Barry Blake of the Flying Fortress

Barry Blake moves from basic cadet drills and close roommate friendships through successive stages of aircrew training, watching a companion transferred from pilot candidacy to bombardier school. He adapts from trainers to medium and heavy bombers, learning controls and procedures, then joins combat operations that include raids, night attacks, dogfights, and missions over island battlefields such as Rabaul and New Guinea. The narrative follows several in-flight emergencies, forced landings, time adrift at sea, and improvised repairs that test skill and endurance. Throughout, the story emphasizes camaraderie, duty under fire, and the practical challenges of aerial warfare.