The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany 1944-45 -- Steph

<b>Stephen E. Ambrose, acclaimed author of <i>Band of Brothers </i>and <i>Undaunted Courage</i>, carries us along in the crowded and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to destroy the German war machine during World War II.</b> <p/>The young men who flew the B-24s over Germany in World War II fought against horrific odds, and, in <i>The Wild Blue, </i> Ambrose recounts their extraordinary heroism, skill, daring, and comradeship with vivid detail and affection. <p/>Ambrose describes how the Army Air Forces recruited, trained, and selected the elite few who would undertake the most demanding and dangerous jobs in the war. These are the boys--turned pilots, bombardiers, navigators, and gunners of the B-24s--who suffered over fifty percent casualties. <p/>With his remarkable gift for bringing alive the action and tension of combat, Ambrose carries us along in the crowded, uncomfortable, and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to the death through thick black smoke and deadly flak to reach their targets and destroy the German war machine. Twenty-two-year-old George McGovern, who was to become a United States senator and a presidential candidate, flew thirty-five combat missions (all the Army would allow) and won the Distinguished Flying Cross. We meet him and his mates, his co-pilot killed in action, and crews of other planes. Many went down in flames. <p/>As <i>Band of Brothers</i> and <i>Citizen Soldiers</i> portrayed the bravery and ultimate victory of the American soldier