Sunday, February 15, 2015

World War II non-combat deaths

In the book "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand that reports on the life of Louie Zamperini, we are informed that in the Pacific theater of action the Army Air Force lost more planes to accidents and non-combat situations that to actual combat.  On page 70 Delacorte Press "young adults" edition, the author notes "...for every plane lost in combat, some six planes were lost in accidents...almost 36,000 airmen died in nonbattle situations...majority accidental crashes".  The author also notes that 36,000 planes were lost and the same number of planes and lives lost might be suspect; more research will be needed to confirm this fact.