Black Bart

“Dammit!” Lemay exclaimed. “It’s still a BATTLESHIP Captain!” Presently Lemay braced himself and they entered the barge which got under way immediately to reach the U.S.S. Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay. Lemay went to be seated and found Bart Coltrane Colonel Wild Bill Donovan and Sir Hugh Dalton also on board.. “What a pleasant surprise” Lemay said as he extended his hand to the three gentlemen. “To what do I owe the honor to have Bart Coltrane and the world’s top spies on my barge?”. 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 publicized German Luftwaffe.. The British Special Operations Directorate (SOE) was having great dif?culties in deploying and supporting their Special Agents operating behind the lines in Occupied Europe.. They called upon President Roosevelt for aircraft and crew to take on the dangerous support missions. The President responded by sending Bart Coltrane and his B-25 crew to England where they ?ew high-speed tree-top altitude support missions behind the lines for British Intelligence.. These were named Black Bart missions after the British pirate John Bartholomew Roberts. Black Bart as a character represents the early American volunteers who served with the British prior to the U.S. entering the war. The American volunteer's contribution to the British war effort was signi?cant.. The adventure of Black Bart is an intriguing look back on World War II told as only John R “Rick” Taylor can tell. I have read every book published by him and am a fan of his story telling ability. The lead character Bart Coltrane is an incredible individual who is a well-rounded wise and knowledgeable man whose first love is flying. He uses this knowledge to assist the war efforts during and prior to the involvement of the United States. His love of flying and belief of the importance of aviation during war time helped advance Air Corps forward. John R “Rick” Taylor never disappoints in his books and he has delivered another jewel. Well worth the read. —Terri Hamilton