American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily: Twenty-Six Airmen and Two Fateful Nights in July 1943

[edwest2]

Scheduled for 19 February.


https://www.amazon.com/American-Glid...=41BXgDiYsIO0B


Usual disclaimer,
Ed

[Edward]

I am really interested in this title but $40 for a 144 page paperback book is outrageous. The number of pages come from amz while the publisher's web page ("Bibliographic Details") leaves that line blank.

American Glider Pilots in the Invasion of Sicily: Twenty-Six Airmen and Two Fateful Nights in July 1943
(McFarland & Company Inc. - February 19, 2026)
by Colonel Mark C. Vlahos USAF (Ret.)
144 pages w/ 70 b&w photos, appendices, notes, bibliography and index - paperback (6" x 9")
$39.95 US

"Many Americans are not even aware that the USAAF had over 6,500 glider pilots in World War II. Assigned to the C-47 troop carrier squadrons, glider pilots played a key role in the newly developed U.S. Army Airborne Doctrine. These soldiers faced an especially daunting challenge: deliver heavy equipment, troops, and medical supplies behind well-fortified enemy lines in non-powered, slow-moving aircraft made of fabric, plywood, and metal tubing. High casualties were expected on these "one-way ticket" flights. In July 1943, the Allies planned an offensive against Hitler's fortress Europe, targeting the southern flank in Sicily. Just 24 hours before the offensive began, the British realized they were short glider pilots and asked the Americans for help. A total of 26 American USAAF glider pilots volunteered to fill empty CG-4A "Waco" glider pilot seats on a British combat mission. When these glider pilots raised their hands to volunteer, they had no clue it was for the invasion of Sicily, which was just 24 hours away. The purpose of this book is to forever preserve the courage and bravery of these 26 American glider pilots while presenting new information to challenge previous works. Drawing on official United States Army Air Forces microfilm records, operational records in the National Archives, photographs from both collections, and many personal accounts, the present work brings to life a new and unknown chapter in USAAF WWII history."

The Author
"Colonel Mark C. "Plug" Vlahos, USAF (Ret.) is an internationally recognized expert on glider and troop carrier operations of World War II. He retired from the United States Air Force in 2011. During his 29-year career, he served in a wide-range of operational flying and staff assignments. He is a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America, as well as many other associations, foundations and societies, and has authored numerous articles for historical works and magazines. He lives in New Braunfels, Texas."

https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a...ion-of-sicily/


Further reading

Glider Pilots in Sicily [1st Battalion]
(Pen & Sword 2012, 2025)
by Mike Peters
224 pages - hardcover & paperback

From Pacifist to Glider Pilot: How I escaped the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren to join the Glider Pilot Regiment and fly military gliders in airborne operations at Sicily & Arnhem during World War Two
(Woodfield Publishing Ltd 2000)
by Alec Waldron
160 pages - paperback

Nothing is Impossible: A Glider Pilot’s story of Sicily, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossing
(Pen & Sword Aviation 2015)
by Victor Miller
400 pages - hardcover