Into Hostile Skies: Missing Air Crews
of the 459th Bombardment Group

Into Hostile Skies is a compilation of stories and experiences of the men who were lost over the skies of Germany, Austria, Italy, Romania and the other Balkan states, while on bombing missions against the Axis powers during World War II. The reader will see, first hand, what these young men endured to rid the world of tyranny from Hitler’s War Machine. Through the words of these airmen, you will read about their experiences while on bombing missions of strategic military targets, contributing to the war’s end. These brave men, comprising the many crews of the 459th BG, endured long flights, freezing cold temperatures at high altitudes, flak barrages and fighter attacks over the targets, seeing their buddies shot down and if their aircrafts were hit, their own attempts to escape from their stricken ships. If they bailed out safely, some of the men were lucky to be picked up by partisans and evade capture, returning to Allied controlled territory. But many faced the wrath of hostile civilians, who wanted to end their lives quickly. If they were captured, they faced weeks of solitary confinement in prison while going through the interrogation process, a lack of proper medical treatment and food, and finally being sent to a German Stalag prison camp.

The DVD includes the book, Into Hostile Skies in PDF format along with a roster of more than 5700 men who served in the 459th Bombardment Group which consisted on the 756th, 757th, 758th, and 759th Squadrons.

Roster of the 459th Bombardment Group