Coutelier

2011 · 90662 — Austin TX: Xlibris 2011. Presumed First Edition First printing. Trade paperback. Very good. xiv 250 pages. Signed and dated by the editor on the bottom of the title page along with an inscription at the top that reads: "For Bruce & Cindy with deep gratitude for you r-sp long-term friendship. Cheers Bob". Captain Samuel Cutler was among the initial cadre of Army Air Corps officers from America assigned to the 39th Pursuit Squadron who went into battle against the Japanese in defense of Australia during the Second World War. This is his diary transcribed by his son. Capt. Cutler was a ground officer with the 39th Fighter Squadron "The Flying Cobra's" from April - November 1942 and he covers their movement to New Guinea in June 1942 and transition from the P-400 Airacobra fighter to the P-38 Lightning. He was also an eyewitness to the terrible crash of the B-17C at Baker's Creek on 14 June 1943 which claimed 40 lives. "Over and Out! Sam's Story" is the private war diary of Captain Samuel Cutler an Army Air Corps officer in Australia during World War II edited and published by his son Robert S. Cutler. The book chronicles Cutler's experiences from February 1942 to May 1944 and includes details about his service his feelings and the aftermath of the tragic Bakers Creek air crash. The book combines Captain Cutler's firsthand diary entries with introductory text by his son Robert and includes photographs. It covers a wide range of topics from the routine aspects of army life to the more significant events of the war. His diary provides a lot of interesting details about the personnel and activities of the 39th Squadron and the 35th Fighter Group supply problems and occasionally points out abuses by U.S. officers.<br /> The diary entries begin in February 1942 as Cutler's convoy leaves Bangor Maine and end in May 1944 in Australia. A key event documented is the tragic Bakers Creek crash in Australia which claimed the lives of 40 American servicemen. In 2009 Robert Cutler was involved in the dedication of a monument at Arlington National Cemetery commemorating the Bakers Creek crash. The Bakers Creek air crash was an aviation disaster that occurred on 14 June 1943 when a United States Army Air Forces USAAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft crashed at Bakers Creek Queensland Australia. The aircraft took off from Mackay and crashed approximately 5.0 mi. 4.3 nmi south of the airfield. Forty military service personnel on board were killed; one person survived the crash. The crash is Australia's deadliest aviation disaster by death toll and was the deadliest accident involving a transport aircraft in the south-western Pacific during World War II. Xlibris paperback