Home › History › American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily: Twenty-Six Airmen and Two Fateful Nights in July 1943
  • American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily: Twenty-Six Airmen and Two Fateful Nights in July 1943 by Colonel Mark C. Vlahos book cover
1 1

American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily: Twenty-Six Airmen and Two Fateful Nights in July 1943

by Colonel Mark C. Vlahos

Be the first to review this book

American glider pilots in the Sicily invasion

$47.33 USD
$47.33 USD $47.33 USD

Paperback New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

American glider pilots in the Sicily invasion

This account centers on 26 U.S. Army Air Forces glider pilots who volunteered to fill seats on a British combat mission in July 1943, unaware that it would take part in the Allied invasion of Sicily. Their assignment sits within the wider development of U.S. airborne doctrine, which relied on unpowered CG-4A “Waco” gliders to carry troops, equipment, and medical supplies behind enemy lines. Drawing on military records, archival photographs, and personal accounts, Colonel Mark C. Vlahos examines a little-known episode of the campaign and the risks faced by these airmen on two nights of operations.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in World War II aviation and airborne operations.
  • Readers seeking accounts of the Allied invasion of Sicily.
  • Readers interested in military history drawn from archival records and personal accounts.

Themes

World War IIGlider pilots and airborne doctrineAllied invasion of SicilyMilitary service and operational risk

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Assigned to the C-47 troop carrier squadrons, more than 6,500 glider pilots played a key role in the newly developed U.S. Army Airborne Doctrine in World War II. These servicemen faced an especially daunting challenge: deliver heavy equipment, troops, and medical supplies behind well-fortified enemy lines in nonpowered, slow-moving aircraft made of fabric, plywood, and metal tubing. High casualties were expected on these "one-way ticket" flights. In July 1943, the Allies planned an offensive against Hitler's Fortress Europe. The British realized they needed glider pilots and asked the Americans for help. To fill empty CG-4A "Waco" glider pilot seats on a British combat mission, 26 American USAAF glider pilots volunteered, not knowing they would be participating in the imminent invasion of Sicily. Drawing on official United States Army Air Forces microfilm records, operational records in the National Archives, photographs from both collections, and many personal accounts, this book brings to life a new and unknown chapter in the USAAF's World War II history.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

You may also like

View all