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

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.