the first is in france seine -- on the sseine, the third is in america on the potomac and the third has had its name changed, golvulgenrod, but it was known at the time at stalingrad. this unfolds from august of 1942 to february of 1943. in those cities, things happened that if we understand the nature we will have a grip on american grand strategy. chapter one, france, august 17, 1942. not a day edged into memory

the first is in france seine -- on the sseine, the third is in america on the potomac and the third has had its name changed, golvulgenrod, but it was known at the time at stalingrad. this unfolds from august of 1942 to february of 1943. in those cities, things happened that if we understand the nature we will have a grip on american grand strategy. chapter one, france, august 17, 1942. not a day edged into memory like december 7 or november 22 or 9/11 but an important date nonetheless because on that date a squadron of one dozen b-17 bombers in the united states army air corps took off from base in england and flew across the english channel and dropped the bomb load on a railroad marshaling yard or switching yard in the city stop why is this important -- city. why is this important? it was the first all-american air raid on nazi occupied europe. we had flown with britain but this was the first 100% american raid on august of 1942. a very successful raid, no damage to aircraft or crew. by all of the usual measurements it was a very successful expedition. that is not exactly why it is i