Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Preview
  • Combat Crew

  • The Story of 25 Combat Missions over Europe from the Daily Journal of a B-17 Gunner
  • By: John Comer
  • Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
  • Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (163 ratings)

£0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Combat Crew

By: John Comer
Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £18.99

Buy Now for £18.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

John Comer kept a journal of the 25 missions he flew in 1943, when the casualty rate on his base was close to 80 percent. His book is handwritten history, recorded within hours after the battles occurred. Comer vividly creates his experiences as top-turret gunner/flight engineer in a B-17 squadron that was thrown against the best pilots the Luftwaffe could offer. In 1943 the army air force had no long-range fighters to protect the B-17s as they flew deep into enemy territory. Immediate, straightforward, and compelling, Combat Crew is a classic of aerial warfare.

©1988 John Comer (P)2015 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

I Flew for the Führer cover art
To the Limit cover art
Never Call Me a Hero cover art
The Big Show cover art
Typhoon cover art
First into Action cover art
Hogs in the Sand cover art
Dog Company cover art
Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot cover art
Tank Action cover art
Clean Sweep cover art
Mission cover art
Tail-End Charley cover art
Pale Horse cover art
Viper Pilot cover art
Da Nang Diary cover art

What listeners say about Combat Crew

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    137
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    118
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    130
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really good

A personal story that’s both interesting and thought provoking. War at its most personal.
Narration was very good as well

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderfully Written and Told.

These Veterans have always had a warm welcome back here in the East of England.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Superb

I’m really enjoying this book
It came free but was better than paid books. A gem

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Undaunted Bravery

An absolutely amazing account of young men faced with the horror of air war. Humour, bravery, tragedy, this story has the lot. Should be compulsory reading for schools, especially for people who take their freedoms for granted.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pretty interesting

I did listen to this as seemed interesting but really is a great fold story by someone who has lots of experiences to share

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

good insight about the US airforce in Europe

a very good info on the US airforce in Europe during WW2 and there lives

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Where does Combat Crew rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed this book. I have listened to it more than once. The narration is superb.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Facing death in a B17

Maybe a part of the Second World War not appreciated by us who know the RAF effort but where less aware of the sacrifice made by the USAAF.
The story conveys very clearly the fear and tension of daylight raids into the heart of Germany. The incredible odds of completing 25 missions and the tension as the milestone came closer.
The description of the air combat and the camaraderie of Comers crew as they looked out for one another during the long raids. The dangers both from the enemy and equipment failures are starkly described. I have learnt an enormous amount from this book and have tremendous gratitude and respect for these brave men's sacrifice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Casualties

Those who are interested in this era are fully aware of the horrendous casualties suffered by RAF bomber crews. This book covers the period before P 51 Mustang began escorting American day bombers when casualty rates were even higher. As an account by a straightforward USA gunner it tells the story well. The account is factual and a little repetitive .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping

I could not put this book down. What an insight. Fear, excitement, tragedy, desperation, exhilaration, relief all in one book. It took you into the middle of what must have been hell at 25,000 feet. 40 below, on oxygen with 109s coming out of the sun.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!