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The Fall of Fortresses

The Classic Account of One of the Most Daring and Deadly Air Battles of WWII

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The Fall of Fortresses

By: Elmer Bendiner
Narrated by: Shawn Compton
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About this listen

On an August morning in England in 1943, a group of American airmen were told that before the day was out they would deliver the blow that would win the war.

Flying the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress, their mission was to destroy the industrial facilities that kept the Nazi war machine in business-Schweinfurt's ball-bearing factories.

But a determined and ferocious defense awaited the bomber crews of the USAAF's Mighty 8th.

Somehow, navigator Elmer Bendiner and his crew survived, their faithful B-17, Tondelayo, carrying them home. Hundreds of their young compatriots did not.

Vivid, powerful, and often viscerally engaging, The Fall of Fortresses is a stunning testament to the skill, courage, and sacrifice of the men who fought in World War II's deadliest campaign.

©1980 Elmer Bendiner (P)2021 Tantor Military War Air Force US Air Force

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I first read this when it was first published and loved it then. I was interested to listen to the audiobook when I came across it the library. However, after many years and listening rather than reading it didn’t seem to have the same impact. Nonetheless it was an interesting listen on this aspect of the air war in Europe.

An interesting account

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I listen to quite a lot of books like this, and this one stands out as being very good. It's well written, engaging, original and intelligent.

A great book

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a great individual study of a huge operation and how one person in a whole crew can make a difference .

the personal attachment to the aircraft

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