Just got this a decade after release? My grandfather was a test pilot and a squadron leader flying Halifax bombers in World War II No 76 Squadron RAF. He survived the war to raise my mother and her sister. Watching this makes me misty. Thank you and miss you Grandpa.
My grandfather was in the navy on a battleship in the pacific. one of the ships bombarding the enemy with artillery before infantry moved in. it's amazing how everyone from planes, boats, to infantry, everyone has their part to play, no more important than the other, and all those parts come together to complete a perfect storm.
Don't know why this has never popped up in my recommended column before. My dad was a B-17 pilot in WW2. He flew 35 missions in the 398th bomber group, survived the war, and died in 2014. This makes me feel great pride in him and great sadness for all those who did not come home.
Awesome your dad lived to 2014 (RIP), you were lucky to have him that long! My father flew Spitfires, then P51's (a few escort flights), escaped a Nazi POW camp train, had a lot of shrapnel removed when I was a kid. All that and cancer got him 20 years ago.
Oh my gosh! My dad is 95 and lives with us. He was a WW2 Navy Seabee (combat engineer) in the Pacific so I heard more about that theater. Such bravery of the Army Air Corps! Thank you to all the men that flew and maintained the aircraft. The fact that we're free is in great part thanks to you. I am very grateful.
My father was a squadron leader in a B24 for 25 missions over occupied Europe. His crew carried him out of the plane to the jeep after flying the plane and leading the squadron for so many many hours of pure hell. and he was one of the lucky ones. He stayed close to his crew until he died. We miss you dad.
They gave us a hell of a world to enjoy. And now we havr a generation of men who can't figure out what bathroom to use. We picked a hell of a time for ww3. Because right now, this world is gonns need men like them again.
the last time i saw this i was at the Kalamazoo air museum when i was probably no more then 10 if even that....dont know if you guys had ever been there when it was played but it was a full effects theater, the had the wind blowing in your face. the smell of exhaust and burning diesel when the engines started, and the shaking to go along with the movement of the aircraft. i hated going back years later to find that it was gone. glad i found it here tonight.
My dad was a radio/gunner on a 17 which was shot down on it's 17th mission, this video mad me humble and brought tears. Thank you for sharing! PS thanks to the Collins Foundation and my wonderful step-son, I have flown in a 17!
Lost my dad a little over a year ago, he was two months short of 99 He served In the US Army Air Corp from 1942 thru 1946 picking up pieces of pilots that didn't learn to fly very well at training fields in California. He was then sent to the pacific with a fighter squadron for the build up to invade Japan. One of my brothers father-in-laws was a tail gunner in bombers over Europe and Germany. I met a gentleman about ten years ago that was a bomber pilot over Germany. Not many of these guys left today that we owe a great debt of gratitude to. This is 11 years late, but thank you for this tribute to those who flew and sacrificed themselves for us! They may be gone but are not forgotten- at least by their sons and daughters.
Well done! My father was a corporal and served on the ground crew. He told me about a B-17 that made it back to base, but was burning so hot they couldn't get the men out. I'm sure the men on the ground had a very hard time coming to terms with that day. God bless all the veterans who did their best and the many who gave their lives that we might be free.,
I'm a vet who had 2 uncles in WW2. One Marine and one Army,both in the Pacific. Both wounded,both survived. My respect goes out to all vets,but highest goes to combat vets. They have truly earned their remaining time on Earth.
ciws1127 phalanx god bless your uncles...my hearts go out to them... My great uncle served in ww2, two great grandpas....one of them was on a destroyer in the pacific, he lived and survived the war My other great grandfather is still kicking!, he’s 92!, lied about age to serve, from pele to iwo! Sadly my great uncle on my moms side, he went mia over Germany, he let his crew bail and he guided her in, so he basically was put in the opposite scenario of this video
Just found this. My Dad kept these 17's in the air and never said much about the war in terms of the battles. I used to call him without fail every Vets Day......sometimes I think it embarrassed him when I thanked him. I can't do that anymore as I lost him 9 years ago; damn, I wish I could still make that call....... We found purple heart in his effects when he died.......you know, he never said anything about it. That truly was the greatest generation. RIP Dad
This is a synchronicity in happening upon this video. I was just re-reading the journal of my dear departed friend Roger Ihle who was a radar operator on a B-17. He gave he a copy of it just before he passed away and has his story from induction, training, attachment to wings in England, Asia and Europe and is full of interesting and harrowing tales in the air and on the ground. Kids or close to it, are the lucky ones who usually experience these things and what brave souls they all are. I wish my father had passed on a journal like this, as he was a veteran of WWII and Korea (Pork Chop Hill), and I would've loved to pass it on to my kids, so that this history is not immediately lost. Miss ya Roger and Dad!
I had the opportunity to fly the Collin's Foundation B-17 the "909" a few years ago from the right seat. I The short time I had behind the controls taught me a lot about the men that flew them in combat. It was cramped, noisy...the control pressures were like 50 to 75lbs. with all the agility of driving a dump truck. No hydraulic assist. The crew wore old electric heated flight suits and oxygen masks. The crew endured very long hours of flight at extreme altitude and cold. I wondered how they had the stamina to complete their missions, but yet they did. Anti-aircraft flak and enemy fighters were the normal every mission. We are free, partly because of these men. They proudly served and many gave their all. Thanks you, that I may live free in our great country.
Thank you for making this. My grandpa was a tail gunner on a bomber in the South Pacific Theater but this resonates with All those brave soldiers who served in the skies. Well done!
Why is there only one plane firing at the fighters. Plus the rear gunner looks so out of proportion to the rest of the plane. That apart, the sentiments were good. As was the ending.
A truly wonderful story, I just discovered it today. It reminds me of the sacrifices made by the soldiers, sailors, Marines and others during a time of need. We must remember the Air Force was a part of the US Army. As a veteran I was truly touched by the angle of someone looking back and giving thanks to those brothers in arms who fought and died beside you. Someone once asked why soldiers do what they do, the answer is simple. It is the men next to you, the ones to your left and right, you do not want to let them down. That is all it is, there it is....Essayons!
Statistically, you would have had a higher survival rate if you'd stormed the beaches of Normandy, and then the beaches of Iwo Jima, than been an 8th Air Force Bomber Crewman. Theirs was by far the highest mortality rate of the war. Now those that survived are dying at a rate of nearly 1000 a day. May God Bless and watch over them all. I so very proud to be associated with "Honor Flight", and to have gotten so many of these men to D.C. to see their Memorial.
My Uncle-in-Law was a top-turret gunner in a B-17 (8th Air Force) and was part of the 40% that survived the war. He never told his family just how dangerous it was.
Where the HELL did you dig up your facts? My father was second wave on Normandy beach. He watched a troop transport next to his blow up on the way over. It hit a mine. No one got off. He almost drown just getting on the beach. He watched guys dropping all around him on that beach. He spent the first night sleeping under the turrent of a blown up Sherman tank. If it were not for his big feet and the fact they had no combat boots in his size, he wouldnt have made it. Instead he guarded prisoners and was told that if any escaped, he would be shot. Hows that for surviving. Dumbass.
When a ship is sunk the crew has a chance to survive and it is rare for a ship to be lost with all hands in combat. The submarine force on the other hand it is the opposite. Submarines were often lost with all hands with a very rare chance of survivors. So the chances of survival for the sub force was lower then the other branches of the services. The mistake that is made when comparing the lost of 52 (54 if you count the post war Thresher and Scorpion) submarine crews verses the thousands of troops, crews from planes and ships that were lost in action is comparing the overall number and not the lost to survival ratio. In no way does this take away the losses suffered from the other services. One final note the Submarine force did have a good chance of survival too because you can not sink what you can not find.
May God Bless ALL who have served! I myself served three years in The U.S.Army, from April 28,1973--April 27,1976. At the time for no reason other than to regain respect from my Mon&Dad after being expelled from High School. So I volunteered at the right time to serve and what an adventure it was an the best thing I ever did! But it was my Dad, Lord Rest His Soul, that like many in his generation volunteered in The Marines in WWII Serving in the S. Pacific as a Bombarder in an Armed Seaplane, but Dad never talked much about it. If you never served you have no idea what it’s like! There’s nothing like it to gain life’s experience and self respect. I feel there should and needs to be a Draft! That requires everyone not in School over the age of 19, with provisions for volunteers at 18, men and women! to serve at least 3 years active duty! Along with 3 years service for all after school! Yes even those with a Degree! Everyone would have to SERVE!
WOW this is like paying homage to the Japanese animations of the 80’s. I’m proud. My father was in the Army Air Force 1942-46. God I miss him and my mom.
This was an amazing video. The story gave a good representation of the horrors of war with emphasis on the fact that a lot of people die in war. It should be a message to all to make sure that war is the last solution to disagreements between countries and individuals. To the thousands of people who disliked this video, it's apparent that you have not been in uniform and therefore don't fully comprehend the message the author was trying to convey. For it is the fools in our world who don't pay attention to history who will be doomed to relive the mistakes that messages like the one in this video are trying to prevent. As a 30 year Air Force veteran, I salute the 79,218 United States Army Air Force Airmen who lost their lives in World War II to ensure Germany and Japan did not take over the world so we could live in Freedom.
+KodenameKrusty I only discovered recently that my great uncle (who past away several months ago) few bombing raids over Berlin (in what I don't know) and was a wing commander, flying a Dakota, in South East Asia and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. I never spoke to him about his experiences because I never knew - perhaps he didn't want to talk about it. I also didn't know that there was a painting of him in the Australian War Memorial. Is your Dad still alive? I hope he is.
interesting style that was used in this video. had a confederate Air Force pilot has passed away.they did a flyover for him coming from the north side of lake Apopka. I had driven out to the fly over area.the sight of the planes made my hair standup on the back of my neck.their were 3 vintage /iconic air craft.there was a B17 on the bottom, B25 in the middle and a P51 on top.i would estimate that the height of the group was 600 fettle banked in a wide left turn with red,white and blue smoke trailing.the noise was something to behold.it was something I will never forget
My grandfather was a B-17 radioman- before his first mission with the crew he trained with he was reassigned to another bomber because their radioman had died the mission prior. Later my grandfather found out that his original plane and crew had gotten shot down with no one able to bail out. That was really the only story he told us about the war...I don't think he could bring himself to think about it too much. But I like the thought of short movies like this that honor my grandfathers original crew but also the radioman whose death saved my grandfather.
Frank the dachshund, that is right on. My father fought in the army thru Italy France and Germany. He was a dyed in the wool conservative. But for him it was always “what is good for my country”. That primary consideration seems never to be spoken today, only “what’s in it for me?”
I know, I hear you, but as long as there are people like myself and my son. It will not be a cakewalk for these worthless lost souls to try and take over. I will never accept them or their worthless lies.
I've never been in the service but want to thank you. All you great men who have given all for me and mine. Oh my God thank you and may you sacrifice never go in vein. May God bless you and all yours. Words can't Express how grateful I feel. Thank you.
I have a friend who passed away a few years ago. He was a WWII veteran, he served on the USS Missouri Mighty Mo. He did so much for his community. I miss him so much. 😭
In the beginning, a lot of them did turn back. It understandable with the heavy losses in the unescorted daylight bombing. General Curtis Lemay caught wind that many did turn back, and brought a quick end to that.
My father was an engineer gunner (top turret) on a B17 flying out of Great Ashworth, England. One of the 17s he flew on was Fighting Cock. I was born in Bury St. Edmunds near Great Ashworth.
I had a grandpa who flew as a flight engineer he finished with 36 missions before the war was over. He ended his service as a lieutenant. Rest Easy to all the airmen who passed away in the bombers that went over Germany...🎖️
This is one of my favorite videos on RUclips today.. so glad you made it. My grandfather was a navigator in 463rd bomb group stationed in Italy. He passed away last month.
My first day in 'Nam was on my 21st birthday, Two years later I celebrated my 23d in a delightful place called Dak To. Oh well, seemed like the thing to do at the time.
damn, wonder if they did the same thing to you on your 21'st but gave you vodka to battle your mid-life crisis since you were in vietnam. (No disrespect towards you, this was purely a joke, thank you for serving this country)
I spent my 21st birthdsy crewing one of those Hueys, getting shot up tsking you guys in, pulling you out, resupplying medevacing wounded, and was proud to do whatever wss needed supporting you. Smart salute to you guys on the ground.
My dad is 95 and some of the last warriors of WW11...he served in the Ardenne Campaign/ Battle of the Bulge....he was 19 years old, a Tech Ssgt 82squadron...he saw things no human being should see, hear, smell, or experience...it changed him forever, mom says...I’m sure it changed them all. Now my baby boy served in 🇮🇶 And Afghanistan 🇦🇫...he was a specialist from Ft. Lewis, Stryker outfit...one of the first to deploy in these monsters...he was wounded when his vehicle hit an IED, and he lost 13 buddies...please humanity...no more wars! Please... and hey ladies , since u want equality let’s us men sit the next one out and U pick up a rifle and go to war! We will take care of the kids.
Thank you all 79,218 of you as well as those who survived. Thank you as well to all those fought for our freedom on the ground and on the seas. I pray we can keep what you fought and died for.
I don't understand how almost 5k viewers gave this a thumbs down. Yes, it depicts a bombing mission during WWII but that's merely the backdrop for the story. Young men, very young men, were forced to grow up way too soon. They did their duty and watched friends die. They lived through absolute terror and still did their jobs. There is no comparison between then and today. There is no comparing the men of that era and the boys of today. I've never had to experience anything like they did and for that, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for my freedom.
My dad was in the Marines from '38-'46 and served in the Pacific. He was 23 when he joined. I joined the Marines in '68 when I was 19 and went to Nam. He passed when I was 17 and never got to see me join up.
I was in the Army 1984-1988 but I gotta admit there is something special about the Marines... I think it's they got the best damn song. I don't even know what the Army song is, but I know the Marine Corps song.
It may be strange to say but in the unlikely and almost impossible event that a American solider is reading this. I’d like to say thank you, you helped are little island nation of England massively and we couldn’t have done it without your support. Your soldiers and pilots and navy men will be missed and so will everyone else’s. again thank you I know how bad war is so thank you
Wenn Chamberlain ,Premierminister geblieben wäre,hätten viele überlebt. Befasst euch bitte mal mit der Wahrheit! Als Deutschland am Ende war,stellte Churchill fest,das man das falsche Schwein geschlachtet hat.
lol, free to have the gov't track you, register what little automatic weapons they still let you have, and to not live in safe neighborhoods anymore. thanks for nothing.
@Ragnar Dragonsfury Actually, the only reason you see that is I know most of the words that are banned and avoid using them. Of course, it always changes, so it can be a challenge to stay ahead of the AI.
"Freedom". If you really think WW2 was about "freedom" then you need to get your head checked. Wars are expensive and are not started for charitable purposes.
Producing the live action component of this film was pretty much my first professional job in filmmaking circa 2003. We worked really hard on the film and tried to handle it with the sensitivity it deserved. It's amazing to find that it's had so many views (online and off) and has offered so many audiences a meaningful experience. I just wish I could have travelled to Kalamazoo to see it in its full wraparound, 4D glory. Unfortunately, we're quite a long way away here in Sheffield, UK. Oh and yes, for anyone wondering about the slightly odd 'wide angle' perspective of the RUclips version, that's a consequence of the master version being intended for a 360 wraparound visitor attraction experience. It was never designed for 2D, 16:9 presentation on conventional screens! :)
Thanks for explaining the optical effect. I was a bit puzzled, wondering why so much effort was put into a film and yet they gave it a fish-eye look. Good to know the reason. Very impressive for almost 20 years ago.
We have a romantic sanitized view of a slaughterhouse in the skies over central Europe leaving 50,000 U.S. Airmen dead, more then all the U.S. Marines lost on the beaches of the Pacific in World War 2.
I had the honor of my life when my wife bought me a flight on the Nine-0- Nine. The tail gunner's spot was basicaly a bicycle seat a few inches off the deck so while on station you " sat " with your heels touching your ass for 10 or more hours. Your " seat back" was the tail wheel hydraulic cylinder. I asked if I could go back there and was told it was too dangerous to even go there with the engines off and sitting on the ground. I did get a laugh from the crew when I told them about a war time friend of my father's who stopped in for a visit. My father probably spoke about his time in the war mabey 4 times so his friend ( we"ll call him Bob ) told us things about the war we never heard before. Most of the stories were tragic , but even war can have some laugh out loud moments. The one that had us rolling on the floor was when my father "acidently" shot an ME-109. For a short while the German fighter pilots would jump from cloud to cloud and wait for an easy target. One of the other gunners spotted the 109 and commed the pilot. The pilot commed my father and told him to send him a couple tracers so he knows he's not hiding. A 50 bmg round in 36,000 foot air can still do damage 11 miles from where it came from. The 109 was barely a spec when dad aimed at max elevation and fired. It took over a minute for the tracers to reach the cloud where the fighter was hiding. Suddenly the white cloud was trailing black smoke , causing the fighter to turn for home.
Thank you for the video. My wife's grand dad was one of Churchill's "Few" and one of mine was a civilian employee of the Army Air Force training mechanics on radial engines stateside. Thank you to all who fought, we would not be here without you.
Uncle was a tail gunner on B-17 S he completed 25 missions and volunteered to stay he finished the war and survived came home and lived a good life into his 80s
+Frank Quitely No. No it really isn't. I've heard men under duress and in terror doing their job by the book and the sound they make when they whimper. This was bullshit American flag feeding. Sorry, but that's the truth. No chatter during a mission. PERIOD! EVER. The pilot would have roared in rage at them due to stress and fear. There are no heriocs in the face of death. Getting really sick of the fantasy WW2 set.
+DrLeavingsoon Did these men under duress and in terror do the same attack 5,10,15,20, or 25 times. Fun thing about men putting them into a harmful situation for long enough and they get use to it.
This reminds me a lot of Call of Duty Big Red One on the Gamecube. Brings back memories of both my childhood and of my two grandpa's. One served on a B17A while the other was an infantryman. Both have passed away now and both due to cancer. I miss them both greatly. But to get back to it, there was a mission in Big Red One where you were the gunner and bomber for a Liberator. Had to bomb ships and factories. So many elements in this movie were present in that game too. Honestly? I want to play it again.
Very nice tribute. Very respectful and touching. Lost my Uncle in WWII, he was in the Infantry. We all owe all the Hero's who lost their lives in WWII a great deal of gratitude.
My Grandpa was trained as a B-17 radioman. Said right before he was expected to ship out, a post in Cuba opened up. Needed traffic control operators and he took it. Said he doesn’t consider himself a hero, but given the opportunity he knew it was God’s intervention. And if he’d not taken it I wouldn’t be his grandson. Said a lot of his friends never got to have grandchildren, so he figured he owed it to them to appreciate the ones he was blessed with.
RCåRCI respect all Airmen from WW11..I can only imagine how scared they all were.My Dad was a Flying Officer in a Halifax Bomber with the RCAF, 32 flights.He and crew all made it home..My respects to you all..
America's Greatest Generation, there are too few of them here today. They live on in my generation, the Baby Boomers. My father served in the US Army. He made it home, but died at age 28 from a kidney disorder in 1958. I was two when he passed, so I have no memory of him. What I do have is the memories of his friends and family, and his genes. Thanks, Dad.
@M 17 The atomic bombs saved tens of thousands of American lives that would have been lost in an invasion of the Japanese homeland. But beyond that, they were the best thing that could have happened to the Japanese themselves at that moment. An American invasion coming up on the beaches with flamethrowers, opposed by schoolgirls with sharpened bamboo sticks, would not have been pretty. And meanwhile Stalin declared war on Japan and would have been grinding his way down from the north, spreading the benefits of his resentful communist dictatorship as he went. Bear in mind Japan won a war against Russia earlier in the century; it would have been ugly with the tables turned. Then, permanently divided Japan, a la North/South Korea, anyone? The Japanese mindset was so fanatical, they refused to surrender when it was common sense to do so... they needed that face-saving paradigm shift to both knock them to their senses and give them an honorable way out. And they needed it quick, before the Russians took too much of their territory.
It is always interesting to listen to the "other side". My parents and grand parents were on the receiving end of those bomb runs. They would hear a signal in the radio, grab a little bag and head to the nearest bunker. Not knowing if they would ever see their home again, their friends, their relatives, their neighbor, even their street. My mother was three years old and played in the bomb craters in Vienna. To this day she shivers every time she sees a plane in the sky.
@Andrew Priester You don't have to be sorry. It was war. Terrible things happen in a war and everyone suffers. I just don't want humans glorified who killed other people. They did a dirty job. Someone had to do it. And THEY knew what they were doing and often had sympathy with the poor devils below. But many people today only see the hero side and take pride in something they did not do themselves and have no idea of the whole picture.
My Uncle, rode 19 missions in a B17 and was shot down over France. He spent 2 1/2 years in a POW camp. When he got home after the war, he found out he was the only one from his airplane that survived the shoot down and the only one from his entire training class to survive the war. Of all the guys he went in the war with from his High School class, there were only 8 that survived the war.
you woulda thought our "brilliant" command woulda given more fighter support to all the bombers that were easy targets for the enemy ... my Dad knew the attrition rate of a bomber and told his best friend, Robert Tomcheney to go with him to Texas to be a fighter pilot... Tomcheney went to Europe and died in a bomber at Ploesti, Romania ... my Dad fought the Japanese in the Pacific with the 5th Army Aircorps and knew Pappy Boyington's bunch as another brave pilot shooting down nimble but inadequately armored Zeros ...
In 1944, the P-51 had had the Allison engine replaced with the Merlin by Rolls Royce, and then the P-51's started escorting the bombers all the way to the target and back. As far as the Ploesti raid(Operation Tidal Wave) goes, they didn't have anything available at the time with the range needed, so the bomb groups flew under radio silence(I think!), and they flew at low level so they wouldn't be spotted by radar.The Zero did have its finer points such as it being very nimble! Too bad there was no armor plating, or self-sealing fuel tanks! At The Battle of Midway, the Brewster Buffaloes got wiped out by the Zeros!Greg Boyington is probably one of the best if not the best fighter squadron commanders this country has ever had. Unfortunately he couldn't control his drinking, and that got him later in life! :(
Thank you, Sir! I know a little, but there are people out there who know a lot more than I do! Unfortunately most people don't learn history, and if we don't know history, we are doomed to repeat it. When the "combat box" formation was created(I think by Curtis LeMay before he transferred to the Pacific Theater, they underestimated the amount of protection it offered to bomber formations. If I had been leading a 600 bomber formation into central or southern Germany in March of 1944, I would have been wanting the 332nd Fighter Group(Tuskeegee Airmen) to provide escort duty, because they might have only lost one bomber to enemy fighters.
My Dad was a nose-gunner on a B-24 that flew out of a base in Italy. If he hadn't made it home, I wouldn't be here today. Dad passed in 2009 at 89 years old...love you, Dad. R.I.P.
In case anyone doesn't know, this is an IMAX fim that shows in the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. It's meant to be seen in 3D. (They also have wind effects.) The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is an amazing museum.
I wish there were more videos like this one out in the web. I salute EVERY single person that has served our great country or have tried to serve. God bless our troops!
Awesome video. My dad was a waist gunner/crew chief in the 95th BG out of Horham. 13 Missions - including: Bremen, Berlin, Munster, Regensburg, Ploesti, Dresden, etc. Only unit in the USAAF with three Presidential Citations. Talked a lot about Bremen - we got our asses kicked by the Luftwaffe and their FW 190s. "We were always right in the middle of the shit." On 2-3 occasions he worked all night repairing/replacing engines and then went on a mission. His full -face picture is featured in the NBC News USAAF WW2 documentary "All the Fine Young Men" at the 2:00+ mark. Also, same photo was used by Ken Burns in his series "The War". He didn't talk much about his USAAF experience until his later years. Left me with lots of pictures, medals and a piece of flak that hit him in the butt. MXS
Just got this a decade after release? My grandfather was a test pilot and a squadron leader flying Halifax bombers in World War II No 76 Squadron RAF. He survived the war to raise my mother and her sister. Watching this makes me misty. Thank you and miss you Grandpa.
My grandfather was a waist gunner on a B-17 he made it through the war. Watching this gets to me every time. Miss you grandpa R.I.P.
His in a better place now😘💕💕no homo tho
My grandfather was in the navy on a battleship in the pacific. one of the ships bombarding the enemy with artillery before infantry moved in. it's amazing how everyone from planes, boats, to infantry, everyone has their part to play, no more important than the other, and all those parts come together to complete a perfect storm.
Rest In Peace. ya badass
@@supreme.juicewrld9454 there is no 'other place ' just a hole. accept reality moron.
@@elliebelly2229 - I've never understood that phrase either.
Don't know why this has never popped up in my recommended column before. My dad was a B-17 pilot in WW2. He flew 35 missions in the 398th bomber group, survived the war, and died in 2014. This makes me feel great pride in him and great sadness for all those who did not come home.
Awesome your dad lived to 2014 (RIP), you were lucky to have him that long! My father flew Spitfires, then P51's (a few escort flights), escaped a Nazi POW camp train, had a lot of shrapnel removed when I was a kid. All that and cancer got him 20 years ago.
35 missions! Wow, respect.
Have you seen the Memphis Belle? Great movie
I can't begin to comprehend how terrifying these missions must have been, yet 20 year olds carried them out. They should never be forgotten. Respect.
Ww2 GOD impossible hard mode : hold my 🍺.
I offer up my prayers 🇱🇷 My country 🏴
Not as scary as all the drugs and gang banging the young folk do today
My dad was a 101st airborne helicopter door gunner in Vietnam at 18yo. I can't fathom how he did it. So much respect.
Oh my gosh! My dad is 95 and lives with us. He was a WW2 Navy Seabee (combat engineer) in the Pacific so I heard more about that theater. Such bravery of the Army Air Corps! Thank you to all the men that flew and maintained the aircraft. The fact that we're free is in great part thanks to you. I am very grateful.
Showed up a decade later in my recommended, glad i saw it lol
Just the same lol
Lol
Same
Same
Yea
My father was a squadron leader in a B24 for 25 missions over occupied Europe. His crew carried him out of the plane to the jeep after flying the plane and leading the squadron for so many many hours of pure hell. and he was one of the lucky ones. He stayed close to his crew until he died. We miss you dad.
I bet your farther has quite a legend.... A 🎵LEGEND THAT NEVER DIES 🎵
That generation was when "Men were made of steel and Ships were made of wood". We owe them everything. True heroes
Yeah, brother. The GREATEST generation.
They gave us a hell of a world to enjoy. And now we havr a generation of men who can't figure out what bathroom to use.
We picked a hell of a time for ww3. Because right now, this world is gonns need men like them again.
Ships of wood? What a drama fool.
Do you know what made them the "greatest generation"?? They sure as hell didn't wake up one day and POOOF....it just happened.
the last time i saw this i was at the Kalamazoo air museum when i was probably no more then 10 if even that....dont know if you guys had ever been there when it was played but it was a full effects theater, the had the wind blowing in your face. the smell of exhaust and burning diesel when the engines started, and the shaking to go along with the movement of the aircraft. i hated going back years later to find that it was gone. glad i found it here tonight.
I've been there! fantastic!
Airplanes don't run on diesel.
@tacfoley A few did. Like 4. But we're discussing B-17s. I should have specified this, sorry
That would be fucking amazing! Really sad it's gone though :(
I’ve been there it was awesome
My dad was a radio/gunner on a 17 which was shot down on it's 17th mission, this video mad me humble and brought tears. Thank you for sharing! PS thanks to the Collins Foundation and my wonderful step-son, I have flown in a 17!
Lost my dad a little over a year ago, he was two months short of 99 He served In the US Army Air Corp from 1942 thru 1946 picking up pieces of pilots that didn't learn to fly very well at training fields in California. He was then sent to the pacific with a fighter squadron for the build up to invade Japan. One of my brothers father-in-laws was a tail gunner in bombers over Europe and Germany. I met a gentleman about ten years ago that was a bomber pilot over Germany. Not many of these guys left today that we owe a great debt of gratitude to. This is 11 years late, but thank you for this tribute to those who flew and sacrificed themselves for us! They may be gone but are not forgotten- at least by their sons and daughters.
Well done! My father was a corporal and served on the ground crew. He told me about a B-17 that made it back to base, but was burning so hot they couldn't get the men out. I'm sure the men on the ground had a very hard time coming to terms with that day. God bless all the veterans who did their best and the many who gave their lives that we might be free.,
Impossible
Who else is just revisiting this vid in 2020?
ye
first time for me, great film.
Yep. For some reason it showed up in my feed again.
same
this is my first 2020
I'm a vet who had 2 uncles in WW2. One Marine and one Army,both in the Pacific. Both wounded,both survived. My respect goes out to all vets,but highest goes to combat vets. They have truly earned their remaining time on Earth.
ciws1127 phalanx god bless your uncles...my hearts go out to them...
My great uncle served in ww2, two great grandpas....one of them was on a destroyer in the pacific, he lived and survived the war
My other great grandfather is still kicking!, he’s 92!, lied about age to serve, from pele to iwo!
Sadly my great uncle on my moms side, he went mia over Germany, he let his crew bail and he guided her in, so he basically was put in the opposite scenario of this video
My dad was Army ww2 combat soldier. He earned the Purple Heart
Just found this. My Dad kept these 17's in the air and never said much about the war in terms of the battles. I used to call him without fail every Vets Day......sometimes I think it embarrassed him when I thanked him. I can't do that anymore as I lost him 9 years ago; damn, I wish I could still make that call....... We found purple heart in his effects when he died.......you know, he never said anything about it. That truly was the greatest generation. RIP Dad
May your Dad RIP with my deepest respect...
@@jackyandell2489 Thank you.....there were many good men in that war.
This is a synchronicity in happening upon this video. I was just re-reading the journal of my dear departed friend Roger Ihle who was a radar operator on a B-17. He gave he a copy of it just before he passed away and has his story from induction, training, attachment to wings in England, Asia and Europe and is full of interesting and harrowing tales in the air and on the ground. Kids or close to it, are the lucky ones who usually experience these things and what brave souls they all are. I wish my father had passed on a journal like this, as he was a veteran of WWII and Korea (Pork Chop Hill), and I would've loved to pass it on to my kids, so that this history is not immediately lost. Miss ya Roger and Dad!
I had the opportunity to fly the Collin's Foundation B-17 the "909" a few years ago from the right seat. I The short time I had behind the controls taught me a lot about the men that flew them in combat. It was cramped, noisy...the control pressures were like 50 to 75lbs. with all the agility of driving a dump truck. No hydraulic assist. The crew wore old electric heated flight suits and oxygen masks. The crew endured very long hours of flight at extreme altitude and cold. I wondered how they had the stamina to complete their missions, but yet they did. Anti-aircraft flak and enemy fighters were the normal every mission. We are free, partly because of these men. They proudly served and many gave their all. Thanks you, that I may live free in our great country.
909 Crashed not long ago
Anyone revisiting in 2023?
me
Me in 2024
In 2024
@@alecsanchez8939 same
Me!!!
Me first watching in 2016😊
9 years later, youtube reccomendations: *"Let's freaking do this"*
Джошуа,это что бы напомнить как это было 75 лет назад! The remainder of WW-2 and about defh 75 year ago... I'm from the Russia
Make that 10.
Jochumm same busters
10 for me too rofl
@@Campfire98768 and plus 2 days for me
Thank you for making this. My grandpa was a tail gunner on a bomber in the South Pacific Theater but this resonates with All those brave soldiers who served in the skies. Well done!
Don't believe
Fantastic cinematography capturing close-ups on board the plane then zooming out to bring in the whole squadron.
Long may we remember them.
Charlie McGowan this animation is shit
Why is there only one plane firing at the fighters. Plus the rear gunner looks so out of proportion to the rest of the plane. That apart, the sentiments were good. As was the ending.
Total respect for all those young men who flew from our shores . RIP.
What a wonderful tribute to all the airmen who served in WW II. Thank you for creating it.
And 2 the Americans who died for us in every single star wars battles against the German SITH. Lead by Yoda.
Well i hope u dont count the luffewaffa
And i hope u count the british pilots
It’s Makes me happy and sad every time “it’s you old buddy joe Again” I love that line
joe mama!
...
btw rip to all ww2 bomber crews :(
A truly wonderful story, I just discovered it today. It reminds me of the sacrifices made by the soldiers, sailors, Marines and others during a time of need. We must remember the Air Force was a part of the US Army. As a veteran I was truly touched by the angle of someone looking back and giving thanks to those brothers in arms who fought and died beside you. Someone once asked why soldiers do what they do, the answer is simple. It is the men next to you, the ones to your left and right, you do not want to let them down. That is all it is, there it is....Essayons!
Statistically, you would have had a higher survival rate if you'd stormed the beaches of Normandy, and then the beaches of Iwo Jima, than been an 8th Air Force Bomber Crewman. Theirs was by far the highest mortality rate of the war. Now those that survived are dying at a rate of nearly 1000 a day. May God Bless and watch over them all. I so very proud to be associated with "Honor Flight", and to have gotten so many of these men to D.C. to see their Memorial.
My Uncle-in-Law was a top-turret gunner in a B-17 (8th Air Force) and was part of the 40% that survived the war. He never told his family just how dangerous it was.
The highest loss rate was the submarine services
Kontractor don’t be stupid what about Omaha beach you had 3 seconds to get off that landing craft before a German MG 42 got you
Where the HELL did you dig up your facts? My father was second wave on Normandy beach. He watched a troop transport next to his blow up on the way over. It hit a mine. No one got off. He almost drown just getting on the beach. He watched guys dropping all around him on that beach. He spent the first night sleeping under the turrent of a blown up Sherman tank. If it were not for his big feet and the fact they had no combat boots in his size, he wouldnt have made it. Instead he guarded prisoners and was told that if any escaped, he would be shot. Hows that for surviving. Dumbass.
When a ship is sunk the crew has a chance to survive and it is rare for a ship to be lost with all hands in combat. The submarine force on the other hand it is the opposite. Submarines were often lost with all hands with a very rare chance of survivors. So the chances of survival for the sub force was lower then the other branches of the services.
The mistake that is made when comparing the lost of 52 (54 if you count the post war Thresher and Scorpion) submarine crews verses the thousands of troops, crews from planes and ships that were lost in action is comparing the overall number and not the lost to survival ratio. In no way does this take away the losses suffered from the other services. One final note the Submarine force did have a good chance of survival too because you can not sink what you can not find.
animation shows its age but still one of my favorite videos to come back to. I would love to see a remake someday.
May God Bless ALL who have served! I myself served three years in The U.S.Army, from April 28,1973--April 27,1976. At the time for no reason other than to regain respect from my Mon&Dad after being expelled from High School. So I volunteered at the right time to serve and what an adventure it was an the best thing I ever did! But it was my Dad, Lord Rest His Soul, that like many in his generation volunteered in The Marines in WWII Serving in the S. Pacific as a Bombarder in an Armed Seaplane, but Dad never talked much about it. If you never served you have no idea what it’s like! There’s nothing like it to gain life’s experience and self respect. I feel there should and needs to be a Draft! That requires everyone not in School over the age of 19, with provisions for volunteers at 18, men and women! to serve at least 3 years active duty! Along with 3 years service for all after school! Yes even those with a Degree! Everyone would have to SERVE!
That end choked me up. God bless all the men who flew these missions. God bless all the allies.
To whomever created this film - Thank you!
And to all those who gave of themselves so I can enjoy my freedom and life - God Bless You.
WOW this is like paying homage to the Japanese animations of the 80’s. I’m proud. My father was in the Army Air Force 1942-46. God I miss him and my mom.
This was an amazing video. The story gave a good representation of the horrors of war with emphasis on the fact that a lot of people die in war. It should be a message to all to make sure that war is the last solution to disagreements between countries and individuals. To the thousands of people who disliked this video, it's apparent that you have not been in uniform and therefore don't fully comprehend the message the author was trying to convey. For it is the fools in our world who don't pay attention to history who will be doomed to relive the mistakes that messages like the one in this video are trying to prevent. As a 30 year Air Force veteran, I salute the 79,218 United States Army Air Force Airmen who lost their lives in World War II to ensure Germany and Japan did not take over the world so we could live in Freedom.
Very nice. My dad was a B-17 tail gunner during WW2.
So how old at you know?
+Soul Taker 2507 If you mean now and not do I know how old I am I am 56 and my dad was 37 when I was born he was born in 1922. You can do the math.
+KodenameKrusty I only discovered recently that my great uncle (who past away several months ago) few bombing raids over Berlin (in what I don't know) and was a wing commander, flying a Dakota, in South East Asia and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. I never spoke to him about his experiences because I never knew - perhaps he didn't want to talk about it. I also didn't know that there was a painting of him in the Australian War Memorial. Is your Dad still alive? I hope he is.
+Adam murray My Dad passed away in 1987.
I am sorry for your loss. Men like him deserved longer. All the best.
My father was one of the B-17 pilots who came home and gave birth to me. I am thankful to all those men who never came home.
interesting style that was used in this video. had a confederate Air Force pilot has passed away.they did a flyover for him coming from the north side of lake Apopka. I had driven out to the fly over area.the sight of the planes made my hair standup on the back of my neck.their were 3 vintage /iconic air craft.there was a B17 on the bottom, B25 in the middle and a P51 on top.i would estimate that the height of the group was 600 fettle banked in a wide left turn with red,white and blue smoke trailing.the noise was something to behold.it was something I will never forget
My Dad was a tail gunner on a 24. Miss you Dad. Lest we never forget.
My grandfather was a B-17 radioman- before his first mission with the crew he trained with he was reassigned to another bomber because their radioman had died the mission prior. Later my grandfather found out that his original plane and crew had gotten shot down with no one able to bail out.
That was really the only story he told us about the war...I don't think he could bring himself to think about it too much. But I like the thought of short movies like this that honor my grandfathers original crew but also the radioman whose death saved my grandfather.
Wow. My dad was a B-17 radio operator also, and survived 35 missions. He had a few close calls, but that is a real story you've got.
Man, thank you for making me cry and feel proud for what we once were. What the hell happened to men, America.
Don't give up, these guys didn't. Fight for what is right.
Frank the dachshund, that is right on. My father fought in the army thru Italy France and Germany. He was a dyed in the wool conservative. But for him it was always “what is good for my country”. That primary consideration seems never to be spoken today, only “what’s in it for me?”
I know, I hear you, but as long as there are people like myself and my son. It will not be a cakewalk for these worthless lost souls to try and take over. I will never accept them or their worthless lies.
Liberalism and Satanism.
@@jamesedmond3351 Spot on. Freedom and God Bless!
I've never been in the service but want to thank you. All you great men who have given all for me and mine. Oh my God thank you and may you sacrifice never go in vein. May God bless you and all yours. Words can't Express how grateful I feel. Thank you.
I have a friend who passed away a few years ago. He was a WWII veteran, he served on the USS Missouri Mighty Mo. He did so much for his community. I miss him so much. 😭
Definitely a well spent 10 minutes of my life. Thank you.
These guys never never turned back from a mission. Suffered terrible casualties. My hats off to them
In the beginning, a lot of them did turn back. It understandable with the heavy losses in the unescorted daylight bombing. General Curtis Lemay caught wind that many did turn back, and brought a quick end to that.
My father was an engineer gunner (top turret) on a B17 flying out of Great Ashworth, England. One of the 17s he flew on was Fighting Cock. I was born in Bury St. Edmunds near Great Ashworth.
This looks rendered in the same engine as either BF 1942's intro OR Microsoft Combat Flight Sim 3's intro.
Really nice :D
I had a grandpa who flew as a flight engineer he finished with 36 missions before the war was over. He ended his service as a lieutenant. Rest Easy to all the airmen who passed away in the bombers that went over Germany...🎖️
I remember watching this on the old desktop so long ago. What a classic
dont know y this popped up in my recommendations but im glad it did that was a sad but good story and i will admit it made tear up a little
This is one of my favorite videos on RUclips today.. so glad you made it. My grandfather was a navigator in 463rd bomb group stationed in Italy. He passed away last month.
I spent my 18th birthday being shoved in a Huy and was told to keep my head low in Vietnam, oh..happy birthday.
My first day in 'Nam was on my 21st birthday, Two years later I celebrated my 23d in a delightful place called Dak To. Oh well, seemed like the thing to do at the time.
Did u guys survive the vietnam war?
damn, wonder if they did the same thing to you on your 21'st but gave you vodka to battle your mid-life crisis since you were in vietnam.
(No disrespect towards you, this was purely a joke, thank you for serving this country)
I spent my 21st birthdsy crewing one of those Hueys, getting shot up tsking you guys in, pulling you out, resupplying medevacing wounded, and was proud to do whatever wss needed supporting you. Smart salute to you guys on the ground.
@@beandiesel974 No we all got killed...but some of us got better...
Thank You to all those who have served. Rest in peace for those who didn't come home.
This was recommended to me on Remembrance Sunday 2020, not bad RUclips, not bad.
My dad is 95 and some of the last warriors of WW11...he served in the Ardenne Campaign/ Battle of the Bulge....he was 19 years old, a Tech Ssgt 82squadron...he saw things no human being should see, hear, smell, or experience...it changed him forever, mom says...I’m sure it changed them all. Now my baby boy served in 🇮🇶 And Afghanistan 🇦🇫...he was a specialist from Ft. Lewis, Stryker outfit...one of the first to deploy in these monsters...he was wounded when his vehicle hit an IED, and he lost 13 buddies...please humanity...no more wars! Please...
and hey ladies , since u want equality let’s us men sit the next one out and U pick up a rifle and go to war! We will take care of the kids.
@Shawn Esquilona you know what she meant
Thank you all 79,218 of you as well as those who survived. Thank you as well to all those fought for our freedom on the ground and on the seas. I pray we can keep what you fought and died for.
15 minutes ago I was crying with laughing at an Aussie man video, now I'm just crying.
i cant believe this is my first time seeing this. back in grade school i was crazy about this plane, and ww2. love this, thank you
I don't understand how almost 5k viewers gave this a thumbs down. Yes, it depicts a bombing mission during WWII but that's merely the backdrop for the story. Young men, very young men, were forced to grow up way too soon. They did their duty and watched friends die. They lived through absolute terror and still did their jobs. There is no comparison between then and today. There is no comparing the men of that era and the boys of today. I've never had to experience anything like they did and for that, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for my freedom.
who cares if someone doesnt like it
My dad was in the Marines from '38-'46 and served in the Pacific. He was 23 when he joined. I joined the Marines in '68 when I was 19 and went to Nam. He passed when I was 17 and never got to see me join up.
I'm sure he's proud along with the rest of the Marines. I never joined and I'm glad and proud for you guys
I was in the Army 1984-1988 but I gotta admit there is something special about the Marines... I think it's they got the best damn song. I don't even know what the Army song is, but I know the Marine Corps song.
It may be strange to say but in the unlikely and almost impossible event that a American solider is reading this. I’d like to say thank you, you helped are little island nation of England massively and we couldn’t have done it without your support. Your soldiers and pilots and navy men will be missed and so will everyone else’s. again thank you I know how bad war is so thank you
Ex o
Wenn Chamberlain ,Premierminister geblieben wäre,hätten viele überlebt. Befasst euch bitte mal mit der Wahrheit! Als Deutschland am Ende war,stellte Churchill fest,das man das falsche Schwein geschlachtet hat.
God bless this film maker for remembering our heroes
I loved watching this at the Air Zoo when I was a kid, but I couldn't find it anywhere except the theater there, thank you for posting this.
*"THANK YOU"* to all those who sacrificed for our freedom may we always remember.
lol, free to have the gov't track you, register what little automatic weapons they still let you have, and to not live in safe neighborhoods anymore. thanks for nothing.
@@l337pwnage ummmm ya that one ya lol and the only most self important state on the planet
@Ragnar Dragonsfury Actually, the only reason you see that is I know most of the words that are banned and avoid using them. Of course, it always changes, so it can be a challenge to stay ahead of the AI.
amen :(
"Freedom". If you really think WW2 was about "freedom" then you need to get your head checked. Wars are expensive and are not started for charitable purposes.
how the hell is this 10 years old and i'm just seeing it?! Amazing wide angle perspective. Well done.
Producing the live action component of this film was pretty much my first professional job in filmmaking circa 2003. We worked really hard on the film and tried to handle it with the sensitivity it deserved. It's amazing to find that it's had so many views (online and off) and has offered so many audiences a meaningful experience.
I just wish I could have travelled to Kalamazoo to see it in its full wraparound, 4D glory. Unfortunately, we're quite a long way away here in Sheffield, UK.
Oh and yes, for anyone wondering about the slightly odd 'wide angle' perspective of the RUclips version, that's a consequence of the master version being intended for a 360 wraparound visitor attraction experience. It was never designed for 2D, 16:9 presentation on conventional screens! :)
You can upload 360 videos to youtube now.
Thanks for explaining the optical effect. I was a bit puzzled, wondering why so much effort was put into a film and yet they gave it a fish-eye look. Good to know the reason. Very impressive for almost 20 years ago.
My great-uncle he flew 22 missions over Germany and that's really all I know he didn't talk about it very much !
We have a romantic sanitized view of a slaughterhouse in the skies over central Europe leaving 50,000 U.S. Airmen dead, more then all the U.S. Marines lost on the beaches of the Pacific in World War 2.
Got a chance to climb into the Nine-O-Nine. I seen it at the airport coming home from work one day. Mad respect to those willing to do what they did.
I had the honor of my life when my wife bought me a flight on the Nine-0- Nine. The tail gunner's spot was basicaly a bicycle seat a few inches off the deck so while on station you " sat " with your heels touching your ass for 10 or more hours. Your " seat back" was the tail wheel hydraulic cylinder. I asked if I could go back there and was told it was too dangerous to even go there with the engines off and sitting on the ground. I did get a laugh from the crew when I told them about a war time friend of my father's who stopped in for a visit. My father probably spoke about his time in the war mabey 4 times so his friend ( we"ll call him Bob ) told us things about the war we never heard before. Most of the stories were tragic , but even war can have some laugh out loud moments. The one that had us rolling on the floor was when my father "acidently" shot an ME-109. For a short while the German fighter pilots would jump from cloud to cloud and wait for an easy target. One of the other gunners spotted the 109 and commed the pilot. The pilot commed my father and told him to send him a couple tracers so he knows he's not hiding. A 50 bmg round in 36,000 foot air can still do damage 11 miles from where it came from. The 109 was barely a spec when dad aimed at max elevation and fired. It took over a minute for the tracers to reach the cloud where the fighter was hiding. Suddenly the white cloud was trailing black smoke , causing the fighter to turn for home.
Thank you for the video. My wife's grand dad was one of Churchill's "Few" and one of mine was a civilian employee of the Army Air Force training mechanics on radial engines stateside. Thank you to all who fought, we would not be here without you.
It's rare that something really chokes me up but this is one of them!!😢
As we said and did in the Navy:
"HAND SALUTE....TWO"🇺🇸🇺🇸
Uncle was a tail gunner on B-17 S he completed 25 missions and volunteered to stay he finished the war and survived came home and lived a good life into his 80s
At the end I thought they would all live but… I’m so sorry for your loss and thank you for your service
This animation. It's.. it's beautiful.
Bandit as soon as i heard the voice acting i knew it was gonna be a rough ride
+Frank Quitely No. No it really isn't. I've heard men under duress and in terror doing their job by the book and the sound they make when they whimper.
This was bullshit American flag feeding.
Sorry, but that's the truth.
No chatter during a mission. PERIOD!
EVER.
The pilot would have roared in rage at them due to stress and fear. There are no heriocs in the face of death.
Getting really sick of the fantasy WW2 set.
+DrLeavingsoon Did these men under duress and in terror do the same attack 5,10,15,20, or 25 times. Fun thing about men putting them into a harmful situation for long enough and they get use to it.
+Richard Neal No they don't. That's wishful thinking.
thanks that hit close to my heart. my granddad was in HR905 l swear he does a fly by every once in a while. Thanks well made short.
This reminds me a lot of Call of Duty Big Red One on the Gamecube. Brings back memories of both my childhood and of my two grandpa's. One served on a B17A while the other was an infantryman. Both have passed away now and both due to cancer. I miss them both greatly. But to get back to it, there was a mission in Big Red One where you were the gunner and bomber for a Liberator. Had to bomb ships and factories. So many elements in this movie were present in that game too. Honestly? I want to play it again.
I just played call of duty roads to victory and played the "Lucky 6" mission this gave me flashbacks.
my dad turned 21 piloting a b-24 over italy rest in peace pop
Very nice tribute. Very respectful and touching. Lost my Uncle in WWII, he was in the Infantry. We all owe all the Hero's who lost their lives in WWII a great deal of gratitude.
Jesus... not what I expected but I am so glad I watch it. I'm retired Navy so all I can say is "stand down, we have the watch".
/salute Turned 19 in Basic. 20 in-Country. I love every day and the Men and Women who serve. Bless us all.
This was a movie at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo!
My Grandpa was trained as a B-17 radioman. Said right before he was expected to ship out, a post in Cuba opened up. Needed traffic control operators and he took it. Said he doesn’t consider himself a hero, but given the opportunity he knew it was God’s intervention. And if he’d not taken it I wouldn’t be his grandson. Said a lot of his friends never got to have grandchildren, so he figured he owed it to them to appreciate the ones he was blessed with.
The greatest generation! Love and respect from England
5:14 those p51-D mustangs had red tail markings was that the tuskagee aircrew?
I think so. I noticed that too
Yes
@james crowe
Not necessarily.
I think the Tuskegee P-51's entire tail was red. These weren't. Just going off of all the photos I've seen. I could be wrong.
Couldn't have been. The Tuskegee Airmen never lost a bomber.
RCåRCI respect all Airmen from WW11..I can only imagine how scared they all were.My Dad was a Flying Officer in a Halifax Bomber with the RCAF, 32 flights.He and crew all made it home..My respects to you all..
Very nice......My dad was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient in WW II......RIP Dad......
America's Greatest Generation, there are too few of them here today. They live on in my generation, the Baby Boomers. My father served in the US Army. He made it home, but died at age 28 from a kidney disorder in 1958. I was two when he passed, so I have no memory of him. What I do have is the memories of his friends and family, and his genes. Thanks, Dad.
From Chile... Gracias por compartir tu historia, y el heroismo de tantos martires que llena de orgullo al mundo
@M 17 - You must be from Japan.
@M 17 The atomic bombs saved tens of thousands of American lives that would have been lost in an invasion of the Japanese homeland. But beyond that, they were the best thing that could have happened to the Japanese themselves at that moment. An American invasion coming up on the beaches with flamethrowers, opposed by schoolgirls with sharpened bamboo sticks, would not have been pretty. And meanwhile Stalin declared war on Japan and would have been grinding his way down from the north, spreading the benefits of his resentful communist dictatorship as he went. Bear in mind Japan won a war against Russia earlier in the century; it would have been ugly with the tables turned. Then, permanently divided Japan, a la North/South Korea, anyone? The Japanese mindset was so fanatical, they refused to surrender when it was common sense to do so... they needed that face-saving paradigm shift to both knock them to their senses and give them an honorable way out. And they needed it quick, before the Russians took too much of their territory.
Japan could just say thank you America for rebuilding our country after you kicked our ass
Great movie. 2010 and this only came up in my recommendations now...
It is always interesting to listen to the "other side". My parents and grand parents were on the receiving end of those bomb runs. They would hear a signal in the radio, grab a little bag and head to the nearest bunker. Not knowing if they would ever see their home again, their friends, their relatives, their neighbor, even their street. My mother was three years old and played in the bomb craters in Vienna. To this day she shivers every time she sees a plane in the sky.
@Andrew Priester You don't have to be sorry. It was war. Terrible things happen in a war and everyone suffers. I just don't want humans glorified who killed other people. They did a dirty job. Someone had to do it. And THEY knew what they were doing and often had sympathy with the poor devils below. But many people today only see the hero side and take pride in something they did not do themselves and have no idea of the whole picture.
what a wonderful work, the compelling story and the great animation really got me into it. kudos
Nice video. Shows how a crew of a bomber become like a family to each other.
Clearly this was the best that 2010 had to offer
My Uncle, rode 19 missions in a B17 and was shot down over France. He spent 2 1/2 years in a POW camp. When he got home after the war, he found out he was the only one from his airplane that survived the shoot down and the only one from his entire training class to survive the war. Of all the guys he went in the war with from his High School class, there were only 8 that survived the war.
Perfect sotry telling. I love how you did your best with the animation. It was like watching a movie
you woulda thought our "brilliant" command woulda given more fighter support to all the bombers that were easy targets for the enemy ... my Dad knew the attrition rate of a bomber and told his best friend, Robert Tomcheney to go with him to Texas to be a fighter pilot... Tomcheney went to Europe and died in a bomber at Ploesti, Romania ... my Dad fought the Japanese in the Pacific with the 5th Army Aircorps and knew Pappy Boyington's bunch as another brave pilot shooting down nimble but inadequately armored Zeros ...
In 1944, the P-51 had had the Allison engine replaced with the Merlin by Rolls Royce, and then the P-51's started escorting the bombers all the way to the target and back. As far as the Ploesti raid(Operation Tidal Wave) goes, they didn't have anything available at the time with the range needed, so the bomb groups flew under radio silence(I think!), and they flew at low level so they wouldn't be spotted by radar.The Zero did have its finer points such as it being very nimble! Too bad there was no armor plating, or self-sealing fuel tanks! At The Battle of Midway, the Brewster Buffaloes got wiped out by the Zeros!Greg Boyington is probably one of the best if not the best fighter squadron commanders this country has ever had. Unfortunately he couldn't control his drinking, and that got him later in life! :(
englundus ... you sure do know your WW2 history !!! ... I'm impressed !!!
Thank you, Sir! I know a little, but there are people out there who know a lot more than I do! Unfortunately most people don't learn history, and if we don't know history, we are doomed to repeat it.
When the "combat box" formation was created(I think by Curtis LeMay before he transferred to the Pacific Theater, they underestimated the amount of protection it offered to bomber formations.
If I had been leading a 600 bomber formation into central or southern Germany in March of 1944, I would have been wanting the 332nd Fighter Group(Tuskeegee Airmen) to provide escort duty, because they might have only lost one bomber to enemy fighters.
Hey, my dad was in the 5th AAF, too. 375th Troop Transport.
before p-51 the p-47 was used.As it peformed very well at hight alt
My Dad was a nose-gunner on a B-24 that flew out of a base in Italy. If he hadn't made it home, I wouldn't be here today. Dad passed in 2009 at 89 years old...love you, Dad. R.I.P.
Hell yeah very well done brought tears to my eyes the ole boy probably not around anymore God bless all those guys
In case anyone doesn't know, this is an IMAX fim that shows in the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. It's meant to be seen in 3D. (They also have wind effects.) The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is an amazing museum.
Drinking game, every time the New Yorker guy says "uh", take a drink. Take two drinks when he says "hey uh".
I was very moved by this short film. Thank you to all veterans.
I wish there were more videos like this one out in the web. I salute EVERY single person that has served our great country or have tried to serve. God bless our troops!
Awesome video. My dad was a waist gunner/crew chief in the 95th BG out of Horham. 13 Missions - including: Bremen, Berlin, Munster, Regensburg, Ploesti, Dresden, etc. Only unit in the USAAF with three Presidential Citations. Talked a lot about Bremen - we got our asses kicked by the Luftwaffe and their FW 190s. "We were always right in the middle of the shit."
On 2-3 occasions he worked all night repairing/replacing engines and then went on a mission.
His full -face picture is featured in the NBC News USAAF WW2 documentary "All the Fine Young Men" at the 2:00+ mark. Also, same photo was used by Ken Burns in his series "The War".
He didn't talk much about his USAAF experience until his later years. Left me with lots of pictures, medals and a piece of flak that hit him in the butt. MXS