Review of 'Shot At and Missed: Recollections of a World War II Bombadier.' Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2005. 320 pp more

1 Pioneer American Society Transactions, Vol. 31 (August 2008) pp. 70-72 Mark J. Crowley’s review of Shot at and Missed Jack R. Myers. Shot At and Missed: Recollections of a World War II Bombadier. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2005. 320 pp. Photographs, maps. $19.95, paperback, ISBN: 0-8061-3695-2 Reviewed for Pioneer American Society Transactions by Mark J. Crowley, CrowleyMJ@Cardiff.ac.uk, Cardiff University, CF 10 3XQ, Wales, UK. Jack R. Myers’s autobiographical account Shot at and Missed will undoubtedly prove to be an excellent addition to the vast amounts of literature pertaining to the soldiers’ experience during the Second World War. The considerable increase in the publication of former servicemen’s memoirs reflects the greater emphasis that is now placed within historiographical discourse on the significance of oral history to the interpretative historian, and its usefulness to history as a discipline. Moreover, the benefits that this accords to the reader with a general interest in the history of World War II cannot be underestimated. In this case, Myers’s account is no exception, and his vivid accounts of life as a bombardier are brought to life in this compelling account. Every serviceman has a different story to tell in relation to their wartime experience, and Myers’s experiences and thoughts are brought together in a concise, witty and informative account of his career as part of the B17 Bombardiers. Written in a very accessible, and on occasions, almost colloquial style, Myers retells the numerous stories which fundamentally affected his experiences as a World War II bombardier. However, anyone hoping for an account exposing the "darker side" of war to the detriment of the "glorious memories" of battle would be somewhat disappointed. Myers’ stories and descriptions do very little to redress the common trend in autobiographical accounts, where the emphasis placed on the great camaraderie between the fighting forces, and the antipathy felt towards the Officers in Command is a regular feature. However, on the occasions where vivid descriptions of battle and its fallout are necessary, Myers successfully paints the picture of destruction, and highlights his feelings clearly. Describing the scene in Hungary, he states unequivocally “The feel of death was in the air. I started shaking and I had to look away to control my emotions. There was an unusual sweet, sickening smell coming from the area. My stomach felt like someone had punched me in the guts” (p.73). However, these references are quickly counterbalanced by humorous stories relating to the experiences at Army barracks, or the jokes shared between the soldiers following the excitement of battle. Myers emphasis on humour is significant, and this emphasises its importance as a method of self-preservation in a period of vast destruction and bloodshed. 2 No account of a soldier's wartime experience would be complete, it could be argued, without the reference to romantic liaisons. Myers declares his admiration for the beauty of Italian women, and effectively reflects how his perception of European women was different from that he had of the American women to which he was obviously familiar. However, the deeper meaning conveyed in the numerous passing observations made by Myers in relation to this in effect reflects the necessary cultural adjustments that were necessary for survival as part of his role in the American bombardiers. A successful soldier not only needed to be effective in combat, but also needed to integrate with the population that he had become a part of by virtue of his wartime role. The difficulties, nevertheless, are always relieved by the humorous stories of drunken liaisons, and his somewhat tense relationship with Commander Ruhlin. The humor at this stage of the story is largely created by the emphasis placed on the contrast between Ruhlin and Myers, the former who exuded supreme confidence in many ways, especially with his ability to attract women, the latter who proved to be somewhat less confident, but ultimately more successful, with many of the jokes proving largely to be at Ruhlin’s expense. The timely and appropriate addition of photographs--essential primary source material, to Myers’s story substantiates the claims he makes throughout. This also helps the non-specialist, especially in terms of the frequent references to aircraft, to understand and visualize the airplanes and scenes to which World War II soldiers were subjected during combat. The success of this account largely rests with Myers’s ability to achieve the successful balance between retelling the horrors of wartime experience but also emphasizing the many humorous times which largely emanated as a consequence of the friendships acquired along the way. Emotion is conveyed frequently throughout, with the emphasis in the early stages largely placed on the fear, trepidation and ultimate adrenalin rushes created by planned attacks on enemy targets. This is then counterbalanced by the emotional rollercoaster, largely as a consequence of the distance between himself, which meant that communication with his family remained limited. The euphoria, symptomatic of a cathartic release, is evident at the end of Myers’s story, created by the knowledge that after all the dangers, fears and near-death experiences, the war had been won. Nevertheless, he conveys effectively his gratitude that he managed to emerge from the war alive to tell his story. Many of his colleagues had been killed, and other had been captured by the Germans and placed in prisoner-of-war camps. Myers conveys his horror at the condition with which one of his colleagues had been left after persecution by the Germans, and states: “It took him an hour to get control of himself. After considering every alternative, he decided that sooner or later he would meet someone who would either help him, shoot him, or turn him over to the Germans. So, rather than delay the agony, he decided to approach the cabin and suffer the consequences” (p.288). The epilogue is 3 a timely conclusion to Myers’s story, and at this stage, he highlights the benefits of retrospective analysis to his experiences. Such is the detailed nature of this account, Myers’s story will undoubtedly be of considerable importance to both historians examining the use and reliability of oral history, and the general reader alike. His compelling style, together with his ability to retell stories in a vivid and imaginative way ensures that the reader’s attention is maintained throughout. If Myers is not yet famous for his literary prowess, then this may prove to be the catalyst to facilitate this latest accolade! Biographical note Mark J. Crowley is a Ph. D. student and Associate Lecturer at Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom. He is a specialist in British Political History in the twentieth century, especially the political and social history of the Second World War. He has forthcoming publications in the Encyclopedia of World History (New York: Golson Books, forthcoming 2007) and the Encyclopedia of Popular Protest Movements in World History (New York: Facts on File, forthcoming 2007)