Mike Croissant
Praise for Bombing Hitler's Hometown
“Full of rich dramatic detail . . . At times it seems possible to imagine that you are there, cramped inside the airplane alongside the young men. This vivid account reminds us of the costs for all involved, on both sides.”
From the foreword by Richard Overy, Honorary Professor of History at the University of Exeter and
author of more than thirty books on the history of air power, the European dictatorships, and World War II
“Mike Croissant’s brilliant chronicle of this incredible mission is a wonderful tribute to those who bravely flew through the flak-filled skies over Linz.”
General David Petraeus, US Army (ret), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and NATO/US Forces in Afghanistan; former Director of the CIA
“Croissant’s sharp eye for detail brings this story home in a way that’s intensely personal yet universal. You know these people. This dramatic and magnificently written book belongs in every library.”
Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of In Harm’s Way and Horse Soldiers
“With vivid details and stories that showcase the very human reactions of young men thrust into the jaws of combat, Mike Croissant brings a well-researched story that is immensely readable. I turned the pages with gusto, eager to read more.”
Gregory A. Freeman, author of The Forgotten 500 and The Last Mission of the Wham Bam Boys
“(T)he most impressive collection of first-hand accounts that I have ever seen. The air battle, and the fates of the men who had to abandon crippled bombers, makes for a gripping 'I-was-there' story.”
Harry Yeide, author of The Longest Battle and Fighting Patton
“Croissant puts us right in the cockpit of the bomber, rides us down with the bombs, and makes us feel the impact of the explosions as they destroy the target. One can almost hear the roar and rumble, see the brilliant flashes, and feel the heat of the devastation.”
Vincent Speranza, World War II veteran and author of the Indie Book Award Finalist Nuts! A 101st Airborne Division Machine Gunner at Bastogne
“Tapping an extensive array of never-before-used primary sources, Croissant delivers a tribute worthy of our exceptional navigators, pilots, and bombardiers. He has done a great service to the memories of these valiant heroes.”
Daniel Hoffman, former CIA Station Chief and cable news commentator
“A remarkable story that needed to be told – action packed military history at its very best.”
Anthony Tucker-Jones, author of Hitler’s Winter: The German Battle of the Bulge
“Mike Croissant combines you-are-there immediacy of a Fifteenth Air Force bomber crew with an overview of Hitler’s connection to Linz, Austria, in a way that is educational and entertaining.”
Barrett Tillman, author of Forgotten Fifteenth: The Daring Airmen Who Crippled Hitler’s War Machine
“Combining dogged archival research with survivor interviews, Croissant offers a kaleidoscope of perspectives, not to mention hair-raising scenes of aerial combat, exploding bombers, and sheer terror at the edge of the earth’s atmosphere.”
James M. Scott, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Black Snow and Rampage
“Mike Croissant has raised the bar for military aviation history. His truly gripping narrative adds a dimension not seen in many popular history books. After an enthralling depiction of the battle itself, Croissant dives into the emotional struggles of these veterans as they navigated postwar life. The men featured in this book are a true testament to the Greatest Generation.”
Mike Guardia, author of The Combat Diaries and Tomcat Fury
“Balanced, rigorously detailed, and thoughtful, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the American air war over Europe.”
Randall Hansen, author of Fire and Fury: The Allied Bombing of Germany and Japan
“From the intrepid young Allied airmen above to the beleaguered Austrian civilians and stubborn Nazi defenders on the ground below, Bombing Hitler’s Hometown is exciting history at its best—up close and personal.”
Douglas Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Wild Bill Donovan
“Croissant has recorded a microhistory of a bombing raid that will be of enduring interest to readers of military history for years to come. His detailed telling of the experiences of the American fliers involved in the raid is some of the best prose of the widely explored air war genre.”
David A. Welker, CIA historian
“An outstanding read that should not be overlooked. I suggest you cinch your harness tight and know where your parachute is—you are sure to need it!”