Captain Samantha Hunt destroyed the Luftwaffe and opened the beaches for D-Day. The largest invasion force in history is wound up like a spring and ready to drive into occupied France. The Allies are using the expected invasion of Italy to hide the invasion of occupied southern France. King Emmanuel of Italy needs the allies to invade Italy so he can depose Prime Minister Mussolini and switch sides. To mount a successful opposed landing, one generally needs a three to one majority of men and materiel. She doesn't have that, but she does have the Marine unit commanded by her father, Colonel John Hunt. And she commands a fleet of US and British aircraft carriers, amphibious carriers, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. She owns the air. What does she actually face in Italy? Can she defeat the Germans? Can she keep King Emmanuel alive? This is the crucible of command.