My WW II fighter pilot biography, Rough War, has just been put on the Winter 2011/2012 Recommended Reading List for the Military Writers Society of America. It is available on Amazon and B&N in paperback format. I am honored to see it listed alongside so many other excellent books. Be sure to check them all out!
“One of the most unusual and insightful stories of a young American at war, and it has a particular significance for today.” –from the Foreword by Walter J. Boyne
“In the annals of WWII aerial warfare Rough War is a jewel that has been missing for far too long.”
–Jim Hooper, Author of A Hundred Feet over Hell
“Rough War is a war biography from Walt Shiel…Fighting in a lesser known front of China, India, and Burma, he tells a story of a man pulled away from life and the struggles of survival where one wrong move could mean a fate worse than death. Rough War is a riveting war story, highly recommended.“
–Midwest Book Review Small Press Watch
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Paul Eastman was one of thousands of fighter pilots who served honorably, bravely, and with little fanfare during World War II. He did not end the war as a celebrated national hero. No air base was ever named for him. He never became an ace. He never became famous. Paul spent 20 months flying daily combat sorties in one of the most difficult environments of the war — the China-Burma-India Theater.
Paul Eastman maintained a daily diary throughout the war, covering his life in the air and on the ground. Rough War is based on those diaries and the many letters he wrote to his wife. His letters professed his love, expressed his post-war hopes, documented his ongoing fears, and voiced his concerns for his wife and family stateside: Would he survive the war? What would he do afterward?
Although the CBI has been labeled the “forgotten theater” of WW II, Paul Eastman’s story helps ensure that the men who fought the air war over its unforgiving jungles and mountains will never be forgotten.
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“Rough War is an important story that makes an equally important connection to the effects of war on the members of the US military today. “A rare achievement that offers a rewarding, creative approach to history that should be a model for more writers.”
–Ed Rasimus, Author of Palace Cobra and When Thunder Rolled
“A story of the war generation, of the forgotten theater, and of the terrible things just being in a war does to people.”
–Eric Hammel, Author of The Road to Big Week
“Rough War presents a unique history of the making of a combat fighter pilot…While aviation technology changed for America’s next war in SE Asia, the threats of the jungle, monsoon, and a determined enemy created similar issues during my own fighter-pilot experiences in Vietnam.”
–William H. Lawson, Brig. Gen, US Air Force, Retired
“Rough War presents a highly personal view of air combat and daily life in the WW II jungles of Burma. Walt Shiel skillfully blends a history of that war with young fighter pilot Paul Eastman’s personal diary, letters, and photographs. An engaging history of a small part of a global war.”
–Robert F. Dorr, Author of Mission to Berlin
Walt, Thank you for “Rough War”. My Dad flew in the 90th FS and I proudly wear his patches on an A-2 flight jacket. I have heard pieces of many of the stories but your book gave a much fuller context. Reading what the officers had to drink on New Years 1944 reminded me that Dad couldn’t drink beer for forty years because all of it was hot in India. Thanks for your great research!
Harry Bulkeley, son of Capt. Philip C. Bulkeley
Thank you for stopping by, Harry, and for the kind words. Feel free to share any other of your dad’s stories right here anytime.
I’ve got a lot of stories- can’t vouch for how many are true! Several years ago the Air Force had a reunion for the 80th FG. They prepared and gave each attendee a video of many old films taken in India and Burma of the group. Have you ever seen that? Also, Dad’s tent mate, Capt. Joe Daino, was living in Ithaca, New York the last I knew (five years ago?) He wrote a nice manuscript of his remembrances of the war. Joe was still sharp and very interested in talking about the Banshees when he took my daughter to dinner.
Dad was with the original group that trained on Long Island. He claimed that the Army “lost” the 80th for several months when they were supposed to be in North Africa. They would sign in in the morning, fly for a while (at least once under the George Washington bridge!) land and leave until 5:00 when they would return to sign out. Then, according to Dad, they made a habit of closing The Tavern on the Green until the Army finally found them. Someone wired “Where’s the 80th?” “They’re in North Africa” was the reply.
“No they’re not!” responded the person looking for them. They then took a ship to India, outfitted only with their summer uniforms. On the way their ship was pursued by a German u-boat and forced to divert south to near Antarctica. Dad remembered freezing on deck for the time it took to lose the sub.
I’ve got a lot of stuff and would be happy to share it. These boxes seem a little confining. If you would be willing to contact me by e-mail at
threestars29@hotmail.com, I’ll provide some more semi-tall tales from my Dad. Harry Bulkeley
Harry, I do not know you, but I do remember your father Philip very favorably. I was operations officer for the 90th Fighter Squadron after we moved from Jorhat to Moran, India. I knew him well, and you can believe every word he said about the 80th Fighter Group being lost in New York and being chased by the sub after leaving South America. As I recall he was with American Standard and continued with that firm upon returning home. Thank you for reminding me so pleasantly of him during the months we were together both in the USA and the CBI.
PS I remember very well how he sat…very comfortably in the cockpit of the P-47.
Gales,
It’s great to hear from you. I’ve also been in recent contact with Joe Daino. Joe wrote his war memories and gave me a copy. You are mentioned in them. Rough war was a great way to learn more about what the 90th did. Thank you all for your service. I told Jow about a little video I did for Dad on Youtube. There were a few shots from the video that that Air Force put together several years ago. The song is “My Old Man” by Steve Goodman, a folk singer whose dad served in India (but flew c-47s) Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7XUsjdTWds
Please feel free to email me directly with any memories you’d like to share. Harry Bulkeley
Gales,
Thanks for stopping in. It’s always great to hear from WW II members of the 90th FTS.
Do you remember Paul Eastman, by any chance? That’s him on the book cover shown above.
Thanks,
Walt