{"product_id":"the-wild-blue-the-men-and-boys-who-flew-the-b-24s-over-germany-1944-45-9780743223096","title":"The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany 1944-45","description":"\u003cb\u003eStephen E. Ambrose, acclaimed author of \u003ci\u003eBand of Brothers \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eUndaunted Courage\u003c\/i\u003e, carries us along in the crowded and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to destroy the German war machine during World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe young men who flew the B-24s over Germany in World War II fought against horrific odds, and, in \u003ci\u003eThe Wild Blue, \u003c\/i\u003e Ambrose recounts their extraordinary heroism, skill, daring, and comradeship with vivid detail and affection. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAmbrose 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs \u003ci\u003eBand of Brothers\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCitizen Soldiers\u003c\/i\u003e portrayed the bravery and ultimate victory of the American soldiers from Normandy on to Germany, \u003ci\u003eThe Wild Blue \u003c\/i\u003eillustrates the enormous contribution that these young men of the Army Air Forces made to the Allied victory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmbrose, Stephen E.:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \"Stephen E. Ambrose was a renowned historian and acclaimed author of more than thirty books. Among his \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestsellers are \u003ci\u003eNothing Like It in the World, Citizen Soldiers, Band of Brothers, D-Day - June 6, 1944, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eUndaunted Courage\u003c\/i\u003e. Dr. Ambrose was a retired Boyd Professor of History at the University of New Orleans and a contributing editor for the \u003ci\u003eQuarterly Journal of Military History\u003c\/i\u003e.\"","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50614793306386,"sku":"9780743223096","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_8e44387e-cb0e-4d74-a8b6-8b7dec68178f.jpg?v=1732463686","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-wild-blue-the-men-and-boys-who-flew-the-b-24s-over-germany-1944-45-9780743223096","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}