According to the book description of Black Tuesday Over Namsi: A True History of the Epic Air Battle of the Korean War, “Black Tuesday over Namsi chronicles the calamitous B-29 daylight-bombing mission flown by the 307th Bombardment Wing on 23 October 1951 against Namsi Airfield. What many experts consider the epic air battle of the Korean War and perhaps the greatest jet engagement in the history of aerial warfare has largely become another forgotten battle in a forgotten war. Here, Lt. Col. McGill presents the facts and circumstances of the mission from first briefing to final landing. The book records, from verifiable historical documents, the broader events and conditions that led up to the confrontation, plus the first-hand accounts of aircrew members and ground personnel who were there. Both the Allied and the Soviet perspectives are examined; statements made by MiG pilots describe the attack; and eyewitnesses to the event have supplied never before published photographs of the mission and its aftermath, including the aerial photo of the Namsi Airfield that was used to plan the mission. This thoroughly researched narrative history is enhanced by numerous photographs, a bibliography, and an index to full names, places and subjects.”

One reader of Black Tuesday Over Namsi: A True History of the Epic Air Battle of the Korean War said, “This is required reading for anyone interested in military history. It is the story of the greatest jet fighter engagement in history. And, it forever changed the way the USAF conducts war.  It was also one of the most disastrous missions ever flown by US bombers. Only one of nine B-29s returned to their original base. Although it was a big news at the time, the story was almost forgotten.

Author Earl McGill spent years interviewing survivors, and researching US and Russian documents. He was also a B-29 pilot stationed in Okinawa with the ill fated 307th. Although he was not on the Black Tuesday mission, he flew other missions to the same area and was engaged with the same Russian fighter pilots He tells much of the story from the viewpoint of the combatants on both the US and Russian sides. This is not the typical book-by-a-pilot. McGill is an experienced writer and historian. "Black Tuesday Over Namsi" is meticulously researched and well written.”

One reader of Black Tuesday Over Namsi: A True History of the Epic Air Battle of the Korean War said, “Mine just arrived today, about an hour ago! I've been sitting here, engrossed. You have really done a superb job. Your writing is excellent! The way you have described everything, it reads like a good novel-but it's all true! Simply fantastic, even better than I expected!  I wish my father were alive to see this. He would have loved this book and felt very proud. I have tears in my eyes, just typing this to you.  Writing and getting this book published is the equivalent of having sculpted a beautiful monument to those men and their bravery. It's something that generations to come will be able to read and understand something about the "forgotten" war. My everlasting thanks to you.”

Black Tuesday Over Namsi: A True History of the Epic Air Battle of the Korean War Lt. Col. USAF (ret.) Earl J. McGill  More Info

One reader of Black Tuesday Over Namsi: A True History of the Epic Air Battle of the Korean War said, “I bought this book directly from the publisher since Amazon was sold out and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have several interests in the subject, I am a military history buff with a BA in History, I am a US Navy Pilot with 15 years experience flying P-3 and C-130 aircraft, and finally my grandfather was aircrew with 50 missions in a 307th BG aircraft over Korea.

This air battle lasted only minutes but Mr McGill does an outstanding job of clearly presenting the battle and its importance in later operations. The strength of the book in my opinion is his knowledge and descriptions of the B-29 operations in general in regards to command and control structure, (or lack of between Bombing Groups), mission selection, tactics, and targeting execution. His research of the Soviet opponents makes for a balanced presentation and helps explain the official but conflicting accounts from both sides. His themes that deviation from accepted and proven tactics, misuse of technology (SHORAN), poor strategic vision in target selection, and complacency ring familiar in my experience in today's military and are worthy of study by this generation of military officers.

I finished the book with an impression (and one Mcgill mentions) that after the Air Force Bomber Command destroyed the strategic targets in North Korea they couldn't think of anything more inspiring to use these assets for than as bait to draw out the MIGS. I think this book will appeal to both students of history and the casual reader. Mr. McGill does a great job of explaining the background and the context of the battle as well as why it was important. It reads fast and is very hard to put down once started. Historians will appreciate his documentation and original research. Military students will benefit from the insights of a participant of the Korean Air War that still have value today. I hope that you enjoy the book as much as I did.”