Hell Above Earth

Hell Above Earth chronicles the true story of Werner Goering, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-17 bomber pilot during World War II who happened to be the nephew of Nazi leader Hermann Goering. The book follows Werner's military career and the FBI's intense scrutiny of him, along with the assignment of a special co-pilot tasked with killing Werner if he attempted to defect. The narrative explores the complex relationship between Werner and his co-pilot Jack Rencher, set against the backdrop of high-altitude bombing missions over Nazi Germany. Their story intersects with major historical events and figures, including Werner's infamous uncle, while detailing the extreme conditions and high casualty rates faced by American bomber crews. This book brings together multiple threads of World War II history: the political tensions surrounding German-Americans during wartime, the strategic bombing campaign in Europe, and the personal costs of divided loyalties. The themes of trust, duty, and identity resonate throughout the account of these two airmen and their unique wartime experience.

Readers consistently highlight the book's focus on the unique friendship between Werner Goering and Jack Rencher during WWII. Many note the extensive research and historical detail, particularly regarding the B-17 bombing missions. Positive comments mention: - Clear explanations of bomber crew roles and operations - Integration of personal stories with broader WWII context - Photos and documentation that support the narrative Common criticisms: - Repetitive passages and redundant information - Disorganized timeline that jumps between events - Too much peripheral historical information that slows the story Multiple readers note the book reads more like a collection of research notes than a cohesive narrative. One reviewer stated "The story itself is fascinating but gets lost in unnecessary tangents." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (307 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (164 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (12 ratings) The majority of negative reviews focus on writing style rather than content accuracy or historical value.

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✈️ Werner Goering, a U.S. bomber pilot during WWII, was Heinrich Goering's nephew - leading the FBI to assign a special agent to shoot him if he attempted to defect to Nazi Germany. 🎖️ Jack Rencher, the FBI agent assigned to Werner Goering, became his close friend and co-pilot, flying 49 combat missions together in B-17 Flying Fortresses. 🗺️ The 303rd Bomb Group, nicknamed "Hell's Angels," flew 364 combat missions from their base in Molesworth, England, more than any other B-17 unit in WWII. 🔍 Author Stephen Frater discovered this story while researching his own father's WWII service in the 8th Air Force, leading to three years of extensive interviews and research. ⚔️ Werner Goering went on to serve in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, ultimately retiring as a Colonel after 32 years of distinguished service to the United States.