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Inferno: The True Story of a B-17 Gunner's Heroism and the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History
Joe Pappalardo's Inferno tells the true story of the men who flew the deadliest missions of World War II, and an unlikely hero who received the Medal of Honor in the midst of the bloodiest military campaign in aviation history.
There’s no higher accolade in the U.S. military than the Medal of Honor, and 472 people received it for their action during World War II. But only one was demoted right after: Maynard Harrison Smith.
Smith is one of the most unlikely heroes of the war, where he served in B-17s during the early days of the bombing of France and Germany from England. From his juvenile delinquent past in Michigan, through the war and during the decades after, Smith’s life seemed to be a series of very public missteps. The other airmen took to calling the 5-foot, 5-inch airman “Snuffy” after an unappealing movie character.
This is also the man who, on a tragically mishandled mission over France on May 1, 1943, single-handedly saved the crewmen in his stricken B-17. With every other gunner injured or bailed out, Smith stood alone in the fuselage of a shattered, nameless bomber and fought fires, treated wounded crew and fought off fighters. His ordeal is part of a forgotten mission that aircrews came to call the May Day Massacre. The skies over Europe in 1943 were a charnel house for U.S. pilots, who were being led by tacticians surprised by the brutal effectiveness of German defenses. By May 1943 the combat losses among bomb crews were a staggering 40 to 50 percent.
The backdrop of Smith’s story intersects with some of the luminaries of aviation history, including Curtis Lemay, Ira Eaker and “Hap” Arnold, during critical times of their storied careers. Inferno also examines Smith’s life in a new, comprehensive light, through the use of exclusive interviews of those who knew him (including fellow MOH recipients and family) as well as public and archival records. This is both a thrilling and horrifying story of the air war over Europe during WWII and a fascinating look at one of America's forgotten heroes.
There’s no higher accolade in the U.S. military than the Medal of Honor, and 472 people received it for their action during World War II. But only one was demoted right after: Maynard Harrison Smith.
Smith is one of the most unlikely heroes of the war, where he served in B-17s during the early days of the bombing of France and Germany from England. From his juvenile delinquent past in Michigan, through the war and during the decades after, Smith’s life seemed to be a series of very public missteps. The other airmen took to calling the 5-foot, 5-inch airman “Snuffy” after an unappealing movie character.
This is also the man who, on a tragically mishandled mission over France on May 1, 1943, single-handedly saved the crewmen in his stricken B-17. With every other gunner injured or bailed out, Smith stood alone in the fuselage of a shattered, nameless bomber and fought fires, treated wounded crew and fought off fighters. His ordeal is part of a forgotten mission that aircrews came to call the May Day Massacre. The skies over Europe in 1943 were a charnel house for U.S. pilots, who were being led by tacticians surprised by the brutal effectiveness of German defenses. By May 1943 the combat losses among bomb crews were a staggering 40 to 50 percent.
The backdrop of Smith’s story intersects with some of the luminaries of aviation history, including Curtis Lemay, Ira Eaker and “Hap” Arnold, during critical times of their storied careers. Inferno also examines Smith’s life in a new, comprehensive light, through the use of exclusive interviews of those who knew him (including fellow MOH recipients and family) as well as public and archival records. This is both a thrilling and horrifying story of the air war over Europe during WWII and a fascinating look at one of America's forgotten heroes.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2020
About the author
Joe Pappalardo
15 books45 followersJOE PAPPALARDO is the author of the critically acclaimed books Inferno: The True Story of a B 17 Gunner’s Heroism and the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History, Sunflowers: The Secret History and Spaceport Earth: The Reinvention of Spaceflight . Pappalardo is a freelance journalist and former associate editor of Air & Space Smithsonian magazine, a writing contributor to National Geographic magazine, a contributor to Texas Monthly, and a former senior editor and current contributor to Popular Mechanics. He has appeared on C-Span, CNN, Fox News and television shows on the Science Channel and the History Channel.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 8, 2020
Thank you Net Galley and St. Martins Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy of INFERNO by JOE PAPPALARDO.
On the surface, this is a biography of Maynard Smith, Senior, the first Army Air Force enlisted person to win a U.S. Medal of Honor, awarded during WWII. Secondarily, it is the story of how America’s use of mass bombing evolved into precision bombing from WWII to the Middle East in the 21st century.
Maynard Smith was born and grew up in Caro, Michigan, about 75 miles north of Detroit. His father was a respected town leader and local court judge who tried to keep Maynard out of trouble. Think “Peck’s Bad Boy”. He was married and divorced twice before he turned 31 years old.
Maynard’s troubles (including unpaid child support) finally led a successor judge to issue him an ultimatum “enlist or go to jail” in 1942. He chose the Army Air Force. After his training was completed as a machine gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, he was assigned a spot as a replacement gunner on a B-17 crew in Thurleigh, England (near Bedford, west of Cambridge). It was part of 306th Bomb Group made famous by the movie “12 O’Clock High”. On his very first mission on May 1, 1943, his plane was badly damaged and through heroic efforts by Smith and the pilots, the plane barely made it back to England. For his actions, Smith was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The author also writes about Marcel St. Louis whom Smith meets and befriends during basic training. St. Louis also ends up in England at the same base as Smith. St. Louis’ plane is shot down after a few missions and he ends up becoming a Prisoner of War in a Stalag Luft. The author also writes about the crew and pilot of the B-17 called the Memphis Belle. Its pilot eventually becomes famous for dropping the first atomic bomb on Japan.
On the German side, the author tells the stories of two German fighter pilots who became aces in the Luftwaffe. One is Joseph Wurmheller who dies in combat after more than 100 verified planes shot down. The other is Egon Mayer who devised the Luftwaffe plan of attack on B-17s, approaching from the unguarded front of the plane. There were guns on top, on the sides, underneath and at the rear of early model B-17s. But none in the nose. Eventually, Mayer too loses his life after more than 100 kills.
Maynard Smith’s career in the Army Air Force ends after only five missions because of poor personal and military performance and is demoted from Staff Sergeant to Private. He used and abused his Medal of Honor status and shirked his military duties. While in England, he meets a young British woman, Mary, and marries her. After the war, Maynard, Mary and some of her family move to the United States, settling in upstate New York, near Albany.
While serving in England, Smith is not very popular with military writers such as Andy Rooney (yes, that Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes fame). Rooney was then writing for Stars and Stripes. Caroline Sheen, photo/art editor of Air and Space Smithsonian called Smith “…the most despised man to get the Medal of Honor…”.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for WWII buffs and fans of military history.
GO! BUY! READ!
On the surface, this is a biography of Maynard Smith, Senior, the first Army Air Force enlisted person to win a U.S. Medal of Honor, awarded during WWII. Secondarily, it is the story of how America’s use of mass bombing evolved into precision bombing from WWII to the Middle East in the 21st century.
Maynard Smith was born and grew up in Caro, Michigan, about 75 miles north of Detroit. His father was a respected town leader and local court judge who tried to keep Maynard out of trouble. Think “Peck’s Bad Boy”. He was married and divorced twice before he turned 31 years old.
Maynard’s troubles (including unpaid child support) finally led a successor judge to issue him an ultimatum “enlist or go to jail” in 1942. He chose the Army Air Force. After his training was completed as a machine gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, he was assigned a spot as a replacement gunner on a B-17 crew in Thurleigh, England (near Bedford, west of Cambridge). It was part of 306th Bomb Group made famous by the movie “12 O’Clock High”. On his very first mission on May 1, 1943, his plane was badly damaged and through heroic efforts by Smith and the pilots, the plane barely made it back to England. For his actions, Smith was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The author also writes about Marcel St. Louis whom Smith meets and befriends during basic training. St. Louis also ends up in England at the same base as Smith. St. Louis’ plane is shot down after a few missions and he ends up becoming a Prisoner of War in a Stalag Luft. The author also writes about the crew and pilot of the B-17 called the Memphis Belle. Its pilot eventually becomes famous for dropping the first atomic bomb on Japan.
On the German side, the author tells the stories of two German fighter pilots who became aces in the Luftwaffe. One is Joseph Wurmheller who dies in combat after more than 100 verified planes shot down. The other is Egon Mayer who devised the Luftwaffe plan of attack on B-17s, approaching from the unguarded front of the plane. There were guns on top, on the sides, underneath and at the rear of early model B-17s. But none in the nose. Eventually, Mayer too loses his life after more than 100 kills.
Maynard Smith’s career in the Army Air Force ends after only five missions because of poor personal and military performance and is demoted from Staff Sergeant to Private. He used and abused his Medal of Honor status and shirked his military duties. While in England, he meets a young British woman, Mary, and marries her. After the war, Maynard, Mary and some of her family move to the United States, settling in upstate New York, near Albany.
While serving in England, Smith is not very popular with military writers such as Andy Rooney (yes, that Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes fame). Rooney was then writing for Stars and Stripes. Caroline Sheen, photo/art editor of Air and Space Smithsonian called Smith “…the most despised man to get the Medal of Honor…”.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for WWII buffs and fans of military history.
GO! BUY! READ!
May 31, 2021
I selected the book because of the curious Medal of Honor story about "Snuffy" Smith. The book absolutely delivered on that score. The author did a great job of tracking down primary (and relevant secondary) sources to paint a picture of an older, reluctant airman who improbably earns the Medal of Honor on his first combat mission.
He starts with Smith's youth as a coddled and protected son of a judge, who seemingly is never told "No!" and who is very close to his mother. Eventually, no amount of "string pulling" is able to protect Smith from the consequences of his actions (2 failed marriages and a son who he fails to support) and he's compelled to join the military.
The description of Smith's military "career" and his life in England is quite detailed and is interwoven with broader themes of the allied war effort: precision daylight bombing v. less discriminate nighttime bombing, morale of airmen (and the American people) in the high-casualty effort to bomb Germany, and decisions made to increase organizational independence - of the US Army Air Corps from the US Army and of the US military in Europe from direction by Churchill and the British military.
It's no surprise that a twice-divorced, busted-to-private MoH recipient doesn't change much after leaving the war and the military. His post-war life includes the same sort of scheming and womanizing that he demonstrated before and during his military service.
While I found the book's inclusion of details about the US military's increasingly precise bombing ability, I don't think it was well integrated into the book. If there was some sort of signal at the beginning that Smith's exploits were going to be set in the context of precision bombing as a military goal, I must have missed it. So when - mid-book - the author begins describing attempts at increasing precision during Vietnam it seemed out of place and a distraction from the primary story about Smith.
He starts with Smith's youth as a coddled and protected son of a judge, who seemingly is never told "No!" and who is very close to his mother. Eventually, no amount of "string pulling" is able to protect Smith from the consequences of his actions (2 failed marriages and a son who he fails to support) and he's compelled to join the military.
The description of Smith's military "career" and his life in England is quite detailed and is interwoven with broader themes of the allied war effort: precision daylight bombing v. less discriminate nighttime bombing, morale of airmen (and the American people) in the high-casualty effort to bomb Germany, and decisions made to increase organizational independence - of the US Army Air Corps from the US Army and of the US military in Europe from direction by Churchill and the British military.
It's no surprise that a twice-divorced, busted-to-private MoH recipient doesn't change much after leaving the war and the military. His post-war life includes the same sort of scheming and womanizing that he demonstrated before and during his military service.
While I found the book's inclusion of details about the US military's increasingly precise bombing ability, I don't think it was well integrated into the book. If there was some sort of signal at the beginning that Smith's exploits were going to be set in the context of precision bombing as a military goal, I must have missed it. So when - mid-book - the author begins describing attempts at increasing precision during Vietnam it seemed out of place and a distraction from the primary story about Smith.
March 9, 2021
Always wondered about Snuffy Smith’s life. The author does a good job of documenting the eccentric hero along with the good, bad and ugly. Although no one can tell what effect combat has on a individual’s life, it appears Snuffy maintained the same disdain for established norms that he exhibited as a young man.
This book contains details of the WW2 bombing campaign and the participants I’ve never found in other books. Understand the author’s purpose of inserting stories of the progress on modern day warfare but felt it disturbed the continuity in parts of the book.
This book contains details of the WW2 bombing campaign and the participants I’ve never found in other books. Understand the author’s purpose of inserting stories of the progress on modern day warfare but felt it disturbed the continuity in parts of the book.
March 14, 2022
I enjoyed the book overall, but it was written in a strange voice. It was helpful to hear this story in context, but sometimes I forgot what the story was actually about because the author went so far down rabbit trails. The sometimes present tense other times past tense story telling was also a bit confusing. The writing style was not prohibitive to enjoying the story and learning more about WWII and Smith, just not my favorite.
January 30, 2021
Interesting reading
I choose this book because I enjoy reading about the history of WWII. It was an interesting read, but there were a few times I got confused about what person a portion of the book was talking about. I would still recommend it to anyone that is interested in WWII reading.
I choose this book because I enjoy reading about the history of WWII. It was an interesting read, but there were a few times I got confused about what person a portion of the book was talking about. I would still recommend it to anyone that is interested in WWII reading.
July 8, 2022
Kept getting lost in the weeds. Lots of details without a good strategy to hook them together.
August 20, 2022
Inferno flowed well until about midpoint in the book when suddenly I got that feeling of dread and thought I might not be able to finish the book, because, well life is short.
The bog down occurred around the topic of the press, but ended up being a short bog down. The topic ended up being an important facet of the narrative to tie the book the together.
WWII wartime propaganda pushed by the press/media and helped explain why Maynard Smith Sr received the Congressional Medal of Honor at all. This book would be a good history lesson for later generations of pearl clutching conspiracy theorists who seem to think that main stream media pushing an agenda and or ideology is a new thing. Unfortunately, most of them will likely never read this book to help gain perspective. One example of the press withholding the truth is that early on in the US involvement in WWII the public hardly knew of how badly Americans were losing against the German Luftwaffe, how American equipment and strategy failed to support military objectives leading to thousands of American deaths.
The personal story of Maynard Smith Sr. further illustrates how media influences perception according to the people in position to push a narrative. His MOH was largely a function of the military and political need for heroes to support the narrative being fed to the American people and they bought it, for the most part, hook line sinker.
Perhaps all this propaganda worked toward a greater good of freeing Europe from the grip of a group of insane men, however this is not always the case where seriously flawed men are created to be heroes or some type of political savior and cult followings are whipped up by the media.
Mr. Smith's story and sort of checkered character was not at all what carried the book for me, with no disrespect toward his family. Mr Smith appears to have been spoiled by his parents and failed to learn some important things about life during his development.
What really kept my interest was that the author has created a timeline trajectory of Air Force weaponry and strategy showing development from WWII to nearly present day, something I didn't get to learn about in long ago WWII history classes. Many have died on this long path to creating precision bomb strikes and the idea that a war can be won solely from the skies by removing a country's ability to wage war. Maynard Smith was a very small part of a large history for most people.
The book also details many other Army Air Force personnel, airplane characteristics, combat incidences, massacres, and details of interest alongside a picture of the surrounding culture during this period. A great breadth of topics and he covered them in an cohesive, engaging way.
One surprising fact is 30k Air Force were killed in combat compared to 24k Marine ground combat soldiers.
The bog down occurred around the topic of the press, but ended up being a short bog down. The topic ended up being an important facet of the narrative to tie the book the together.
WWII wartime propaganda pushed by the press/media and helped explain why Maynard Smith Sr received the Congressional Medal of Honor at all. This book would be a good history lesson for later generations of pearl clutching conspiracy theorists who seem to think that main stream media pushing an agenda and or ideology is a new thing. Unfortunately, most of them will likely never read this book to help gain perspective. One example of the press withholding the truth is that early on in the US involvement in WWII the public hardly knew of how badly Americans were losing against the German Luftwaffe, how American equipment and strategy failed to support military objectives leading to thousands of American deaths.
The personal story of Maynard Smith Sr. further illustrates how media influences perception according to the people in position to push a narrative. His MOH was largely a function of the military and political need for heroes to support the narrative being fed to the American people and they bought it, for the most part, hook line sinker.
Perhaps all this propaganda worked toward a greater good of freeing Europe from the grip of a group of insane men, however this is not always the case where seriously flawed men are created to be heroes or some type of political savior and cult followings are whipped up by the media.
Mr. Smith's story and sort of checkered character was not at all what carried the book for me, with no disrespect toward his family. Mr Smith appears to have been spoiled by his parents and failed to learn some important things about life during his development.
What really kept my interest was that the author has created a timeline trajectory of Air Force weaponry and strategy showing development from WWII to nearly present day, something I didn't get to learn about in long ago WWII history classes. Many have died on this long path to creating precision bomb strikes and the idea that a war can be won solely from the skies by removing a country's ability to wage war. Maynard Smith was a very small part of a large history for most people.
The book also details many other Army Air Force personnel, airplane characteristics, combat incidences, massacres, and details of interest alongside a picture of the surrounding culture during this period. A great breadth of topics and he covered them in an cohesive, engaging way.
One surprising fact is 30k Air Force were killed in combat compared to 24k Marine ground combat soldiers.
January 13, 2021
You start though back in Michigan with a young boy who was always getting into things. Lack of a better term. He got out of most problems because his father was a judge and for the most part probably would have been okay except his father died. That leaving a hole he was still lost now even more and by 1942 he was given a choice, enlist or jail? Well, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. after training he is sent to England as a replacement for a gunner on a crew and on his very first mission after his heroic deeds that day he is put in for the citation. Really though from the beginning most people are upset that he was put in for it. What got me though was that he did not ask for the medal.
Anyway, after five missions he is no longer flying either because of his attitude or his wanting to take advantage of his medal or just his superiors just upset that an average man was given the Medal of Honor again the person receiving the medal or any citation is not the one putting in for it the superiors are unless one General puts in for another but still needs to go above them. Yet he later demoted from Staff sergeant to private and then left the service. He married a woman or young lady from England whose parents did not want the marriage and they would settle in upstate New York and divorce later as would his second wife.
He also would be part of different ways to come up with money or deals, but most would turn out to be wrong and in some, he would have to pay back the money. Andy Rooney Fame from Sixty minutes for some reason thought this man to be the vilest person. Really?
What I got out of this story was like all of those men that got in those planes on any given day could have been shot down. They were almost his first day except for his actions and that of the pilots. Just like the men and thousands of others back then like my father who willingly jumped out of planes as paratroopers more than once. None of these men were vile to me, they were made different, they did not sit behind a typewriter or something else. Anyway, this was a very good book especially if you are into history and WWII. Very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave this book 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Anyway, after five missions he is no longer flying either because of his attitude or his wanting to take advantage of his medal or just his superiors just upset that an average man was given the Medal of Honor again the person receiving the medal or any citation is not the one putting in for it the superiors are unless one General puts in for another but still needs to go above them. Yet he later demoted from Staff sergeant to private and then left the service. He married a woman or young lady from England whose parents did not want the marriage and they would settle in upstate New York and divorce later as would his second wife.
He also would be part of different ways to come up with money or deals, but most would turn out to be wrong and in some, he would have to pay back the money. Andy Rooney Fame from Sixty minutes for some reason thought this man to be the vilest person. Really?
What I got out of this story was like all of those men that got in those planes on any given day could have been shot down. They were almost his first day except for his actions and that of the pilots. Just like the men and thousands of others back then like my father who willingly jumped out of planes as paratroopers more than once. None of these men were vile to me, they were made different, they did not sit behind a typewriter or something else. Anyway, this was a very good book especially if you are into history and WWII. Very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave this book 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
June 20, 2022
An unlikely man of short stature (5’5”), older than the average WWII B-17 crew member upon entry into service, would be the first and only ball turret gunner of WWII (of 243) to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. From Caro, MI, Maynard Smith was also the only CMH recipient to be demoted after the accolade. His unlikely receipt would also come on his very first B-17 mission during the bloody May Day Massacre on May 1st, 1943. During a mission in which all of the other gunners either bailed out or were incapacitated, Smith single-handedly was responsible for saving the aircraft from the back while the front end did what it could to get the aircraft on the ground. From going gun-to-gun in the back of the stricken Fortress, Smith staved off greedy German fighters who could smell the ‘kill’, yet would be eluded. Smith only flew 4 more missions after that, living a very self-entitled and self-serving existence during his remaining Army service. Post-Army life would pay witness to a further degradation of character while he employed numerous business scams, evaded alimony and child support owed to two previous wives and children, and other head-shaking behavior. The character portrait is actually downright dismal. The author sets the story in the backdrop of other heralded leaders such as Ira Eaker and Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold, yet in this reviewers mind this distracts from the focus of the story which should have been kept on Smith. Why have more people not heard of Smith? His actions spoke louder than his words on one heroic day.
May 31, 2021
The life and times of Maynard "Snuffy" Smith seen here for its limited heroic glory and all the blemishes. One of the original bad boys Maynard makes his way into the newly formed Army Air Forces and through typical but also unique circumstances becomes a very special man marked for his bravery.
Despite his many flaws the man did his heroic deeds and nor did just everyone attain the levels needed to become a gunner on a B-17. What these men went through in times of extreme stress makes them all heroic really.
Maynard Smith stepped forward in the test of ultimate conditions in the right measure to be awarded our highest military honor. And indeed he was deserving in his actions. The aftermath however in how he handled the glory brought out many of his not so admirable traits.
The story here is interesting, educational, and certainly historical as we get many glimpses into life and the men during this most challenging period of our country. A definite worthwhile read also into one man and one force that came together in a most unusual way to define the nature of men at war and often at war with themselves.
Despite his many flaws the man did his heroic deeds and nor did just everyone attain the levels needed to become a gunner on a B-17. What these men went through in times of extreme stress makes them all heroic really.
Maynard Smith stepped forward in the test of ultimate conditions in the right measure to be awarded our highest military honor. And indeed he was deserving in his actions. The aftermath however in how he handled the glory brought out many of his not so admirable traits.
The story here is interesting, educational, and certainly historical as we get many glimpses into life and the men during this most challenging period of our country. A definite worthwhile read also into one man and one force that came together in a most unusual way to define the nature of men at war and often at war with themselves.
May 2, 2021
This is another book I read while waiting for Library hold to become available.
Besides telling the story of ina individual that won the Congressional Metall of Honor, it provides the history of the unique B-17 bomber. This includes the B-17 capabilities as well as their liabilities.
The book also goes into detail regarding the Air force's bombing strategies, tactics and goals. A massive loss of human life was associated with the B-17 attacks. It also covers the German's capabilities and fighting tactics.
The B-17s were launched from England which provides their battle strategies which not in sync this the American strategies.
Although a medal of honor was awarded for performance, his personality and values were somewhat questionable and in conflict with his life values. I enjoyed the book including the history that came with it.
Besides telling the story of ina individual that won the Congressional Metall of Honor, it provides the history of the unique B-17 bomber. This includes the B-17 capabilities as well as their liabilities.
The book also goes into detail regarding the Air force's bombing strategies, tactics and goals. A massive loss of human life was associated with the B-17 attacks. It also covers the German's capabilities and fighting tactics.
The B-17s were launched from England which provides their battle strategies which not in sync this the American strategies.
Although a medal of honor was awarded for performance, his personality and values were somewhat questionable and in conflict with his life values. I enjoyed the book including the history that came with it.
December 21, 2022
This book is hard to rate for meI gave it 4 stars because it was well researched but it jumped around quite a bit to me smith was a cad and a liar who really didn’t care about anyone but himself he was a strange personality who did step up but always had a angle in every situation there we’re probably a lot of others who deserved the CMH more than him but it was a political thing like many of these awards are as a Veteran myself and most of my Uncles and father served in WWII my father was a decorated veteran who served on Submarines in the Pacific I saw personally the toll it took on him as he Died in his mid 50’s from stress and anxiety he was left with. I therefore don’t judge anyone who served to harshly we need books which shows the faults as well as the heroes after all we are all flawed to certain degree I do recommend the book
November 16, 2020
This is the story of Maynard "Snuffy" Smith, staff sergeant and gunner in the Army Air Force just as the Army Air Force is developing precision day bombing over Europe. On his first bombing run, Snuffy is thrust into a life and death situation where he literally saves lives of a number of fellow airmen, the plane itself and receives the Congressional Medal Of Honor. There's just one problem, Snuffy is a scallywag. He uses his medal to get out of flying - 5 missions rather than the mandated 25 - and to attract women. The author uses Snuffy's story to trace the development of the American air war over Europe.
May 27, 2022
Interesting, Smith was a real outlier in the Small group that have received the Medal of Honor.
Shows that even flawed human beings can rise to heights most can only dream about when placed in certain situations.
This book was only about 50% about Smith….which was good and 50% about the development of true precision bombing.
Another good one on that subject is the Bomber Mafia
Shows that even flawed human beings can rise to heights most can only dream about when placed in certain situations.
This book was only about 50% about Smith….which was good and 50% about the development of true precision bombing.
Another good one on that subject is the Bomber Mafia
July 8, 2022
Joseph Stalin said, “One death is a tragedy, a million deaths are merely a statistic”.
This book proves his point.
Inferno has many interesting well-researched facts. Unfortunately, the author does not spend enough time with any airman other than Snuffy Smith to get us to care. As a result, their deaths remain statistics.
This book proves his point.
Inferno has many interesting well-researched facts. Unfortunately, the author does not spend enough time with any airman other than Snuffy Smith to get us to care. As a result, their deaths remain statistics.
August 21, 2023
Interesting book though it seemed more to me a documentary of the WW2 air war over Europe and the tragic loss of so many young men. I read many books on WW2 history but this was a lot of new information for me. I hadn't realized the extensive losses of airmen were to that extent. Maynard Smith's story was interesting but it appeared to be a side story despite the title.
Read
March 4, 2021Interesting and personal way of presenting the history of the 8thAir Force, the story of "strategic" bombing, and the evolution of the B17 Bomber and it's crews. Thanks Joe for a good and informative read.
August 12, 2021
Good book. More than the story of MOH “Suffy” Smith. Interesting behind the scenes of the airmen of the day. Nice perspective of the Germany battle and ending with a couple of stories of the fliers over Tokyo.
January 29, 2021
Interesting look at not so great guy who received the Medal of Honor for one heroic mission.
August 10, 2021
Maynard's poor choices almost outshine his MOH.
June 9, 2022
More than I bargained for. Quite a first hand account of the action. Really felt for those flyers as they were thrown into war by people who did not know what they were doing.
June 14, 2022
Intersting
I enjoyed the book interesting reading on the life of a man that had a tough job in the war. The Ball turret was not a great place to be.
I enjoyed the book interesting reading on the life of a man that had a tough job in the war. The Ball turret was not a great place to be.
October 14, 2023
Very enjoyable book
Liked the writing style. Book does bounce around different stories at will, they are somewhat linked. But a very informative read.
Liked the writing style. Book does bounce around different stories at will, they are somewhat linked. But a very informative read.
November 22, 2023
Interesting read. The courage of all those who flew in the 8th Air Force is amazing!!!
September 16, 2024
Not my favorite type of history book. As much as I love learning about B-17’s, this was just too info-dumpy with discussions of what I would consider a total jackass of a man thrown in between.
February 7, 2024
I'd heard the story of "Snuffy" Smith and I looked forward to reading this account. I'm glad I did. It's very balanced and was written with cooperation from (some of) his children. Included is a great explanation of gunnery training, aerial/bombing combat over Europe in World War II and an intriguing character study. I'm usually inclined to pass books along to others because the shelves are so full, but I might hang onto this one.
September 11, 2022
I really struggled with what to review this book. On one hand, it is interesting and engaging. On the other hand, there are so many little technical errors in it (that are easily verifiable - such as mislabeling kinds of aircraft), that it makes me wonder about the accuracy of the rest of it.
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