A Wing and a Prayer, Harry H. Crosby
A Wing and a Prayer, Harry H. Crosby
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A Wing and a Prayer
The “Bloody 100th” Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force in Action Over Europe in World War II

Author: Harry H. Crosby

Narrator: Chris Monteiro

Unabridged: 10 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/30/2023

Synopsis

They began operations out of England in the spring of '43. They flew their Flying Fortresses almost daily against strategic targets in Europe in the name of freedom. Their astonishing courage and appalling losses earned them the name that resounds in the annals of aerial warfare and made the "Bloody Hundredth" a legend.

Harry H. Crosby—soon to be portrayed by Anthony Boyle in the miniseries Masters of the Air developed by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg—arrived with the very first crews, and left with the very last. After dealing with his fear and gaining in skill and confidence, he was promoted to Group Navigator, surviving hairbreadth escapes and eluding death while leading thirty-seven missions, some of them involving two thousand aircraft. Now, in a breathtaking and often humorous account, he takes us into the hearts and minds of these intrepid airmen to experience both the triumph and the white-knuckle terror of the war in the skies.

About Harry H. Crosby

Harry H. Crosby, a navigator flying B-17 bombers with the "Bloody 100th" Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force during World War II, was one of the few survivors from the legendary unit, which flew missions almost daily against strategic targets all over Europe. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Croix de Guerre, among many other honors.

Crosby was born in North Dakota in 1919 and raised in Iowa. He received his masters from the University of Iowa and his PhD from Stanford University. He was a professor of rhetoric at Boston University until his retirement in 1984. In addition to A Wing and a Prayer, Crosby authored and coauthored multiple textbooks on college writing. Drawing upon his combined military and university experience, he developed curriculum at the US Air Force Academy. Crosby died in Massachusetts in 2010.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Eric_W on September 23, 2023

Crosby was one of the most experienced and best navigator’s in WW II. This is his extraordinary memoir. He reveals all his self-doubts in a most humble fashion. His superior navigating (he often ascribed it to luck, got him promoted to Group Navigator. At one point he was just one mission shy of the......more

Goodreads review by KOMET on November 17, 2012

This is one of the best war memoirs I've ever read. Crosby spares no punches in conveying the sheer fright and horror experienced by him and his squadron mates as they flew mission after mission in their B-17 bombers into the heart of German-occupied Europe.......more

Goodreads review by Rodman Marquez on October 07, 2024

More than a 4 star. 4.75.......more

Goodreads review by Nika on May 16, 2024

Excellent. Just cream of the crop, extremely well written. Crosby has interesting shit to write about, interesting thoughts about his experiences, and this was just a joy to read. I could not put this down, and its the rare memoir where its a huge disappointment when its over simply because of how m......more

Goodreads review by Megan (inkand.imagination) on April 25, 2025

This was an amazing memoir! I love WWII nonfiction, and this one is definitely going on my favorites list. The incredible heroism and bravery displayed in this book was nothing short of inspiring, and I also really enjoyed getting to see the WWII air combat from a veteran’s perspective. The horrible......more

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