A Glimpse of Hell: The World War II Years
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As I drifted down it was so quiet I could hear my heart beating. I was low enough now I could see the ground and even make out some of the roads and the villages, but I lost sight of the other men as we got closer to the ground. Then I could see a motorcycle and an army vehicle. I saw some machine guns firing, and I couldnÕt tell how far away they were, but I couldnÕt hear them. All I saw was the flash of fire coming out of the muzzles, the smoke, the movement of the men feeding the ammo into the gun. It was like watching a silent movie. Then all of the sudden I saw that the ground was coming up toward me faster than I could believe. I was close to panic, but I saw a little tree about 20 feet tall coming toward me. I reached out and grabbed the top of it, swinging gently down to the ground without even losing my footing. I pulled my parachute down and unsnapped it. I was on the ground, in enemy territory. I looked at my watch. It had been just 18 minutes since I bailed out. I wadded up my chute and hid it in a brush pile. I heard airplanes above, and when I looked up I saw some B-17s going home. I thought, ÒYou lucky guys, youÕll be home in a few hours, and IÕve gotta walk. And, man, itÕs a long way home.Ó The first thing I did was get my escape kits out. I had three of them Ñ they were one of those things I always packed extras of. They each held a compass, maps and dextrose tablets for food, so I had a good supply. Then I walked out to the edge of the little wooded area I had landed in. I discovered that I was on top of a little hill about five or ten acres, all
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About the Book
A Glimpse of Hell tells the exciting and harrowing story of the Black March, when 8,000 American P.O.W.s were force-marched across Germany near the end of World War II. Filled with humor as well as tears, this true story is a touching and powerful portrait of life for thousands of American flyers who endured the hardships of Nazi prisoner of war camps. The book also tells about the training of a bomber crew and details missions over Germany and France--culminating with the moment the plane was shot down behind enemy lines. In addition, Jim Brooks intersperses memories of his Ozark boyhood, all combining into a compelling and educational read.
About the Author
James E. Brooks was born in 1922 and grew up on a farm in southwestern Missouri. Since retiring in 1987, he has lived with his wife, Claudia, in Pittsburg, Kansas. They have a son, Kenneth, and a daughter, Nancy, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. After his retirement, Jim sat down with a tape recorder to attempt to answer some of the questions his children and grandchildren had asked him through the years. The result was the book you hold in your hands, A Glimpse of Hell. Filled with humor as well as tears, this true story is a touching and powerful portrait of what life was like for thousands of American flyers who endured the hardships of Nazi prisoner of war camps. This book is dedicated to them.