This author initially focused on the literary history of military aviation, with early publications delving into technical aircraft descriptions. His later work transitioned into fictionalized war stories and novels, often drawing from his extensive knowledge of military history. Through his writing, he explores themes of conflict, courage, and human resilience in extreme circumstances. Tillman's style is often characterized as detailed and engaging, drawing readers into the heart of the action.
Victory in Japan Day (VJ Day) on August 15, 1945 officially marked the end of World War II, but in fact conflict continued throughout the month. This book tells the story of the final weeks of the war, detailing the last brutal battles on air, land and sea with first-hand accounts from pilots and sailors caught up in these extraordinary events
A riveting Vietnam War story--and one of the most dramatic in aviation history --told by a New York Times bestselling author and a prominent aviation historian
The Godfather of Topgun tells the never-before-told story of the risk-takers, disruptors and innovators who revolutionized the art of aerial combat and created the center for excellence and incubator of leadership that thrives to this day.
November 1943—May 1945—The U.S. Army Air Forces waged an unprecedentedly dogged and violent campaign against Hitler’s vital oil production and industrial plants on the Third Reich’s southern flank. Flying from southern Italy, far from the limelight enjoyed by the Eighth Air Force in England, the Fifteenth Air Force engaged in high-risk missions spanning most of the European continent. The story of the Fifteenth Air Force deserves a prideful place in the annals of American gallantry. In his new book, The Forgotten Fifteenth: The Daring Airmen Who Crippled Hitler’s War Machine, Tillman brings into focus a seldom-seen multinational cast of characters, including pilots from Axis nations Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria and many more remarkable individuals. They were the first generation of fliers—few of them professionals—to conduct a strategic bombing campaign against a major industrial nation. They suffered steady attrition and occasionally spectacular losses. In so doing, they contributed to the end of the most destructive war in history. The Forgotten Fifteenth is the first-ever detailed account of the Fifteenth Air Force in World War II and the brave men that history has abandoned. This book is a must-read for military history enthusiasts, veterans, current servicemen and their families. Includes glossy photo signature of historic pictures and documents
Everything You Want to Know About the Normandy Invasion
This unique encyclopedia provides detailed entries for everything you ever wanted to know about D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. Organized alphabetically, the entries give detailed descriptions of weapons, equipment, divisions, air and naval units, geography, terminology, personalities, and more. Every Allied division that crossed the English Channel on June 6, 1944 has its own listing as do the major Axis divisions that fought them. Brief biographies of major military and political leaders on both sides provide a handy who's who of the campaign. The book also includes entries for related popular GI slang, the best movies about D-Day, and major writers such as Stephen Ambrose and Cornelius Ryan. Cross-references make the book easy to use. With hundreds of entries, The D-Day Encyclopedia is an indispensable reference tool for history buffs and great browsing for readers who want to know more about World War II.
The classic 1951 movie Flying Leathernecks starring John Wayne immortalized the USMC pilots who had fought in the skies over Guadalcanal and the Solomons. The US Marine Corps has a long and proud heritage of aviation excellence, celebrating its centenary in 2012. While "flying leathernecks" made their mark in both world wars, Korea, Vietnam and more recently throughout the global war on terrorism, it was during World War II that they captured the hearts and minds of the public with their daring exploits. This is the first book to detail the legendary actions of famous fighter aces such as Medal of Honor winner John L Smith, Greg "Pappy" Boyinton, Marion Carl, Joe Foss, and many more. Barrett Tillman combines expert research into the history and organization of the Marine Fighter Squadrons with dramatic accounts of deadly dogfights.
The book provides an in-depth exploration of the human drama surrounding the most significant bombing campaign in history.
Private paramilitary companies are reshaping modern warfare in this gripping new series by Harold Coyle and Barrett Tillman. As military and intelligence resources become overstretched, the U.S. increasingly relies on these organizations, with Strategic Solutions Inc. emerging as a top contender. The narrative explores the ethical dilemmas and high-stakes operations of these mercenary forces, highlighting the complexities of a new era in conflict where loyalty is dictated by profit.
The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II
Focusing on a pivotal moment in World War II, this book recounts the remarkable true story of the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, a significant aircraft carrier battle. It highlights the strategic maneuvers, intense combat, and the high stakes faced by the naval forces involved. Through detailed accounts and expert insights, the narrative brings to life the courage and challenges of those who participated in this historic conflict, making it a compelling read for history enthusiasts and military buffs alike.
Stephen Coonts asks what happens when you load a Catalina flying boat with five tons of bombs, a half dozen machine guns, and a crew that walks a line between valor and suicide. In the Pacific Theater of war, the Japanese Navy is about to discover the answer to that very question. David Hagberg sends the OSS and MI6 behind enemy lines in Germany to stop the one weapon that can win the war for Hitler and Nazi Germany: an electromechanical guidance system that can launch missiles not only across countries, but across the ocean . . . and hit the United States. Barrett Tillman brings us into gruesome fight as a Marine Corps flamethrower unit fights Japanese defenders on Tarawa Atoll in November 1943.
