Author Topic: Any of you 38 drivers recoginize "doorknob 52"... (Read 433 times)

humble · « **on:** October 13, 2003, 06:14:42 PM »

It's the title to what seems to be a pretty neat book (at 1st glance)...I ran across it today in the library. Doorknob was the callsign for a P-38 squad in N.Africa/Italy. The 1st chapter deals with author (acting CO) getting dinged by ground fire on JABO and losing an engine and then getting nailed by roving 109. 1st chapter was well written...I didnt have card with me or I'd of checked it out...anyway might be a good read for any interested.

JimBear · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2003, 08:33:53 AM »

Tis a good book, also published under the title "Kohn's War"

Guppy35 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2003, 10:26:58 AM »

There is some dispute within the rest of the 1st FG as to the validity of Kohn's story. Essentially the feeling is he took some liberties with the truth in terms of his involvement in events that others actually experienced.

Website for the author/Book

http://www.doorknob52.com/

A better book would be "An Escort of P38s-The First Fighter Group in World War II" by John D. Mullins, who was a pilot in the group. It has tons of photos and covered the entire time the group was operating out of North Africa and Italy.

Dan/Slack

Westy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2003, 10:43:30 AM »

I don't fly AH's twin engine trainer but I do recognize the book

I have an autopgraphed copy of it. While it was a good "read" I'd be very interested in hearing the details of those disputes.

humble · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2003, 12:05:41 PM »

I would think that his story would be easy to document...after action reports from each pilot and overall mission "recaps" should be readily available for review. Obviously each individual has a unique perspective but I to would be curious exactly what the "disputes" are.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2003, 12:26:42 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by humble
I would think that his story would be easy to document...after action reports from each pilot and overall mission "recaps" should be readily available for review. Obviously each individual has a unique perspective but I to would be curious exactly what the "disputes" are.

I wish I could remember the exact details. I know there was a write up in Air Classics some years back about it. It involved other pilots from the 1st FG who did in fact go through the records as his story did not match their memories. Essentially it came down to his not flying on some of the days he claimed to, not shooting down or up things he claimed to etc.

I'll try and dig up that old Air Classics. Westy, we went through this one way back when on Bigweek too.

Dan/Slack

Westy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2003, 09:30:15 AM »

Ah! Thanks Dan. I'll load up the archives and see if I can find that.

Eagler · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2003, 10:09:07 AM »

Enjoyed the book as did my son.
Mr Arnold was kind enough to send my son an autographed copy of his print:

as well as several photos after my son contacted him during a book report he did on Kohns war
link:
http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15488&highlight=Doorknob

would recommend the read