DigeeBooks

The first major history of the American glider pilots, the forgotten heroes of World War II, by New York Times bestselling author Scott McGaugh. A story of no guns, no engines and no second chances.This book distills war down to individual young men climbing into defenseless gliders made of plywood, ready to trust the towing aircraft that would pull them into enemy territory by a single cable wrapped with a telephone wire. Based on their after-action reports, journals, oral histories, photos and letters home, The Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin reveals every terrifying minute of their missions.They were all volunteers, for a specialized duty that their own government projected would have a 50 percent casualty rate. None faltered. In every major European invasion of the war they led the way. They landed their gliders ahead of the troops who stormed Omaha Beach, and sometimes miles ahead of the paratroopers bound for the far side of the Rhine River in Germany itself. From there, they had to hold their positions. They delivered medical teams, supplies and gasoline to troops surrounded in the Battle of the Bulge, ahead even of Patton's famous supply truck convoy. These all-volunteer glider pilots played a pivotal role in liberating the West from tyranny, from the day the Allies invaded Occupied Europe to the day Germany finally surrendered. Yet the story of these anonymous heroes is virtually unknown. Here their story is told in full – a story which epitomizes courage, dedication and sacrifice.

Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II by Scott McGaugh tells the remarkable story of the glider pilots who played a crucial role in some of the most daring operations of World War II.

These brave men flew unpowered aircraft into enemy territory, often under heavy fire, to deliver troops, supplies, and equipment. They were essential to the success of many key Allied victories, including the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.

McGaugh's book is based on extensive research and interviews with surviving glider pilots. He brings their stories to life with vivid detail, providing a gripping account of their courage, skill, and sacrifice.

Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II history or military aviation. It is a tribute to the brave men who flew the gliders and a reminder of the important role they played in the Allied victory.

Here are some of the key themes explored in Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin:

• The courage and skill of the glider pilots
• The importance of glider operations in World War II
• The challenges and dangers of flying gliders
• The camaraderie and brotherhood among the glider pilots
• The legacy of the glider pilots

Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a tribute to the brave men who flew the gliders and a reminder of the important role they played in the Allied victory.