Odyssey of a Bombardier

The POW Log of Richard M. Mason

Edited by John J. Hurt and Steven E. Sidebotham

Odyssey of a Bombardier is the illustrated Prisoner of War “log” that depicts the experiences of bombardier Richard M. Mason in German prison camps after his B-17 “Flying Fortress” was shot down by the Germans in France in 1944, the final year of World War II. The log follows Mason from the day his plane crashed until his liberation in April, 1945, and his return home to the United States. Included are such topics as medical treatment and rehabilitation for wounded prisoners of the Germans, life in Stalag Luft III, a difficult long march in an arctic winter to another camp, the travails of prisoners in the overcrowded, filthy camp at Moosburg, critical food shortages, and the arrival of General George Patton with the liberating forces. Mason was an amateur artist and illustrated his journal with moving depictions of prison life and comradeship. This book shows U.S. airmen demonstrating grace and courage under pressure and meeting every challenge that their imprisonment presented.

University Press Copublishing Division / University of Delaware Press

Pages: 368 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-61149-495-2 • Hardback • September 2014 • $126.00 • (£97.00)

978-1-61149-527-0 • Paperback • June 2016 • $56.99 • (£44.00)

978-1-61149-496-9 • eBook • September 2014 • $54.00 • (£42.00)

Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Military, Biography & Autobiography / Historical, History / Military / World War II

Odyssey of a Bombardier

The POW Log of Richard M. Mason

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Odyssey of a Bombardier is the illustrated Prisoner of War “log” that depicts the experiences of bombardier Richard M. Mason in German prison camps after his B-17 “Flying Fortress” was shot down by the Germans in France in 1944, the final year of World War II. The log follows Mason from the day his plane crashed until his liberation in April, 1945, and his return home to the United States. Included are such topics as medical treatment and rehabilitation for wounded prisoners of the Germans, life in Stalag Luft III, a difficult long march in an arctic winter to another camp, the travails of prisoners in the overcrowded, filthy camp at Moosburg, critical food shortages, and the arrival of General George Patton with the liberating forces. Mason was an amateur artist and illustrated his journal with moving depictions of prison life and comradeship. This book shows U.S. airmen demonstrating grace and courage under pressure and meeting every challenge that their imprisonment presented.

Details

University Press Copublishing Division / University of Delaware Press

Pages: 368 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-61149-495-2 • Hardback • September 2014 • $126.00 • (£97.00)

978-1-61149-527-0 • Paperback • June 2016 • $56.99 • (£44.00)

978-1-61149-496-9 • eBook • September 2014 • $54.00 • (£42.00)

Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Military, Biography & Autobiography / Historical, History / Military / World War II

Author

John J. Hurt is professor of history at the University of Delaware.

Steven E. Sidebotham is a professor of classical archeology and ancient history at the University of Delaware.

Table of Contents

Foreword
A Tribute to My Grandfather, by Ashley Mason
Introduction, by John J. Hurt
Maps and Photographs
Reproduction of, “A Wartime Log for British Prisoners, `Yanks Too,’” by Richard M. Mason, with a transcription by Steven E. Sidebotham
Appendix 1: Mason’s postcards from captivity, transcribed by Steven E. Sidebotham
Appendix 2: Mason’s letters from captivity, transcribed by Steven E. Sidebotham
Appendix 3: “So I Got Those Wings!” by Richard M. Mason, transcribed by Steven E. Sidebotham
Appendix 4: “All in a Day,” by Richard M. Mason, transcribed by Steven E. Sidebotham
Appendix 5: Notes on POW Currency, by Steven E. Sidebotham
Appendix 6: Notes on YMCA Diaries, by Steven E. Sidebotham
Appendix 7: Mason’s Log as Artifact, by Steven E. Sidebotham
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Index

Odyssey of a Bombardier

The POW Log of Richard M. Mason

Edited by John J. Hurt and Steven E. Sidebotham

Odyssey of a Bombardier

The POW Log of Richard M. Mason

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