The Reluctant Raiders : The Story of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109 in World War II

The Reluctant Raiders stands as the definitive account of United States Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109, a land-based unit that flew the PB4Y-1 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateer throughout World War II. This meticulously researched volume represents five years of dedicated investigation into the squadron's complete operational history. From commissioning in August 1943 through the war's final days, The Reluctant Raiders documents the squadron's combat record with unprecedented detail. The book features never-before-published combat photography and nose art, revealing the visual heritage of these naval aviators. Readers will discover the squadron's tactical organization, a comprehensive chronology of each combat aircrew's mission record, and a solemn accounting of personnel killed in action. An extensive appendix catalogs Japanese shipping and aircraft destroyed or damaged by the squadron, providing quantifiable evidence of their combat effectiveness. Essential reading for World War II aviation historians, naval enthusiasts, and those researching the Pacific Theater's maritime patrol operations. 240 pages. Hardcover