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. The difficult task of defeating the Nazis’air force fell largely to the U.S., which, at the outset, lacked the necessary men, materiel, 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. About the Author Jay A. Stout, a retired U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot with twenty years of service, flew thirty-seven combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, is now a senior aviation analyst for a defense corporation, and has appeared on Fox News as a combat aviation expert. His previous books include Hornets over Kuwait, Fortress Ploesti, and Hammer from Above.