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“The Country Where Human Sufferings and Human Life Count for So Little”
In Bombing Hitler's Hometown , I discuss how dozens of survivors of the last mass bombing raid of WWII in Europe were returned to...
Mike Croissant
Mar 7, 202214 min read
The Race to War’s End: A Tale of Three War-Weary B-24 Liberators
When the 485th Bomb Group arrived at Venosa airfield, Italy, in February 1944 to begin combat operations, it had 72 B-24 Liberator...
Mike Croissant
Feb 17, 20225 min read
“I Wasn’t Just Scared, I Was Petrified”
One of the most difficult editorial decisions I had to make for Bombing Hitler's Hometown was to cut the passage about my buddy, Ray...
Mike Croissant
Nov 6, 20219 min read
“It Felt as Though We Were Actually Hanging in the Sky"
After conducting so many interviews and so much primary-source research for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, it was inevitable that I would...
Mike Croissant
Apr 25, 20215 min read
A B-17 Navigator on the Fifteenth Air Force's One and Only Raid on Berlin
Although I interviewed more than fifty veterans for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, I couldn't use every story and anecdote in the book. I...
Mike Croissant
Jan 30, 20214 min read
“We Were Almost Like Brothers”
I interviewed more than fifty veterans for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, but I inevitably had to leave some material on the cutting room...
Mike Croissant
Jan 16, 20217 min read
Unbowed: The Story of Art Jurado
I conducted extensive interviews and research for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, but there was no way to include every story and anecdote in...
Mike Croissant
Jan 1, 20215 min read
"We approached each mission with solemnity, trepidation, fear, and thoughts of dying today, perhaps”
I used extensive first-hand accounts for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, but I inevitably had to make some tough decisions about what to leave...
Mike Croissant
Dec 19, 20204 min read
From the Skies Over Europe in World War II to the Bay of Pigs - The Story of Stan Beerli
I interviewed more than fifty veterans for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, but I inevitably had to leave some material on the cutting room...
Mike Croissant
Dec 5, 20206 min read
Shot at and Missed - The Story of Guyon Phillips
I interviewed more than fifty veterans for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, but not all stories made it into the book. I hope you enjoy this...
Mike Croissant
Nov 28, 20206 min read
A Rookie Bomber Crew’s Baptism by Fire (Part II)
“Pilot to left waist. Hallstead, are you working the chaff chute?” Second Lieutenant Charles Pillon asked of his radioman over the...
Mike Croissant
Nov 21, 20205 min read
A Rookie Bomber Crew’s Baptism by Fire (Part I)
I interviewed more than fifty veterans for Bombing Hitler's Hometown, but I inevitably had to leave some material on the cutting room...
Mike Croissant
Nov 11, 20206 min read
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