The Heroes We Needed

During World War II, there were many ways that a B-29er could be killed: a ruthless enemy, an unforgiving ocean that stretched for thousands of miles, or the faulty engines of their own airplanes. But they all volunteered for it, and they continued flying – and dying – until they brought the war to an early end and saved hundreds of thousands of American lives. They were The Heroes We Needed.

In this riveting saga of sacrifice and salvation, Trevor McIntyre brings to life the courageous American airmen who brought the Japanese Empire to its knees and ended World War II with the greatest bombers the world had ever seen, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, and his fight 70 years later to save their stories from being forgotten.

"Unless you are the arch technocrat who only wants to read about valve pressures and spark plug temperatures, this book doesn’t give you that but it will work on your valves - your heart valves. You will not forget reading it! The author writes, at the end, “From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank you for reading this book.” And you just know he means it. This is his first book, and a mighty fine effort it is, replete with extensive End Notes and Bibliography, and a really detailed Index which the author did himself, and he was clearly mindful what a researcher like himself would be needing to find." www.speedreaders.info

"...Aviation history, particularly military aviation, draws enthusiasts that spend years researching a single aircraft and its history. This new volume is truly a labor of love for its author who has spent over 20 years researching the biggest bomber of World War II and the young men who flew it on hazardous missions over Japan......The book is very well illustrated with a number of rarely seen photographs and diagrams showing the complexity of the aircraft. The author also provides some anecdotes of his own journey of discovery of the aircraft and the men who flew it. For anyone interested in the B-29 and the men who flew it during the closing period of the war in the Pacific, this is a fascinating and deeply personal book dedicated to the Greatest Generation aviators that risked their lives in these aircraft." New York Journal of Books

"McIntyre recounts the stories of many airmen who did not return, which are undeniably touching, as are the photographs he includes. Because of their size, the B-29s were able to drop the atomic bombs that ended the war. But it is the human stories that resonate the most... A heartfelt account of the men who flew the combat airplane known as the Superfortress." Kirkus Reviews

“Once you read to what lengths [the author] goes to acquire such material… you appreciate how invested he is in the subject of not letting the memories of the ever thinning ranks of the Greatest Generation be forgotten.” SpeedReaders.info

“[The book’s] blend of personal memoir and historical narrative offers an engaging perspective on World War II aviation history. McIntyre’s passion for the subject matter is evident throughout, making it an interesting read for those interested in the human stories behind the machinery of war.” The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation