A Wing and a Prayer: The “Bloody 100th” Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force in Action Over Europe in World War II

Harry H. Crosby

May 2023 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Chris Monteiro

About this audiobook

They began operations out of England in the spring of '43. They flew their Flying Fortresses almost daily against strategic targets in Europe in the name of freedom. Their astonishing courage and appalling losses earned them the name that resounds in the annals of aerial warfare and made the "Bloody Hundredth" a legend. Harry H. Crosby-soon to be portrayed by Anthony Boyle in the miniseries Masters of the Air developed by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg-arrived with the very first crews, and left with the very last. After dealing with his fear and gaining in skill and confidence, he was promoted to Group Navigator, surviving hairbreadth escapes and eluding death while leading thirty-seven missions, some of them involving two thousand aircraft. Now, in a breathtaking and often humorous account, he takes us into the hearts and minds of these intrepid airmen to experience both the triumph and the white-knuckle terror of the war in the skies.

Ratings and reviews

I learned of Harry Crosby in the recent TV show masters of the air this was a fascinating personal account of the war. I enjoy personal accounts as opposed to overall historical surveys

About the author

Harry H. Crosby, a navigator flying B-17 bombers with the "Bloody 100th" Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force during World War II, was one of the few survivors from the legendary unit. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Croix de Guerre, among many other honors.

A trained traditional and voice actor who loves to read and perform, Chris Monteiro has lent his voice to television and radio ads, animated films, video games, documentaries, and dozens of audiobooks.