Silent Warriors

Silent Warriors chronicles the formation and operations of the U.S. Army's World War II Glider Program, focusing on the period from 1941 through 1945. The book details how the Army created and developed its glider forces, training pilots and manufacturing thousands of engineless aircraft for combat missions. The narrative follows the glider pilots through their training and documents major airborne operations in multiple theaters, including Sicily, Normandy, Southern France, Holland, and the Rhine crossing. Salecker presents firsthand accounts from pilots and troops while maintaining historical accuracy through extensive research and military records. The book covers technical aspects of the CG-4A glider and other aircraft types, along with explanations of towing procedures, landing techniques, and mission planning. Combat accounts describe both successful operations and costly failures that shaped the development of glider warfare. This comprehensive examination of a lesser-known aspect of World War II aviation illuminates the courage required of glider pilots who had to land their vulnerable craft behind enemy lines. The book demonstrates how innovation and determination helped establish a new form of tactical warfare despite significant obstacles and losses.

Readers appreciate Salecker's detailed research and primary source interviews with submarine veterans who served during WWII. Multiple reviewers note that personal stories and firsthand accounts bring authenticity to the tactical and operational details. Several readers mention the book helps correct misconceptions about submarine warfare in the Pacific theater. A Goodreads reviewer highlighted how it "fills gaps about lesser-known submarine operations." Common criticisms focus on the writing style, with some finding it dry and technical. Several note the book can be difficult to follow due to dense military terminology. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) From Amazon reviews: "The technical details and veteran interviews are invaluable" - J. Martinez "Writing is stiff but information is solid" - R. Thompson "Too much focus on specifications and not enough narrative flow" - Anonymous reviewer

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🔷 During World War II, US Navy submarines sank approximately 55% of all Japanese merchant shipping - more than 1,300 vessels - despite submarines making up less than 2% of the entire US Naval fleet. 🔷 Gene Eric Salecker conducted extensive research through the National Archives and Records Administration, examining original patrol reports and war diaries to ensure accuracy in his accounts of submarine warfare. 🔷 The book focuses on lesser-known submarine missions in addition to famous ones, including details about submarines that were lost with all hands and whose stories might otherwise have gone untold. 🔷 The USS Wahoo, featured prominently in the book, conducted some of the most aggressive patrols of the war under Commander Dudley "Mush" Morton, who revolutionized submarine warfare tactics by attacking enemy ships on the surface in daylight. 🔷 The author includes personal accounts from submarine veterans who served during WWII, providing firsthand perspectives of what life was like in the cramped quarters of these underwater vessels, where missions could last up to 75 days.