Richard Eager - a Pilot's Story from Tennessee Eagle Scout to General Montgomery's Flying Fortress Paperback – 3 July 2021

This enjoyable memoir not only gives an insight into one man's experience of playing his part in the greatest fight against tyranny that the world has seen, but also offers us a unique record of his encounters with two of the most famous Allied figures of that conflict- Montgomery and King George VI. Eager's reminiscences of his role as Monty's personal pilot during the campaigns in North Africa, Malta and Sicily, including an account of a famous hair-raising landing on Sicily, when he took Monty to see Patton, is joined by that of a memorable and very personal conversation with the King in Tripoli. The narrative is accompanied by poems, many humorous, some wistful, plus plenty of photographs, including some of his encounters with these figures. A thoughtful and valuable addition in the Appendices are reproductions of the V-mails ( photographs of hand-written letters ) which were sent home to his parents and his wife to be. Richard's book, which has been expertly put together by his daughter Barbara, will both enlighten and entertain not only those with a desire to know and understand the Second World War, but anyone interested in the human experience of that extraordinary time, which is surely all of us.

THIS book, written by Colonel Evans in 1993 but not published in his lifetime, is co-authored by his daughter.Spanning World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War, it is a valuable source reference for the casual enthusiast, the student of history and the military student alike.As ‘Century 20’ - to use the author’s phrase - slips further into the past, Hollywood too easily steps in to inform us “how it really was”. I speak of the crews of the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator.With over fifty combat missions flying the B-17 Flying Fortress over Germany and North Africa, then the B-29 Superfortress over Japan, the author brings to the fore the expertise and skills of every crew member.Here is a team of ten men whose lives depend upon their pilot, but who also, each in their own nine stations, must be the eyes and ears of each other and their pilot. In battle, from their positions, they will see things that the pilot cannot see but can hear.The extraordinary hexagon that one naturally draws between pilot - bombardier - navigator - ball-turret-gunner - tail gunner; the entire crew’s reliance upon strict intercom protocol that sweeps aside the Hollywood-type-show notion of endless quips and banter, makes this a very important work.This hexagon draws in the gun stations at waist point and below the nose of the B-17.I like to read books that give me evidence of reality.This book gives me that in double measure, because the author penned a full glossary of terms that are highlighted in the text and easily found in the glossary at the book’s end.Here is a description of the pressure and skill of the American system of flying battle operations in boxed formations. These boxes meant that the aircraft must all fly within meters at most - and often feet only - of each other in order to give themselves maximum protection, as well as maximum defensive, and offensive, firepower to the attacking enemy squadrons.With the end of the war, Colonel Richards was transferred to the Reserve only to be then called back to active service flying combat operations in the Korean War and then operations during the Cold War, and eventual command of the B-58 Test Squadron, United States Air Force.Whilst this is a military record, the author writes from the angle of family life too. It also gives us a good outline of two controversial Generals - Montgomery and Patton - who did not see eye to eye; and the fact that the author was Monty’s pilot flying Theresa Leta gives us a fascinating insight into some of the characters that made up Allied high command, including Eisenhower, Doolittle, Bedell-Smith, LeMay and even George VI.For me, as a retired Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) officer, the book is an eye-opener. With two uncles - also RAF VR - flying, and going down, in Halifaxes and Lancasters, I’ve long wanted to look at the B-17 and B-24. Thus, for me, this has been an emotive read. There are times when I felt I really was inside the aircraft. In short, this book has opened up a whole new perspective of the price paid to secure the freedom that I enjoy today.Colonel Richard 'Eager' Ernest Evans USAF sums the whole thing up well as regards flight and ground crews.“We clearly understood and appreciated our dependency upon one another.”Now that, is this book’s hallmark.

I really enjoyed the book , and the insights into Captain Evans' handling of the B17 were a real eye opener. I had to re-read sections of his personal story to see how his upbringing produced a young man who was able to cope with the what he encountered during the war . A very absorbing account indeed.

BOOK REVIEW - "RICHARD EAGER" - A PILOT'S STORYFrom Tennessee Eagle Scout to General Montgomery's "Flying Fortress"Richard Eager as he was nicknamed was an extraordinary man, one of four siblings that served in the USAAF during WW2. This memoir written by Bobbie's (Co-Author) father and edited by her is an exceptionally absorbing read. Of course the headline is the fact that Richard was Monty's pilot. Many people know the story of the bet between Ike and Monty over the latter's ability to capture Sfax in Tunisia - a bet fully explained in a letter (contained in the book) to Richard by Monty himself. The prize was a personal B17 and crew for Monty's use in North Africa and Sicily.What follows is a a charming and candid account of the B17 crew's experiences as part of the British Eighth Army. Viewing all of this through an American lens makes for a refreshing read in itself. Monty's logic of why he needs a 'Fortress' is insightful - no need for any escort! The 20 page hand-written, unedited 'Monty Story' is a fascinating read. But, there is much, much more to this superbly illustrated and well researched book. Bobbie has done her father, her family, the B17, the 99th BG, and the US 15th Airforce proud.Each engaging chapter gives the reader a fascinating insight into life in the pre-WW2 US, learning to fly, the transition to war, flying 55 B17 combat missions, and flying B47 and B58 bombers through the Cold War world that followed. The appendices are a rich treasure trove including a comprehensive collection of personal letters, official correspondence and a host of citations.If you are ever sceptical about 'The Greatest Generation'...read this book and come back to me.All profits from this publication are being donated by the Author to USAF charities.Mike Peters

Absolutely great memoir well researched and very well written and lots of great photos.For any Aviation or History buffs you won't be disapointed.