according to the book, Lucky 666, the pilot talked with a fighter pilot about tactics. he took what he learned from the pilot and flew the B-17 like a fighter, not a bomber. I learned about the book from the History of WWII podcast hosted by Ray Harris. a couple of months later I had the book in hand from the library.
Everytime I watch this video, I sometimes think, what if they were in Europe instead, going up against 17 late model Me 109. I 99% sure they wouldn't have made it. Thank God Zero have Zero armor
the bravery of these men is unfathomable, especially sarnosfkey, he's shot, dying and crawls his way back to his gun to keep shooting to protect them all. Joe, wherever you are, I raise my hat to you.
This mission was the most decorated air mission in US history. Two Medals of Honor, DSFCs, Silver Stars, and Purple Hearts. Despite the number on the tail, the crew certainly had God on their side.
My Dad was a Mechanic on those old Bombers stationed in England, then Belgeum near the end of the War. He didn't like to talk about it, but right before he passed away in 2000 he told me the worst part of his job was cleaning out the ramains of His Planes Crew after a mission. He told me he loved those kids. He was 24 and most of the flight crews were 18, 19 and 20 kids. So he was an old man to them. I once had an opportunity to fly as a Crew Member on a B 17 to Oscosh from Denton TX back in 1984, and told him how excited I was to get to do it. He grabbed my arm and said there was no way he would do that if he was me. He said "I've patched up so many of those airplanes back up when they were brand new, that I just knew would never be able to fly again. He said they were all being held together with nothing but spit and bailing wire." As luck would have it, the old B 17 had an engine go out just days before we were to take off in it. So I never got a chance to fly in it. I did get to fly in a WWII C 47 some years later. What a blast. It's still flying rides out of Mangam Airport in Fort Worth TX should anyone want to go up in one. The best part is it still has gun ports in the windows, and you can literally walk around inside it, & look over the pilots shoulders while it's in the air. Take a small camera with a lanyard and you can take picture down the fusalage, with the camera stuck out the gun port. Some Fun. I have some great pictures taken that way. But just know, those old birds are s l o w!!!!!!
Incredible story of courage. My father was a mid upper gunner with the Lancaster bombers in WWII and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross after completing 37 missions. When I was small I wanted to hear about his war record but he refused to talk about it, saying it was another place and time, that's why it is so important to capture these stories. Different place and time perhaps, but what they did allowed us to have this place and time.
My stepfather made that left turn with the 3rd Army into Bastogne. He would never talk about any of it, tho I tried to draw him out. My grandfather was at Tokyo Bay 2 Sept. 1945; I have 2 postmarked and illustrated first day covers he sent home.
I heard many stories about this crew growing up. Joe was my grandfathers brother. These men started the kickin ass and taking names slogan! True warriors they were.
Mike, you might be interested in the website I've created dedicated to the crew, zeamerseagerbeavers.com. I'm going to be writing the most comprehensive biography of Joe available anywhere for it. At the moment you can read the full story of the crew I've written based on my extensive interviews of the crew and their family members, not to mention the archival research I've done. (And continue to do: I'm going to the St. Louis personnel archives next week for additional morning reports from the 403/43 and 19/22.)
My dad & his four brothers were all in WWII - my dad the only one still living -their cousin a nurse @ Pearl Harbor. I truly believe that one of the greatest generations this country has ever been blessed with was the men & women that fought in WWII. This video shows the stuff that they were made of - character, bravery, ethics, morals & a willingness to give their all for America & their fellow soldiers. ALL of these men on this plane were hero's - thank God America had them & others like them.
I don't believe that it was luck that such great men happened to be born in time to fight in WW2. I believe it's the training and experience that turned many of them into the "greatest generation".
Unfortunately the OP cut-out the most incredible part of this fight....After Sarnoski is mortally wounded he starts crawling back to his gun....This is extremely crucial because the other nose mounted weapons are now inop and there is a twin engined cannon armed Japanese heavy fighter (Ki-45) boring in for a head on attack....Sarnoski levels his weapon one last time and shreds Ki-45...Then dies at his post...OMG! how could you leave that part out? The only way it could have been more epic is if Sarnoski had hollered "Witness Me!" on his way back to his gun. The Japanese stop running "head-ons" at that point (cause they are "0 for 3") and start trying to pick the B-17 apart from angles (with no success). Joe Sarnoski saved that airplane and crew at the cost of his own life, he is an absolute BA hero that most folks don't know about.
You got to live in "awe" of the bravery and courage these men displayed, it just totally displays" absolute valour" in the highest degree. My total respect to all who served, and all who are still standing in "harms way."
As much as I'd like to agree they were great, and certainly they were, but let's remember the 'greatest generation' meme was created by FOXnews. Bill O'Reilly in particular. He wrote a book too. I think it might have been slightly over 100 pages he knew so much about how great that generation was. And let's be clear, loads of American generations after WWII fought in wars too. Bill O'Reilly never bothered to write a book about them. FOXnews never speaks about Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq. I reckon those soldiers are just as 'great'. They served too. See, thing is, when ya say 'that guy' is the greatest you have to wonder if 'other guys' are just not great. Or not anything at all.
A couple days ago, I met a couple who are originally from Maine, and who were friends with Jay Zeamer. During Jay's later years, he had difficulty walking, and used a cane, but during the warmer months, he would get on his bicycle and ride around town and fly, yet he had a hard time walking! I would have loved to have met that guy! God Bless You, Jay!
Isn't it something? Zeamer's wife told me that he enjoyed roller skating, and would skate down the middle of the street with a bunch of neighborhood kids in tow like the Pied Piper. He was truly a remarkable man.
I just learned what the mission actually entailed. They had to fly straight and perfectly level in enemy held airspace directly over an enemy held island for 22 minutes. 5 minutes into the run Zimmer saw the airfield and the zeroes spooling up to get them. 17 long minutes passed and the zeroes were closing in. The enemy commenced their siege seconds after the camera run was complete
Excellent video. These men underwent hell to complete their mission. They exemplified the spirit of the American Fighting Man with their attitude, " Never Quit! ". I salute their bravery and commitment.
An amazing story that brought tears to my eyes this Memorial Day weekend! My father-in-law was a Marine in the Pacific and told me his stories which he'd never tell his own kids! I can only guess it was because I'd done my time as well, albeit as a Soldier and not a Marine! George was my Hero, and I miss him greatly! Salute! Marine!
war is only evil depending on what side you're on. If you're defending yourself and going on the attack to put your attacker into submission, your cause is just because it it to stop and prevent further attacks.
I totally Agree, if the shit hits the fan you need to be a tactical team, keep the enemy ducking and send some of your men around the back, there will be enemy waiting for this old tactic, send in the Artillery on both flanks and kill the lot of them. next day the hatted ones will to the same, you say is only evil depending on your elegance, both sides are the same, Where the stupidity comes into the picture is the power hungry leaders who start the shit in the first place, They sit back in safety while they send good young men to there demise. to these ego maniacs lt is no different to a game of monopoly. War IS EVIL...
brian critchley i said nothing of allegiance. I said it's not evil if you're the defending side going on the offensive, retaliation for unprovoked attack
Jormungand13324 Well this conversation has done a 360, Why is it you cant understand what I mean? you can twist my words all you like the bottom line is simple WAR IS EVIL..
It cut out the best part! Joe Sarnoski, the Bombarder, shot down two more aircraft before he collapsed and died. He didn't even have to go on the mission, Zeamer knew Sarnoski was three days from rotating back to the states and they weren't bombing anything so he could stay behind. Joe reminded him that Olde 666 would need the nose gunner position manned.
Tom Burchill the commander probably punished them because they retreat and that they only had one plane to Target and failed they could even kill you for that
Good thing they added on those extra guns and carried all that ammo. Amazed under all that heavy fire they only lost one man. There needs to be a movie about this. But I would worry Hollyweird would put some kind of political spin on it.
ABSOLUTELY HW WUD PERVERT THESE HEROIC MEN N THEIR MISSION SO BADLY IT MAY BE LEFT IN A BIT OF OBSCURITY UNTIL THE COUNTRY GROWS A NEW SET OF GONADS OR REALIZES THAT TRUE HEROISM SUCH AS THIS MUST BE LAUDED, N MEN N WOMEN WITH THIS LEVEL OF COMMITMENT SHOULD NOT, I MEAN NEVER PURPOSELY HIDDEN FROM THE AMBIENT PUBLIC, A PUBLIC THAT AT PRESENT COULD DO WITH A HEAVY INJECTION OF TESTOSTERONE N ADRENALINE, TO ONCE AGAIN JUMPSTART ALL NATIONS WITH SIMILAR STORIES... FOR INSTANCE, MY MATERNAL GRANDFATHER WAS A FIGHTER ACE IN WW I AND U WONT HEAR ABOUT HIM BECAUSE HE WAS BLACKFOOT INDIAN... 138TH AERO SQUADRON... GODBLESS, rev.Rob E.Curry Jr
Great Men in Great Machines...My Uncle was shot down and wounded in a B-17 over Germany, He was one of the few survivors in the crew in the bailout, He sat out the rest of the war in a concentration camp in Germany. He has always been a hero to me and always will be...He was at a waste door gun when hit, an ME 109 hit the target. He was badly wounded...but made it home. A real Good Guy !
1jetdrve...Andy Rooney used that exact same simile when he described a MOH recipient, the first in the 8th AF. Apparently the guy was a screw up and goldbrick, but was a lion in combat: "putting out a fire with the only liquid a man had at 20000 feet." When the commanding general arrived to bestow the medal he was nowhere to be found. He was peeling spuds on KP.
Such an incredible story of valor & sheer badass tenacity! Real heroes, real countrymen. Thank you for your service & the undying spirit for our great country!
This is the most incredible tale of smarts and survival and dedication to duty and the mission that I've heard of in combat aviation. I am so glad that the whole crew were awarded the highest and second highest medals one can get. The US Army Air Force certainly did the right thing by making sure this crew got those awards.
Zimmer got at least 6 medals in WWII. Belief it or not he kept his amazing military career as a secret until his daughters, then in highschool, found by chance one of his medals. He was deeply hurt buy sarnoski's death and forever wondered why he survived and sarnoski didn't
Much of his fame was a result of disobeying orders and achieving spectacular results, to the point where the crew was to be Court martialled until a Congressman heard about what they did and demanded the crew be given the silver star. The Fat Electrician just did a 35min video on the crew and plane
There was a B17 bomber in the 8th Air Force that flew missions over Europe that had the same reputation as this aircraft. The bomber was called "Tinker Toy"...she would come back from missions more often than not all shot up... includiong her flying crew. Are some famous pictures of her with damage she sustained... on one occasion most of the nose (including the bombadier).. were missing right up to the pilots cabin.. she even died violently.. was rammed by an enemy fighter..
i have seen this episode 500 times and it still almost brings me to tears to think that his last thoughts were that he had to protect his friends no matter how much it hurt or how hard it was to complete the process
I recall flying into the "evilest place on Earth" on Friday the 13th, June 2003 in a Chinook tail number 666, aka "The Beast." If one must assault into the evilest place on Earth on Friday 13th, there's no other aircraft for the ride. That had to be my safest mission ever. RLTW!
Now this is truly one 'amazing story.' Don't kid yourself that everybody gets to have that kind of 'Valor' especially in the skies, but - there are thousands upon thousands of servicemen from the USA that have displayed the same kind of valor - in the midst of battle. +Rich+ 🇺🇸 We owe a debt of gratitude to each and every one of these young and valiant men. ☑
Now these were real men! Giving of their own life to save the others on his plane. Not like these panty waist anti fa. My father flew in B-17s he was the flight engineer and top turret gunner, he said they were built like tanks. Thamk you Mr. Boeing.
Chris,Actually the so called "antifa" are the real heroes when it comes right down to it. These so-called alpha men talking shit about not having feelings and not caring about anyone but themselves are the real cowards. It takes real courage to stand up and say fuck you I care about the feelings and lives of other people and I am willing to put my life on the line for that belief. That's what these men AND women who faught in WW1 and 2 did. These so-called MAGA who grab women by the pussy and disrespect gold star families are the real cowards.
@@jussayinmipeece1069 Dont make me laugh, Antifa dont put their life on the line for shit. they attack easy targets when they have overwhelming numbers, and half the time they don't even attack Maga guys, but just some bystander even women and elderly people - its all on video, they're just cunts. they dont care about anyones feelings, they just use that as an excuse to push their own agenda, you have to be pretty fucking naive to not see through that.
@@jussayinmipeece1069 I didn't Justify or defend anything surrounding that. Seems like 'whataboutery' wrapped up some in some assumption that I' must be a Republican - which I ain't, I'm not even American. You said Antifa are like heros, I was pointing out they are not. That is all.
And how many of these worthless SOB's in Antifa were being PAID by Soros and others to do the cowardly things they were doing, some making as much as $5000+ per incident? IF these SOB's were so concerned about the way the country was going, then WHY weren't any of them in the military? But then, that would require them to be REAL men, not cowards attacking those that couldn't fight back, right?
I grew up down the street from Mr Zeamer. He was a wonderful man, he always shared stories with me. He omitted most of the heavy stuff. I sure wish I could speak with him now!
Mr. McCarthy, that was a rare privilege you had. I only got to speak to LTC Zeamer briefly on the phone a couple of times, but I've done an enormous amount of research on him over the years as part of my projects dedicated to the crew, and he is one of the most exceptional men I've ever come across. The story of the mission is just the tip of the iceberg where Zeamer is concerned.
God bless the Gallant men and crew of old 666 a Flying Fortress that will go down in history in the defense of our fine Nation and that of our allies. May their Gallant heroism be honored by all who serve our nation.
It's to the crew's credit that they didn't choose the plane's number. I have a '55 VW with a standard issue license plate with three letters and 666. Al my cars have names, this one is 'Adolf'.
This is a story of true bravery. This is a story that should be better advertised. These guys were all outstanding. This was a time when men were real Americans and so proud to be there for our country. Maybe it's because back then we weren't African Americans or Asian Americans or whatever........we were all just "Americans". That's the way it should be. If that was the case we wouldn't have the separation we are seeing in the U.S. now. We are turning into tribes in the name of diversity and it's destroying our nation. This is a classic example of people having so many things in common and being on the same page. We need to be a true melting pot again in which EVERYONE assimilates and is on the same side. Why people think diversity is so great has always amazed me. All it does is cause people being on different pages and wanting what's best for their people, not the entire U.S.. God bless these guys and thanks to them and their families for sharing such a fantastic story. Proud to be an American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"we weren't African Americans or Asian Americans or whatever........we were all just "Americans". Except for the Japanese Americans who ended up in concentration camps and lost all their possessions and property with no compensation. That is as dark a chapter in American history as the story of the native American Indians.
We were all united back then? How about the segregation between whites and blacks, which crossed over in to military? Blacks were considered second class citizens back then. And there was even a known case of prejudice against native Hawaians by a high ranking, wealthy, U.S. naval personal who got away with blatant murder, before the war.
you're not American. no such thing. you're all from European stock. white stock. anglo saxon, Scandinavian, Danish, English, Irish, Scottish , Welsh, French, German, Polish, Spanish, Russian, Italian. fighting stock.( less of the Italian in fighting stock, but a lot of Italian blood in America ) nothing like that around these days.
Today people would rather bicker and nitpick making the evils of the past live into the future carrying on the work of dividing the nation. Yes, there were evils done in America, but at the same time, in each of those eras, some of those who were oppressed still loved this country so much, they fought along side their oppressors against other enemies who would have made their lives far worse. If some nation attacked America today, sadly, many who live here would probably join forces in hopes of getting something from their new masters in return for betraying the nation they were born into but hold no allegiance to.
@@DeliciousDeBlair...bullshit; strike us we fight back. Its the politicians that divide us...for their benefit . And don't mention Vietnam; we should have never been there; we were the Hessians and the redcoats in that fight..
Published on RUclips in 2009, this remains outstanding video work. Narration is clear, and professionally done. The story is compelling on its face, but superbly edited, interspersed with excellent graphics. Though 2009 rendering software was relatively primitive, no apologies required for the complex series of views and action simulations. It is amazing enough the bomber survived against 17 attackers, but Zeros and Nicks were first-line interceptors, best in the Pacific, and flown by the best pilots Japan had. Zeamer and crew clearly wanted to fight for their country, even if hounded by a "discipline problem", and their story glows with admirable initiative and spirit. Zeamer and his crew (air and ground) made a "junk" bomber into a fighting machine, and their bomber returned the favor. Thanks for a superb video, bbottlezigzag. * "The hydraulic system was shot up", says the narrator. In fact, the B17 had steel cable actuation for its flight control surfaces, not hydraulic lines-- and that saved everybody. Hydraulics loss could not have affected flight attitude controls, only brakes and cowl flaps.
The video is from the History Channel's old "Dogfights" series. It gets some details, some minor, some not, wrong, but overall is, I agree, excellent work. The "discipline" angle has always been not only a myth, but contrary to the reality, based on the men's records and the testimony of their squadron mates and C.O. They certainly had a bit of a maverick streak in them, mostly in their willingness to follow their pilot and bombardier, but their discipline was second-to-none, and they were no less respected in the squadron than anyone else, and a little bit moreso if only for their volunteerism. The popular story of the plane has always been a myth as well. It was indeed out of commission briefly after a Dec. '42 mission, but it had been on four missions with 8th Photo over a month's time prior to Zeamer getting his hands on it when it was transferred from them to the 65th BS. It did indeed have a reputation for bad luck-a "Hard Luck Hattie," an 8th PRS diarist calls it-but it was by no means any sort of "salvage queen," as so many accounts portray it. Zeamer's crew mostly stripped it of weight, replaced the engines, and added 3-4 .50s to it. Accounts that say otherwise, including the recent Lucky 666, are simply wrong, and haven't done their due diligence in research. Lucky 666 is unfortunately wanting in that regard where both the crew's and plane's history are concerned.
I read zimmer's biography published recently. His military career in WWII would make a great war movie. And it wouldn't be needed to make anything up. He flew the b17 in a way that the military thought to be impossible. This mission is just one example of it. Even how he recruited his men: reminds me a bit that movie "The dirty dozen". By the way, in this mission not all the mgs were used at the same time. Some were kept on the floor so that, if one jammed, could be quickly replaced
Joseph Raymond Sarnoski. Is a Polish American Legend where I live. His parents were polish immigrants who came to Simpson Pennsylvania to work the coal mines. We learned about him in grade school when we were kids. Him and his family were tough as nails......
Something about that tail number. When I was in the Air Force we had a B-52D tail number 666. That airplane had some of the weirdest problems I'd every seen. The only thing it didn't do was crash or get shot down. Last time I saw it (1974) it came in to U-Tapao, Thailand with no problems for us, but we had to turn on our radar to assist another shop. That's when everything went wrong and it took us a day and a half to get working again. I heard later that it was still operational when the B-52D's were decommisioned and driving maintenance people nuts to the very end.
Just had the honor to take a ride in a B17 two weeks ago at Ellington air base in Houston. A memorable and poignant experience. As the Admiral said in the movie “The Bridges at Toko Ri”, where do we such men”.
"They needed those extra machine guns" - this sentence, seeing that "they" in a Boeing B17E bomber (!) were going to attacked by 17 ( !!! ) Mitsubishi Zero (,or "Zeke") fighters, must be THE understatement of the whole Second World War !!! 😵 (Quote ; "They were giants in those days - now there are only dwarves with long shadows" - Sir Christopher Lee). I have read about and heard many stories of incredible courage shown by both British, German and American bomber crews during WW2, but this truly unbelievable account must be rated as the most one sided air battles of the war. They were truly giants in those days.
They fitted the bomber with extra machine guns. I'm surprised there was enough room for all of them to fit their gigantic balls. That's courage and selflessness at its finest. Well done, men. I wish more people had that kind of courage these days.
Fury could have been so much better. There were some great scenes but they sacrificed to much realism for theater, and alienated those who really enjoy history. .... quite frankly, I think they need to stop with the Opum type characters, and the soft rape. Without that, I might have been able to turn a blind eye to a Sherman punching thru any part of a Tiger, and the silly German tactics. Ya know, there was a few modified shermans called Fireflys that could punch thru a Tiger. There is a great story about one ruining a Tigers kill streak just after D day. But, I am rambling on.
"fury wuz bad becoz not realistik" Yeah, no shit, because if it was realistic it would just be 5 hours of logistical planning and 3 hours of track maintenance.
The book is fascinating and gives a lot of the details of this encounter and other harrowing missions of these brave airmen and Ole 666. It would make a great movie.
Jan, I agree about a movie, but I like the idea of a miniseries even more, which is what I'm shopping right now. You can actually help with that. Stay tuned to the comments on this video. As for the book, if you're referring to Lucky 666, I have to say that while it's well written and does an admirable job of getting the character of the men and theater across, its actual history of the crew is accurate only in the very broadest strokes. In its details-who actually comprised the crew, Zeamer and Sarnoski's personal histories in theater, how they actually came together, the evolution of the crew and their missions, the history of the plane-it borders on fiction. The authors relied far too heavily on single sources-and even there only selectively-with almost no context from the official documentary record to correct for decades-old memories. For what it's worth, the *real* story is even more compelling than the clichéd-and wrong-Dirty Dozen-style narrative. These were ordinary guys doing extraordinary things, thanks to their character and thanks to the incredible high standards and drive of their pilot and bombardier, and to me that makes it far more relatable, more accessible, and in the end more inspirational.
BJ, J.T. was a true gentleman who I had the great privilege and honor of speaking with a couple of times in the few years before he passed away. If you have any personal reminiscences of him, I'd love to hear them for my website, www.zeamerseagerbeavers.com. I'm beginning to work my way through bios of each crew member for it. You can contact me at clint@zeamerseagerbeavers.com if you're interested.
Excellent video. Thank you for uploading. Thank God for these brave HEROS, that got in these planes and gave all. This is so much better than watching football. I have the utmost respect and am so thankful for the men that flew these planes!
My father ws in the 43rd bomb group and I remember listening to him tell the story of Jay Zmimmer and this mission where he won the Medal of Honor. One hell of a brave crew.
it's amazing men like this that had nuts big nuts and not afraid of anything this is how AMERICA used to be. Without brave men like these guy's and beautiful airplanes like the b17
depends on the speed and g force the plane had leveling the plane out. Old 666 was at the speed of the wings breaking off, nut their pilot may have leveled the plane out lightly. If you have any more questions on ww2 navy and air force, I'm all ears :)
I uncle was a B17 Pilot in Europe flew 114 missions crashed landed 4 times while struggling to get back. He was an amazing person. I flew in the chinook helicopters when I was in the military back in 1973. I got shot down no fun at all.
Waiting for all these heros to die, so they can put their hollywood stamp on and make a love story out of it. God bless our heroic veterans, past and present.
It took a bomber with this load capacity to be able to even lift into the air the massive "attachments" each of these men must have had to go into such a mission. Amazing story.
Men like that were actually part of the reason we're currently where we're at. It's their kids, the baby boomers, that ruined society. So it's not assured that more of them would actually help.
We have the men. They are the one's that do the fighting while the weak of heart stay behind. Let them stay there. They would only dishonour brave folk.
Don Bryson oh God..... reading this hurts....... the fact that he still fought thought........ I heard when he was dying he took down 2 more Fighters before bleeding out
@@codenamehalo9847 those ol guns and ol plane did come in handy when those 17- wait i just-----WAIT HOLD UP b-17, 17 fighters, coincidence? i think not
I had some relative's in the Army Air Corps in World War II and I can't believe I've never heard this story before. Thanks for sharing. One of my great, great uncle's died on a raid over Magdeburg Germany on a B-17 Flying Fortress named The Invictus. A well-to-do German family found him in their Garden and had him buried in their family Cemetery. One thing though and of course this didn't count for every case but I have heard that if it was just one aircraft the Japanese tended to not go after it that's how they got the bomb to Hiroshima.
The problem on War Thunder is that there's a much higher amount of accuracy due to mouse aim. Someone could pull this off on Full Real Battles. On HB and AB, it would get shot down quickly.
I'm curious how they depict the armament. It didn't have 19 mounted guns. Based on Zeamer's flight log, the 403rd BS morning report for that day, and what Zeamer told journalist Art Cohn for his article "Z Is for Zeamer," there were sixteen mounted. Since there's no photo of 666/"Lucy" with its 16 June 43 configuration, there's some debate about its actual configuration that day. In addition to the twin .50s in both waist windows and the radio compartment, Zeamer remembers a single .50 aft of the belly turret sticking through the bottom decking. Johnston, the navigator, though, remembers a flexible .50 in the nose in addition to the fixed .50 mounted to the deck (possibly even under the deck) controlled by Zeamer. That makes more sense than the .50 through the deck in back, which sounds a lot like the "tunnel" gun on the B-26. So the most likely configuration to match the sixteen described in the flight log and morning report is a flex .50 in the top center nose cone (where a photo of '666 later in '43 shows one), Zeamer's fixed .50 to the right of the bombardier's seat on the deck, a single .50 through the enlarged windows in the left and right cheeks, twins in the top turret, twins in the radio, twins on each side of the waist, and twins in the tail. Oh, and "Lucy" written under the left enlarged window, which Zeamer confirmed in a letter to Art Cohn was there for that mission and of which there are photos. If War Thunder wants to get "666"/"Lucy" right, that's the closest we're going to get lacking a photo of it that day.
These very young men were incredibly brave, determined to carry out their mission without a thought of taking the easy way out and just heading home. What a great upload. Thanks.
Who knows, these men may have saved my Uncle's life with the better planning...he went into Bougainville with the 6th marine Division...Uncle Leo trained with the British Commandos in Scotland for 6 months in 1942 and was one of 12 Marines who came back to the United States and taught the Marine Raiders...Commando tactics, hit fast and then scoot...
The plane that Zeamer and his crew fixed up was not a junker but a one of a kind E model that was set up for photo missions according to some info I just looked up. Also it didn’t mention the crew having discipline issues.
Ken, true about '666. Not only was it not a junker, it was already airworthy. It was out of commission briefly in early '43 after a mission on 12/20/42, but someone got it back to flying condition, because 8th Photo had already been flying it for a month before it got passed back to the 65/43 where Zeamer, as 65th SEO, requisitioned it and had his crew make the modifications they did. As for the crew, there were no discipline problems to speak of. The "screw-offs and misfits" narrative isn't borne out by the actual record of the crew members, and in fact comes from a single source twenty years after the war who'd never actually met the crew, and in fact learned of them originally months after the fact secondhand. I interviewed him myself back in the '90s and he said he'd regretted that interview ever since for just those reasons. He especially regretted the "renegade" characterization because of how unsuitable it actually was. The crew were in fact far more professional and disciplined than many in the various squadrons because of the high standards Zeamer and Sarnoski demanded, and who hand-picked them to weed out just the kind of discipline problems they wanted to avoid.
A B-17 winning an air-air fight against 17 purpose built fighters, simply amazing. Well done lads.
the “17”fighters number is a myth, irl there were only 8, which is still very impressive none the less
When a Flying Fortress lived up to the name!
according to the book, Lucky 666, the pilot talked with a fighter pilot about tactics. he took what he learned from the pilot and flew the B-17 like a fighter, not a bomber. I learned about the book from the History of WWII podcast hosted by Ray Harris. a couple of months later I had the book in hand from the library.
Everytime I watch this video, I sometimes think, what if they were in Europe instead, going up against 17 late model Me 109. I 99% sure they wouldn't have made it. Thank God Zero have Zero armor
Now if somebody can just get Warthunder to get a clue lol.
the bravery of these men is unfathomable, especially sarnosfkey, he's shot, dying and crawls his way back to his gun to keep shooting to protect them all. Joe, wherever you are, I raise my hat to you.
Amen.
*Sarnoski
This mission was the most decorated air mission in US history. Two Medals of Honor, DSFCs, Silver Stars, and Purple Hearts. Despite the number on the tail, the crew certainly had God on their side.
This is a really Bad Ass aircrew and in 55 years I never heard about it till now.These men had BALLS!
BALLS OF STEEL
They had to have balls , they didn't have any choice , it was fight or die
Peter Baldwin any service man who volunteered to join a PT boat crew, or a bomber crew, had balls
Duke Craig you needed them to be alive
JUST WAIT TILL AUGUST
My Dad was a Mechanic on those old Bombers stationed in England, then Belgeum near the end of the War.
He didn't like to talk about it, but right before he passed away in 2000 he told me the worst part of his job was cleaning out the ramains of His Planes Crew after a mission. He told me he loved those kids. He was 24 and most of the flight crews were 18, 19 and 20 kids. So he was an old man to them.
I once had an opportunity to fly as a Crew Member on a B 17 to Oscosh from Denton TX back in 1984, and told him how excited I was to get to do it. He grabbed my arm and said there was no way he would do that if he was me.
He said "I've patched up so many of those airplanes back up when they were brand new, that I just knew would never be able to fly again. He said they were all being held together with nothing but spit and bailing wire." As luck would have it, the old B 17 had an engine go out just days before we were to take off in it. So I never got a chance to fly in it.
I did get to fly in a WWII C 47 some years later. What a blast. It's still flying rides out of Mangam Airport in Fort Worth TX should anyone want to go up in one. The best part is it still has gun ports in the windows, and you can literally walk around inside it, & look over the pilots shoulders while it's in the air. Take a small camera with a lanyard and you can take picture down the fusalage, with the camera stuck out the gun port. Some Fun. I have some great pictures taken that way. But just know, those old birds are s l o w!!!!!!
Incredible story of courage. My father was a mid upper gunner with the Lancaster bombers in WWII and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross after completing 37 missions. When I was small I wanted to hear about his war record but he refused to talk about it, saying it was another place and time, that's why it is so important to capture these stories. Different place and time perhaps, but what they did allowed us to have this place and time.
My stepfather made that left turn with the 3rd Army into Bastogne. He would never talk about any of it, tho I tried to draw him out. My grandfather was at Tokyo Bay 2 Sept. 1945; I have 2 postmarked and illustrated first day covers he sent home.
I heard many stories about this crew growing up. Joe was my grandfathers brother. These men started the kickin ass and taking names slogan! True warriors they were.
Mike, you might be interested in the website I've created dedicated to the crew, zeamerseagerbeavers.com. I'm going to be writing the most comprehensive biography of Joe available anywhere for it. At the moment you can read the full story of the crew I've written based on my extensive interviews of the crew and their family members, not to mention the archival research I've done. (And continue to do: I'm going to the St. Louis personnel archives next week for additional morning reports from the 403/43 and 19/22.)
I’ve heard quite a few as well, my grandpa has some records I’ll try and find next time I head up there
God Bless You Veterans, where would we be without you
Amen
My dad & his four brothers were all in WWII - my dad the only one still living -their cousin a nurse @ Pearl Harbor. I truly believe that one of the greatest generations this country has ever been blessed with was the men & women that fought in WWII. This video shows the stuff that they were made of - character, bravery, ethics, morals & a willingness to give their all for America & their fellow soldiers. ALL of these men on this plane were hero's - thank God America had them & others like them.
I don't believe that it was luck that such great men happened to be born in time to fight in WW2. I believe it's the training and experience that turned many of them into the "greatest generation".
Unfortunately the OP cut-out the most incredible part of this fight....After Sarnoski is mortally wounded he starts crawling back to his gun....This is extremely crucial because the other nose mounted weapons are now inop and there is a twin engined cannon armed Japanese heavy fighter (Ki-45) boring in for a head on attack....Sarnoski levels his weapon one last time and shreds Ki-45...Then dies at his post...OMG! how could you leave that part out? The only way it could have been more epic is if Sarnoski had hollered "Witness Me!" on his way back to his gun. The Japanese stop running "head-ons" at that point (cause they are "0 for 3") and start trying to pick the B-17 apart from angles (with no success). Joe Sarnoski saved that airplane and crew at the cost of his own life, he is an absolute BA hero that most folks don't know about.
Max Speedster in dog fights long odds that is covered you should watch it you might like it
Max Speedster we do now thanks what a legend!
Sarnoski and Zeamer were both awarded the Medal of Honor
Max Speedster i
Max Speedster I
You got to live in "awe" of the bravery and courage these men displayed, it just totally displays" absolute valour" in the highest degree.
My total respect to all who served, and all who are still standing in "harms way."
They Don't call them THE GREATEST GENERATION for nothing.
They were much like us, only more polite, and less self absorbed.
bob bobo next year i
As much as I'd like to agree they were great, and certainly they were, but let's remember the 'greatest generation' meme was created by FOXnews. Bill O'Reilly in particular. He wrote a book too. I think it might have been slightly over 100 pages he knew so much about how great that generation was. And let's be clear, loads of American generations after WWII fought in wars too. Bill O'Reilly never bothered to write a book about them. FOXnews never speaks about Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq. I reckon those soldiers are just as 'great'. They served too. See, thing is, when ya say 'that guy' is the greatest you have to wonder if 'other guys' are just not great. Or not anything at all.
@bob bobo No way, didn't know it was Brokaw. That's interesting. And I can't say you're wrong on all points. Cheers :)
I call them the badass generation
A couple days ago, I met a couple who are originally from Maine, and who were friends with Jay Zeamer. During Jay's later years, he had difficulty walking, and used a cane, but during the warmer months, he would get on his bicycle and ride around town and fly, yet he had a hard time walking! I would have loved to have met that guy! God Bless You, Jay!
Isn't it something? Zeamer's wife told me that he enjoyed roller skating, and would skate down the middle of the street with a bunch of neighborhood kids in tow like the Pied Piper. He was truly a remarkable man.
Even in the moment of doubt the pilot thought of the ground troops and continues onwards. Truly the greatest generation!
I just learned what the mission actually entailed. They had to fly straight and perfectly level in enemy held airspace directly over an enemy held island for 22 minutes. 5 minutes into the run Zimmer saw the airfield and the zeroes spooling up to get them. 17 long minutes passed and the zeroes were closing in. The enemy commenced their siege seconds after the camera run was complete
Excellent video. These men underwent hell to complete their mission. They exemplified the spirit of the American Fighting Man with their attitude, " Never Quit! ". I salute their bravery and commitment.
Gave me chills and pride to be an American. Our brave soldiers are in the twilight of their years. Let's thanks them once again!
The word “hero” gets handed out for some mediocre crap these days.
These men, they were HEROES!
pineyLt 100%, everyone’s a hero today. I so wished I was alive and a pilot during WW2
Soldiers are heroes
These men are legends
These dudes literally saved the world
And why hasn't a movie been made to honor these magnificent men. They absolutely deserve it.
Roy, I'm starting to shop a miniseries adaptation to producers literally this week. My "Zeamer's Eager Beavers" site has the full (real) story.
An amazing story that brought tears to my eyes this Memorial Day weekend!
My father-in-law was a Marine in the Pacific and told me his stories which he'd never tell his own kids! I can only guess it was because I'd done my time as well, albeit as a Soldier and not a Marine!
George was my Hero, and I miss him greatly! Salute! Marine!
War is evil, but these men who endured this were brave men and gave there best for what they did...
war is only evil depending on what side you're on. If you're defending yourself and going on the attack to put your attacker into submission, your cause is just because it it to stop and prevent further attacks.
I totally Agree, if the shit hits the fan you need to be a tactical team, keep the enemy ducking and send some of your men around the back, there will be enemy waiting for this old tactic, send in the Artillery on both flanks and kill the lot of them. next day the hatted ones will to the same, you say is only evil depending on your elegance, both sides are the same, Where the stupidity comes into the picture is the power hungry leaders who start the shit in the first place, They sit back in safety while they send good young men to there demise. to these ego maniacs lt is no different to a game of monopoly. War IS EVIL...
brian critchley i said nothing of allegiance. I said it's not evil if you're the defending side going on the offensive, retaliation for unprovoked attack
Jormungand13324 Well this conversation has done a 360, Why is it you cant understand what I mean? you can twist my words all you like the bottom line is simple WAR IS EVIL..
brian critchley i was just clarifying what i meant by "which side you're on"
It cut out the best part! Joe Sarnoski, the Bombarder, shot down two more aircraft before he collapsed and died. He didn't even have to go on the mission, Zeamer knew Sarnoski was three days from rotating back to the states and they weren't bombing anything so he could stay behind. Joe reminded him that Olde 666 would need the nose gunner position manned.
This should be a movie
Big respect. Salud Sarnoski and Zeamer.
petis1976
@@terriecotham1567 Agreed. Stay tuned to the comments here.
Tough plane and fearless crew: the Zero pilots must have been a frustrated bunch that night! I can see their commander now: "dammit! You had one job!"
Knowing the mentality at the time he prolly beat the snot out of them. Failure wasn't tolerated, do the mission or die.
Hari kari
Tom Burchill the commander probably punished them because they retreat and that they only had one plane to Target and failed
they could even kill you for that
LOL
Most of the crews died later that day during a raid on US airfields. They did get credit for a probable on olde 666.
Good thing they added on those extra guns and carried all that ammo. Amazed under all that heavy fire they only lost one man. There needs to be a movie about this. But I would worry Hollyweird would put some kind of political spin on it.
john Magill ,you're probably right
if Hollywood made a film about this, it'd be that this one and only plane flew the whole war on it's own and saved the world. absolute bollocks.
WWII was Trump's fault. You seriously didn't know that?
ABSOLUTELY HW WUD PERVERT THESE HEROIC MEN N THEIR MISSION SO BADLY IT MAY BE LEFT IN A BIT OF OBSCURITY UNTIL THE COUNTRY GROWS A NEW SET OF GONADS OR REALIZES THAT TRUE HEROISM SUCH AS THIS MUST BE LAUDED, N MEN N WOMEN WITH THIS LEVEL OF COMMITMENT SHOULD NOT, I MEAN NEVER PURPOSELY HIDDEN FROM THE AMBIENT PUBLIC, A PUBLIC THAT AT PRESENT COULD DO WITH A HEAVY INJECTION OF TESTOSTERONE N ADRENALINE, TO ONCE AGAIN JUMPSTART ALL NATIONS WITH SIMILAR STORIES... FOR INSTANCE, MY MATERNAL GRANDFATHER WAS A FIGHTER ACE IN WW I AND U WONT HEAR ABOUT HIM BECAUSE HE WAS BLACKFOOT INDIAN... 138TH AERO SQUADRON... GODBLESS, rev.Rob E.Curry Jr
Edit: I removed what I said because it’s embarrassing.
Great Men in Great Machines...My Uncle was shot down and wounded in a B-17 over Germany, He was one of the few survivors in the crew in the bailout, He sat out the rest of the war in a concentration camp in Germany. He has always been a hero to me and always will be...He was at a waste door gun when hit, an ME 109 hit the target. He was badly wounded...but made it home. A real Good Guy !
"For perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds."
You Have to. .
@@finddeniro persevere
It's often the hell raisers and the renegades who make the best fighting men. This is a wonderful story of heroism, courage and sacrifice
1jetdrve...Andy Rooney used that exact same simile when he described a MOH recipient, the first in the 8th AF. Apparently the guy was a screw up and goldbrick, but was a lion in combat: "putting out a fire with the only liquid a man had at 20000 feet." When the commanding general arrived to bestow the medal he was nowhere to be found. He was peeling spuds on KP.
Such an incredible story of valor & sheer badass tenacity! Real heroes, real countrymen. Thank you for your service & the undying spirit for our great country!
This is great. My Dad was an RAAF Spitfire pilot in Borneo and escorting top cover to bombers was essential. Thanks heaps.
This is the most incredible tale of smarts and survival and dedication to duty and the mission that I've heard of in combat aviation. I am so glad that the whole crew were awarded the highest and second highest medals one can get. The US Army Air Force certainly did the right thing by making sure this crew got those awards.
Guess they call her a Flying Fortress for a reason.
In the case of Old 666 it was a flying armory.
Curby Weaver aerial armory?
You have to love the crew for hotrodding this plane. More guns, maybe they also stripped her down to save weight as well
She could take a beating and get her crew home. Everyone loved The Fort’s durability.
True add more guns
Zimmer got at least 6 medals in WWII. Belief it or not he kept his amazing military career as a secret until his daughters, then in highschool, found by chance one of his medals. He was deeply hurt buy sarnoski's death and forever wondered why he survived and sarnoski didn't
Having lived with it myself, that's textbook "survivor's guilt"
Much of his fame was a result of disobeying orders and achieving spectacular results, to the point where the crew was to be Court martialled until a Congressman heard about what they did and demanded the crew be given the silver star. The Fat Electrician just did a 35min video on the crew and plane
There was a B17 bomber in the 8th Air Force that flew missions over Europe that had the same reputation as this aircraft. The bomber was called "Tinker Toy"...she would come back from missions more often than not all shot up... includiong her flying crew. Are some famous pictures of her with damage she sustained... on one occasion most of the nose (including the bombadier).. were missing right up to the pilots cabin.. she even died violently.. was rammed by an enemy fighter..
i have seen this episode 500 times and it still almost brings me to tears to think that his last thoughts were that he had to protect his friends no matter how much it hurt or how hard it was to complete the process
OH GOD THE NOSTALGIA
I USED TO LOVE DOGFIGHTS(the series that this came from)
Old timey hero's all of them. Real men with a lot of bark on them. As a Marine I hold them in awe!
I recall flying into the "evilest place on Earth" on Friday the 13th, June 2003 in a Chinook tail number 666, aka "The Beast." If one must assault into the evilest place on Earth on Friday 13th, there's no other aircraft for the ride. That had to be my safest mission ever. RLTW!
Was that San Francisco?
@@samhouston1673 nah i think my boy is on some crack or some shit
Now this is truly one
'amazing story.'
Don't kid yourself
that everybody
gets to have
that kind of 'Valor'
especially in the skies,
but -
there are thousands upon
thousands of servicemen
from the USA
that have displayed
the same kind of valor -
in the midst of battle.
+Rich+ 🇺🇸
We owe a debt of gratitude to each and every one of these
young and valiant men. ☑
I spent 20 years in usaf never heard of these unsung heroes. A movie needs to be made.
David, I agree. Stay tuned to the comments here to see how you can help get this story to the screen.
Mission Accomplished! It doesn't get any better than that. We are very fortunate to have the audio and video footage of these heroes!!
This is what american are all about, never giving up, risking life to save many
maga
Antonio Reina
its fake news
6six6 WTF
one nation under god...
bullshit
ovey the beast
I read Risking life to save money...
xc5647321 xc5647321 I bet that's what your dad said when he saw the pregnancy test.
Gent Bar Use grammar
Proud of that bird and her misfit crew!
Now these were real men! Giving of their own life to save the others on his plane. Not like these panty waist anti fa. My father flew in B-17s he was the flight engineer and top turret gunner, he said they were built like tanks. Thamk you Mr. Boeing.
Chris,Actually the so called "antifa" are the real heroes when it comes right down to it. These so-called alpha men talking shit about not having feelings and not caring about anyone but themselves are the real cowards. It takes real courage to stand up and say fuck you I care about the feelings and lives of other people and I am willing to put my life on the line for that belief. That's what these men AND women who faught in WW1 and 2 did. These so-called MAGA who grab women by the pussy and disrespect gold star families are the real cowards.
@@jussayinmipeece1069 Dont make me laugh, Antifa dont put their life on the line for shit. they attack easy targets when they have overwhelming numbers, and half the time they don't even attack Maga guys, but just some bystander even women and elderly people - its all on video, they're just cunts. they dont care about anyones feelings, they just use that as an excuse to push their own agenda, you have to be pretty fucking naive to not see through that.
@@v11cu96 right, because assaulting women and then getting picked for a supreme court appointment by another serial assaulter is the way to go.
@@jussayinmipeece1069 I didn't Justify or defend anything surrounding that. Seems like 'whataboutery' wrapped up some in some assumption that I' must be a Republican - which I ain't, I'm not even American. You said Antifa are like heros, I was pointing out they are not. That is all.
And how many of these worthless SOB's in Antifa were being PAID by Soros and others to do the cowardly things they were doing, some making as much as $5000+ per incident? IF these SOB's were so concerned about the way the country was going, then WHY weren't any of them in the military? But then, that would require them to be REAL men, not cowards attacking those that couldn't fight back, right?
I grew up down the street from Mr Zeamer. He was a wonderful man, he always shared stories with me. He omitted most of the heavy stuff. I sure wish I could speak with him now!
Mr. McCarthy, that was a rare privilege you had. I only got to speak to LTC Zeamer briefly on the phone a couple of times, but I've done an enormous amount of research on him over the years as part of my projects dedicated to the crew, and he is one of the most exceptional men I've ever come across. The story of the mission is just the tip of the iceberg where Zeamer is concerned.
True heroes. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
A Very Big Thank You For Your Service to the crew of Old 666.
God bless the Gallant men and crew of old 666 a Flying Fortress that will go down in history in the defense of our fine Nation and that of our allies. May their Gallant heroism be honored by all who serve our nation.
Great crew, wonderful story and a huge thank you to all.
Old 66 should have a movie made . More people should hear about this
Mario, I agree. You can help with this. Stay tuned to the comments.
I am so proud of these men. All of them.
It's to the crew's credit that they didn't choose the plane's number. I have a '55 VW with a standard issue license plate with three letters and 666. Al my cars have names, this one is 'Adolf'.
True Patriots.
This is a story of true bravery. This is a story that should be better advertised. These guys were all outstanding. This was a time when men were real Americans and so proud to be there for our country. Maybe it's because back then we weren't African Americans or Asian Americans or whatever........we were all just "Americans". That's the way it should be. If that was the case we wouldn't have the separation we are seeing in the U.S. now. We are turning into tribes in the name of diversity and it's destroying our nation. This is a classic example of people having so many things in common and being on the same page. We need to be a true melting pot again in which EVERYONE assimilates and is on the same side. Why people think diversity is so great has always amazed me. All it does is cause people being on different pages and wanting what's best for their people, not the entire U.S.. God bless these guys and thanks to them and their families for sharing such a fantastic story. Proud to be an American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"we weren't African Americans or Asian Americans or whatever........we were all just "Americans".
Except for the Japanese Americans who ended up in concentration camps and lost all their possessions and property with no compensation. That is as dark a chapter in American history as the story of the native American Indians.
We were all united back then? How about the segregation between whites and blacks, which crossed over in to military? Blacks were considered second class citizens back then. And there was even a known case of prejudice against native Hawaians by a high ranking, wealthy, U.S. naval personal who got away with blatant murder, before the war.
you're not American. no such thing. you're all from European stock. white stock. anglo saxon, Scandinavian, Danish, English, Irish, Scottish , Welsh, French, German, Polish, Spanish, Russian, Italian. fighting stock.( less of the Italian in fighting stock, but a lot of Italian blood in America ) nothing like that around these days.
Today people would rather bicker and nitpick making the evils of the past live into the future carrying on the work of dividing the nation.
Yes, there were evils done in America, but at the same time, in each of those eras, some of those who were oppressed still loved this country so much, they fought along side their oppressors against other enemies who would have made their lives far worse.
If some nation attacked America today, sadly, many who live here would probably join forces in hopes of getting something from their new masters in return for betraying the nation they were born into but hold no allegiance to.
@@DeliciousDeBlair...bullshit; strike us we fight back. Its the politicians that divide us...for their benefit . And don't mention Vietnam; we should have never been there; we were the Hessians and the redcoats in that fight..
Why there is not a movie like "Fury", "Unbroken", "Fighting the sun" or "Saving private Ryan" but about this men!?
no idea, and the name for it is even there!,Old 666, they must make a movie about it dammit!
Now there is Dunkirk and still the jewel is forgotten.
its fake dude
needs a lot of CGI
GoPro cameras did not exist in WW2.
Published on RUclips in 2009, this remains outstanding video work. Narration is clear, and professionally done. The story is compelling on its face, but superbly edited, interspersed with excellent graphics. Though 2009 rendering software was relatively primitive, no apologies required for the complex series of views and action simulations. It is amazing enough the bomber survived against 17 attackers, but Zeros and Nicks were first-line interceptors, best in the Pacific, and flown by the best pilots Japan had. Zeamer and crew clearly wanted to fight for their country, even if hounded by a "discipline problem", and their story glows with admirable initiative and spirit. Zeamer and his crew (air and ground) made a "junk" bomber into a fighting machine, and their bomber returned the favor. Thanks for a superb video, bbottlezigzag.
* "The hydraulic system was shot up", says the narrator. In fact, the B17 had steel cable actuation for its flight control surfaces, not hydraulic lines-- and that saved everybody. Hydraulics loss could not have affected flight attitude controls, only brakes and cowl flaps.
The video is from the History Channel's old "Dogfights" series. It gets some details, some minor, some not, wrong, but overall is, I agree, excellent work.
The "discipline" angle has always been not only a myth, but contrary to the reality, based on the men's records and the testimony of their squadron mates and C.O. They certainly had a bit of a maverick streak in them, mostly in their willingness to follow their pilot and bombardier, but their discipline was second-to-none, and they were no less respected in the squadron than anyone else, and a little bit moreso if only for their volunteerism.
The popular story of the plane has always been a myth as well. It was indeed out of commission briefly after a Dec. '42 mission, but it had been on four missions with 8th Photo over a month's time prior to Zeamer getting his hands on it when it was transferred from them to the 65th BS. It did indeed have a reputation for bad luck-a "Hard Luck Hattie," an 8th PRS diarist calls it-but it was by no means any sort of "salvage queen," as so many accounts portray it. Zeamer's crew mostly stripped it of weight, replaced the engines, and added 3-4 .50s to it. Accounts that say otherwise, including the recent Lucky 666, are simply wrong, and haven't done their due diligence in research. Lucky 666 is unfortunately wanting in that regard where both the crew's and plane's history are concerned.
The B-17 flying *Fortress* really lived up it's name at this moment
I read zimmer's biography published recently. His military career in WWII would make a great war movie. And it wouldn't be needed to make anything up. He flew the b17 in a way that the military thought to be impossible. This mission is just one example of it. Even how he recruited his men: reminds me a bit that movie "The dirty dozen". By the way, in this mission not all the mgs were used at the same time. Some were kept on the floor so that, if one jammed, could be quickly replaced
Truly incredible story. Incredibly brave airmen.
Joseph Raymond Sarnoski. Is a Polish American Legend where I live.
His parents were polish immigrants who came to Simpson Pennsylvania to work the coal mines. We learned about him in grade school when we were kids. Him and his family were tough as nails......
Something about that tail number. When I was in the Air Force we had a B-52D tail number 666. That airplane had some of the weirdest problems I'd every seen. The only thing it didn't do was crash or get shot down. Last time I saw it (1974) it came in to U-Tapao, Thailand with no problems for us, but we had to turn on our radar to assist another shop. That's when everything went wrong and it took us a day and a half to get working again.
I heard later that it was still operational when the B-52D's were decommisioned and driving maintenance people nuts to the very end.
Just had the honor to take a ride in a B17 two weeks ago at Ellington air base in Houston. A memorable and poignant experience. As the Admiral said in the movie “The Bridges at Toko Ri”, where do we such men”.
"They needed those extra machine guns" - this sentence, seeing that "they" in a Boeing B17E bomber (!) were going to attacked by 17 ( !!! ) Mitsubishi Zero (,or "Zeke") fighters, must be THE understatement of the whole Second World War !!! 😵
(Quote ; "They were giants in those days - now there are only dwarves with long shadows" - Sir Christopher Lee).
I have read about and heard many stories of incredible courage shown by both British, German and American bomber crews during WW2, but this truly unbelievable account must be rated as the most one sided air battles of the war. They were truly giants in those days.
And this video is missing quite a bit of the battle story.
They fitted the bomber with extra machine guns. I'm surprised there was enough room for all of them to fit their gigantic balls. That's courage and selflessness at its finest. Well done, men. I wish more people had that kind of courage these days.
I'd love to see the team who made Fury do this story.
Zak757 i
Fury could have been so much better.
There were some great scenes but they sacrificed to much realism for theater, and alienated those who really enjoy history.
....
quite frankly, I think they need to stop with the Opum type characters, and the soft rape. Without that, I might have been able to turn a blind eye to a Sherman punching thru any part of a Tiger, and the silly German tactics. Ya know, there was a few modified shermans called Fireflys that could punch thru a Tiger. There is a great story about one ruining a Tigers kill streak just after D day. But, I am rambling on.
If your watching Fury for history you are seriously wasting your time.
"fury wuz bad becoz not realistik"
Yeah, no shit, because if it was realistic it would just be 5 hours of logistical planning and 3 hours of track maintenance.
They cant
Amazing story. Courage, talent and fire power made the difference as well as just plain staying power. The guys deserved their awards.
The book is fascinating and gives a lot of the details of this encounter and other harrowing missions of these brave airmen and Ole 666. It would make a great movie.
Jan, I agree about a movie, but I like the idea of a miniseries even more, which is what I'm shopping right now. You can actually help with that. Stay tuned to the comments on this video.
As for the book, if you're referring to Lucky 666, I have to say that while it's well written and does an admirable job of getting the character of the men and theater across, its actual history of the crew is accurate only in the very broadest strokes. In its details-who actually comprised the crew, Zeamer and Sarnoski's personal histories in theater, how they actually came together, the evolution of the crew and their missions, the history of the plane-it borders on fiction. The authors relied far too heavily on single sources-and even there only selectively-with almost no context from the official documentary record to correct for decades-old memories. For what it's worth, the *real* story is even more compelling than the clichéd-and wrong-Dirty Dozen-style narrative. These were ordinary guys doing extraordinary things, thanks to their character and thanks to the incredible high standards and drive of their pilot and bombardier, and to me that makes it far more relatable, more accessible, and in the end more inspirational.
Not a bad word below. Great insights, good humour, and respectful gratuities. Thank you
that was my grandpa in the copilot seat! its good to have part of their story here...
BJ, J.T. was a true gentleman who I had the great privilege and honor of speaking with a couple of times in the few years before he passed away. If you have any personal reminiscences of him, I'd love to hear them for my website, www.zeamerseagerbeavers.com. I'm beginning to work my way through bios of each crew member for it. You can contact me at clint@zeamerseagerbeavers.com if you're interested.
Excellent video. Thank you for uploading. Thank God for these brave HEROS, that got in these planes and gave all. This is so much better than watching football. I have the utmost respect and am so thankful for the men that flew these planes!
this needs to be a movie
I think this needs to be on a screen, too, but I'm shopping it as a miniseries. If you'd like to help its chances, stay tuned to the comments here.
FANTASTIC RISK, FABULOUS JOB...WELL DONE MEN!!! THOSE PHOTOS HELPED TO SAVE LIVES ON THE GROUND...YES SIR!!!
My father ws in the 43rd bomb group and I remember listening to him tell the story of Jay Zmimmer and this mission where he won the Medal of Honor. One hell of a brave crew.
Ken's Men! Hats off to your dad. What squadron, if I might ask?
it's amazing men like this that had nuts big nuts and not afraid of anything this is how AMERICA used to be. Without brave men like these guy's and beautiful airplanes like the b17
calculating the 3 miles it dropped, it was going 450 miles per hour. (Really fast for a b17)
At what speed would a B-17's wings break off?
depends on the speed and g force the plane had leveling the plane out. Old 666 was at the speed of the wings breaking off, nut their pilot may have leveled the plane out lightly.
If you have any more questions on ww2 navy and air force, I'm all ears :)
+Grutza Johnny
Thanks for the info. I don't seem to have any questions right now, but I'll come across one soon enough.
The B17 airframe could take that speed just pull out easy
I uncle was a B17 Pilot in Europe flew 114 missions crashed landed 4 times while struggling to get back. He was an amazing person.
I flew in the chinook helicopters when I was in the military back in 1973. I got shot down no fun at all.
Glorious heros everyone !
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
love the firepower! FLYING FORTRESS your not kidding
Still wondering why this hasn't been made into a movie...
They'd just ruin it with love intrests, and make up complete falsehoods to make it "better".
Political correctness, SJWs would complain.... shame.
Waiting for all these heros to die, so they can put their hollywood stamp on and make a love story out of it. God bless our heroic veterans, past and present.
Respect and love for the soldiers who fought for our freedom.
Incredible courage displayed by incredible heroes!
It took a bomber with this load capacity to be able to even lift into the air the massive "attachments" each of these men must have had to go into such a mission.
Amazing story.
They needed a B17 just to carry the balls of the aircrew alone. Brave, brave men, god bless and thanks for your service gentlemen xx
They don't build men like that anymore !! Lord knows we could use a whole bunch of them right now !!
Men like that were actually part of the reason we're currently where we're at. It's their kids, the baby boomers, that ruined society. So it's not assured that more of them would actually help.
We have the men. They are the one's that do the fighting while the weak of heart stay behind. Let them stay there. They would only dishonour brave folk.
@@lancejackson3524 Brave, or foolhardy? The simple act of fighting doesn't inherently convey or impart bravery.
@@agentx250 Very good,sir! Food for thought,indeed.
@@agentx250 Very good,sir! Food for thought,indeed. (BTW spectre-x was my intended recipient of this message,sorry.)
Remarkable story. Incredible bravery. Words are insufficient.
The only married crew member was the bombardier, who was also the only fatality.
Don Bryson oh God..... reading this hurts....... the fact that he still fought thought........
I heard when he was dying he took down 2 more Fighters before bleeding out
@@codenamehalo9847 those ol guns and ol plane did come in handy when those 17- wait i just-----WAIT HOLD UP b-17, 17 fighters, coincidence? i think not
I had some relative's in the Army Air Corps in World War II and I can't believe I've never heard this story before. Thanks for sharing. One of my great, great uncle's died on a raid over Magdeburg Germany on a B-17 Flying Fortress named The Invictus. A well-to-do German family found him in their Garden and had him buried in their family Cemetery. One thing though and of course this didn't count for every case but I have heard that if it was just one aircraft the Japanese tended to not go after it that's how they got the bomb to Hiroshima.
Kids, don't try this in War Thunder...
The problem on War Thunder is that there's a much higher amount of accuracy due to mouse aim. Someone could pull this off on Full Real Battles. On HB and AB, it would get shot down quickly.
Too bad im forced too
Almost all B17s In war thunder are like 666 now
They should made this a special event vehicle
Ar u challanging me
My uncle was a Navigator on a B17 over France & Germany.
Heroes thank you from Australia. God bless the dead .
I'm surprised that plane even got off the ground with the weight of all of their balls.. Much respect to these men.
This plane needs to be in War Thunder.
yes it is in now
+Faris Imran They added 'Ol 666? When?
I'm curious how they depict the armament. It didn't have 19 mounted guns. Based on Zeamer's flight log, the 403rd BS morning report for that day, and what Zeamer told journalist Art Cohn for his article "Z Is for Zeamer," there were sixteen mounted. Since there's no photo of 666/"Lucy" with its 16 June 43 configuration, there's some debate about its actual configuration that day. In addition to the twin .50s in both waist windows and the radio compartment, Zeamer remembers a single .50 aft of the belly turret sticking through the bottom decking. Johnston, the navigator, though, remembers a flexible .50 in the nose in addition to the fixed .50 mounted to the deck (possibly even under the deck) controlled by Zeamer. That makes more sense than the .50 through the deck in back, which sounds a lot like the "tunnel" gun on the B-26.
So the most likely configuration to match the sixteen described in the flight log and morning report is a flex .50 in the top center nose cone (where a photo of '666 later in '43 shows one), Zeamer's fixed .50 to the right of the bombardier's seat on the deck, a single .50 through the enlarged windows in the left and right cheeks, twins in the top turret, twins in the radio, twins on each side of the waist, and twins in the tail. Oh, and "Lucy" written under the left enlarged window, which Zeamer confirmed in a letter to Art Cohn was there for that mission and of which there are photos.
If War Thunder wants to get "666"/"Lucy" right, that's the closest we're going to get lacking a photo of it that day.
No, this crew needs a movie.
I know this is old, but the 19 MGs is due to the fact they kept extra MGs and ammo inside the bomb bay for quick replacements.
Remember when the history channel showed amazing shows like this? Me too......
Zeros: shoot it down!
B-17: your life will be a living hell!
These very young men were incredibly brave, determined to carry out their mission without a thought of taking the easy way out and just heading home. What a great upload. Thanks.
As if one fighter isn't bad enough, sheesh !
Incredible, just incredible.
They just don’t make men like they used to.
God damn, two MoH from one mission. Damn fine men these guys were.
2 MOH and 7 DSC to be exact (the top 2 award within the US military). Ole 666 crew was and still is the most decroated crew in USAF/USAAF history
Who knows, these men may have saved my Uncle's life with the better planning...he went into Bougainville with the 6th marine Division...Uncle Leo trained with the British Commandos in Scotland for 6 months in 1942 and was one of 12 Marines who came back to the United States and taught the Marine Raiders...Commando tactics, hit fast and then scoot...
Some tough gents and fancy flying. FREEDOM!!!
I have nothing but gratitude and the upmost respect for these men , shame on the folk who gave this vid a thumbs down .
The plane that Zeamer and his crew fixed up was not a junker but a one of a kind E model that was set up for photo missions according to some info I just looked up. Also it didn’t mention the crew having discipline issues.
Ken, true about '666. Not only was it not a junker, it was already airworthy. It was out of commission briefly in early '43 after a mission on 12/20/42, but someone got it back to flying condition, because 8th Photo had already been flying it for a month before it got passed back to the 65/43 where Zeamer, as 65th SEO, requisitioned it and had his crew make the modifications they did.
As for the crew, there were no discipline problems to speak of. The "screw-offs and misfits" narrative isn't borne out by the actual record of the crew members, and in fact comes from a single source twenty years after the war who'd never actually met the crew, and in fact learned of them originally months after the fact secondhand. I interviewed him myself back in the '90s and he said he'd regretted that interview ever since for just those reasons. He especially regretted the "renegade" characterization because of how unsuitable it actually was. The crew were in fact far more professional and disciplined than many in the various squadrons because of the high standards Zeamer and Sarnoski demanded, and who hand-picked them to weed out just the kind of discipline problems they wanted to avoid.
Should show and teach this kind of History in school today. These guys are the real heros, They had what it takes to get things done
we need a movie of this!!