This is not an account of the whole European bomber offensive but that last 6 - 9 months, and although it covers both US daylight and RAF night offensive it is largly weighted towards the RAF Experience (which it should be if you consider the Tons Dropped and the losses suffered). However I reccomend this book because it is one of the few which tries to provide a accurate assessment of the events at the time without the benefit of hindsight, and avoids the revisionist approach of condemation of the events and the men. It gives a very fair analysis and perspective relating to "Bomber" Harris. and highlights the disgusting postwar treatment and abandonment of the Veterans of Bomber Command, by the British Government

Wonderful, moving, heartrending stories of these heroes and their courage in the face of the most formidable odds.Finished the book in no time and reread many of the incredible stories to my family aloud.
We can never repay them.
Bless'em all.

Great read. My son is reading now. You get a new appreciation for what these young men did in WW II.
The author relates so many great previously untold stories. As this generation of people passes, this book will become more important to tell their story.

Great read. My son is reading now. You get a new appreciation for what these young men did in WW II.
The author relates so many great previously untold stories. As this generation of people passes, this book will become more important to tell their story.

I bought this book for my dad who was a tail-gunner in WWII, stationed in England. He really enjoyed this account but thought it focused more on the Royal Air Force, RAF, than the US Army Air Corp. He enjoyed learning about what went on prior to him being stationed in England and could easily relate to the stories.

While I enjoyed most of the stories in this book, the order in which they were presented was confusing, and detracted being able to form a cohesive picture of the message the author was trying to convey.

The best book on the history of World War II that I've read in a long time.

The title has three meanings:

1. It can refer to the gunner at the back of a bomber. The Brits called these people 'Rear Gunners.' The Yanks used the term 'Tail Gunner.' It's the most dangerous position in the plane.

2. The last plane in the formation. This was more true in the American Combat Box than in British usage. This position is difficult to hold because it is at the end of a string and every move by the lead ship propagates irregularily through the formation. It is also more dangerous as enemy fighters can attack this ship more easily since there aren't so many guns pointing that direction.

3. It can refer to the bombing missions near the end of the war.

This splendid book covers all three of these meanings. In addition it does an excellent job of discussing the power and importance of air power in the defeat of Germany.

The best book on the history of World War II that I've read in a long time.

The title has three meanings:

1. It can refer to the gunner at the back of a bomber. The Brits called these people 'Rear Gunners.' The Yanks used the term 'Tail Gunner.' It's the most dangerous position in the plane.

2. The last plane in the formation. This was more true in the American Combat Box than in British usage. This position is difficult to hold because it is at the end of a string and every move by the lead ship propagates irregularily through the formation. It is also more dangerous as enemy fighters can attack this ship more easily since there aren't so many guns pointing that direction.

3. It can refer to the bombing missions near the end of the war.

This splendid book covers all three of these meanings. In addition it does an excellent job of discussing the power and importance of air power in the defeat of Germany.

This is an excellent book covering the bomber war over Europe in the final two years of World War II. It is authored by two more recent RAF veterans and the book is simply outstanding.

The first part of the book talks about the experience of being in the bombers as they raided Nazi occupied Europe. It relies heavily on first person accounts, which make the reading fascinating. Everything is woven together to give a sense of training, flying, and dying in the bombers of Bomber Command and the Eighth Air Force.

The first part is based more on selected topics - on the experience itself. The second part of the book turns to operations from D-Day to the end of the war, including an excellent treatment on the controversy surrounding the decision to bomb Dresden.

The book tries to discuss both the British and American experience of the bomber war and while it relates experiences that both nationalities would probably share, it does focus more on Bomber Command than it does on the Eighth. This is in itself though is interesting as I knew little of the British experience and have been impressed by their resolve in prosecuting the war for so many years.

This is a great book to read - hard to put it down. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the final years of the strategic bombing of Germany and are interested in the experiences of the average Allied airman.

This is an excellent book covering the bomber war over Europe in the final two years of World War II. It is authored by two more recent RAF veterans and the book is simply outstanding.

The first part of the book talks about the experience of being in the bombers as they raided Nazi occupied Europe. It relies heavily on first person accounts, which make the reading fascinating. Everything is woven together to give a sense of training, flying, and dying in the bombers of Bomber Command and the Eighth Air Force.

The first part is based more on selected topics - on the experience itself. The second part of the book turns to operations from D-Day to the end of the war, including an excellent treatment on the controversy surrounding the decision to bomb Dresden.

The book tries to discuss both the British and American experience of the bomber war and while it relates experiences that both nationalities would probably share, it does focus more on Bomber Command than it does on the Eighth. This is in itself though is interesting as I knew little of the British experience and have been impressed by their resolve in prosecuting the war for so many years.

This is a great book to read - hard to put it down. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the final years of the strategic bombing of Germany and are interested in the experiences of the average Allied airman.

I often read about others that say they "can't put the book down because it is soooooooooooooo captivating". Well, "Tail-end Charlies" did that to me. What a super read. A dose of history and a dose of personal perspectives all in one. It is also an objective perspective relating to "Butch" Harris. Don't pass this one up.

I often read about others that say they "can't put the book down because it is soooooooooooooo captivating". Well, "Tail-end Charlies" did that to me. What a super read. A dose of history and a dose of personal perspectives all in one. It is also an objective perspective relating to "Butch" Harris. Don't pass this one up.