The late James Mahoney went overseas in the spring of 1944 as the
leader of one of the four bomb squadrons in a B-24 bomb group (the
original 492nd) which endured extraordinary losses for 89 days of
operation before being disbanded. The enduring mystery of why such
an exceptionally well qualified and prepared group suffered so
singularly is one of many significant themes he addresses in his 52
vignettes. Mahoney was reassigned to a bomb group with much better
luck (the 467th), and finished the war as their Deputy Commander.
As both a 'man among men' and a recognized natural leader, he was
positioned to note character and ability, and took it as his charge
to develop both of these in the course of administering to the
technical and demanding business of a combat organization
comprising 3,000 souls.
Later in life, wanting to make sense of what he experienced and to
record the terrific sacrifice of his peers, he distilled and
organized his memories. Overcoming his natural reticence to show
his hand emotionally, and fearful that grisly accounts might
register as sensational horror instead of sobering lesson, he
labored carefully to build for his readers a rich context for his
'war stories'.
These memoirs take the reader through the methodology and
equipment of aviation and strategic bombing in the era before
stand-off weaponry, when hundreds of planes at a time, each with
ten-man crews, flew in unpressurized planes through flak and
fighter filled skies for hours at a time at 40 degrees below zero,
to bomb targets in Hitler-occupied Europe.
He introduces the reader to his acquaintances and friends,
commanders and charges - a range of memorable rascals,
unforgettableheroes, and ordinary mortals showing their true mettle
and courage under dire circumstances.
Jim Mahoney's account of his 13 months in combat is an engaging mix
of timeless morals and enduring humor. The big themes are laid out
with common sense, while the practical joke, the stroke of genius,
or personal quirk are offered as clear windows to the host of
characters and their relationships. These certainly capture the
fact and flavor of the daylight bombing campaign over northern
Europe and make a contribution to the historical record, but they
also transcend that specific time and place, drawing the readers in
any era into human drama, played out in all of its variety in the
pressure-cooker of wartime.
The son's contribution has been to document some of the more
unusual aspects of his father's account, so that these can be
received as more than just precious memoir - as contributions to
the historical record.This has entailed many interviews, travel to
remnants of his father's Rackheath and North Pickenham bases in
East Anglia, and contemplation of the horrible effectiveness of
aerial bombardment on several of the Mighty Eighth Air Force's
'ground zeros' in Germany.
Additionally, the son supplies the reader with a variety of
material designed to make the dated technology of aviation in its
20th century adolescence more understandable, and to put into
broader contexts the struggles to control European airspace and
weaken the foe through costly strategic bombardment.Tables and an
extensive WW II timeline give a framework for understanding
American involvement and the role of air power. A comprehensive
glossary of terms makes the aviation and military lingo clear, and
hisbibliography will equip the motivated reader to delve deeper.
Photographs from 'then' and 'now' bring the reader along on the
son's odyssey, retracing the father's steps and honoring the
sacrifices of survivors and the fallen alike.
A foreword by Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF (Ret.), fighter
leader in three wars and a WW II ace, adds important insight to the
riddle of why survivors of grisly combat action are typically so
tight-lipped about their experience.
Reluctant Witness is the combined effort of a pragmatic realist and
a hardened optimist. This rich account of one witness's experience
is offered to a general audience of conscientious citizens
everywhere, with encouragements to never let their guard down and
enable the tyrant, or ever despair of their ability, when committed
to what is just and fair, to set things right. Widespread
appreciation of the waste and senselessness of war impells
practical efforts to 'wage peace'.
Reviews "These highly-detailed memoirs of the CO of the 788th Bomb
Squadron, flying B-24 Liberators from Rackheath at much the same
time as our very 'own' Crew 5294. The account was completed by Lt
Col Mahoney's son, Brian H. Mahoney and is a fine testament to both
man and era."
- as reviewed in Fly Past, Britain's Top-Selling Aviation
Monthly
January 2002 edition
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"At last, a book that tells what war in the air in WW II flying
from England in American bombers was really like. Reluctant Witness
is a brilliant and wholly appropriate title, describing as it does
the brutality of war seen from very close quarters, in the cockpit
and from the ground. James J. Mahoney saw death anddestruction all
around him but the everlasting impression of the book is the
wonderful detail and the vivid picture of incidents and events,
some seemingly inconsequential at first, and the impact of war on
ordinary men thrust into active service against an implacable foe.
The descriptions and unfolding tales of the aerial endeavours of
the 492nd and 467th Bomb Groups amid flak, fear, and fighters draws
comparison with such writings as "I Saw Regensburg Destroyed." My
particular favourites are 'Threes' and 'Ticket Punchers'. The first
details the incredible coincidence/fate "call it what you will"
that befell those with the 28-type Parachute. The latter tells of
the sky pilots the chaplains, and the effect one had on the group
when Al Shower tried to impose his strict discipline to remedy the
soaring VD rate. Ironically, for a group that led in bombing
accuracy and adhered to saluting and disciplinary regimes imposed
by the iron will of the CO, the 467th led the tables in VD! The
chapter explains why Shower's attempts to limit the spread were
undermined. At the other end of the scale chapters such as
Zero/Zero and Ferguson's Crew reveal starkly the grim and grisly
reality behind bland statistics. The whole thrust of this book is
directed towards man's inhumanity to man, not dull statistics and
meaningless PR. We have both Messrs. James and Brian Mahoney to
thank for the opportunity to enrich our understanding and education
of the US Army Air Forces in WW2."
-Martin W. Bowman, renowned British author of over 60 military and
aviation titles ----------------------------------
..."I just could not put your book down; you and father have
written what I consider one of the finestrecords ever seen. Just
finished it this morning and will start all over as I enjoyed it so
much.We could almost feel your father in the room with us. Just
wish we had talked with him a lot, lot more."
-David Hastings, Chair, Board of Governors of the Second Air
Division Memorial Trust ----------------------------------
..." After two readings through of RELUCTANT WITNESS I find it to
be an excellent accounting of that war and location. Of particular
interest to me were the stories concerning events which occurred,
there, following my rotation back to the States, such as hauling
gas to Patton in France. Also extremely interisting are the
management techniques used to develop 'Lead Crews' and other means
and strategies which gave the 467th BG the best bombing record in
the 8th at the war's end... Both authors can feel justly proud of
the book!"
-Dick Bastien, an original 492nd co-pilot
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..." I received the book from Trafford a few days ago and have
finished first reading. I have ordered one for a son in Austin, TX.
I am now revisiting parts to refresh my memory. I was very
surprised that JJM remembered me as our crew had no difficulty or
real memorable times... I wish you great success with the book and
thank for doing this thing for a lot of us survivors of the 492nd
an 467th."
-Sgt. "Andy" Anderson, radio operator on the Carl Johnson crew
----------------------------------
..."I got a copy of Reluctant Witness. What an awesome book!! Just
to be able to read your Dad's memories and memoirs plus your added
analysis and info is incredible. I carry it around with me all the
time in my briefcase bag and read through itboth at home and at
work when I have time. Also find myself re-reading things again and
again it's just so interesting!"
-Harry D. Greene, son of a 492nd BG veteran
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