The Last Mission - An Eyewitness Account: The B-29 Raid That Ended WWII [SIGNED FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING]

Descripción

Fine condition oversized navy blue boards/silver front cover facsimile author autograph/silver spine lettering contained in a very good condition color illustrated and black-and-white photographic dust jacket. Includes Author Acknowledgments; Prologue; Epilogue; Appendices consisting of: I. Target Information Sheet; II. 315 Wing Field Order #49; III. 315th Bomb Wing Operations Forecast For 14-15 August '45; IV. Photo Intelligence Target 90.6-1066; V. Damage Assessment Report No. 205; VI. Consolidated Statistical Summary of Combat Operations - Mission 14, August 1945; VII. Excerpt of Letter by Gen. Curtis LeMay, C.O., 21st Bomber Command; VIII. Distinguished Unit Citation - 501st Bombardment Group - 23, January 1946; IX. Mission Notes; X. Pilot's Log - Boomerang Aircraft Commander Carl W. Schahrer; XI. Record of Combat Duty - Jimmie B. Smith; XII. The B-29B; XIII. Availability of a Third Atomic Bomb; XIV. 501st Bomb Group - Crew Portraits; Bibliography; and President Harry Truman Commendation Document to Jimmie B. Smith." Illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Signed TWICE by the author and inscribed and dated (1996) by the author with black Sharpie at the center and bottom of the title page. Some scattered closed tears to the dust jacket which have been repaired. (see photographs). All pages are in fine condition and the binding is exceedingly tight and square (see photos). "The Last Mission should be required reading for every American. This Pacific War Story has been missed and must be added to history." - Richard Zeke Cormier, WWII Naval Ace & former Blue Angels Team leader. "I am excited about The Last Mission and maintain a high regard for the aviators of WWII. You set the standard and we strive to improve upon it. Both difficult tasks." - Chris G. Patterakis, Former USAF Thunderbirds Team Leader & veteran of 315 F-4 missions in Vietnam. "The Last Mission recounts the major role the 315th bomb wing played in ending WWII. Super history!" - Rodger B. Jensen, Pilot of the last B-29B over target in WWII. "The Last Mission, an eyewitness account . of the 501st Bomb Group, is a magnificent piece of work!" - 315th News Letter. "I was there! I know that Jim Smith tells this true story just like it was. The best part is the 'like it was' that no one would have known about but for Jim's detailed research into once secret government files. Now it is clear that the atomic bombs were not the end of the war with Japan. The Last Mission is the most exciting history you will ever read." - Clyde Hussey, 315th Bomb Wing Radio Operator. "The False Scenario: A majority of the population generally believes that World War II ended immediately after the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed by atomic bombs on August 6 and 9, 1945. The Documented Truth: A total of 779 precision B-29 bombing strikes were ordered to Japan beginning August 13, days after the atomic bombs. The last mission was flown August 14/15 by the 315th Bomb Wing. A 1985 declassified Tactical Mission Report now reveals the importance of the final B-29 missions, particularly the last mission. In one fell swoop, the last and longest B-29 mission ever attempted from the Mariannas destroyed the largest oil production fields in Japan, and greatly diminished her ability to make war. Smith, who was aboard the last mission, later made the remarkable discovery that a Tokyo blackout caused by the 315th's overflight collided with a military revolt against the Emperor's peace initiatives and threw the rebellion off track. The last B-29's were returning to base when President Harry S. Truman announced the official Japanese surrender. Smith believes this final mission changed history forever. Now the untold story." - from the inner front jacket flap. N° de ref. del artículo 005734

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