Product Description

This work covers the author's military service spent flying aerial bombing combat over Europe in the 8th USAAF, stationed in England. It describes operational events and the horrors of massive daylight bombing raids over Germany and its occupied territories, from D-Day until the end of World War II in Europe. The attack on neutral Swiss territory, described in the book, was one of several during World War II by American bomber formations caused by navigational error. These events were never reported in the American press, and their attendant records were classified as top secret for many years. The author, appointed by his Air Division commanding general, undertook the court martial defence of two young flying lieutenants involved in the incident. These men led a squadron of huge B-24 bombers in a misguided attack upon Zurich.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1427890 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

From the Author
I have told of the writing and publishing of this book.
To fly in the bomber attack forces of the 8th USAAF during World War II in England was a truly memorable experience. All who did so gained a lifelong set of remembrances. History is always important and is too easily lost to those who follow. This book represents twenty years of effort and three major rewrites in order to put it into its present form. There were a number of difficulties, including the long-time secret classification of the court martial records which form an important part of the text background material. I find it fitting that this book is published in England. It was from England, a place were we lived as foreigners, and not always beloved foreigners, that we went forth with our mighty machines of destruction to rain death upon Nazi Germany and its occupied territories. In my brief wartime days in England, I became an honorary resident of East Anglia with the culture of Norfolk to be impressed upon me for the rest of my life. And my English publishers, with whom I was able to work with mutual respect and cooperation, brought a high level of professionalism to the effort of producing this book. Little interest in publishing this book was in evidence from American publishing houses. Even less was in evidence from those styling themselves as "author's agents." I was the recipient of all kinds of asinine advice about what to do with this book. Some said there were too many characters in it, and that hence the reader could never follow it. It would be better, such said, to limit the plot to one or two and introduce a captivating, even if fictional, love interest. Other givers of free-advice-worth-the price suggested that the plot of World War II must be rewritten for more dramatic impact. The most straightforward "expert" opinion was that which said that the whole manuscript was a waste of time, and that such a mess could never be published. These latter experts had the gall to charge for this opinion. In spite of all these things, here the book is, published by my friends at Airlife. Now it can stand on its own amidst whatever storms of criticism it may deserve.

Customer Reviews

You have done a great service with your book.
Dear Mr. Granholm, Your modesty becomes you, Captain. It is not until page 219 that we learn that you hold the Distinguished Flying Cross. Just the photo, no fanfare. Congratulations, 56 years later! Thank you very much for The Day We Bombed Switzerland. I read it with perhaps more than the usual interest. My Swiss partner was a 4-year old girl when another bomb was dropped in Zürich only a block from where she lived in the Hardturm district. I very deliberately did not "read ahead" so was able to anticipate that perhaps "your" bomb was the same. The title of the book could be called a misnomer since it is all about many more days than that one. But it's the eye-catcher, what would generate interest. I feel that you have done a great service with your book. Such a record should be put down just the way it happened by a man who was there. What you have written is what I wish I had learned in school about the Second World War. You covered such a wide spectrum from such a personal point of view. It was refreshing to read, such detail, e.g., the fact that you had to stand for nine hours on some missions. After the bomb was dropped it became spell-binding. I put my hand over the bottom of page 227 because I did not want to know the result of the court martial until I got to it. In January my partner and I had a couple over for dinner and the man casually mentioned to me that he had just read your book. The next day I was in Orell Füssli, The English Bookshop, on Bahnhof Strasse (the main drag) in Zürich asking for it. I was sent to the History section where I found one copy and bought it. Two weeks ago I returned for a second copy, a gift to a Swiss friend who also remembers that bombing in Hardturm. He will be 66 tomorrow. This time I found the book, two copies, in the "Swiss Interest" section right next to the front door of the shop. The American (married to a Swiss) who sold me the book has read it, also with great interest. When I return to the U.S. I will inquire, out of curiosity, at Barnes & Noble. On V-J Day I was eight years old and could not understand why there was "news" on the radio the NEXT day. To me "news" and "war" were the same thing. During the war the first thing my father did upon his return from work was to turn on the radio for the news. I would run from the room. When I heard the news I would have a nightmare that night. Two other things surprised me at that tender age. I thought that the German language would be forbidden and those shrill German train whistles would no longer be allowed once the war was won. Now, I wonder if, in your research, you learned anything about the bombing in Zürich's Hardturm district. It was the Orion factory that was bombed, and I've been thinking if it could have been more than a mistake. My friend, a very little oby at the time, remembers that it happened just before Christmas in 1941 or 42. He has no idea what was made in that factory. In any event, I would like very much to hear from you. Were I anywhere near Roseburg I might have the courage to call you up and ask if you would be "receiving" a guy who really liked your book. For whatever it's worth, I served between wars: naval officer, sea duty, 1960-64, made Lieutenant, Captain equivalent in the other branches. My Very Best Wishes to you and yours, Sincerely,

Eric Anderson