Pathfinder Pioneer, Raymond E. Brim
Pathfinder Pioneer, Raymond E. Brim
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Pathfinder Pioneer
The Memoir of a Lead Bomber Pilot in World War II

Author: Raymond E. Brim

Narrator: John Pruden

Unabridged: 8 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 07/11/2017


Synopsis

In this engaging book we see how an eighteen-year-old miner shoveling ore from deep in the ground in Utah suddenly found himself, only two years later, 30,000 feet in the air over Nazi Germany, piloting a Flying Fortress in the first wave of America's air counteroffensive in Europe.

Like thousands of other young Americans, Ray Brim was plucked by the U.S. Army to be a combat flyer, and was quickly pitted against the hardened veterans of the Luftwaffe. Brim turned out to have a natural knack for flying, however, and was assigned to the select squadron developing lead Pathfinder techniques, while experimenting with radar. He was among the first to test the teeth of the Luftwaffe's defenses, and once those techniques had been honed, thousands of other bomber crews would follow into the maelstrom, from which 80,000 never returned.

Pathfinder Pioneer gives us vivid insights into the genesis of the American air campaign, told with the humor, attention to detail, and humility that captures the heart and soul of our "Greatest Generation."

About Raymond E. Brim

Raymond E. Brim was born in 1922 in the mining town of Dividend, Utah, the son of the bookkeeper and the town's only nurse. He studied political science at the University of Utah, but dropped out to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He was assigned to a B-17 bomber, 482nd Squadron, where he flew missions over Germany during 1943 and 1944. As a Pathfinder pilot, Ray pioneered radar technology leading both day and night raids as far as Berlin. Currently retired and living in Salt Lake City, Ray, now in his nineties, still enjoys recalling his days as a World War II pilot as well as his later career in the Air Force, from which he retired as a colonel.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Arttie on June 09, 2019

Overall, I found this to be a very well written book, with a good deal of less-than-common knowledge about the Pathfinder program. Books written by members of Flying Fortress crews always fascinate me, as theirs are some of the most adventurous tales to be told. Not overly heavy on technical jargon,......more

Goodreads review by Paul on January 31, 2018

Great first hand account of B-17 Pilot The author kept detailed records of his time flying B-17's in the Eighth Air Force in1943. He was an original Pathfinder pilot. It was very interesting to see that he was the lead pilot for many of the same missions my father was on and I recognized his anecdote......more

Goodreads review by Robert M. Roth MD on June 01, 2019

Interesting depiction of a B 29 Pilot ‘s War The book spans much of the life of the pilot, from childhood, through training and his missions in Europe. One of the fortunate men to complete his 25 missions without injury, he becomes part of the original group of Pathfinders. The book concludes with hi......more

Goodreads review by EDWARD L SEMLER on August 21, 2020

Good book......but As a retired military person I really enjoy reading other service members stories of their service. This book is good but for me it lacked the detailed description of combat missions that I have enjoyed in other books. Although this was a major point of me reading the book I found......more

Goodreads review by Lucas on January 16, 2024

Amazing book. Super fun to read and very detailed stories about the b-17 and its bombing missions above Europe. The author kept good records of his missions and told it In an entertaining but very factual way. 10/10 would recommend.......more