-17E series Fortress having Sperry (not Bendix) remote turrets in the belly, but mis-identifies two interior photographs on page 75 as showing Sperry ball turret installations.  This is unfortunate, as photographs of the Sperry remote turrets from the inside, along with their remote sighting stations, are rare.  The other detail is the author has included several interior photos of restored Warbirds or museum aircraft.  These inevitably are restored with interiors covered in green Zinc Chromate primer as a corrosion inhibitor, but Fortresses came off the assembly lines with natural Aluminum interiors.  If you can see the framing on the inside of a Fort, it should be in natural metal.  Likewise, the plywood flooring was covered in black matting to prevent slipping.  The Warbird photos are intermixed with factory photos, so modelers can easily confirm the differences for themselves.  The admonition to always check your references appears to apply even within your references!

Minor nits aside, this is a great addition to the library of any Fortress fan.  Recommended for the photos alone, the text is a useful bonus.

Viper Pilot Audio Book Review

Viper Pilot Audio Book Review

Viper Pilot: The Autobiography of One of America’s Most Decorated Combat Pilots

Written by Dan Hampton, Narrated by John Pruden

Audiobook, 9 hours and 35 minutes

Published by Harper Audio

Language: English

ASIN: B009KEZBME

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon was designed as a lightweight fighter during the 1970s.  It was intended to complement the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter, being the “low” cost component of a high/low force mix.  It entered USAF service in 1980, and is expected to remain in service through 2040, a remarkable service life by any measure.

The F-16 is a versatile platform and has received continuous upgrades and additional mission capabilities.  One specialized version is the F-16CJ, which is optimized for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission, known as “Wild Weasel”.  Wild Weaseling is a high-stakes chess game, where the Weasel pilots suppresses or destroys enemy Surface to Air Missile (SAM) sites, often using their own aircraft as bait.

LCOL Dan Hampton was one such Weasel pilot.  He flew F-16CJs with the USAF over a career spanning twenty years, and flew combat operations during both Gulf Wars and over Kosovo.  He was also wounded in the Khobar Towers terrorist bombing, and flew Combat Air Patrol over the U.S. in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack on 11 September.

The book is written as a series of first-hand anecdotes of Hampton’s career.  Some of these are combat missions, some training, some other assignments.  I found all of these interesting as they offered insights into the organization of USAF fighter squadrons and how they conduct their mission planning and operations.  This can make for a “choppy” story as continuity tends to suffer, one chapter may be totally unrelated to the next, but perhaps the author is simply skipping forward to the more interesting parts of the story. 

This is a compelling story and a good read.  The accounts of the combat missions are particularly compelling, many are blow-by-blow accounts of duels between aircraft and SAM sites.  Hampton does tend to divide the world into fighter pilots and non-fighter pilots, a lack of humility which sometimes lands him in hot water.  All said, this book is worth the time, recommended.

Texas Rising Audio Book Review

Texas Rising: The Epic History of the Lone Star Republic and the Rise of the Texas Rangers, 1836-1846

By Stephen L. Moore, Narrated by P. J. Ochlan

Audiobook, 11 hours and 20 minutes

Published by Harper Audio

Language: English

ASIN: B00UZLRD8G

After the Mexican War of Independence in 1821, Mexico controlled territory spanning what is today the American Southwest.  The area was sparsely populated.  To the East, Comanche raids were a constant problem, and the Mexican government was unable to deploy enough military force to counter the threat.  Mexican authorities encouraged immigration from the United States in hopes that the increased population would provide Mexico a buffer against the Comanche.

By 1832 the American settlers were chaffing against Mexican rule and begun discussing separating Texas from Mexico.  Several Mexican states were rebelling against the Mexican government, and the settlers forced the Mexican Army to withdraw from portions of Texas.  Tensions came to a head in 1835 with the Battle of Gonzales, which officially began the Texas Revolution.

In 1836 Santa Anna led a large contingent of the Mexican Army against the Texans, slaughtering prisoners at Goliad and the Alamo.  Sam Houston led the Texian Army at San Jacinto, resulting in the capture of Santa Anna and an end to the war.  Texas had secured its independence, and became the Republic of Texas.

The new Republic faced the new challenges of self-governance, along with the old challenges of Comanche raids and excursions from the Mexican Army.  To meet these challenges companies of militia were raised as Texas Rangers.  These companies were the primary means of defense until Texas was admitted to the Union in December, 1845.

This is an interesting military and political history of the Republic of Texas, which has parallels with both the American Revolution and Indian Wars of the Wild West.  The author uses primary sources and surviving letters to paint a vivid picture of the personalities involved which brings the story to life.  This is not the fictionalized account of the History Channel miniseries, but a historical account of the Republic of Texas.  Well worth reading, recommended.

The Lions of Iwo Jima Audio Book Review

The Lions of Iwo Jima: The Story of Combat Team 28 and the Bloodiest Battle in Marine Corps History

By Major General Fred Haynes and James A. Warren, Narrated by Michael Prichard

Audiobook, 9 hours and 8 minutes

Published by Tantor Audio

Language: English

ASIN: B004QXZ0UM

The 28^th Marines were formed in February 1944, the majority of the men being reassigned from the recently disbanded Marine Raiders and Paramarines.  The Regiment was assigned to the 5^th Marine Division, and was trained for an assault on the Japanese held island of Yap.  When that assault was cancelled, the 28^th Marines were given a new objective: Iwo Jima.

The Regiment was landed on D-Day, 19FEB45, on the southernmost landing beach, closest to Mount Suribachi, and immediately isolated the mountain from the rest of the island.  The Marines then pivoted, and began assaulting up the mountainside.  Personnel from the 28^th Marines are those pictured in the famous Joe Rosenthal photographs of the flag raisings.

The battle for Iwo Jima did not end with the flag-raising, but raged on for another month.  The 28^th Marines were in the thick of it throughout, with fresh replacements being poured in to make up for continuous casualties.  Even so, Battalions often fought at Company strength, and Companies as Platoons.

The author served as a Captain with the Headquarters of the 28^th Marines.  His account benefits from his first-hand experiences during the battle, and he is able to provide many details of the individuals and their actions during the campaign.  His descriptions of the Japanese defenders and their fortifications with supporting underground tunnel systems are particularly fascinating.  He was also able to return to Iwo Jima decades later.  The Japanese government currently administers the island, and tightly regulates visitation.

Overall, this is an outstanding book.  Many books have been written on the Battle of Iwo Jima, this is one of the best.

Warpath Across the Pacific Book Review

Warpath Across the Pacific: The Illustrated History of the 345th Bombardment Group During World War II

By Lawrence J. Hickey

Hardcover in dustjacket, 448 pages, appendices, bibliography, and index; 48 color profiles

Published by International Historical Research Associates

Language: English

ISBN: 0-913511-08-1

Dimensions: 1.1 x 8.8 x 11.3 inches

The 345^th Bombardment Group (Medium) consisted of four squadrons of B-25 Mitchells.  They deployed to the South Pacific, flying their first combat mission from Port Moresby, New Guinea at the end of June, 1943.  They soon began mounting several .50 caliber guns in the noses of their aircraft and specialized in low-level attacks against Japanese airfields and shipping.  The Group moved to the Philippines in November 1944, and then to Ie Shima for the last month of the war.

Warpath Across the Pacific is as complete a unit history as it is possible to write.  It is organized chronologically, with each mission written up in detail.  Any noteworthy incidents, such as the rescue of downed aircrew, are detailed under separate headers along with the missions.  The text is arranged in two columns, and photographs of the crews and aircraft mentioned are provided throughout.  The 345^th equipped their aircraft with cameras under the fuselage for bomb damage assessment.  There are hundreds of these combat photographs reprinted in this book.  These not only show the action of the missions described, but provide an unexpected wealth of documentation of the Japanese ships, aircraft, and installations.  Several of these photographs are reproduced on full pages.

There are 48 color profiles in the center of the book with detailed descriptions of the individual aircraft and its history.  A selection of color photographs is also included, along with four full-page paintings by aviation artist Jack Fellows.  Appendices list all the aircrew killed or missing, a table listing the serial numbers and details of every B-25 ever assigned to the Group, and a discussion of the evolution of the Groups’ marking which is a boon to modelers.

This work is the gold standard for aviation unit histories.  It is an invaluable reference for modelers and historians, well written and complete.  It is a large book and not cheap, but worth every penny.  My highest recommendation.

For anyone interested, Warpath Across the Pacific is still available here: https://irandpcorp.com/products/345bg/

Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero 1934-1947 Book Review

Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero 1934-1947: From Airliner and Record-Breaker to Bomber and Torpedo-Bomber

Series: Classic Publications Number 33

By Luigino Caliaro

Hardcover in dustjacket, 276 pages, color profiles, line drawings, bibliography, and index

Published by Crecy Publications

Language: English

ISBN-10: ‎1-90653-759-3

ISBN-13: 978-1-90653-759-3

Dimensions: ‎9.2 x 1.4 x 11.4 inches

The Italian Savoia Marchetti S.79 Sparviero first flew in 1934.  It was elegant and advanced for its time, setting several aviation records.  It was first used in combat in Spain, and was the main Italian medium bomber type during the Second World War.  It gained fame over the Mediterranean, used in the bombing role against Malta and as a torpedo bomber against Allied shipping.

Up to this point all the subjects in the Classic Publications series have been Luftwaffe aircraft, so this volume marks a departure from the paradigm.  It does still maintain the high quality standards we have come to expect from the series.  This is a large format book printed on glossy paper.  It is lavishly illustrated with photographs, many in color.  Several of these show details of construction or interior views and will be of much interest to modelers.  Often these are reproduced in large spreads.  In addition, there are ten pages of color profiles and nine of line drawings.  The final chapter is on surviving museum examples and features large, full-color photography which is effectively a walk-around (and walk-through), the photos here are outstanding.

In between all the eye candy is the text, which covers the entire history of the type, before, during, and after the war.  Derivative types are also represented, including the ungainly twin-engined version used by the Romanians and the civilian SM.83.  Much of the text is devoted to the developmental history and record-setting flights before the war, as well as combat operations over Spain and during WWII.

Altogether this is a very well done book and an attractive history of the type.  The Classic Publications series are generally regarded as definitive works on their subjects.  They represent a great value for the money and a bargain while in print, and their prices skyrocket once out of print.  If you are at all interested in the S.79 I can highly recommend this book, get it before it goes out of print!

Agent Zigzag Audio Book Review

Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal

Authored by Ben MacIntyre, Narrated by John Lee

Audiobook, 10 hours and 53 minutes

Published by RANDOM House Audio, September 2007

Language: English

ASIN: B000WM9UHU

Eddie Chapman was an English criminal and con man.  Before the Second World War he made a career out of extortion and petty theft, and then moved on to bigger things by blowing safes with an explosive called gelignite, which is similar to dynamite.  Universally described as charming and a smooth talker, he was romantically involved with several women at the same time.  At the beginning of the war, he was vacationing with one of his love interests on the Channel Island of Jersey when the police caught up with him and he wound up in prison.  When the Germans seized the island, they found Chapman in jail.

Chapman eventually was released from prison but could not leave the island.  He volunteered to spy for the Germans, but was eventually arrested by the Gestapo (ironically for a crime he didn’t commit) and sent to prison in France.  The prisoners there also served as hostages, several being executed in reprisals for sabotage carried out by the Resistance.  Chapman was pulled out by German military intelligence, the Abwehr, and trained as a spy and saboteur.  He was parachuted into England whereupon he immediately turned himself in and offered to work as a double agent for MI5.

Author Ben MacIntyre has conducted extensive research using declassified MI5 files to reconstruct the complicated story of Eddie Chapman, known as Agent Zig Zag by his British handlers.  Chapman undoubtedly operated in his own self-interest at all times, yet was trusted by both the Abwehr and MI5.  He never betrayed Britain, but was never exposed by his German handlers.  MI5 expunged his criminal record, Germany awarded him the Iron Cross.  MacIntyre does an excellent job of telling Chapman’s story, which reads like a spy novel only much more compelling because it is true.  Highly recommended, particularly if you have an interest in the inner workings of military intelligence organizations.