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Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks

By Matt Bittner

Authors: Don Barnes, John Crump, Roy Sutherland
Publisher: Barracuda Studios
ISBN: 9780615-56042-7
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 315

When I review books, I will read them in their entirety before posting my reviews. That can be either a good or bad thing. If companies are looking for a quick review, and the book is a quick read, then they'll be pleased. However, when the book turns out to be something worth reading, then it could take a while for me to write my review. This is usually due to two causes: there is a lot of information to digest in the book, or the book is such a good read the reading enjoyment actually takes over.

In the case of Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks (ToHH), it was both of these reasons why it's taken me some time to finish reading this book. There is a lot of information inside, and it's written so well that it's a good read. In the past, when I've read books about a particular squadron, it turns into a chore to read. "X did Y at Z time. A did B at C time." That sort of dreck. However, in the case of ToHH, there is not only enough anecdotes within the text to make it interesting, the way the authors put that type of information into the book also helped. It isn't just "X,Y,Z", but it is also along the lines of "during X, Y and Z, these other events happened, resulting in these outcomes". It is more than just another formulaic building of a squadron's history.

The personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout the text definitely helps with the read. Just when you think it could be getting into an "X,Y,Z" sort of book, you learn about the pilot that was actually murdered by angry Germans because of a prior raid. Or you learn of why a particular P-47 received the name it did. For the most part, those personal types of stories are almost on every spread – when you open up the book, and have one page to your left and another to your right. For me, that's what really makes the book.

Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks is broken up into the following chapters:

• Forward
• Introduction
• The Ninth Air Force
• The Group & Missions
• The Making of the Hell Hawks and Fighter-Bomber Tactics
• Invasion of Europe and Move Into France
• Mobility to Mud with the U.S. 1st Army
• Belgium, Ardennes & Battle of the Bulge
• Shutting Down the German Supply Lines & Counter Attacks
• Encirclement and Final Days
• A Long Ride Home
• The Pilots & Ships
• The Records & Reflections
• Bibliography

What's really nice is how the book ends – with 98 color profiles of a lot of the 365th Jugs. I believe I read Barracuda Studious is planning on decals to accompany this release, which is a great idea. The profiles are awesome, not just in the subjects covered, but also in the fact you can find at least one photo of each plane profiled inside the book. In addition, on the page with the profile you'll see a photo of the pilot that flew that aircraft. An awesome touch.

I suppose I should include my (minor) complaints. First and foremost, I don't like the layout of the book. This is more of an "11 x 8.5"-type of book, meaning that the book is sideways. It's not easy to hold this way, and takes up a lot of space if you're using it on your workbench. Next, there are some (very) minor spelling mistakes, and some captions are mislabeled, especially when it comes to where the picture resides on the page (for example, the caption states the picture is on the left, when it is actually on the right). As you can see, I'm stretching to find quibbles.

If, as a historian, you like well researched and well-read books about unit histories, then you must buy this book. If, as a modeler, you like a good amount of color profiles, coupled with an excellent unit history, then you must buy this book. If you find you're interested in the P-47 Thunderbolt, which the pilots of the 365th group flew, then you must buy this book. Overall it's an excellent book and anyone that has any interest at all in aviation and World War 2 history will find this book a necessity.

Huge, huge thanks to Barracuda Studios for allowing me the privilege of reading, and reviewing, Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks.