Author, Colonel Charles L. Phillips, Jr., having own 31 combat missions, with 500 combat hours logged, was the recipient of 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses. is is the story from a 26 year old Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps piloting the B-29 during the nal stages of WWII in the Paci c eatre. General Jack Catton, who landed Joltin' Josie on Saipan's Isley Field in October of 1944, endorses Rain of Fire!
General Jack Catton, who landed Joltin' Josie on Saipan's Isley Field in October of 1944, endorses Rain of Fire!
"Memories, vivid and exciting, abounded as I read Col. Phillips' account of the last seven months of our B-29 air assault against Japan, which brought their unconditional surrender in August of 1945.
Charlie and I were members of the same combat unit, the 873rd Bomb Squadron, a part of the 73rd Bomb Wing's 498th Bomb Group operating from Saipan. I know what he has written is completely authentic since we both served as aircraft commanders in that fine unit.
The B-29 was remarkable, ahead of its time, a truly superb combat airplane.
Charlie's account is an historic record of events from the perspective of a combat aircraft commander and squadron operations officer."