Richard Harvey

The C-47: Flying Workhorse of Ww II Richard Harvey

I have been asked a number of times why I haven't written anything about my World War II experience. Truthfully, I have given it a great deal of thought, but until I read Stephan E. Ambrose's book The Wild Blue, I had dispelled the thought from my mind. I have read a number of books about various war experiences but The Wild Blue really got me thinking. Many, many interesting stories have been written about the war and about the Air Force, of which I was a part. In spite of this, I have yet to find anything in writing about the Troop Carrier Pilots and Crews and their exact roles in the war. Having been a Troop Carrier Pilot, I do have a little first hand knowledge of what they did when they were not preparing for an important Air-borne Troop drop. I have read a number of books about the Fighter Wings and Bomber Groups - all great pieces of work. My heart goes out to every one of them and the hell that they had to go through. This book is about the 60th Troop Carrier Group; it's conception and, our duties and responsibilities during and after the war in Europe. I dedicate this book to all the guys in the 60th Troop Carrier Group and particularly those in the 12th Squadron of which I was a part.