"There are very few books available on the history and missions of the Pathfinders, aircrews of the 482nd Bomb Group who were assigned to various other bomb groups as advance aircraft, using radar and radio beam equipment to search out and identify targets of the day on missions over enemy-held territory. Bombs Away tells the story of three members of an air combat crew in a most unusual and effective manner. Authors Thixton, Moffat, and O'Neil - flying as a bombardier, a ball turret gunner, and a tail and waist gunner, respectively - have collaborated to tell their stories of combat in 1943 and 1944 as members or the Pathfinders. The volume covers the early missions with the 95th Bomb Group and then describes their experiences with the 482nd. The combined views of life on the base and descriptions of combat missions from the authors' varied viewpoints offer a unique and authentic flavor to the entire book. In the early months in England , locating the target presented a problem to the Eighth AF bomb groups, because of the unpredictability of the weather on mission days. The Pathfinders, flying out of Alconbury, opened up a flexibility not previously available, allowing many raids to be successful due to their participation and their expertise in bad weather. Pathfinder aircraft were known to the Luftwaffe and were prime targets for German pilots on the way in during bombing raids. The 482nd worked closely with lead crews of many 8th AF bomb groups, and were involved in intensive training programs. On March 22, 1944 the Pathfinders led their last mission in their previous role, as sufficient H2X bombers were then available to allow a pathfinder group to be established in each division."