A change of commanders comes too late to reverse the situation in Southeast Asia as Richard Nixon’s program of ‘Vietnamization’ eases America out of its worst-directed war. But long before the last American serviceman leaves Vietnam, a new generation of liberators rise to the challenge of saving American tactics, weaponry and doctrine from themselves. Thirty thousand feet above the Green Spot at Nellis Air Force Base, a loud, uncouth, unpleasant warrior / poet emerges.
Starting with his almost supernatural feel for what a fighter jet can and cannot do, he will spend a decade teaching himself the engineering skill and mathematical language necessary for him to quantify what works in the lethal world of aerial combat, and what does not. Fighting an uphill battle against arrogance, ignorance and intransigence, his legendarily irrefutable Pentagon briefings will forever change the way America builds the fighter aircraft that will guarantee the Air Superiority needed to prevail on the Cold War battlefield of central Germany.
And a fellow liberator, just a kid who grew up hunting in his native Arkansas, will just as effectively revolutionize American ground tactics through sheer courage, concentration and willpower, and usher in the age of Special Forces.
5 replies on “The Cold War: What We Saw | The Liberators – Episode 12”
What happened to the Cold War it’s gone? I wanted to listen to the whole thing for Thanksgiving!
Great presentation.
I like the versions of western history BW presents. Next for me, onto Arlington cemetery to visit John Boyd. Thanks.
This is an absolute masterpiece, Bill. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. This should have been a 20-part series. I’m particularly excited for the next episode because of Maggie Thatcher’s inclusion. I know very little about her and I have wanted to learn for quite a while. I know some people who absolutely despise her, saying that she sent death squads into Ireland and stuff like that.
Bill What a FANTASTIC Episode! Carlos Hathcock and John Boyd SO deserve the recognition you gave them! Wonderful!