This book tells the story of the post-World War I military, political and ideological debate that threatened the early development of America's strategic bombardment capability. General Curtis E LeMay is the centrepiece of this gripping and dramatic story of the struggle to advance U.S. air superiority. By 1939 the Second War had already begun in Europe. France and Western Europe nations were falling to the Germans led by the awesome but little publicised German air force and in particular their bombers. The British Intelligence service was having great difficulties in deploying and supporting their Special Agents operating behind the lines in Europe. They called upon President Roosevelt for aircraft and crew to take on the very dangerous support missions. The President responded by sending Bart Coltrane and his B-25 crew to England where they flew exciting and dangerous missions behind the lines for the RAF and British Intelligence. These were named Black Bart missions after the notorious British Pirate John Bartholomew Roberts of Pembrokeshire, Wales. The character Black Bart represents the early American volunteers who helped the British prior to the U.S. entering the war.