Ambrose carries us along in the crowded, uncomfortable, and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to the death - through thick, black, deadly flak - to reach their targets and destroy the German war machine. Twenty-two-year-old George McGovern, later a United States senator and a presidential candidate, flew 35 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 of whom did not come back.