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Rating: 
Summary: A Fascinating Memoir
Review: 'The Day We Bombed Switzerland' is a stylish and informative first-person historical memoir about the author's experiences as both a navigator aboard B24 bombers over Germany in the last months of World War 2, and of his participation in the court-martial of two flyers facing charges for bombing Zurich, Switzerland during that period. This is well-written and well-researched, utilizing both personal recollection and information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, and I found it quite fascinating. As the author points out in his closing paragraphs, first hand accounts of these historically momentous events are harder and harder to come by, and they provide a unique clarity of the historical facts which is hard to find in secondary source works. I recommend this highly to historians of the period and to those with an interest in WW2 aviation.
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Summary: Please change the tiltle!
Review: ... My father flew 30 missions as navigator with the 755 Squadron 458th Bombardment Group from February - June 1944. I was very pleased to finally see a book about this Bomb Group. There are many interesting facts about the group and it's personnel in these pages, and Mr. Granholm does a fine job mixing drama and comedy along with the horrors of flying combat. I particularly liked the description and the dealings with Major Mottern, the Group Navigator. He was practically merciless on navigators who did not keep a complete flight log. One of my father's navigation logs have the comment written on it "Did you get home?" I assume that it was written by this officer. His subsequent mission logs are much more complete. It is great to get a little bit of insight about the man who wrote that comment. ...
Rating:
Summary: What a Fantastic Book!
Review: I just finished reading, "The Day We Bombed Switzerland" and it is one of the best books I've EVER read! Excitement, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, and Explosions all mixed up in a true-life story!!! I recommend this outstanding work to everybody!
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Summary: A WWII B-24 Navagator's Riveting Story
Review: Jackson Granholm has put together a wonderfully compelling narrative, telling about his transformation from a normal American boy enjoying his youth to a skilled Navigator of B-24 Liberator bombers with the 752nd Bomb Squadron, 458th Bomb Group (H), 96th Combat Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th U. S. Air Force. He gives the reader an insightful look into his attitudes as the nation is being drawn toward the World War, then relates the rather haphazard process of being trained to become an efficient part of a bomber crew. The book is rich with anecdotal stories, leavened with occasional biting humor, making it both appealing and informative. His coverage of the dangers, horrors and vagaries of fighting a war from miles in the sky, flying in an airplane he clearly finds lacking in many ways despite it great capabilities, makes for riveting reading. His down-to-earth honesty as he describes a number of officers and men he serves with is particularly gripping, and sets the stage for the event which resulted in the book?s title, bombing Switzerland. As a newly promoted Captain, author Granholm is selected as Defense Attorney for the pilot and navigator of the lead ship in a squadron of B-24s which mistakenly bomb Zurich. His rich, sometimes funny, and extremely informative discussion of his work with two very unique characters, particularly his primary assistant Lieutenant Max Sokarl, reads like a mystery novel and is just as mysterious as to its outcome until the last instant. The Presiding Officer of the Court Martial is the famous actor, Colonel Jimmy Stewart, and his participation is the trial is most revealing of the man. This book is written for any reader with even the remotest interest in flying, WWII, mystery or human nature, and it is an absolute "must read" for those who enjoy wartime aviation history.
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Summary: World War II Air War Book Hits the Target
Review: Jackson Granholm's new book, "The Day We Bombed Switzerland", is a riveting, revealing and often hilarious account of a never before revealed part of World War II history. Granholm, a Navigator in the 458th bomb group stationed in England around the time of D-Day, paints a realisitic and often horrifying picture of the adventures of men who flew the B-24 Liberator bombers, the bulky, ugly cousin of the famed B-17 Flying Fortress. The reader is taken through Granholm's misadventures during training in the American desert, through intense bombing raids in unthinkable weather through enemy "flak" fire over Germany, and concludes with the agonizing court martial trial of two servicemen who's plane became lost in bad weather and accidentally dropped bombs on Zurich. The descriptions of bombing runs and the difficulties faced by crews attempting to hit established targets are so realistic the reader can hear the German flak bullets rattling and ricocheting through the B-24's interior. Over 6000 men from the 2nd Air Division (of which Granholm was a member) died during the war. The haunting description of one of the gigantic B-24's, broken in two and falling to earth, as seen from Granholm's bomber, gives an incredibly vivid account of the horror the 'fly-boys" went through, though far removed from the front-line ground fighting. The reader is introduced to some fascinating characters in "The Day We Bombed Switzerland". Center Stage is Max Sokarl, the brilliant lawyer turned aviator, who's quit wit and impressive tongue, piloted my an incessant desire to cause trouble, create a number of crazy and unpredicatable adventures, such as the stealing of a civilian bus for several days, and the resulting amazingly funny cover-up in which Sokarl redefines the meaning of "red tape"! Sokarl's stories appear throughout the book, and add great comic releif to the intensity of the battle descrtiptions. One can't help get the feeling that Max Sokarl was a real life Hawkeye Pierce. Granholm does a fantastic job of pulling the reader into the daily life at the 458th: The airman in the infirmary who is convinced he will die in battle, the one who shoots petals off of daisy's, the one who steps on a hidden German land mine, the one who accidently blows up his own bomber as it sits on the runway. Softer touches are added as Granholm describes his tour of a town his bomb group has just bombed, as he talks with a German child there, and his visit to the the English Vaudeville to watch the entertainment. Throughout, the author interfuses amazing references to the history of the region, such as the impressive local cathedrals and the remnants of the occupation of the British Isles by the Danes. The trial of the servicemen breaks new literary ground. Granholm's research is thorough and memory sharp--(he served as defense council to the airmen accused in the court-martial proceedings). This little-known part of American history is revealed in depth for the first time, and the author's recount is detailed and interesting. The reader gets a close glimpse of the trial proceedings, of which the now-famous Max Sokarl plays center stage, the agonizing of the two accused airmen, and the calmness and kindness brought to the forefront by none other than Jimmy Stewart---yes THAT Jimmy Stewart. It was a joy to read "The Day We Bombed Switzerland". Wether you fought in World War II, have a relative who did, have in interest in airplanes, or just want to read a great book, The Day We Bombed Switzerland is ideal for you!
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Summary: "The Day We Bombed Switzerland"
Review: Review By: BOB STANE, President, B-17 Combat Crewmen & Wingmen. Several times during "the" war American heavy bombers strayed into Swiss air space and dropped their loads on that neutral nation, so says author Jackson Granholm, in his book, "The Day We Bombed Switzerland." Five hundred pound explosives made the chocolates bounce but added little to the war effort. Evidently this happened several times and a chastened Uncle Sam always opened his wallet and paid the bill. In the final days of the war an unfortunate B-24 crew dropped a stick on a small town just adjacent to the German border and the locals threw a snit. It was not a yodeling affront. A trial was called for and a trial it was. The Americans and British rolled out the big talent and a few of the crew members were roasted slowly on the spit of justice. The court room was packed. This book is extremely readable. I rolled it around in my mind for several days and nights regretting the time when it would be finished and put on my bookshelf. The history of the crew was examined in appropriate detail along with the author, Jackson Granholm, whose expert rating in navigation and first rate education netted him the job as "defense." This book is from his notes of the trial and the investigation of the crew, the weather, the officialdom in charge and the enemy. It was a scholarly and lively pursuit. The very lives of a competent and brave crew were at stake as was some of the reputation of The United States Army Air Corps and the U. S. as well. Enough tension and color? Not yet. The Commanding Judge in the trial was none other that Jimmy Stewart, famed American actor and Squadron Commander. I had no idea Jimmy Stewart was that famous before the war but his calm demeanor kept the buzz from ruining the event. Lots of celebrity stories concerning Jimmy Stewart in the E.T.O. Lots here for war buffs, law fans, navigator wannabees and personality cultist. A solid read and addition to your book shelf. A whole new view of the air war. Lovely color jacket photo of a B-24 and crew. Author Jackson Granholm, spoke before our group several years ago. He came to light per an article he wrote for "World War II Magazine." He is an accomplished author who does copious research and makes a story sing.
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Summary: Exception!
Review: The reviewer of Jackson Granholm's book, "The Day We Bombed Switzerland," intimated that the author and the crews of the 458th Bomb Group were a bunch of "idiots."
I take issue with that!
Crews of the 458th BG and all other Bomb Groups, including those of the RAF, were brave men who, at that time, were flying the most complicated and largest planes in existence. Most of the crews had less than 300 hours of flying time yet routinely flew overloaded planes in tight formations, often in unbelievable weather and almost always arriving at turning points and the target at "briefed times."
And what goes through a combat crew's mind before takeoff on a combat mission? "I wonder where I shall be sleeping tonight?"
Flying into a target heavily defended by flak and fighters, crews all knew that "There are no atheists in foxholes (or cockpits)."
"Bombs away;" "Lincoln Red-left turn;" "Any wounded?;" "How much battle damage?;" "Wonder what the weather is like at home base?;" "In case we're diverted, will we have enough fuel to go to a, hopefully, open base somewhere in England or Scotland?"
After sitting in one spot at high altitude for 8 hours (plus or minus), wearing an oxygen mask with a glob of ice dangling beneath, a (hopefully) operating electrically heated flight suit, a back-pack parachute, "Mae West," flak vest, throat mike, head set, and possibly your other clothing soiled by bodily wastes--"idiots?"
Yes they were "idiots"--brave, loyal, patriotic, dedicated "idiots--Thank God.
Remember: The real "heroes" were "KIA" (Killed In Action).
Peace,
Col. Charles H. Booth, Jr., U.S.A.F. Ret.
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Summary: A Great Wartime Book
Review: This book captured my heart. I loved the day to day drama and humor provided by Mr. Granholm. His experiences, although tragic at times, helped create the future I live in today. My grandfather lived through this period as well, only he fought in the Pacific. When is the paperback version out??
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Summary: Must Read!
Review: This book is fantastic! The bombing and subsequent court martial are not even mentioned until the last half of the book. Jackson takes great care to explain the circumstances people went though from the start of our involvement with WWII up through the time of the end of the war in Europe. My dad served on the same base at the same time as Jackson. He verified many of the accounts that Jackson described. I learned more about his day-to-day wartime experience through this book and now have a greater appreciation of the hardships they went through for the liberties we now have. This is a must read!
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Summary: Not Just a Guy Book
Review: War is indeed hell. This book shows it was that and much more for the young men who fought so bravely for the United States in World War II. They missed their homes, struggled with their fears, and grew up fast. An incredible true story about the author's experiences while stationed in England, it is both fascinating and informative. Abundant photographs depict the people, places, and aircraft described in the book. Stranger than fiction, this book has it all: action, humor, insanity, courtroom drama and a cameo star appearance. Don't let the macho cover fool you, it's not just a guy book!
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