“Makes you proud to be an American . . . a wonderful, fast-paced read, and I highly recommend it for any World War II aviation enthusiast” (Military Review). There were no mission limits for a pilot in the Pacific during World War II; unlike in Europe, you flew until it was time to go home. So it was for James “Jug” Curran, all the way from New Guinea to the Philippines with the 348th Fighter … Philippines with the 348th Fighter Group, the first P-47 Thunderbolt outfit in the Pacific.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Curran volunteered to try flying in the blue yonder and trained as an Army fighter pilot. He got his wish to fly the P-47 in the Pacific, going into combat in August 1943, in New Guinea, and later helping start the “Black Rams” fighter squadron. The heavy US Thunderbolts were at first curious to encounter the nimble, battle-hardened Japanese in aerial combat, but soon, the American pilots gained skill of their own and their planes proved superior. Bombers on both sides could fall to fighters, but the fighters themselves were eyeball to eyeball, best man win.
Check Six! is an aviation chronicle that brings the reader into flight, then into the fight, throughout the Pacific War and back. This work, from someone who was there, captures the combat experience of our aviators in the Pacific, aided by pertinent excerpts from the official histories of units that “Jug” Curran flew with.
“Jim Curran is not afraid to share his moments of fear and emotions during the air battles with his readers which gives the book an extra dimension.” —AviationBookReviews.com
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Combining the combat veteran James Curran’s memoirs with missions reports and other research, Terrence Popravak has written a very thorough book about what it was like to be a fighter pilot in the Pacific between 1943 in New Guinea to 1945 in the Philippines. Mr. Curran logged an amazing 221 missions flying the P-47 Thunderbolt with the 348th Fighter Group. The detailed chronicle includes several pages of photos, extensive footnotes, and several appendices.
James Curran still owned the chair he was sitting in when he heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He joined the Army Air Force right away.
These young pilots lived in all sorts of conditions and sometimes ate what they could, all the while flying missions. One amazing episode in New Guinea told about a couple of very nervous pet dogs at night, leading to the discovery of a huge python which was 30 feet long and a foot wide, and whose meal (300 pounds of it) it became the next day.
Love the military stuff but, being a Navy guy, not well informed about the air side of things. Check Six filled the gap in my knowledge and was a great read for folks that want to get. feeling for what this war was like.
Well worth reading for aviation and WWII enthusiasts. Not enough written about the role of the P-47 Thunderbolt in the Pacific campaign. This books helps remedy that. RML
Informative. But, difficult to read because of the author’s narrative being interspersed with official documentation.
Very well written account of a little known theater of operation. Great factual account of how it really was.
Was a good book but too many interruptions in the story with ‘after action reports’. Could have been have the number of pages.
A interesting, easy read
It told a story that was real, without dragging things thru the mud although WWII in the jungles was a lot of mud. My heroes growing up were all WWII vets especially from the Pacific theater.
Great first hand account of the life of a fighter pilot in the Pacific during WWII. Surprising account of the many difficulties they faced not only from the Japanese but with the struggles for basic supplies – including food.
Good with technical details. Very lucky man.
Very dry reading. Well documented.
This read like a diary and was very matter of fact. What it lacked in drama it made up in historical accuracy.
Especially appreciated the detail in this book.
Not A fun read,more like a daily log book. But very informative.
Great read!
First person account of what it was like to fly fighters in the Pacific. There were thousands like the author, who played an important and courageous role and somehow survived to tell his story. Truly remarkable people who served us in ways that can never be measured, only honored.
As with any WW11 book about true people, this was an outstanding narrative. It was a very sad time in history and the men and women involved were all to be commended on the job they preformed. I enjoyed this view from those involved.
Way too much minor details unless being read by a less than 25 year old.