Joseph W. Rutter: A-20 Havoc Gunship Pilot

Attacked ground targets in the South Pacific at treetop level

In my previous post about Pappy Gunn, I mentioned that Pappy had been upgunning the B-25 and A-20 Havocs in the South Pacific to attack ground targets. Joseph Rutter was one of the men who received his modified A-20 gunship specifically to attack Japanese airfields and ships. In his book “Wreaking Havoc: A year in an A-20” he describes his personal life and difficulties of living in the harsh conditions of the South Pacific. Their life was a mixture of excitement at playing with expensive “toys” (the A-20) and the horrors of seeing friends die along with the temperamental nature of the A-20 Havoc itself. Yet another story of a real person in extraordinary circumstances that would make a good movie. Valor is in you. Set it free.