When a Ball Turret Gunner Saved His B-17

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  • Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
  • It’s May 1, 1943 and in the ball turret of his B-17 is gunner, Sergeant Maynard H. Smith. Known to the crew as Snuffy, Smith was not a tall man which was an essential requirement for a ball turret gunner.
    Due to faulty equipment the B-17’s find themselves unexpectedly low over occupied France. Set upon by German guns and FW 190s, the B-17 was damaged beyond repair and on fire. 3 of the men bailed out over the English Channel. What happened next was a feat of bravery and endurance that saved the plane and the remaining crew. Tending the sick, defending the plane with the waist guns and putting out the fire at the same time, Smith showed true grit in this incredible episode of WW2. This earned him the medal of honor, but despite this, the unruly and unpopular Smith found himself demoted.
    Yarnhub uses the Unreal® Engine. Unreal® is a trademark or registered trademark of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. Unreal® Engine, Copyright 1998 - 2022, Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved.

Комментарии • 1 тыс.

  • @michiganheroesmuseum
    @michiganheroesmuseum 2 года назад +1242

    This is perhaps the best account of Maynard "Snuffy" Smith's action that I have seen or heard. Extremely accurate. The Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth, Michigan, proudly displays his Medal of Honor, Uniform, and personal effects in their Medal of Honor Gallery. The museum possesses the most extensive collection of Medals of Honor on public display in the world. The museum is dedicated to telling the stories of Servicemen, Service Women, and Astronauts from the State of Michigan.
    - Did you know that Snuffy entered the service because his dad, the local judge, gave him a choice between jail or the army?
    - Did you know that Andy Rooney credited his long career in the media to Snuffy?
    - Did you know that he was assigned to the ball turret because he wasn't popular when he attended aerial gunnery school?
    - Did you know that this happened on his very first mission?
    - Did you know that when they were looking to give Snuffy his Medal of Honor, no one could find him because he was doing KP, peeling potatoes?
    - Did you know that there was a controversy surrounding him as he ran for Governor where he saved a woman's life, only to have it revealed that he is the one that staged the event?
    Indeed Maynard "Snuffy" Smith was an incredibly controversial character; however, when the situation went from bad to worse on May 1, 1943, he went from an average guy to a true American Hero.

    • @Yarnhub
      @Yarnhub  2 года назад +201

      Hi. Let us know if the museum would like to use the film and if so you can get in touch with us on the contact page. We’re very happy to support museums in their work.

    • @Magi..
      @Magi.. 2 года назад +64

      when the MUSEUM starts wanting yarnhub's work

    • @lardlover3730
      @lardlover3730 2 года назад +4

      indeed

    • @_Saracen_
      @_Saracen_ 2 года назад +8

      Quite a character

    • @brintsmith2329
      @brintsmith2329 2 года назад +28

      Clearly this man was the epitome of the difference between a good fighter, and a good soldier. not every good soldier makes a good fighter. (ask me how i know that.) Not every good fighter makes a fighter makes a good soldier. As a combat veteran, who would i rather fight with? a man like Sargent Smith anytime, any place!

  • @captain_commenter8796
    @captain_commenter8796 2 года назад +1488

    Being a gunner on a B-17 dangerous as it is, so a ball turret gunner managing the save a the said bomber truly is a awesome accomplishment

    • @theMasterChiefRules
      @theMasterChiefRules 2 года назад +21

      Your sentence is nearly incomprehensible.

    • @Top2BottomGaming
      @Top2BottomGaming 2 года назад +19

      @@theMasterChiefRules Being a ball turret gunner on a B-17 is incredibly dangerous, so a turret gunner managing to save his B-17 is truly an amazing accomplishment .

    • @dermotlouison4528
      @dermotlouison4528 2 года назад +1

      @@Top2BottomGaming c,news
      World news
      A

    • @michaelbujaki2462
      @michaelbujaki2462 2 года назад +7

      And god forbid you're stuck in there when they have to belly land.

    • @michaelbujaki2462
      @michaelbujaki2462 2 года назад +5

      @@theMasterChiefRules I can understand it just fine.

  • @pewpewdragon4483
    @pewpewdragon4483 2 года назад +651

    Hated the job, assigned the worst role, yet covered for everyone, and brought them all home, that's when you know you can count on him.
    Unfortunate that he got demoted after all that, but a medal of honor is a medal honor, and I'm glad he went home alive.

    • @fantasia55
      @fantasia55 2 года назад +8

      It was the safest position.

    • @airplanemaniacgaming7877
      @airplanemaniacgaming7877 2 года назад +15

      @@fantasia55 They figured he had enough of needing to be the hero, and gave him a well deserved break from the crazy.

    • @Zesmas
      @Zesmas 2 года назад +14

      medal of honor is just a stupid chunk of medal that they give people instead of what most medal of honor recipients would rather have which is just a lump sum of money. Medals are a cheap way to reward people for showing Unparalleled courage in the face of overwhelming enemy force, medals honestly SHOULD exists but they should not be the only thing that gets rewarded. i know for a fact that 100% of medal of honor Recipients would rather just be given a boat load of money instead. or perhaps monthy pay for the rest of their lives.

    • @tantanryuryo5716
      @tantanryuryo5716 2 года назад +1

      @@Zesmas too bad they not doing shit, huh?

    • @Nucl3arDude
      @Nucl3arDude 2 года назад +7

      @@Zesmas They get a lifelong pension from memory. Not tied to years of service, just for the decoration alone.

  • @iowaredneck9416
    @iowaredneck9416 2 года назад +446

    If I could, I’d have a beer with this guy. Generally doesn’t like people and remedial tasks, but when the time comes, he’s the one you want at your side. He’s my kind of guy

    • @stepvanjoe3469
      @stepvanjoe3469 2 года назад +6

      Generally is that type that stays the course when duty calls

    • @Nucl3arDude
      @Nucl3arDude 2 года назад +4

      He probably would've fit in well with Aussie or Kiwi soldiers. Switched on, switched off. He knew when he had to get stuck in and didn't hesitate.

  • @Abdullah-mn6sw
    @Abdullah-mn6sw 2 года назад +409

    Hearing stories like this makes me realise how different ww2 aerial battles were. Now you'd either get blown up by missiles or eject while he's walking around in a flying plane on fire.

    • @Ismail-oy9eo
      @Ismail-oy9eo 2 года назад +43

      maybe i'm wrong but i think that skill back dan, played a way bigger role in dogfights than it does now. technology does so much of the work. even in tank warfare, back in ww2 you where aiming manually. now tanks aim with computers with 99% accuracy.

    • @aegeanharrier6648
      @aegeanharrier6648 2 года назад +56

      @@Ismail-oy9eo On tanks, you just aim directly on the target and the system calculates its distance, its speed and fire at the point the target would be in a few seconds. Even game developers dont put that in their games.

    • @Abdullah-mn6sw
      @Abdullah-mn6sw 2 года назад +2

      @@Ismail-oy9eo True

    • @5peciesunkn0wn
      @5peciesunkn0wn 2 года назад +35

      @@Ismail-oy9eo Skill still plays a part. It's just different kinds of skills. Back then it was manual aiming, now it's definitely more reaction time with regards to flares and chaff at the right times, but situational awareness is still a huge skill in both, or rather all three/four eras of aircraft combat. (cloth and wood/biplanes, metal monowings, early jets, modern jets).

    • @amistrophy
      @amistrophy 2 года назад +17

      @@Ismail-oy9eo operating planes is even harder now. Pilot training takes alot longer and combat planes are significantly more complex to operate.

  • @captain_commenter8796
    @captain_commenter8796 2 года назад +545

    The way Yarnhub animates different points of view, from 1st to 3rd person is so immersive! It feels like you are actually there! Feeling the tracer shots, the explosions. Just awesome!

    • @jurassicdano3695
      @jurassicdano3695 2 года назад +6

      Sometimes even 2nd person, one time when the bf109 crashed into the b17 they showed a bit from the photographer view

    • @dbzfanexwarbrady
      @dbzfanexwarbrady 2 года назад +2

      man you'll be blown away by DCS then

  • @bestservedrandom2892
    @bestservedrandom2892 2 года назад +1173

    Yarnhub's criminally underrated. You guys truly deserve more than a million subs and I sure hope to be alive to see that soon.

    • @Sensei_Foosball
      @Sensei_Foosball 2 года назад +13

      Only a million? Where’s there diamond playbutton

    • @Gazzi79
      @Gazzi79 2 года назад +6

      They will one day I'm pretty sure.

    • @rodney6052
      @rodney6052 2 года назад +6

      Imagine how realistic the animations will be soon

    • @weirdpringleschip
      @weirdpringleschip 2 года назад +4

      Yes

    • @322Hellas
      @322Hellas 2 года назад +2

      He needs 100m

  • @komangprastika8090
    @komangprastika8090 2 года назад +519

    Smith walking around in a burning plane is really an embodiment of "this is fine" meme

    • @legionx4046
      @legionx4046 2 года назад +6

      Truely like god damn man

    • @pocketinfinity6733
      @pocketinfinity6733 2 года назад +9

      there is nothing that is wrong with the situation that is currently unfolding around me

    • @ceu160193
      @ceu160193 2 года назад +5

      @@pocketinfinity6733 Cup of tea would be final touch.

    • @murkywateradminssions5219
      @murkywateradminssions5219 2 года назад +5

      coffee* no American bomber plane or crew would have Yorkshire tea in their cabin...unless...

  • @mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325
    @mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325 2 года назад +281

    The job of a ball turret gunner is truly under appreciated

    • @doogleticker5183
      @doogleticker5183 2 года назад +2

      Your humour is not lust, just respectful.

    • @mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325
      @mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325 2 года назад +6

      @@doogleticker5183 I'm sorry but what part of it is lust

    • @flameshot0983
      @flameshot0983 2 года назад +6

      @@mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325 Under appreciated. under, like underneath the bomber as the gunner.

    • @mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325
      @mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325 2 года назад +7

      @@flameshot0983
      Under? Huh. I still don't get it. I just said that the job of a ball tur....
      Oh. I made a ball joke, didn't I?

    • @cleverusername9369
      @cleverusername9369 2 года назад +5

      @@mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325 no... how do you not get your own joke?
      The ball turret is physically on the underside of the plane. You said the ball turret gunner was under-appreciated.
      Under, under, get it?

  • @chevysuarez7306
    @chevysuarez7306 2 года назад +112

    Wow props to the story telling in this one, the way you highlighted his personality and throwing in comedy between scenes really made this more empathetic than usual.

  • @txnetcop
    @txnetcop 2 года назад +124

    A story that you can relate to if you have ever been in combat! We had a guy in our outfit that just could not follow orders, but he was a hero when you needed one.

    • @markdorn8873
      @markdorn8873 2 года назад

      What's "acheto"?

    • @txnetcop
      @txnetcop 2 года назад

      @@markdorn8873 thank you for bringing that to light

    • @dong7474
      @dong7474 2 года назад +5

      Do you mind sharing any stories about him? Would love to hear your experiences as well if it isn’t too much to ask.

    • @Eyes0penNoFear
      @Eyes0penNoFear 2 года назад

      Thank you for your service.

    • @ArthurMG00
      @ArthurMG00 2 года назад +1

      @@dong7474 commenting here so I can hear it too

  • @larrybrashear4988
    @larrybrashear4988 2 года назад +99

    My father-in-law was a ball turret gunner. The only time he jumped from a plane was during his training in Texas. At age seventy-five he marveled at how small the ball was when he saw one at a Florida air show.

    • @titan4110
      @titan4110 2 года назад +5

      Its marvelous he survived that so well done for him.

    • @roadking99jokerst60
      @roadking99jokerst60 2 года назад +1

      Same here about seeing how small the turret is. One as static display came along with Sentimental Journey on tour long years ago.Dad was ball gunner. Smaller guy with huge guts.

    • @vitamaltz
      @vitamaltz 6 месяцев назад

      Why did he jump during training? That was very unusual.

  • @j.peters1222
    @j.peters1222 2 года назад +68

    Outside that heroic act, it's a shame that Smith couldn't get it together when it came to his career in the military. You have to be a special kind of trouble to get demoted from Sergeant to Private. Regardless he still is a Medal of Honor recipient and that means something.

    • @phoenixraider42
      @phoenixraider42 2 года назад +7

      he ended his military service at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

    • @j.peters1222
      @j.peters1222 2 года назад +4

      @@phoenixraider42 Where did you hear that? I can't seem to find any references to that.

    • @truthsayers8725
      @truthsayers8725 2 года назад +3

      the USAAF promoted ALL non-officer flight crew to Sgt or above for the sole reason that NonComs got far better treatment than the lower enlisted ranks so yes it was a slap in the face to get bucked down from Sgt to Pvt, the promotion to NCO wasnt based on merit.
      and yes he did end his military time as a SSgt according to what i was taught in Air Force Basic Training...

    • @Gunjack1440
      @Gunjack1440 Год назад +4

      Naw….my grandpa was demoted from sgt several times because he refused to lead his squad into death marches several times in the pacific front. His squad loved him and aptly named him snakeyes. He could tell where the Japanese were positioned because he could smell them. 2 bronze stars and 1 silver star. He took out machine gun nests and carried several wounded compatriots out of action.
      He didn’t have a work ethic problem either as he was enlisted prior to the war lying about his age to get off the Texas farm…..he just wasn’t going to be fodder.

  • @williamm374
    @williamm374 2 года назад +21

    I visited the B-17 that was used in the Hollywood movie about the Memphis Belle, at Linden Airport in New Jersey. My father struck up a conversation with a man who said he'd been a ball turret gunner. My dad was at a loss for words and just said "It takes a special kind of man to be a ball turret gunner," and the guy simply replied, "Yes, small!" I not ashamed to admit it, but I shed tears that day, in private, thinking about all the men who died in these.

  • @k3xa1300
    @k3xa1300 2 года назад +142

    Damn he really saved his crews! Also respect the animator love your content.

  • @ClappOnUpp
    @ClappOnUpp 2 года назад +14

    My grandfather was a b17 gunner in world war two. We're Canadian. He didn't talk very much about the war but the stories my father was able to get out of him are incredible. Crash landing in France was my favorite.

  • @stevemc01
    @stevemc01 2 года назад +14

    Two things:
    1) Smith really didn't give a s*** about anything lol; he was even late to his own Medal of Honor ceremony. God bless this man.
    2) Cinematography and voiceover has shot through the roof in quality.

  • @brokenbridge6316
    @brokenbridge6316 2 года назад +41

    Fun Fact: On the day Smith was to receive his Medal of Honor he had gotten in trouble and was peeling potatoes when the dignitary picked to hand him his medal arrived. So Smith got pulled off peeling duty and was dressed so he could go and receive his medal. This man was one of three people in the 8th Air Force to receive the Medal of Honor and the only ball turret gunner to do so. A fascinating irony if you ask me.

  • @J0LL1B33
    @J0LL1B33 2 года назад +9

    The fact that this one man handled every job each crew would do with just 2 hands is amazing. He did everything to save his crew.

  • @calmchugh2601
    @calmchugh2601 2 года назад +124

    It's insane how much the b-17s could take and still keep flying

    • @guts-141
      @guts-141 2 года назад +27

      War Thunder: are you sure about that?

    • @Jesusavesbro
      @Jesusavesbro 2 года назад +26

      War thunder got the b-17 and the zero mixed up

    • @robertlucky781
      @robertlucky781 2 года назад +8

      The way that Boeing designed the B-17 was what made them as tough and reliable as they were. A GREAT book to read about the B-17 is Martin Caidin's "Flying Forts".

    • @niksonrex88
      @niksonrex88 2 года назад

      Marvel of engineering.

    • @seanohare5488
      @seanohare5488 2 года назад

      I totally agree

  • @miketranfaglia3986
    @miketranfaglia3986 2 года назад +17

    One of hundreds of thousands of heroes we've never heard of---until now. Thank you, Sgt. Smith. Job well done!

    • @realwealthproperties5671
      @realwealthproperties5671 Год назад

      Umm a ton of people have heard of snuffy smith. It’s a really well known story.

  • @gabutman6144
    @gabutman6144 2 года назад +11

    "People that I have no interest in, but was forced to associate with"
    My life in nutshell

  • @stomper2888
    @stomper2888 2 года назад +51

    I can proudly say I work for the very same company that made those flying fortresses!!!

    • @KubFire
      @KubFire 2 года назад +7

      Boink 737?:D

    • @hifuncautismboi2350
      @hifuncautismboi2350 2 года назад +3

      @@KubFire *insert spring bouncing down stairs noise*

  • @knighthunter1791
    @knighthunter1791 2 года назад +33

    I love the facial expression Smith had at 7:20, I too would've have gotten a mini heart attack after that.

  • @Terminator850
    @Terminator850 2 года назад +5

    A10: I'm invincible, I can fly on one engine and half a wing gone!
    B17: That's cute. I can fly with no engines, no rudder, half the hull gone and while on fire.

  • @mikes622
    @mikes622 2 года назад +10

    I had read about Smith several times but didn't know he had trouble with his crew but knew he had authority problems . A very brave man non the less .

  • @Windhox_cz
    @Windhox_cz 2 года назад +32

    And yet another story that would be perfect for a video game mission - You would have to micromanage fire, your wounded comrade and enemy planes.
    Why do we still need to invent our own stories when there are so many real ones!

    • @guts-141
      @guts-141 2 года назад +3

      Basically Call of Duty United Offensive mission
      Minus the fire dousing and more plane shooting on the bomber

  • @pjduker05
    @pjduker05 2 года назад +20

    Hands down this is the best history series on RUclips! This needs to be on TV. Bring actual history back to the History channel. Keep the great work Yarnhub! And thanks!

  • @flack2998
    @flack2998 2 года назад +18

    Smith didn’t deserve the demotions.
    He saved lives.

  • @vanngocthien
    @vanngocthien 2 года назад +132

    Fact: This man is one of the most drunkard you will ever met, he joined the army just so he can escaped prison. Yet he became one of the greatest hero on this singular mission. Another fact is that he himself was never told about the purple heart award, so while the people of the purple heart award waited for him. He has absolutely no clue about it and continued his work as a demoted soldier.

    • @kamash581
      @kamash581 2 года назад

      @@brianlam5847 well he did get demoted...

    • @mr.monhon5179
      @mr.monhon5179 2 года назад +5

      To what I read a while ago, dude was enlisted into the military to escape prison for some domestic violence, wasn't the greatest chap around. While still in the military, he'd often just disappear and get drunk somewhere, neglecting his duty (several missions flown without him), while his comrades threw themselves at German AA. This is one of the very rare bombing missions that he ever mind partaking, then back to his drunkard state.

    • @airplanemaniacgaming7877
      @airplanemaniacgaming7877 2 года назад +1

      @@mr.monhon5179 and he was able to still be there for his pilot to fly his final mission, and saved the lives of those on board, while getting the 190s to "focke" off long enough for them to limp home. He also didn't like the other guys either, so what is your point of trying to bring his character down with the fact that he liked his alcohol?

    • @mr.monhon5179
      @mr.monhon5179 2 года назад +4

      @@airplanemaniacgaming7877 Because he's in the fucking military, when command tell you to go, you go, not evading your mission and leave your comrades to die. He hid from flying several missions and neglect his own comrades because some fuckery that he's at least 50% responsible for. He's a criminal force into the military, and even then he didn't know how to behave. He got drunk at some random pubs while his comrades was risking themselves flying over Germany. The only mission he ever joined (probably because someone held him at gun point and force him up the B-17), he got some luck and had a chance to show off. But other than that, he was never a good solider, not even mediocre.

    • @barneydenstad2148
      @barneydenstad2148 2 года назад +2

      @@mr.monhon5179 A question is then, how did he got his sergeant grade at all, if he was that lousy soldier??

  • @ZuluLifesaBeech-
    @ZuluLifesaBeech- 2 года назад +6

    Here in my home state there was a man that served as a B-17 Belly Gunner. He was given a doctor's note excusing him from wearing a seatbelt when that traffic law came out. The WW2 Vet couldn't stand to be confirmed or strapped in. Respect to all our Vets. 🇺🇸

  • @Arash_Leopard
    @Arash_Leopard 2 года назад +13

    wow. the only veteran who had PTSD in a yarnhub video. theres not even a single one like this.

    • @Arash_Leopard
      @Arash_Leopard 2 года назад

      just had to point it out :/

    • @oceanonboba4577
      @oceanonboba4577 2 года назад

      Not everybody has ptsd when they come home from war

    • @3DPT
      @3DPT 8 месяцев назад

      There are others like Audy Murphy who had PTSD, but it's not mentioned in the yarnhub video.... That might be a cool follow up video for the channel to have one for all the war hero's with PTSD...

  • @cesaralarcon5228
    @cesaralarcon5228 2 года назад +17

    There arent enough words to describe a man who through thick and thin carries on his duties

    • @sethwalters1509
      @sethwalters1509 2 года назад

      Check out a podcast called SNAFU. It’s all on the 8th Air Force in WWII. It’s a mixture of an audiobook and dramatic production. 10/10.

  • @lospereye
    @lospereye 2 года назад +9

    I’m so glad he got his parade, the dude’s a hero and absolutely deserved it and more

  • @kevinkranz9156
    @kevinkranz9156 2 года назад +5

    MY UNCLE A WAIST GUNNER ON B17 FLEW ALL HIS MISSIONS SHOT UP NOT DOWN KILLED FOUR B109 P 51 ESCORTS WERE SO WELCOME THEY COULD WATCH BOMBS DROPPED ON BERLIN IRONY WAS HE WAS BORN IN BERLIN CAME HERE AT THREE BEFORE WWI NEVER SAW HIS DAD AGAIN HE WAS IN GERMAN ARMY RIP UNCLE FRED AMEN 🙏

  • @samkangal8428
    @samkangal8428 2 года назад +3

    He was there when they needed him the most .
    A true hero .I bet you could walk straight to hell and back with guys like him .

  • @johndavies1090
    @johndavies1090 2 года назад +5

    They built those planes tough, to take it and dish it out, and they crewed them with the same kind of men. The emotions you show on Smith's face in this film are beautifully done.

  • @citrusmikasa
    @citrusmikasa 2 года назад +5

    You can never imagine how much hard work these men had to go through just to carry each other's lives

  • @Imnotyourdoormat
    @Imnotyourdoormat 2 года назад +14

    Boeings factory issued flight-manual on the B-17 lists 6'-2" as the height limit for the Sperry Ball Turret, and most 6-footers reported ample room to operate. But many times smaller men were allocated there by the ship's Captain. Just as ironically in the infantry many times it was the smallest man of stature chosen for the heaviest weapon they carried the attention-getter B.A.R...with it always drawing immediate priority converging enemy fire and him being a smaller target to hit.

    • @Ni999
      @Ni999 2 года назад +1

      You'd have to be skinny and flexible to fit in at 6'.

    • @bobmalack481
      @bobmalack481 2 года назад +1

      At barely 5'7 and 135 lbs. and flexible you bet I'd be 'voluntered' for that ball turret position in the day. I do got a good eye and a good shot mate!..and I STILL am at 67.

    • @Imnotyourdoormat
      @Imnotyourdoormat 2 года назад +2

      @@bobmalack481 Kool. Both King David and Goliath will tell you size is, and never was "the measure of the man."

  • @dovidell
    @dovidell 2 года назад +14

    A bittersweet ending to a forgotten hero , and all because of a faulty compass

  • @cloudybopy5788
    @cloudybopy5788 2 года назад +34

    Being a ball turret gunner is hard but producing awesome vids like this is super hard to accomplish but yarnhub has!!!

  • @nahoy350
    @nahoy350 2 года назад +7

    "You won't get out, not when it dives at 300 knots.
    There's a beat, deep inside you,
    it will not die
    *IF WILL FIGHT BACK!* "

    • @canthi109
      @canthi109 2 года назад

      War thunder moment

  • @LancelotChan
    @LancelotChan 2 года назад +25

    Thanks for the story. Reading it on the web and seeing it in action are two totally different experiences. Thank you so much!

  • @sd906238
    @sd906238 2 года назад +2

    There was an award ceremony for Snuffy Smith for him the receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. The whole base was assembled for the ceremony including the top General for the 8th Air Force. Only one person was absent for the ceremony. You guessed it, Snuffy Smith was in the kitchen for KP duty for being a screwup.

  • @SwattyBoiPlays
    @SwattyBoiPlays 2 года назад +7

    At 0:04, Why Was That Rear/Tail Gunner Standing Like An R6 Player In Roblox???

  • @hannahbrown2728
    @hannahbrown2728 2 года назад +2

    Hearing he came home to a parade, even if he never said he wouldnt come back without one. In the face of all he put up with at least he got some recognition he deserved

  • @rohitgoyal7258
    @rohitgoyal7258 2 года назад +5

    Man there were quite haters of this man
    also,
    Imagine a plane holding on for the whole fight and collapses 10min after landing, man that's a true patriotic plane.

  • @pylesjellydonut7785
    @pylesjellydonut7785 2 года назад +2

    " Those 3 men were never seen again. " That went from 0-100 really quick

  • @tkthegk_1394
    @tkthegk_1394 2 года назад +29

    These vids are amazing a absolute joy to watch, the way u guys animate is so immersive, i liked the voices aswell, good job Yarnhub!

  • @richardvonpingel2379
    @richardvonpingel2379 2 года назад +7

    The guy deserved his medal.

  • @philhand5830
    @philhand5830 2 года назад +7

    I am deeply honored to have done the grave side service four years ago for a retired Lt. Colonel who also was a ball turret gunner on the WWII B-17s in Europe. One Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Cramer ret. lived into his early 90s in his home town of Mobile, AL. RIP Colonel!!!

  • @TheeNikuwa
    @TheeNikuwa 2 года назад +3

    Petition for yarnhub to add a b-17 with the yarnhub logo as its roundels as an easter egg,on a sidenote yarnhub strikes again with their great animations as always! Ive never opened up a yarnhub video ans NOT felt a sensation of epicness in my brain! Seriously give yourself a pat on the back!

  • @p.palmata74
    @p.palmata74 2 года назад +16

    I suggest making a video for the smaller nations that fought in WWII. As a bulgarian I suggest doing a video about Dimitar Spisarevski the first bulgarian pilot to ram an enemy plane. His story is very interesting and I think a lot of people will like it.

    • @omenaccipio
      @omenaccipio 2 года назад

      Yarnhub has made a LOT of lesser known fighter from different parts of the world.
      I agree with the concept and would love to know about Mr. Spisarevski.
      But the way you wrote "I suggest making a video for the smaller nations..." implies that Yarnhub has ONLY made videos about the mayor contenders and that is not fair for them.

    • @p.palmata74
      @p.palmata74 2 года назад

      @@omenaccipio I may have missed something but I never watched video where it says something else than Uk US Canada Germany Japan or USSR.......

    • @ps92809
      @ps92809 2 года назад

      @@p.palmata74 theres lots of videos that have more then those guys

    • @neddyseagoon9601
      @neddyseagoon9601 Год назад

      I had a British mate who collected WWII memorabilia. He brought Stoyan Stoyanov's (another ace), Bulgarian insignia'd Luftwaffe styled uniform jacket and only once home (language misunderstanding), he found some service records in the pockets that he didn't know he was buying.
      I'm wondering if the tiny plaque in Sofia, recalling that Bulgarian civillians faced off armed Nazis while refusing to let them take Jews, (the only nation that did this), has been made more prominent since I was last there.

    • @p.palmata74
      @p.palmata74 Год назад

      @@neddyseagoon9601 About the uniform I don't know, I think it's a very rare find especially considering the fact that it belongs to an ace from a smaller nation. I also read Stoyanovs book about the air combat over Bulgaria and how he became an ace with 15 victories, it's an amazing book, I recommend it if it's translated to your language. The information about facing off nazis, is correct. Not only civilians but also military faced them when they tried to do some shit with the bulgarian jews. Dimitar Spisarevski himself got in trubble for swearing and beating the shit outta some germans for forcing a jewish woman or something along that line. Although a lot of the bulgarians had respect for the germans as long as they stayed in line. A friend of my dad once said that when the wermacht arrived in Bulgaria they were very polite and paid for everything (drinks, food, hotel rooms ect.). I am not saying the germans were good, but it's a small detail that I want to pass :)

  • @kodygamer2126
    @kodygamer2126 2 года назад +10

    Even tho he got demoted, I still respect his action saving the B-17

  • @davidwemyss7303
    @davidwemyss7303 2 года назад +10

    Honors to Sergeant Maynard H. Smith, he fought for his crew, aircraft survival, but as important: Duty, Honor, Country...

  • @voltsiano116
    @voltsiano116 2 года назад +2

    Dude did fulfilled job that didn't require being in the cockpit. What a legend.

  • @Cybop-xd9mm
    @Cybop-xd9mm 2 года назад +4

    The animation, the story telling, the history you guys provide is absolutely amazing. And at the end I love how you ask the viewer to watch more videos on your channel. Such a gem of a RUclips channel

  • @nemo227
    @nemo227 7 месяцев назад +1

    A local man was a ball turret gunner in WWII. He owned the local McDonald's franchise. I used to see him quietly talking to his managers when I'd buy my lunch. Later, I'd see him at our airport, watching planes, and we became friends. My car seemed to automatically stop at the airport whenever I saw his black Mercedes parked there. During these conversations I learned about his ball turret experiences. I was impressed. He also was friends with Ray Kroc, founder of the franchise. I was doubly impressed. Then I didn't see his car. I thought of calling him on the phone but didn't want to disturb him. Then I read that he had died. I should have called him. Now, I call people. We are all just temporary residents and I think we should maintain contact.

  • @icantthinkofaname7293
    @icantthinkofaname7293 2 года назад +2

    My grandfather was a ball turret gunner and he was also 5'4. When i watched videos about the ba turret gunner it makes me question how I'm alive. B17s were already a dangerous job but being in the ball turret seemed like certain death. Yet he made it out and still served in Korea too.

  • @gdurant
    @gdurant 2 года назад +1

    Love to Scruffy and his family as he is a real hero. He came through adversity and met the challenge and the greatest tradition of the United States army. We are all proud of him and may God rest his soul and bless his family.

  • @sinpi314
    @sinpi314 2 года назад +6

    These B-17s must be some of the finest bombers ever produced.

  • @MaxCat07
    @MaxCat07 2 года назад +2

    I like that you talk about personalities regardless of their nationality (German, Russian, British, American, Japanese)

  • @jenclydelemosnero2529
    @jenclydelemosnero2529 2 года назад +3

    an iconic chivalry in the sky,thanks to yarnhub making on this couragious movie with best immersion on this weekly history special.

  • @somerandomdudeontheinterne8188
    @somerandomdudeontheinterne8188 2 года назад +3

    I swear, this channel is the best history channel I've seen, the quality doesn't disappoint at all, this is amazing

  • @CHMah-dd2dc
    @CHMah-dd2dc 2 года назад +5

    What smith did is truly astonishing! Great video yarnhub!

  • @thelegoguy9490
    @thelegoguy9490 2 года назад +17

    As someone who loves war, and animation, you and your channel bring exactly what I love. And also, I’ve never heard this story before, so thank you for further educating me!

  • @omenaccipio
    @omenaccipio 2 года назад +4

    Wow... Thanks Yarnhub. This are stories that I would never know without you. Glad to be a subscriber. By the way... Not even a darn MEDAL OF HONOR grant Smith some RESPECT from his comrades? That's sad... for them.

  • @brothercharanus1927
    @brothercharanus1927 2 года назад +1

    "Hey, where's my purple heart, haha."
    "Sorry, we ran out of those last week. We got this Medal of Honor laying around though."

  • @odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347
    @odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347 2 года назад +6

    I love this! Underrated channel, underrated story, underrated job! Respect to y’alls!

  • @sakil8272
    @sakil8272 2 года назад +1

    These stories feels soo good. I hope they never finish uploading and always find a new story.

  • @robertlombardo8437
    @robertlombardo8437 2 года назад +3

    Finally! Voice acting! You guys are hitting the big time now!

  • @TacticalAnthony
    @TacticalAnthony 2 года назад

    B-17 survived with 3000+ bullet holes! Wow that is badass, it earned its name for "flying fortress"

  • @RidinDirtyRollinBurnouts
    @RidinDirtyRollinBurnouts 2 года назад +6

    I truly wonder how you guys don't have more subs. Your animation and content are top-notch. I'm starting to suspect the YT algorithm at this point, because you guys blow other channels out of the water with your storytelling.

  • @user-hp5pu3xv4u
    @user-hp5pu3xv4u 6 месяцев назад

    Stories like this one are unbelievable. It shows that no matter who you are or what your reputation is, you will always have a chance to save a life.

  • @user-me1gz2uo7c
    @user-me1gz2uo7c 2 года назад +7

    These videos are absolutely amazing because of the way it shows knowledge to viewers😀

  • @paulbrennan3996
    @paulbrennan3996 8 месяцев назад +1

    A small man with the heart of a Lion 🦁 ridiculed by his own men on board is absolutely shocking a man who fought on against all the odds and still they didn't like him I am pleased he got his medal 🥇 of honour those he saved that day don't know how lucky they were a Legendary heroic man of courage if I was in a B17 I would want Him in My crew R.I.P Mr Smith respect 👏🤝🙏🥇🦁 They should make a film 📽️🎥 of this remarkable story of one man's courage against all odds and ridicul by his own men 🤝🙏🥇 respect Mr Smith

  • @matydrum
    @matydrum 2 года назад +3

    B-17 was a hell of a plane!

  • @Sensei_Foosball
    @Sensei_Foosball 2 года назад +1

    I loved how the animated characters spoke too, these animations are turning into full blown documentaries.

  • @jeremyhearne
    @jeremyhearne 2 года назад +5

    Now this is some respect

  • @iskatuska5404
    @iskatuska5404 2 года назад +2

    These videos get better and better eveytime

  • @rowanvithanage4195
    @rowanvithanage4195 2 года назад +4

    As soon as I got the notification I clicked and don't regret these 8 mins. As always love your content.
    Could u do something about erwin rommel whenever you come across something interesting abt him?.

  • @shprits_007
    @shprits_007 2 года назад +2

    With greetings from Russia, I watched this video 3 times since this story really struck me, thanks to the author for his interesting videos)

  • @bucksdiaryfan
    @bucksdiaryfan 2 года назад +4

    The Ball Turret gunner had a higher mortality rate, that's true, but a lower injury rate. They were actually quite protected from shrapnel in that cast iron turret, BUT if the plane went down they had little to no chance of escape

  • @jeffreyhanshawsr4884
    @jeffreyhanshawsr4884 Год назад

    You would think that the Men, he saved, Would have stood up for him.. It took balls to do what he did..God bless you Maynard.. Where ever you may be...

  • @akansha2308
    @akansha2308 2 года назад +3

    I can’t believe why is he being given such bad treatment. Witt and the person who told him to work in the kitchen need to learn to respect heroes! 😡😡

  • @TA1G0
    @TA1G0 2 года назад +1

    This mission is so dangerous they can be easy target but with turret help they most likely to survive

  • @MayHBLee
    @MayHBLee 2 года назад +3

    None of your videos can not be liked. Once more an incredible job!

  • @jamesshaw3500
    @jamesshaw3500 2 года назад +2

    I loved the guy who touched the plane, only for it to fall apart in front of him's face.

  • @kuruvillageorge1735
    @kuruvillageorge1735 2 года назад +3

    That animation of the FIRE was so good!!

  • @jimmycarter2492
    @jimmycarter2492 2 года назад

    Had a great friend, a older gentleman I trout fished with, that was a one of the lucky to survive 25 daylight bombing missions in 1943 over Germany, he was a very humble man, everytime he watched 12 o'clock high, they would show live footage in black and white, you'd see tears on his face, he was a great guy.
    In memory of SGT Vance and all the crew members that lost their lives. These were men that were very brave know the survival rate were not in their favor. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @felixbui9818
    @felixbui9818 2 года назад +3

    another great video!
    its truly amazing how he managed to save that b-17! what a hero

  • @clarkdewar7122
    @clarkdewar7122 2 года назад +1

    My ex wife's uncle Smokie Smith won the Victoria Cross for exemplary valor and bravery and was thrown in the brig in Naples Italy so not to miss his meddle presentation from King George of England because of his history of drinking and womanizing while on leave.His meddle is on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa Canada.He was quite the character,it would make a good video for your channel.Cheers.

  • @rivesdoe6442
    @rivesdoe6442 2 года назад +4

    You put so much work into your animations I love it!

  • @voltsu
    @voltsu 2 года назад

    My grandpa was a B-17 pilot! He kept a very detailed diary and we read it every once in a while.

  • @dominicevans2541
    @dominicevans2541 2 года назад +2

    Fair play, yarnhubs animating gets better and better and shows no sign of stopping! Keep doing what you're doing and make history an interesting and fun topic, and keep telling the unknown stories and giving these soldiers' the respect and attention they deserve

  • @diddlebug7241
    @diddlebug7241 2 года назад

    My uncle, Staff Sergeant Lowell Wamick was a turret gunner too. He was killed over France when his plane developed engine problems and the plane went down. Him and 3 other men went down with the plane.

  • @JayKee_-fc7xq
    @JayKee_-fc7xq 2 года назад +7

    Great story telling and animations, always loved your content, keep up the good work.😊👍

  • @Hamfish2809
    @Hamfish2809 2 года назад +1

    Hello there. I am an Australian who is a huge fan of you videos. This story was great and I have one to recommend. It would be awesome if you did a video about the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney harbour. On the night of May the 31st - the 1st of June 1942, several Japanese midget submarines infiltrated Sydney Harbour. The day before, a Japanese submarine launched a reconnaissance aircraft which flew over the city. Multiple surveillance outposts even reported sighting the plane, but none thought it was Japanese. When the submarines entered the harbour, the allies had no idea they existed until then. they carried 2 muzzle loaded 450mm dia torpedoes and 140 kilogram scuttling charges. One of the submarines launched torpedoes at the USS Chicago, but with no hits. it also fired shells from it's gun when it surfaced. one of these hit Fort Denison, and there is still a scar on the bricks there. I went on a tall ship cruise around Sydney harbour and I spotted the scratch as I passed the Fort. The other 2 subs both sunk, one was scuttled, and the other sunk by a shell from the USS Chicago. As the heavy cruiser fired upon the submarine, with it's guns as low as they could aim, multiple shells bounced of the water and into Taronga Zoo. The crew of the Chicago visited the zoo the next day but luckily none of the animals were hurt of killed. One of the submarines was damaged and the crew commit suicide after scuttling the submarine. A day of 2 afterwards a huge Japanese sub surfaced near Newcastle and shelled the coastline. 1 house was damaged. I hope you and your team like this story and consider it for a video in the future.
    From Australia.
    PS i'm 12 years old and using my mum's account XD

  • @SnapDragonProto
    @SnapDragonProto 2 года назад +3

    Yea man, great animation, great stories and all in your channel is great man, you TRULY deserve more recognition and 1 Million subs dude, Keep up the great work!!!!

  • @yuyuy666
    @yuyuy666 2 года назад

    a lone gunner extinguishing fires, saving crew members, repelling fighters, this is the real life version of the COD World at War Black Cats mission