Special Duties Pilot: The Man who Flew the Real 'Inglorious Bastards' Behind Ene

Description: FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE Special Duties Pilot by John M. Billings This is one mans story of a remarkable lifetime of flying, both in peace and in war. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description If there was ever a man who was born to fly, it is John M. Billings. He took his first plane ride in 1926, began taking piloting lessons in 1938, and joined the US Army Air Force in July 1942. After training he was assigned to fly Consolidated B-24 Liberator long-range bombers. He joined the 825th Bombardment Squadron of the 484th Bombardment Group. After flying fifteen daylight strategic bombing missions, Billings was selected for assignment to the 885th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (Special). As its designation suggests, the 885th was no regular bombing unit. The 885th specialized in flying top secret, low-altitude missions at night in support of the clandestine operations of the OSS and the Special Operations Executive. The units covert missions included parachuting OSS and SOE agents and supplies deep inside German territory. The most eventful and dangerous of Billings thirty-nine secret missions with the 885th was his assignment in February 1945 to clandestinely insert a three-man OSS team, code-named Greenup, into Austria. The drop zone selected for the Greenup insertion was located on a glacier in a valley surrounded by mountains in the middle of the snow-covered Alps. Billings and his crew finally found the weather in the Alps clear enough to spot the drop zone, slip their unwieldy B-24 between the mountain peaks and descend to an altitude just a few hundred feet above the moonlit snow. On Billings signal, the OSS agents parachuted right on target. The insertion of this OSS team was the inspiration for the feature film Inglorious Bastards. However, Brad Pitts vengeful character was far removed from the leader of the Greenup team, Fred Mayer, who achieved success by infiltrating enemy ranks to gain vital intelligence. After the war, John Billings flew with Trans World Airlines and Eastern Airlines. He also flew more than 300 Angel Flight airlift missions which involve the specialised aerial transportation of critically ill medical patients. This is one mans story of a remarkable lifetime of flying, both in peace and in war. AUTHOR: John M. Billings took his first plane ride in 1926, began taking piloting lessons in 1938, and carried on flying ever since. Having joined the US Army Air Forces in July 1942, he was assigned to fly the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber. He completed fifty-three missions during the war, thirty-nine of which were for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the wartime predecessor to the CIA, and the US Special Operations Command. After the war John was an airline pilot with TWA and Eastern Airlines. John is also rightfully proud of having flown 300-plus Angel Flight airlift missions which involve the specialised aerial transportation of critically ill medical patients. 43 b/w illustrations Author Biography JOHN M. BILLINGS took his first plane ride in 1926, began taking piloting lessons in 1938, and carried on flying ever since. Having joined the US Army Air Forces in July 1942, he was assigned to fly the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber. He completed fifty-three missions during the war, thirty-nine of which were for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the wartime predecessor to the CIA, and the US Special Operations Command. After the war John was an airline pilot with TWA and Eastern Airlines. John is also rightfully proud of having flown 300-plus Angel Flight airlift missions which involve the specialized aerial transportation of critically ill medical patients. Review "An easy read, this book is recommended to anyone who enjoys sharing the joy of flying with another pilot. It provides an interesting glimpse of special-operation aerial activities in the Balkans and northern Italy during World War II."-- "Air & Space Power History""An accomplished pilot with decades of experience in military, airline and medical aviation, Billings is also an excellent writer. This memoir presents his unusual story in a fast-paced and highly readable style."-- "Aviation History Magazine" Review Quote "An easy read, this book is recommended to anyone who enjoys sharing the joy of flying with another pilot. It provides an interesting glimpse of special-operation aerial activities in the Balkans and northern Italy during World War II." Feature The author took his first plane ride in 1926, began taking piloting lessons in 1938, and joined the US Army Air Force in July 1942. Details ISBN1526786265 Author John M. Billings Short Title Special Duties Pilot Language English Year 2021 ISBN-10 1526786265 ISBN-13 9781526786265 Format Hardcover Imprint Air World Pages 248 DEWEY 940.544973092 Publisher Pen & Sword Books Ltd Place of Publication Barnsley Country of Publication United Kingdom Publication Date 2021-07-30 UK Release Date 2021-07-30 AU Release Date 2021-07-30 NZ Release Date 2021-07-30 Illustrations 43 black and white illustrations Subtitle The Man who Flew the Real Inglorious Bastards Behind Enemy Lines Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 30 DAY RETURN POLICY No questions asked, 30 day returns! FREE DELIVERY No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free. SECURE PAYMENT Peace of mind by paying through PayPal and eBay Buyer Protection TheNile_Item_ID:132777789;

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