Barbara Erickson:From “Rosie the Riveter” to B–17 Pilot the Dam
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SUMMER 2005 - Volume 52, Number 2 Barbara Erickson:From “Rosie the Riveter” to B–17 Pilot Sarah Byrn Rickman 4 The Dam Busters’ Raid: Success or Sideshow T. M. Webster 12 The Dawn of Aviation in the Middle East: The First Flying Machines over Istanbul Gary Leiser 26 The Fog of War: Lt. Kenneth M.Taylor on December 7, 1941 George R. Farfour 42 Book Reviews 52 American Combat Planes of the 20th Century by Ray Wagner Reviewed by George Cully 52 Splendid Vision, Unswerving Purpose: Developing Air Power for the Untied States Air Force during the First Century of Powered Flight by Aeronautical Systems Center History Office Reviewed by Christopher A. Waln 52 Today’s Best Military Writing: The Finest Articles on the Past, Present, and Future of the U.S. Military by Walter J. Boyne Reviewed by John D. Sherwood 52 The First Space Race: Launching the World’s First Satellites by Matt Bille and Erika Lishock Reviewed by Rick W. Sturdevant 53 Air Fare: Stories, Poems & Essays on Flight by Nickole Brown and Judith Taylor, eds Reviewed by Bruce Ashcroft 54 Mario Calderara Aviator and Inventor: The First Italian Pilot Pupil of Wilbur Wright by Lodovico Calderara and Attilio Marchetti. Reviewed by Roger G. Miller 54 Taming Liquid Hydrogen: The Centaur Upper Stage Rocket, 1958-2002 by Virginia P. Dawson and Mark D. Bowles Reviewed by James A. Painter 57 Thatch Weave: The Life of Jimmie Thatch by Steve Ewing Reviewed by Robert W. Covey 57 The Ploesti Raid: Through the Lens by Roger A. Freeman Reviewed by Ramsey Gorchev 58 Ask the Chief: Backbone of the Navy by J.F. Leahy Reviewed by Dennis Berger 59 Amelia Earhart: Case Closed? by Walter Roessler and Leo Gomez, with Gail Lynne Green. Reviewed by Scott R. Marquiss 59 Inside the Iron Works: How Grumman’s Glory Days Faded by George M. Skurla and William H. Gregory Reviewed by Ronald W. McCaffrey 60 Then There Were Six: The True Story of the 1944 Rangoon Disaster by Karnig Thomasian Reviewed by Jeffrey P. Joyce 60 Rockets and Missiles: The Life Story of a Technology by A. Bowdoin Van Riper & 60 Blazing the Trail: The Early History of Spacecraft and Rocketry by Mike Gruntman Reviewed by Jacob Neufeld 61 Books Received 62 Coming Up 64 Letters, News, Notices, Reunions 66 History Mystery 68 FRONT COVER: Barbara Erickson. (Photo courtesy of the author.) BACK COVER: World War II poster, commonly called “Rosie the Riveter,” although others were as well. The Air Force Historical Foundation Air Force Historical Foundation 1535 Command Drive – Suite A122 Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002 (301) 981-2139 (301) 981-3574 Fax E-Mail: [email protected] The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation http://afhistoricalfoundation.com Summer 2005 Volume 52 Number 2 Publisher Officers Contributing Members Editor President The individuals and companies listed are contributing Jacob Neufeld Lt. Gen. Michael A. Nelson, USAF (Ret) members of the Air Force Historical Foundation. The Vice-President Foundation Trustees and members are grateful for their Technical Editor Gen. John A. Shaud, USAF (Ret) support and contributions to preserving, perpetuating, Robert F. Dorr Secretary-Treasurer and publishing the history and traditions of American Maj. Gen. John S. Patton, USAF (Ret) aviation. Book Review Editor Executive Director Col. George K. Williams, USAF (Ret) Scott A. Willey Benefactor Layout and Typesetting Mrs. Ruth A. (Ira C.) 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Yudkin, USAF (Ret) Vinell Corporation address to the Circulation Office. 2 AIR POWER History / SUMMER 2005 From the Editor The lead article in this issue is Sarah Rickman’s account of how Barbara J. Erickson managed to rise from “Rosie the Riveter” to become a B–17 pilot during World War II. One of only seven surviving WAFS, “B. J.” was recently inducted into the presti- gious Women in Aviation International Hall of Fame. Second, we revisit the Royal Air Force’s famous raid on the Ruhr Valley dams. Launched on the night of May 16-17, 1943, by 617 Squadron it was first hailed as a tri- umph of British arms but subsequently denigrated in importance. Now, sixty years later, T. M. Webster places the “Dam Busters” raid in perspective, arguing that it was a sig- nificant victory after all, albeit for different reasons than originally intended. In the third article, Gary Leiser unveils the “Dawn of Aviation in the Middle East” in 1909, barely six years after the Wright brothers’ historic flight in North Carolina. Demonstration flights by Pierre de Caters and Louis Bleriot sparked the interest of Turkish newsmen, bent on educating their countrymen about flying. George Farfour seeks to dispel the significant amount of misinformation associ- ated with America’s first combat action of World War II. Concentrating on the role played by one fighter pilot, 2d Lt. Kenneth M. Taylor, Farfour tells what really happened on December 7, 1941. Fifteen books are reviewed in this issue. Some merit praise, while others are given “two thumbs down.” Check them out for yourself to see whether or not you agree with the reviewers. And, write to tell us your opinions. We welcome hearing from our readers. Also, look over the list of new books received. If you interested in writing a review, contact Scott Willey. See page 62. Be sure not to miss the report by Air Force Historical Foundation’s president, Lt. Gen. Michael A. Nelson, who outlines the Strategic Plan and lays out the plan’s major objectives. General Nelson also discusses such new initiatives as an upgraded website, a funding challenge, and an Air Force Chronology book underway. See page 63. The departments feature “Letters to the Editor,” announcements, news items, upcoming events, reunions, and the ever-popular History Mystery. Among the items in the news, you’ll find the winner of the year 2004 “Outstanding Article in Air Power History.” This is the first prize awarded in the category.Another of our articles is a final- ist in a U.S.