Shot at and Missed: Recollections of a World War II Bombardier

by Jack R. Myers

Book Overview

In this riveting narrative, Jack R. Myers recounts his experiences as a B-17 bombardier during World War II. Commissioned a second lieutenant in 1944 at age twenty, Myers began flying missions with the 2nd Bomb Group, U.S. Fifteenth Air Force. He learned firsthand the exhilaration-and terror-of being shot at and missed. Based in Italy, the Fifteenth Air Force flew strategic bombing raids over southern Germany, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, and Czechoslovakia...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806136952
• ISBN13: 9780806136950
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

I Felt Like I Was There

In Shot at and Missed Jack Myers gives such a riveting account of his personal WWII experiences that I felt like I was there. The detailed facts presented, derived largely from letters that Myers wrote to family while serving his country in Italy, bring this true story to life. Myers presents a good balance of character development, action and heroism, along with the tradegy of lost lives that war brings. I thank the author for sharing his personal experiences in such a dramatic and engaging manner.

Unsung Heroes of World War II

As I began to read Shot At and Missed, I found myself reluctant to put it down. It is beyond my ken how the author was mentally able to bring such horrendous experiences of the past into the light of day! I am grateful for his strength of purpose, however, because I was transported into a world that I would otherwise never have realized existed. A world that used it's children to protect itself and my heart ached for that mere child who faced such horrendous odds of surviving for God and Country! Throughtout the book I felt as if I were on an emotional rollercoaster...laughing one minute at their ability to live like there was no tomorrow with the women of Italy or by playing tricks on each other. Then feeling tears well up as Jack spoke of friends falling from flak filled skies not knowing if he would ever see any of them again much less survive himself against such unspeakable odds. It is an amazing story of courage that one who has never experienced life to that extreme can only marvel at what this author must have been carrying in his soul for all these years. So little has been spoken about World War II except for historical pieces that people can finally understand in uncensored language what these brave young people went through to keep us free! I for one, will be forever grateful to these supermen for their sacrifices!

Bombardiers memoir

Myers writes his story of flying bombing missions over some of the toughest targets in German occupied Europe during 1944. When they weren't getting shot at over their targets they were chasing, and catching, the Italian signourinas. Each page demands that you continue reading to see what these young flyers do next. Odd ball characters, like Earl Ruhlin the co-pilot, keep jumping out of the story as he goes from one adventure to the next. You will laugh when you read how the navigator ends up sleeping with a 90 year old crone by mistake. Terrifying and hilarious. Dont miss "Shot at and Missed".

WWII blockbuster

Myers keeps you reading with his vivid portrayal of combat while flying missions over Germany. A real page turner. Most versions of the BIG war are sanitized. Not this one , the author tells all leaving nothing to the imagination. When not flying the author and his friends blow off steam with the local Italian ladies. WOW, they knew how to party.

World War II Classic

Author obviously knows what he is talking about. Has all that it takes for a great movie. It has suspense, action, sex, drama, and history. It was reviewed by Associated Press on 8/15/04 by Norman N. Brown. An action packed story of bombing missions over Germany and the Balkans. I loved it.