THE LAST TALLYHO

by Richard Newhafer ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

This ambitious attempt to be the Naval Air Corps novel of WW II is reasonably sincere, populous, exciting and so gung ho that it will certainly banzai dive into films. Familiar types, archetypical situations, during a year on the aircraft carrier Concord-- and among them are: Dick Marriner, right off the recruiting poster; rich-kid Maxwell Winston III, who evades his pampered past to distinguish himself in battle; all-American footballer Stepik from steeltown, who loses an arm; Cortney Anders, Lindberghian Midwesterner, becoming a living legend; Commander Crowley, a homosexual coward; and captains, admirals and Japs. Fresh from the States this air team's camaraderie is first welded together at Pearl Harbor when the members all take the blame after one of them shoots down a tow plane. Winston, who shot the plane, escapes court-martial. During a dogfight Marriner engages the best Jap ace, Yamota, but lets him go when he runs out of ammo. It will be Yamota who in a later encounter will crash into the Concord, killing 300 men. Subplots abound, with girls. Written by a ranking ace, the air scenes are thrilling.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1964

Categories: FICTION