A B-17 Gunner's Hell in German Skies

The Messerschmitt ME 163 "Komet" was the most dangerous production fighter ever built by Germany, and Sgt. E.R. Jones of Stockton, California received the unique credit of jointly shooting down a Komet over Germany in 1944.Using information written by Sgt. Jones in a tiny diary notebook provided by Sgt. Jones' widow, Mae Jones, and microfilm file material obtained from the U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, this book by Doug Brodie is a fascinating account of aerial warfare over Europe during World War II. Also included are original aerial warfare photos obtained from Henrietta Massey of Jefferson City, Missouri, the widow of Air Force photographer Gerald R. Massey who took photos while flying in U.S. bombers high in the sky over Europe. During the course of his research, Doug Brodie discovered that Massey and Jones flew the same mission on November 2, 1944 in a raid over Mersburg, Germany.

Doug Brodie Doug Brodie is retired from the City of Stockton, California, where he served 23 years as an administrator. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1945-46, and although he is not a flier, he has always had a keen interest in the field of aviation. He is also author of Big Bad Bodie: High Sierra Ghost Town.