Nightstalkers: The Wright Project and the 868th Bomb Squadron in World War II

By Richard Phillip Lawless (Author)
Published 22 February 2023 by Casemate. 432 pages, hardcover.
Highly recommended: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Reviewed by Scott Lyons

Richard Phillip Lawless’ Nightstalkers: The Wright Project and the 868th Bomb Squadron in World War II is a fascinating and insightful historical account of the World War II-era technology innovation and combat leadership of the 868th Bomb Squadron. The book offers an in-depth understanding of the critical development program of ultra-short wave radar through the renowned MIT Radiation Laboratory during World War II.

The reader is taken through the Pacific War's key realms including Guadalcanal, "The Slot," Rabaul, Makassar Strait, the Philippines, flight operations from Morotai, and finally to Okinawa where it flew its final mission from Yonton Airfield on 12 August 1945. This book presents a refreshing perspective to readers accustomed to reading about the air war over Germany and Europe.

Moreover, Nightstalkers brings a technical perspective to war in the skies not detailed this deeply in other historiography. As B-24 Liberator bombers flying and huntng Japanese ships at night with new technology, Lawless brings a much needed contribution to this under-appreciated and lesser-known history.

Lawless’ work provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by the Wright Project as a new and untested unit within the Army Air Force. From Army Air Force General Hap Arnold to combat commanders who flew the missions, the book showcases many unique personalities who contributed to the success of the mission. Lawless’ engaging and descriptive approach takes the reader into the Pacific war and offers a front-row seat to the exploits of the Wright Project and their highly innovative technology.

Lawless highights the drama of and danger in this mission over the Slot:

"When Captain Zinn attacked a three-ship convoy in the early hours of 4 October, soon after his first pass to near-miss the largest target his radar could find, that ship launched three yellow flares that brightened the sky. Within minutes, Japanese fighters appeared on the scene and seemed to detect and close with Uncle's Fury. Zinn had then climbed to 2,800 feet to expand his radar coverage but when the fighters began to close on his plane, he dove 2,000 feet at 90 knots airspeed to elude the fighters and race away for home." (Lawless, Nightstalkers: The Wright Project and the 868th Bomb Squadron in World War II. p. 81)

Nightstalkers delves into the history of the World War II conflict as seen through the lens of electronics, with Lawless providing a detailed account of the evolution of radar technology during the period. The author illustrates how ultra-short wave radar was adapted for aircraft and how the Wright Project was organized to prove the concept. Lawless’ accounts of the bombing missions, including detailed descriptions of the aircraft used and the technical procedures involved, were riveting. The inclusion of maps and photographs helped to provide a visual representation of the conflict.

Highly recommended, Nightstalkers is an excellent in-depth read and must-have book for those interested in the Pacific War and World War II air war and aviation technology.