A bet between WWII commanders.

An American plane and a British General. An Eagle Scout from Tennessee and one of the greatest leaders of the Allied Forces. This is the story of how a young Captain Richard Evans became the B-17 "Flying Fortress" pilot for Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery, Commander of the British 8th Army, during his missions throughout North Africa and Italy. Over the deserts of Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, a rocky but honest and respectful friendship formed between the young American pilot and his British Commander. Evans and "Monty" flew together during a particularly dangerous phase of the war, as the Allied forces began to turn back the brutal Axis armies that had invaded North Africa and gained control of the strategically vital Suez Canal. Filled with humor and humility, Evans’ recollections of cadet training, combat missions and experiences with the “top brass” bring the realities of being a World War II pilot into a deeply human focus.

This book includes a chronology of Colonel Evans’ life milestones and WWII details, his own glossary of war terms defined with humor, an appendices of original family letters, historic V-Mail, award commendations and primary source documents that shed light on his personal and professional relationships, joys, and fears. Iconic restored photographs of Tennessee boyhood years and WWII military planes and service, including maps illustrating the countries over which he flew, add to the book’s historical additions. An epilogue summarizing Colonel Evans’ Strategic Air Command service after WWII is also included.