The European battlefields for airmen during World War II were high in the sky in enemy territory. Hitler and his Nazi thugs branded the flyers Luftgangsters and Terror Fliegers and laid down a policy of murder of captured airmen. Many of the airmen died in their bombers and fighter planes in battle and many were hung, shot and beaten to death by civilians and the SS on capture. Fifty percent of those who bailed out and survived were wounded; 32,000 survived to become prisoners of war in Germany. This book, "A Domain of Heroes" is their story.
The Army Air Force flyers in World War II were an elite corps of young volunteers specially recruited and trained to perform highly skilled combat jobs in the air. The high standard of competence required for pilots, co-pilots, navigators, bombardiers, flight engineers, radio operators and gunners was such that all crewmen were commissioned and noncommissioned officers. Combat crews worked as a team, the success of which depended upon each man doing his job well. The caste system so prevalent on the ground did not exist inside a bomber in aerial combat. The aircrew officers were more concerned with flak, enemy fighters and dropping their bombs on the targets than the Army's bible of military customs and courtesy. Flying attracted young, free-spirited, fun-loving individualists. They were well educated nonconformists. Although they did not fit into the Army's mold of submissive nonthinkers, they had a great sense of patriotism and loyalty to their country and were eager to do their part in the war. Their character, patriotism and courage followed them as they bailed out from burning bombers and fighter planes into the prisoner of war world of the enemy. This book is the true story of the brave young men that were shot down and survived to become prisoners of war in Germany in World War II.
By the middle of 1943, "around the clock" bombing of Germany's cities were raining death and destruction upon civilians and their property. Hitler branded the airmen "Luftgangsters" and "Terror Fliegers". Some German civilians, enraged over the bombings and encouraged by Hitler, retaliated by lynching and murdering Allied flyers that were shot down. If an Allied flyer was lucky enough to survive being shot down, angry civilians, the Gestapo and SS, he usually ended up in Dulag Luft, a German interrogation center at Oberursel near Frankfurt Germany
During WWII, Germany held 92,965 prisoners ofwar, 32,730 of which were Air Force flyers. All of the Air Force POWs were commissioned or noncommissioned officers. Almost, 50% of the Air Force POWs were commissioned officers; whereas, less that 10% of the Ground Force prisoners were officers. The number of prisoners in Germany's hands soared during the ten months after D-Day, June 6, 1944. A proportionally, larger number of these were Air Force; 9,274 for the Air Force and 15,093 for the Ground Forces.(Report prepared by Military Intelligenc Service, War Department, 1 November 1945, American Prisoners Of War In Germany)
This book is about a special band of warriors, the American Army Air Force prisoners of war in German occupied Europe. Germany's treatment of prisoners of war was good as compared to the barbaric treatment received by prisoners in Japan. Yet, the treatment of POWs by Germany was often harsh, depending upon the time and place, the conditions under which they were captured, and who their captors were.
Life behind barbed wire in the Stalag Lufts affected the POWs in different ways, some worse than others, but it was a traumatic experience for all, from which most did not completely recover. Some came home with obvious physical and mental ailments, but most buried the wounds deep inside of themselves, maintaining a strict code of privacy. They refused to talk about their experiences to anyone, including close family members. In recent years, as the former POWs moved into the evening of their lives, they have been more willing to speak of their experiences in the prison camps so that the world can know just what it was like to be confined behind barbed wire in the Stalag Lufts of World War II.
What other Air Force POWS held by Germany in World War II have to say about the book:
"It was of such great interest that I had trouble putting it down." Howard Meserve, Port Charlotte, FL
"It is a great book. After brushing away a tear or two, I have to take a moment to say I treasure what you have done to our story." Mark Hertz, St Paul, MN
"I have found the book very factual and have enjoyed reading it." Alfred Meyer, Durham, NC
"The book confirms some of the things other POW's told me about being beaten and wounded by German Civilians." Jim Retzlaff, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
"I enjoyed it very much and, to say the least, it brought back a multitude of memories, though most of those were very hard to forget." William E. Shields, Azle, Texas.
"I read your book with great interest. I learned many things that I did not know. I congratulate you for doing a fine job." Basil W. Albright, Marietta, Georgia.
"I thought it to be the best book I have read on the POW experience." Irwin J. (Sam) Pire Jr., Strum, Wisconsin
"Thank you for putting all of our nightmares in print. Maybe people, by reading about it, will get to understand what some of us endured for our country." Vincent Fugarazzo, Nutley, New Jersey.
"Your book is the most accurate and thorough treatment I have seen. I have read Zemke's book, as well as others, but you had names and events that I'd long forgotten and it is far superior to anything that's come along." Roy E. Wendell, Melville, New York.
"When people ask me about my experiences as a POW, I let them read the book. It is the best explanation I can give them." Jack Bower, Carthage, Texas.
The book is a limited edition, cloth covered, hard bound book. 312 pages, photos & illustrations.
Price $23.00 plus shipping; $3.00 by regular mail, $5.00 priority mail.
Order from the author:
Carrol F. Dillon.
Email:
attorneydillon@msn.com, or
dilloncdlaw@msn.com
The European battlefields for airmen during World War II were high in the sky in enemy territory. Hitler and his Nazi thugs branded the flyers Luftgangsters and Terror Fliegers and laid down a policy of murder of captured airmen. Many of the airmen died in their bombers and fighter planes in battle and many were hung, shot and beaten to death by civilians and the SS on capture. Fifty percent of those who bailed out and survived were wounded; 32,000 survived to become prisoners of war in Germany. This book, "A Domain of Heroes" is their story.
During WWII, Germany held 92,965 prisoners ofwar, 32,730 of which were Air Force flyers. All of the Air Force POWs were commissioned or noncommissioned officers. Almost, 50% of the Air Force POWs were commissioned officers; whereas, less that 10% of the Ground Force prisoners were officers. The number of prisoners in Germany's hands soared during the ten months after D-Day, June 6, 1944. A proportionally, larger number of these were Air Force; 9,274 for the Air Force and 15,093 for the Ground Forces.(Report prepared by Military Intelligenc Service, War Department, 1 November 1945, American Prisoners Of War In Germany)