Short Synopsis
In this dramatic story of World War II, Jay A. Stout describes how the U.S. built an air force of 2.3 million men after starting with 45,000 and defeated the world's best air force.

Full Synopsis
In this dramatic story of World War II, Jay A. Stout describes how the U.S. built an air force of 2.3 million men after starting with 45,000 and defeated the world's best air force.

In order to defeat Germany in World War II, the Allies needed to destroy the Third Reich's industry and invade its territory, but before they could effectively do either, they had to defeat the Luftwaffe, whose state-of-the-art aircraft and experienced pilots protected German industry and would batter any attempted invasion. This difficult task fell largely to the U.S., which, at the outset, lacked the necessary men, matériel, and training. Over the ensuing years, thanks to visionary leadership and diligent effort, the U.S. Army Air Force developed strategies and tactics and assembled a well-trained force that convincingly defeated the Luftwaffe.

"A marvelously written work! Stout . . . offers stirring firsthand accounts of the strategies and doctrines that won the air war over Europe." ---Col Walter J. Boyne, (Ret.), USAF, Former director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

"An excellent overview of the U.S. Army Air Forces' war against Nazi Germany. Both historians and enthusiasts will find something of interest in this well-researched history." ---Barrett Tillman, author of Whirlwind: The Air War Against Japan

"As always, air combat veteran Jay Stout creates a spellbinding narrative by asking, and getting answers to, important and illuminating questions no other author on the topic has ever even thought of." ---Eric Hammel, author of The Road to Big Week

"A colossal undertaking that delivers brilliantly. This work rises above the fray and is reminiscent of Ambrose's Citizen Soldiers." ---Michael Franzak, author of A Nightmare's Prayer: A Marine Harrier Pilot's War in Afghanistan