Short Book: "Target of Opportunity"

[Toad]

I just finished "Target of Opportunity: Tales and Contrails of The Second World War" by L/C R.A. "Dick" Hewitt, 78th FG, 82 FS, 8th AF.

I had the very great pleasure of meeting Dick when he and some buddies from the 44-B Pilot Training Class held part of their reunion at my CAF squadron hangar. We took these guys for rides again in the PT-19 after they had been out of those seats for 57 years. What great fun and a great day!

Anyway, Dick gave me a copy of his book. It's light easy reading of only 162 pages (I was wishing it was longer) but very interesting. Covers his WW2 career from enlistment until the end of the war, flying Jugs and Mustangs with the 78th.

It's a relaxed tale of how things really were and what they did. Very little excessive tall tale telling.

In short, a great read, insightful with respect to the everyday "how it really happened" events.

Go here for more info and ordering details:

Target Of Opportunity

the book is about halfway down the page.

Enjoy! I sure did.

[Checkmate]

I followed your link Toad, and I'm now in contact with Dick. He seems very personable and I'm now looking forward to receiving a copy of his book as well. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. <S>

[Toad]

Great Checkmate!

Yeah, Dick is a fine individual. I have been swapping a bit of E-Mail with him.

I told him he'd probably see some sales from this site... many of us are a bit overboard on WW2 aircraft. I think $20 is a tad high; it's basically a paperback, not hardbound. OTOH, I felt it was a pretty honest account of what the "average" US trainee went through. It gave me some insights that my Dad never talked about in his training. I guess I'm saying it made me look at that part of the war in a different way. Anyway, I liked it.

For those of you who didn't see this topic in the O-Club, here's a bit more info on getting the book from Dick himself:

"I offer my Book, "Target of Opportunity" at 19.95 which includes all packaging, tax and postage. If more than one is shipped, I reduce cost to 18.00 for each extra book and that also includes everything.

ie: 2 shipped to same address = $37.95  

Just a quick word on the Book.  I subtitle it "Tales and Contrails of the 2nd
WW.

Takes you from Cadets thru Combat; I flew both P47's and P51's for a total of
over 440 hours from '43-'45 with the 8th AF out of Duxford England w/the 78th
Fighter Gr.

I am approaching Printing #3 & reviews to date have been overwhelming.  "nuff
said; you gotta read this one.

email or write me at 726 E 1485 Rd.,
Lawrence, KS; 66046

Thanks,
Lt. Col. Dick Hewitt"