Book Review by Mike Peters
We are honored that military historian and battlefield guide, Mike Peters, has reviewed the “Richard Eager” book after meeting our team on a WWII historical tour in Malta. It was a pleasure to meet Mike and we are grateful for his support.
Recently I had the pleasure of working with fellow historian, James Holland when he returned to Malta with a group of WW2 enthusiasts to tour the wartime sights of the island fortress. It was a fabulous tour in every respect. What was totally unexpected was meeting Barbara Evans Kinnear, known as Bobbie, the daughter of the co-author of this wonderful book. Bobbie was following her father's WW2 timeline, he had flown his B17 to Malta prior to the invasion of Sicily.
Bobbie, Mike Peters (left), and James Holland (right) stand in front of Malta Memorial, a war memorial monument to the 2,298 Commonwealth aircrew who lost their lives in the various WWII air battles and engagements around the Mediterranean, whilst serving with the Commonwealth Air Forces and flying from bases in Austria, Italy, Sicily, islands of the Adriatic and Mediterranean, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, West Africa, Yugoslavia and Gibraltar, and who have no known grave. [Photo credit: Stuart Bertie, Malta, May 16, 2023]
Richard Eager as he was nicknamed was an extraordinary man, one of four siblings that served in the USAAF during WW2. This memoir written by Bobbie's father and edited by her is an exceptionally absorbing read. Of course the headline is the fact that Richard was Monty's pilot. Many people know the story of the bet between Ike and Monty over the latter's ability to capture Sfax in Tunisia - a bet fully explained in a letter (contained in the book) to Richard by Monty himself. The prize was a personal B17 and crew for Monty's use in North Africa and Sicily.
What follows is a a charming and candid account of the B17 crew's experiences as part of the British Eighth Army. Viewing all of this through an American lens makes for a refreshing read in itself. Monty's logic of why he needs a 'Fortress' is insightful - no need for any escort! The 20 page hand-written, unedited 'Monty Story' is a fascinating read. But, there is much, much more to this superbly illustrated and well researched book. Bobbie has done her father, her family, the B17, the 99th BG, and the US 15th Airforce proud.
Each engaging chapter gives the reader a fascinating insight into life in the pre-WW2 US, learning to fly, the transition to war, flying 55 B17 combat missions, and flying B47 and B58 bombers through the Cold War world that followed. The appendices are a rich treasure trove including a comprehensive collection of personal letters, official correspondence and a host of citations.
It was a privilege to meet Bobbie and her husband, John. It was an even bigger privilege to learn about Colonel Richard Ernest Evans and his full and eventful life. If you are ever sceptical about 'The Greatest Generation'...read this book and come back to me.
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Review originally published on Linkedin.
About Mike Peters
Mike Peters left the Army Air Corps as a Major in 2013 with thirty-four years of Regular Army experience. He is now an MOD Civil Servant working in RHQ, The Royal Anglian Regiment at The Keep in Bury St Edmunds. His role is focused on the management of all aspects of Communications and Heritage for one of the Army's finest county based Infantry Regiments.
In his spare time, he is an independent Military Historian and Battlefield Guide, specializing in the history of modern Army Aviation and WW2 Glider Operations. Published Books - Glider Pilots in Sicily; Glider Pilots at Arnhem; Bomb Group. He is currently writing the Authorised Operational History of the Army Air Corps 1957-2017. He was Chairman of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides from 2010 - Mar 2022.
Further Articles
Barbara (“Bobbie”) Evans Kinnear, daughter of Colonel Richard Ernest Evans, joins historian and author, James Holland, on his podcast, “We Have Ways of Making You Talk”