The Wild Blue - by Stephen E Ambrose (Paperback)

About the Book

In the bestselling "D-Day, Citizen Soldiers, " and "Band of Brothers, " Ambrose portrayed in vivid detail the experiences of soldiers who fought on the bloody battlegrounds of World War II. "The Wild Blue" brings to life another extraordinary group of men--the pilots, bombardiers, navigators and gunners aboard the B-24s that destroyed the German war machine. of photos. Maps.

Book Synopsis

Stephen E. Ambrose, acclaimed author of Band of Brothers and Undaunted Courage, carries us into the skies of World War II aviation, flying aboard the crowded and dangerous B-24 bombers as their crews fought to destroy the German war machine and secured Allied victory.

The young men who flew the B-24s over Germany in World War II fought against horrific odds, and, in The Wild Blue, Ambrose recounts their extraordinary heroism, skill, daring, and comradeship with vivid detail and affection.

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.

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.

As Band of Brothers and Citizen Soldiers portrayed the bravery and ultimate victory of the American soldiers from Normandy on to Germany, The Wild Blue illustrates the enormous contribution that these young men of the Army Air Forces made to the Allied victory.

Review Quotes

Calvin L. Christman The Dallas Morning News The Wild Blue is right on target...[the book] finally gives those men of the 15th Air Force the tribute they so richly earned.

Dorman T. Shindler The Denver Post [The Wild Blue] demands our attention...page-turning reading.

Larry King USA Today Brilliant...It is a terrific story.