Steve Snyder, 8th Air Force Historian and Author

Historian and author Steve Snyder is an expert on the 8th Air Force and the Air War Over Europe during World War II.

Steve’s book, Shot Down is a true story about brave individuals, featuring Steve’s own father, pilot Howard Snyder, and the crew of the B-17 bomber plane, Susan Ruth. It is set within the compelling events of the greatest conflict in world history.

Shot Down has a 5-Star reader review rating on Amazon and has received 25 book awards. In addition, it is sold in the gift stores of the major air museums in the U.S. including:

• National WW II Museum in New Orleans
• LA National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton
• OH National Museum of the Eighth Air Force in Pooler, GA.

Steve speaks to many organizations and attends air shows all over the U.S. signing copies of his book. Steve has been to Belgium five times and interviewed now 95 year old Hans Berger, the German Luftwaffe pilot who shot down his own dad’s plane, for the book.

Shot Down is set within the framework of World War II in Europe and recounts the dramatic experiences of each member of a ten man B-17 bomber crew after their plane, piloted by Steve’s father, was knocked out of the sky by German fighters over the French/Belgium border on February 8, 1944.

Some men died. Some were captured and became prisoners of war. Some men evaded capture and were missing in action for months before making it back to England. Their individual stories and those of the courageous Belgian people who risked their lives to help are all different and are all remarkable. Even before the dramatic battle in the air and the subsequent harrowing events on the ground, the story is informative, insightful, and captivating.

Prior to the fateful event, the book covers the crew’s training, their journey to England, what life was like on base as well as in London and the English countryside, and the perils of flying combat missions over occupied Europe and Germany. Through personal letters, oral and written accounts, declassified military documents, and interviews – all from people who took part in the events that happened over 70 years ago (even the German Luftwaffe pilot who shot down the Susan Ruth) – the stories come alive.

Adding to the feeling of “being there” are more than 200 period photographs interspersed throughout the book. To add background and context, many historical facts and anecdotes about and surrounding World War II are entwined throughout the book so that the reader has a feel for and understanding of what was occurring on a broader scale.

Steve Snyder can share with your audience knowledge and insight about the air war over Europe and appreciation of the sacrifices by airmen of the 8th Air Force and members of The Greatest Generation who fought and died to preserve freedom.