The Aviation Shelf

Ace in a Day
Lt. Col. Wayne K. Blickenstaff, author
Graham Cross, editor
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636242095, $39.95, HC, 360pp

https://www.amazon.com/Ace-Day-Memoir-Eighth-Fighter/dp/163624209X

Synopsis: Wayne K. Blickenstaff, known as "Blick," was a stalwart member of=
the 350th Fighter Squadron of the 353rd Fighter Group based at Goxhill, Me= tfield and Raydon, England as part of the Eighth Air Force prosecuting the = strategic air campaign against Germany. As an original cadre member, he ros=
e steadily through the ranks from a Second Lieutenant Element Leader to Fli= ght Leader, Squadron Operations Officer, Squadron Leader and finally to a L= ieutenant Colonel and Group Operations Officer. Flying the P-47 Thunderbolt=
and P-51 Mustang, he completed two tours of operations between 1943 and 19=
45 encompassing 133 missions and claims of 10 enemy aircraft destroyed in t=
he air. His double "ace" status included a Me262 jet fighter and the destru= ction of five aircraft in one mission -- giving him rare "ace in a day" sta= tus.

With editorial assistance by Graham Cross, "Ace in a Day: The Memoir of an = Eighth Air Force Fighter Pilot in World War II" is Blick's candid and gritt=
y personal memoir of his air war experiences in Europe. His vivid writing p= laces you in the cockpit as he and his comrades battle the enemy in the ski=
es or attack ground targets across Europe. His account conveys a true sense=
of just how dangerous flying World War II fighters, in all weather conditi= ons, really was. It was not just the enemy that could kill you. A moment's = inattention, overconfidence or simple mistake could be deadly.

As a keen observer of character, Blick's pen portraits of those around him,=
including many of those who sadly did not survive the war, offer a poignan=
t and deeply moving tribute to those with whom he served.

Anyone wanting an understanding of the dynamics of a working fighter squadr=
on at war and the dilemmas faced by those in command should read this book.=
Supported by an impressive array of original documentation, photographs, a=
nd detailed appendices, including Blick's never-before published wartime jo= urnal, "Ace in a Day" provides a unique and valuable insight into the harsh=
realities of the air war in Europe from one of the "Mighty Eighth's" top f= ighter pilots.

Critique: An inherently fascinating and 'eye-witness informative' account, = "Ace in a Day: The Memoir of an Eighth Air Force Fighter Pilot in World War=
II" is a valued and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, profess= ional, community, and academic library World War II History/Biography colle= ctions and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Of special note to studen= ts, academia, military history buffs, and non-specialist general readers wi=
th an interest in the subject that "Ace in a Day: The Memoir of an Eighth A=
ir Force Fighter Pilot in World War II" is also available in a digital book=
format (Kindle, $20.95).

Editorial Note #1: Having achieved his childhood dream of learning to fly, = Wayne K. Blickenstaff set aside his wings and turned his artistic talent an=
d love of adventure strip illustrations into a successful career as an adve= rtising, editorial and book illustrator. He later became a teacher and art = director. People gravitated to him because of his calm demeanor, great list= ening skills and insight. In 1989 Blick and his wife moved from Connecticut=
to North Carolina to be closer to family and spend time at their beloved s= ummer home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. During retirement he pursued his in= terest in writing and this book was his passion project. Thanks to his frie=
nd and editor, Graham Cross, his dream to have it published has finally bee=
n realized.

Editorial Note #2: Graham Cross earned his doctorate in History from the Un= iversity of Cambridge, and he specializes in twentieth century American mil= itary, diplomatic and political history and particularly the era of the two=
World Wars, the Allied air campaign and the presidency of Franklin D. Roos= evelt. He has taught American history at Cambridge, University College Dubl= in, the University of Glasgow and Manchester Metropolitan University. He is=
a respected expert on the history of the 8th Air Force and for thirty-five=
years has been the historian and UK contact for the 353rd Fighter Group. H=
e wrote what many consider to be the definitive fighter group history - Jon= ah's Feet Are Dry-The Experience of the 353rd Fighter Group During WWII (20= 01).

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