Wreaking Havoc: A Year in an A-20 — WWII Pacific Memoir
WWII: Wreaking Havoc: A Year in an A-20 is Joseph Rutter’s memoir of flying combat missions with the 312th Bomb Group in the Pacific during World War II. It follows his training, raids and mishaps while giving attention to the aircraft and the lives of its crews.
At a glance
- A pilot’s first-person account of A-20 operations in the Pacific theater.
- Covers training, large-scale raids, low-level attacks, crashes and other wartime incidents.
- Connects the aircraft’s handling and mechanical problems with the experiences of its crews.
Reference price: $32.95
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Combines aviation and combat history with a personal account of a young pilot’s wartime life.
- The account spans training and operational missions, offering context beyond descriptions of combat alone.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Texas A&M University Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | August 13, 2012 |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 280 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1603447377 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1603447379 |
| Dimensions | 5.75 x 0.65 x 8.75 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 15.2 ounces |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers of World War II aviation and Pacific air-war history.
- Readers interested in pilot memoirs, A-20 aircraft and the experiences of wartime aircrews.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a technical aircraft reference rather than a personal memoir.
- Readers looking for a broad history of the entire Pacific War rather than one pilot’s account.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
69% 69% - 4 stars
25% 25% - 3 stars
4% 4% - 2 stars
2% 2% - 1 star
0% 0%
Customer feedback describes the content as informative, including a mention that it goes beyond typical combat descriptions, and calls the narrative a personal memoir of the author’s war experiences. Ratings lean positive overall, but ratings alone do not explain individual readers’ reasons. The memoir’s focus on both combat and daily experience may suit readers seeking personal context alongside aviation history.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the content as informative and the narrative as a personal memoir.
Frequently asked questions
What is Wreaking Havoc: A Year in an A-20 about?
It recounts Joseph Rutter’s experiences as an Army Air Force pilot, from replacement training through A-20 missions over Japanese targets in the Pacific.
Does the book focus on the A-20 aircraft?
Yes. The aircraft is a central part of the memoir, including its role in missions and the mechanical difficulties Rutter describes.
Is this a general history of World War II?
No. It is a personal account centered on Rutter, his fellow airmen and their wartime experiences in the Pacific.
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