Original U.S. WWII “The Old Breed” 1st Marine Division Unit History
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very rare book by Colonel Charles R. Greening, “Not as Briefed”, a sort of history of the 460th Bombardment Group. Col. Greening U.S.A.A.F. designed the Rube Goldberg bombsight and flew a B-25 as one of the famous 'Doolittle Raiders' that took part in the first strike against Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1943 he commanded a B-26 bomb group in Africa and was shot down, narrowly avoiding landing by parachute in the crater of Mt. Vesuvius. He was interred in an Italian POW camp from which he escaped during a bombing raid, only to be recaptured and incarcerated in German POW camp Stalag Luft 1, Barth.
Greening was also a good artist and taught art classes and organised exhibitions of his fellow inmates' work. He sought to illustrate the aircraft and aerial combat stories that they all remembered and many fellow POW's wanted to buy his paintings. Due to the demand he put up a notice offering to sell a book, to be printed after the war, of reproductions of his watercolours and received 5,000 requests to purchase the book. Following his liberation in 1945 Greening worked with publishers Brown and Bigelow to produce the book offered here and copies were posted to the subscribers in 1947.
This example is named on the interior cover to John Lanehart and still retains the “Heinn Clipper Binder” page showing how to use it.
The artwork contained within the book is excellent, accomplished, immediate and exciting. Each plate is accompanied with supporting text. Subjects include air battles, bale-outs, bombers, fighters, crash landings, glider towing, POW camp life, personnel and so on.
The book measures 10 ¾ x 13 ½”. Ready to display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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