When Two B17s Flew Piggyback

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  • Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
  • Lt Glenn Rojohn of the 8th Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group was flying his B-17 Flying Fortress on a raid over Germany. What happened next is a story of bravery and skill that defied the odds.
    You can read more in Cyndi Rojohn's excellent book, "The Piggyback Flight Pilot's Journey" published by Fulton Books.
    Also please check out the 100th Bomb Group's excellent site www.100thbg.com for more historical references on this and other stories of daring and heroism.
    We would also like to thank Benson's Grandpa and Holden Hathcock, our patreons that sponsored this video and appear as extras. If you too would like to appear as an extra in one of our videos, please check out our patreon at / yarnhub

Комментарии • 4,7 тыс.

  • @lamhkak47
    @lamhkak47 4 года назад +10554

    And that's how more B-17s are made

  • @toast6494
    @toast6494 3 года назад +2029

    "Hans..."
    "What?"
    "There's a B34..."

  • @benjaminhackett8896
    @benjaminhackett8896 3 года назад +2207

    "Any errors are *entirely* our own."
    Now that's integrity.

    • @Vespyr_
      @Vespyr_ 3 года назад +28

      Made me subscribe right there and then.

    • @dalliskal4827
      @dalliskal4827 3 года назад +6

      Same

    • @Prokerboss
      @Prokerboss 3 года назад +21

      No, the errors are by the Swiss cameraman filming the dogfight.

    • @mateo12375
      @mateo12375 2 года назад +3

      666th like, had to take the shot

    • @huggleskuishy
      @huggleskuishy 2 года назад +2

      Tegridy

  • @banana_in_a_tuxedo
    @banana_in_a_tuxedo 3 года назад +1160

    Just noticed that at 2:09 you put 9 bullet holes on the plane called the "nine lives". Cool little detail

  • @theycallmeJacko
    @theycallmeJacko 4 года назад +5431

    That day Germany discovered the existence of the fearful B-34

  • @marcosbravo9645
    @marcosbravo9645 4 года назад +2847

    One can only imagine a German seeing the planes locked in the sky through his binoculars and wonder in awe what mechanical atrocity the British are unleashing to the fatherland.

    • @justinpipes85
      @justinpipes85 4 года назад +318

      "Whatthefuck! Kinda biplane is this!!?"

    • @arya31ful
      @arya31ful 4 года назад +183

      And that's how Hitler decides to sped up development of his batshit Wunderwaffes.

    • @cyndirojohn4542
      @cyndirojohn4542 4 года назад +30

      They thought it was a superjet

    • @screwy0u744
      @screwy0u744 4 года назад +45

      @MrKalashnik0va it's not really British they are from USA planes British doesn't have any b planes.

    • @mrticatcs658
      @mrticatcs658 4 года назад +70

      @@screwy0u744 Britain had the Lancaster and wellington , but the b17 is american

  • @fal3881
    @fal3881 4 года назад +2015

    The best part of every war fact
    "Dont shot, they cant fight anymore"

    • @ironbomb6753
      @ironbomb6753 4 года назад +127

      Yes, that point is often not mentioned.

    • @naverilllang
      @naverilllang 4 года назад +215

      Well, strategically, it's better to let them crash. Prisoners and intact enemy technology are always good to have.

    • @justinmcginty6815
      @justinmcginty6815 4 года назад +278

      It's worth mentioning. The Germans were human

    • @TheOriginalShakuraz
      @TheOriginalShakuraz 4 года назад +43

      And millions of german civilians got perished by an act of cruelty.
      After the Wehrmacht capitulated, they slaughtered another 2 million civilians in the "Rheinwiesenlager".

    • @AChunkyDog
      @AChunkyDog 4 года назад +103

      @@justinmcginty6815
      Lots of examples of Germans protecting allied pilots.

  • @-thanawat-8296
    @-thanawat-8296 2 года назад +324

    “We’d like to express our sincere thanks to Captain Rojohn’s daughter for helping with the facts”
    The fact that you got his daughter is amazing

  • @quixak7209
    @quixak7209 4 года назад +2159

    If I was a German. I would be like, what kinda weird ass biplane is this.

    • @hyxterioo5173
      @hyxterioo5173 4 года назад +46

      After seeing German weaponry/vehicle designs from WW2, like the Die Glocke (idk if it was even real- its still really fucking weird tho), not even that would seem weird to me.

    • @collinwood6573
      @collinwood6573 4 года назад +41

      Imagine two b-52s getting stuck together; a 16 jet engine biplane.

    • @jeffvader811
      @jeffvader811 4 года назад +2

      @@hyxterioo5173 There are weirder German aircraft that are actually real.

    • @seantaggart7382
      @seantaggart7382 4 года назад +6

      I would be like
      Man the USA strats are amazing
      As I'm being downed

    • @quixak7209
      @quixak7209 4 года назад +1

      KillstreakGaming 374 cool

  • @timorouw5555
    @timorouw5555 3 года назад +1923

    'B-17's are known for their resilliance'
    *laughs in warthunder*

    • @TheCrowOfJudgement
      @TheCrowOfJudgement 3 года назад +69

      GENERAL KENOBI

    • @timorouw5555
      @timorouw5555 3 года назад +59

      @@TheCrowOfJudgement you are a bold one

    • @orcabeast8006
      @orcabeast8006 3 года назад +39

      There’s the comment I was looking for

    • @martijntraas5321
      @martijntraas5321 3 года назад +12

      I can relate to that #warthunder

    • @polarjet1833
      @polarjet1833 3 года назад +13

      *laughs in figured out the tactic to take out the enemy’s and not eat shit except for if they hit your tail*

  • @glennadavissr1700
    @glennadavissr1700 4 года назад +1402

    Maybe I'm just old. This brought tears to my eyes as well as pride in my heart. These two, as well as the others who survived and those who didn't, are truely all hero's.

    • @marynurdoch3187
      @marynurdoch3187 3 года назад +11

      I must be old too, this story made me cry!

    • @davidscott2821
      @davidscott2821 3 года назад +2

      For goodness sake....what's all this crying about?

    • @dr.barrycohn5461
      @dr.barrycohn5461 3 года назад

      Yeah, you are just old! But, so am I.

    • @waboem
      @waboem 3 года назад +16

      I myself am 17, but this did the same to me. Knowing there is a big chance you'll die, but sticking with your brothers in arms. That's beautiful

    • @waboem
      @waboem 3 года назад +5

      @another turtle luckily most non SS soldiers were just soldiers fighting for their country, and most honoring white flags, surrender and not shooting on unarmed people

  • @williamakerley5468
    @williamakerley5468 3 года назад +563

    Not only did I know Glenn Rojohn, but he was a friend. I recall the evening he quietly recounted this story to me while we sat on a patio in Florida. I was astonished (and remain so to this day)...b
    -

    • @karenhenningsen4671
      @karenhenningsen4671 3 года назад +4

      INFO on Nine Lives www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/6139

    • @HanzTheODST
      @HanzTheODST 2 года назад +4

      Lucky man

    • @danielhayes3607
      @danielhayes3607 2 года назад +11

      Is the b for bullshit?

    • @themoocow7718
      @themoocow7718 2 года назад

      That’s pretty amazing. Were you neighbors?

    • @JaxHappy1
      @JaxHappy1 2 года назад +9

      @@danielhayes3607 bro Wuts ur problem

  • @TheTruePopeFrancis
    @TheTruePopeFrancis 3 года назад +455

    My grandmothers cousin was a witness to the Piggyback Ride. His name was Ralph Christiansen and was the Co-Pilot of the B-17 “Lucky Lassie”, in the 100th bomb group, 418th bomb squadron.

    • @imnotgoodatanything8244
      @imnotgoodatanything8244 2 года назад +17

      That’s interesting. By great great great grandfather was the inventor of the first rocket launcher

    • @krisjay1558
      @krisjay1558 2 года назад +30

      @@imnotgoodatanything8244 Very interesting. My grandfather was a cook at a hospital.

    • @leopinty5103
      @leopinty5103 2 года назад +10

      @@krisjay1558 How interesting, my grandmother is a medic in the coastguard.

    • @christisking1316
      @christisking1316 2 года назад +15

      @@leopinty5103 Very interesting, My late Father was an Armouror in the 15th- Whilst loading Bombs on a B-24, He accidentally knocked out one of the observers windows in the plane!? The Base Commander chewed my Dad out, and accused Him of working for the Germans!? ( True Story)🤣🤣☠️

    • @whatnotbutter7470
      @whatnotbutter7470 2 года назад +7

      My great grandfather was a gunner’s mate for th 16 inch guns of USS West Virginia

  • @keenislander9897
    @keenislander9897 4 года назад +1349

    *ahem*
    Animation: very cool
    Story: crazy and cool
    Results: epic pilots

    • @bp_cherryblossomtree723
      @bp_cherryblossomtree723 4 года назад +10

      YamHub is *SOOOO* underrated

    • @bestamerica
      @bestamerica 4 года назад

      hi K...
      '
      not coool...
      not good computer animation

    • @ToeCutter454
      @ToeCutter454 4 года назад +5

      sadly they don't make American's like this anymore... too many liberal ideals shoved down their throats in public schools...

    • @a.l9566
      @a.l9566 4 года назад +2

      Quantum Uncertainty Workshop wait *W H A T*

    • @JeanLucCaptain
      @JeanLucCaptain 4 года назад +4

      Movie critics: omg SUCH TYPICAL HOLYWOOD BULLSHIT! there's no way that happened!

  • @damianpetestudios2456
    @damianpetestudios2456 4 года назад +1178

    This is what i like little ww2 stories not that known

    • @bartman9400
      @bartman9400 4 года назад +6

      Look fro the Japanese i400 submarine or check out higher call for more lesser known story’s all true

    • @comradeelmo7562
      @comradeelmo7562 4 года назад +7

      You wanna hear something badass? Look up USS Boris vs U-405. Absolutely nuts.

    • @comradeelmo7562
      @comradeelmo7562 4 года назад +4

      * USS Borie. Autocorrects stupid

    • @captainpegs0740
      @captainpegs0740 4 года назад

      @@comradeelmo7562 link?

    • @comradeelmo7562
      @comradeelmo7562 4 года назад

      en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Borie_(DD-215)

  • @wherebanana8585
    @wherebanana8585 3 года назад +160

    My Dad was a ball turret gunner, trained in B-24's but saw combat in B-17's. Made 28 missions with the 401st Bomb Group was shot down on his last mission, spent 1 year as a POW of the Nazi's. Lost him 2 years ago at the age of 91 and he was a tough ol'bird and i miss him very much. Enjoyed your video very much.

    • @T1A4437
      @T1A4437 11 месяцев назад +1

      What bomber of regiment did he fly

  • @galenfultz5411
    @galenfultz5411 4 года назад +186

    My father in law George Klare a B-17 navigator was also shot down that day. He survived and was imprisoned at Stalag Luft 1

    • @kimcatacutan8980
      @kimcatacutan8980 4 года назад +8

      Rojohn, Leek, and some of the other crew members were POWs at Stalag Luft I.

    • @lilibethmaderia8585
      @lilibethmaderia8585 4 года назад

      Damn😯

    • @jmstowe
      @jmstowe 3 года назад

      My cousin was also shot down was also sent to Stalag Luft I, They may very well have met,

    • @jmstowe
      @jmstowe 3 года назад +1

      @Jack Willard The men in Stalag Luft 1 were liberated by the Russians in 1945.

  • @_Matsimus_
    @_Matsimus_ 4 года назад +1743

    The most beautiful plane on earth

    • @TinoStheReal
      @TinoStheReal 3 года назад +37

      Nope. 109 is the Sexiest

    • @ME-qo2yj
      @ME-qo2yj 3 года назад +37

      Nah p 51 mustang or a 10 warthog

    • @TinoStheReal
      @TinoStheReal 3 года назад +12

      nah p51 are not nice in my opinion. The only Time i like them is when they turn into a big fireball caused of a sexxy MK108 30mm shell of a sexxyyy 109

    • @seth047
      @seth047 3 года назад +16

      Messerschmitt BF109 is best looking in my opinion. especially the box like canopy, really gives it a nice look. But it’s my opinion, so you can have your own take.

    • @thomaszumr371
      @thomaszumr371 3 года назад +10

      Nah, Ta-152

  • @loliprotectionservices9953
    @loliprotectionservices9953 4 года назад +573

    Mustang: daddy, mummy how was I born?
    The little skipper: ....
    Nine lives: ....

    • @cigarpringles1890
      @cigarpringles1890 4 года назад +36

      Cursed

    • @VintageStatue
      @VintageStatue 4 года назад +35

      How the b24 was made

    • @StuckOnAFireHydrant
      @StuckOnAFireHydrant 4 года назад +11

      @@VintageStatue
      I understand the joke but historically speaking just so you know:
      technically it would be the other way around since people have joked that the b24 was the box the b17 came in because it was so much bigger.

    • @gamergaming6604
      @gamergaming6604 4 года назад +7

      It accidental

    • @andya857
      @andya857 4 года назад +5

      LOL!!!!....

  • @pizzaman5169
    @pizzaman5169 3 года назад +229

    My Dad was in the Philippines during WWII. My Mother was a
    Rosie-the-riveter & she built tail sections of B-17's & P-38's.

    • @beans6699
      @beans6699 3 года назад +2

      Thats cool

    • @Hammerhea64
      @Hammerhea64 3 года назад +13

      My Birth father was a medic on troop evacuation trains and committed Suicide in 1948 from all the bodies he helped with that drove him to it and my mother built radios for military communications.

    • @ArousedRat1
      @ArousedRat1 3 года назад +5

      @@Hammerhea64 my grandfather was a cook on a merchant marine ship any my other grandfather was on the USS Washington.

    • @screamingpencil
      @screamingpencil 2 года назад +4

      My dad was a tail gunner in Halifax and Lancaster bombers, 434 squadron. He said one time after they landed, he walked around the plane and counted over a hundred bullet holes.

    • @pizzaman5169
      @pizzaman5169 2 года назад +2

      @@screamingpencil Our next door neighbor flew the Memphis Belle for a while. That would be a rush.

  • @wallywheezer8256
    @wallywheezer8256 4 года назад +650

    The worst thing about this channel...
    ...is how severely underrated you guys are. Your videos are phenomenal and the animation enforces it. Keep up the great work!!

    • @jerryjuutalainen1783
      @jerryjuutalainen1783 4 года назад +1

      I'm disappointed in their animation to be fair. Soo many models are not period correct or have wrong models.

    • @blazerocker1734
      @blazerocker1734 4 года назад +5

      @@jerryjuutalainen1783 In this case I'd rather have faster vids over more-detailed vids.

    • @jerryjuutalainen1783
      @jerryjuutalainen1783 4 года назад

      @@blazerocker1734 honestly if they want to focus on the stories and cut down on the animation i'd be fine with it too. a couple of pics soo the avg person gets the idea of where it happened and to/with what is enough.

    • @jumpinjojo
      @jumpinjojo 4 года назад +1

      Wally Wheezer Who underrated the channel??

    • @0_169
      @0_169 4 года назад +1

      @@jerryjuutalainen1783 bruh underrated

  • @vee1766
    @vee1766 4 года назад +496

    "9 months later, the B34 was born. Coincidence ? I think not"

    • @imadrifter
      @imadrifter 4 года назад +17

      Yes. This 👆

    • @x5x
      @x5x 4 года назад +10

      if you mean the ventura, it looks more like a baby of a b-17 (nose) and a b-24 (rear)^^

    • @thegrimhorseman
      @thegrimhorseman 4 года назад +14

      @@x5x I think he's talking about the numbers, 17+17=34

    • @seguntunde6741
      @seguntunde6741 4 года назад

      This Is the comment I was looking for 😁😁😁

    • @justinpipes85
      @justinpipes85 4 года назад

      @@x5x whoosh.

  • @nerowulfee9210
    @nerowulfee9210 4 года назад +544

    Random german AA officer: "Okay, thats enough pervitin for today"

    • @ispartacus1337
      @ispartacus1337 4 года назад +14

      Ah I see you're a man of culture as well

    • @maus-chanuwu1244
      @maus-chanuwu1244 4 года назад +28

      Other german AA officer: we should stop drinking beer *beer drinking intensifies*

    • @gerritbeckmann6071
      @gerritbeckmann6071 4 года назад +3

      Haha 😂 😂

    • @justinpipes85
      @justinpipes85 4 года назад +3

      This comment should be number one.

    • @exeous8205
      @exeous8205 4 года назад +5

      I understand this joke, *I'm glad that i do!*

  • @alanjm1234
    @alanjm1234 2 года назад +81

    A similar collision happened in Australia between two Avro Ansons. The top plane lost it's engines in the collision, but had operational controls. The bottom one still had operable engines.
    Between them the pilots landed the two one on top of the other. And one plane was repaired and flew again!

  • @nymalous3428
    @nymalous3428 4 года назад +195

    I'll be telling my WW2 history class about this, those middle-schoolers will never believe it!

    • @cyndirojohn4542
      @cyndirojohn4542 4 года назад +14

      The details of the incident and Primary Source Documents many historians never saw are in the book. Kim Leek Catacutan posted the link

    • @terrysnyder3599
      @terrysnyder3599 4 года назад

      Wait, that's still allowed!

  • @stuka8700
    @stuka8700 4 года назад +646

    I like how on the scene where the "Nine Lives" is hit at 2:07, it's hit nine times

  • @christopherg2347
    @christopherg2347 4 года назад +378

    3:00 "How do the engines look on your side?"
    "Uh, I see 3 working 1 burning on my side. What about yours?"

    • @noneck3099
      @noneck3099 4 года назад +82

      .." Got 4 working on my side.......we're all good!......................................................hang on a minute"

    • @rickyelich3908
      @rickyelich3908 4 года назад +10

      CharlieRobloxKerbal
      Not if they had used up eight of them already . Some planes had survived 70 - 100+ missions . The bombing schedule towards the end of the war was intense ( ie : Big Week ). The allies lost almost 60,000 airmen . Can’t remember the US losses . It was not a career that guaranteed a long life span , that’s why they are all heroes .

    • @berkleyhuffman48
      @berkleyhuffman48 3 года назад +1

      @CharlieRobloxKerbal I feel like the German's should have returned the plane to the British, I know why they wouldn't and probably didn't but like. Plane might actually have had 9 lives (aka, surviving 9 crashes)

    • @deathsheadknight2137
      @deathsheadknight2137 3 года назад

      @@rickyelich3908 hey it was worth it to burn all those civilians at Dresden.

    • @sebastianchavez577
      @sebastianchavez577 3 года назад +1

      @@deathsheadknight2137 WHAT, innocent people being unfortunate casualties in a city that was targeted because of its strategic importance to the enemy!? Man war is so wacky like that.

  • @resolute123
    @resolute123 2 года назад +100

    "any errors is entirely on our own." You guys just got my subscribe vote. Finally, an infographic that takes responsibility and takes accuracy seriously.

    • @Eclipse-lw4vf
      @Eclipse-lw4vf Год назад +1

      And with old stories like this, you can only got on written reports and stories handed down, meaning it’s very well possible there are inaccuracies.

    • @N0TxSURE
      @N0TxSURE 5 месяцев назад

      Same

  • @TheRealGuywithoutaMustache
    @TheRealGuywithoutaMustache 4 года назад +317

    I just appreciate how well done Yarn's animations and narration is, they're always top notch in quality

  • @wolfygrl24
    @wolfygrl24 4 года назад +53

    My grandfather was a tail gunner in a B-17, I can’t recall how many missions he flew on but he was very lucky to have made it through all of them and the war. I always enjoyed when he would tell stories of what he went through. He ended up writing a memoir of his time in the war before he passed away.

    • @AverageAlien
      @AverageAlien 4 года назад

      There are alternate realities where you dont exist....probably

    • @ryanjanusz8736
      @ryanjanusz8736 4 года назад +3

      Might that memoir be available to the public? I promise theres no twisted reason, I'd really just like to keep the history alive and see a glimpse of what he saw. My grandpa fought too and his memoir was left to my uncle (1 of 2 sons), but as an airman himself he never talked abt what he did over there to us, and I never got to see the journal.

    • @jmullentech
      @jmullentech 4 года назад +3

      @@ryanjanusz8736 ^ Had the same question here. Kinda curious if it's "It Only Takes One: Memoirs of a Tail Gunner". Regardless, I would love to read it!

    • @CrusaderSports250
      @CrusaderSports250 4 года назад +3

      @@jmullentech would be an interesting read as the life of the tail gunner was often a short one, tail end Charlie as we (here in the UK) referred to them, my grandfather worked as a lorry driver helping to build the heavy bomber runways around Norfolk and Suffolk, living in a caravan with his wife and three young daughters (the middle one was my mum), they lived on both British and US airbases, preferring the US ones as food was often available that was unobtainable, (tinned peaches, oranges, proper tinned ham ), the Americans seemed to have food in abundance (to a seven year old girl), things would take a turn for the worst whenever they had to shift to a British base as everything was in short supply and it was back to ration books, the British flew at night and the Americans flew in the day and mum always said she thought that was brave of them to fly in the day, and it explained why they carried so many guns, the British aircraft carried more bombs but not so many guns, in the late sixties /early seventies mum would tell me about her life at that time but later on rarely spoke of it, unfortunately those memories are now lost to us, I should write down what I remember lest they be lost completely.

    • @rickyelich3908
      @rickyelich3908 4 года назад

      Ryan Janusz
      Well , retrieve it for the sake of history !! This knowledge is disappearing as each veteran dies off .

  • @artificernathaniel3287
    @artificernathaniel3287 4 года назад +235

    Only thing that would have been better would have been to show the defensive machine gun fire from the bombers, visually demonstrating why a packed formation was actually defensive.

    • @Aethgeir
      @Aethgeir 4 года назад +8

      Agreed!

    • @1998marijn1998
      @1998marijn1998 4 года назад +15

      Yes it seemed very confusing to me why that had any defense at all

    • @calebjlee2685
      @calebjlee2685 4 года назад +13

      Oooooh they could fight back. At first I was confused why bunching together was better

    • @addanametocontinue
      @addanametocontinue 4 года назад +5

      Agreed. I forgot that these bombers have defensive guns, so I was initially wondering why they even bothered maintaining a "defensive" formation other than to take turns getting shot at.

    • @ablemagawitch
      @ablemagawitch 4 года назад +21

      @@addanametocontinue These planes were called "Fortresses" due to the number of guns and gunners they had on each air plane. When in formation, they had fields of fire that didn't shoot into their own "friendly planes"(friendly fire isn't) and that they filled in holes created by limitations of the other plane's gunner placements. Plus added additional guns & gunners to cover the same area for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th, etc fighter plane in the squadron attacking. You belly gunners top dome gunners, tail gunners, nose gunners and you had gunners on each side. All with anti-aircraft guns 30 caliber and 50 caliber rounds shooting at planes that were prop propelled meaning they moved way slower than jets. Making not hits to vital parts of the enemy fighters possible but also of shooting the pilots themselves through the sides and canopies. There was a hell of a lot of steel and lead in the air, besides the planes of both sides..... So a plane could accidentally fly into string of fire that was missed another plane. This comment is buried but I could type multi-screens about these gun arrangements and what the air crews faced. There was also a different degree of chivalry and outright Mercy for the poor soul, where when someone was going down, they didn't strafe the parachutist. If any of the crew managed to bail out. Look for the German BF 109 that spared and guarded a B 17 back home to it was safely over the channel on Yarn Hub(maker of video) ruclips.net/video/LpAJTURalIM/видео.html
      That is before we even talk about the escort fighters which would fly with them part of the way, then have to land and refuel and reload the guns (often getting make shift repairs to get them back up) since bombers carried more fuel (IE LONG RANGE) and our fighters would join back up with returning bombers to help deal with any and all the German planes that if they didn't attack and/or know they were there on the way in (which would also have to land to refuel and reload guns) , on their return trip , the Germans sure would have had the Bombers Fleet location broadcast to all air units and anti air batteries in range. There is document proof of soldiers taking down a plane with Lee Nnfield .303 Bolt action rifle from the ground, saving the Allied fighter pilot in damage plane in the dog fight.
      Also. As they say in the air force, "it is unwise to eject out of plane in an area you just bombed..." So any bomber crew having to bail out, that it was sometime better for them to parachute and be captured to receive medical help than wait for the time it would take to fly back over friendly territory. Shitty choice but between certain death and possibly living but in the hell of P.O.W. Camp, some crew had trust in the German Soldiers' Humanity. Which is often swept to the side in the whole Germans=Nazis and Nazis are fucking evil.... over simplification of the actualities of war. See also the Christmas day cease fire where in WW1 they sung carols and even played soccer(football) with each other instead of shooting at each other on Christmas one year. But that gets into another long post about another historical event I hope you research and any others who stumble on this post.

  • @cyndirojohn4542
    @cyndirojohn4542 3 года назад +62

    The Rojohn, Leek, and Piggyback Flight families thank YarnHub and its viewers for your support over this past year.

  • @rpllieb
    @rpllieb 4 года назад +257

    I'm retired now after building airplanes. Never did work on a B-17. Too young. 🍼 The B-17 is a fabulous aircraft. My very favorite 🤗

  • @corey8704
    @corey8704 4 года назад +192

    Now we wait for Sabaton to make a song about this one.

  • @blackorange5091
    @blackorange5091 4 года назад +331

    Meanwhile, in War Thunder:
    2 planes barely touch wingtips - EXPLOSION OCCURS

    • @robertbalazslorincz8218
      @robertbalazslorincz8218 4 года назад +6

      BANG

    • @cardiv5zuikaku944
      @cardiv5zuikaku944 4 года назад +7

      I remember when playing User mission when the mission is B-17 flying home after bombing run, one B-17 goes down and hit me, aand there goes my wing

    • @ducc995
      @ducc995 4 года назад +3

      Can relate. I was flying my A-36 Apache when I collided [barely] with a friendly plane, don't remember which.

    • @Upright901
      @Upright901 4 года назад +9

      Was looking for this comment

    • @NoOneAlive_
      @NoOneAlive_ 4 года назад +3

      So true.

  • @FactionTheGods
    @FactionTheGods Год назад +24

    My grandfather was a waist gunner in the Nine Lives, he was one of the casualties. Always enjoy seeing the story being shared.

    • @BATANGGALAa
      @BATANGGALAa Год назад +4

      Salute to your heroic gradfather

  • @thememebandit6767
    @thememebandit6767 4 года назад +426

    The top gunner on nine lives: what the hell is going on
    Bottom gunner on a little skipper: what t...

    • @ClingyCrab
      @ClingyCrab 4 года назад +25

      What about the belly gunner on the top plane?

    • @undeadfredlive3837
      @undeadfredlive3837 4 года назад +62

      @@ClingyCrab You mean the top gunner of the bottom plane now?

    • @LucidFL
      @LucidFL 4 года назад +8

      Nobody: Nobody:

    • @brianstabile165
      @brianstabile165 4 года назад +5

      American Eagle the bottom gunner on the little skipper:Sir we are attached

    • @mariroserusso3230
      @mariroserusso3230 4 года назад +8

      @@ClingyCrab He died on impact when the top plane hit the ground.

  • @sytseth
    @sytseth 4 года назад +367

    This channel had a big potential, they already passed that! It’ll only get better!!

    • @TheJessC
      @TheJessC 4 года назад +2

      It sure will. They got me to subscribe. This is the first video I've seen.

    • @Yarnhub
      @Yarnhub  4 года назад +1

      @@TheJessC Thanks and Welcome !

    • @pot8os
      @pot8os 4 года назад

      the only unrealistic things are the characters

    • @lilkris3008
      @lilkris3008 4 года назад

      Yes well on its way to becoming... the 5th Channel

    • @Likeusb1
      @Likeusb1 4 года назад

      @@Yarnhub These videos are so fun to simply watch. I loved the one where a church was converted to a hospital.

  • @professordanfurmanek3732
    @professordanfurmanek3732 4 года назад +58

    Former pilot. What a truly remarkable and inspiring event!! This would indeed make a wonderful Hollywood movie!!

    • @cyndirojohn4542
      @cyndirojohn4542 4 года назад +3

      The Rojohn family has been trying for a film. Hope someday soon

    • @clearcreek69
      @clearcreek69 4 года назад +1

      A book about the incident would be nice too. A Higher Call is a good book by Adam Makos

    • @cyndirojohn4542
      @cyndirojohn4542 4 года назад

      J Johnston. The Piggyback Flight Pilot's Journey on Amazon. Thank you for your interest

  • @alvinjames470
    @alvinjames470 3 года назад +85

    Good job on landing both planes and respect to the Germans who did not shoot at the planes locked together.

    • @trentallman984
      @trentallman984 2 года назад +19

      For all their evil, they treated most POW's well, and wouldn't shoot a man in a parachute. Of course when compared to the Japanese everyone looks better.

    • @frecatorDementa
      @frecatorDementa 2 года назад +3

      The evils of German soldiers are greatly exagerated in modern media.

    • @msaa1125
      @msaa1125 2 года назад +2

      @@frecatorDementa true. except for all those genocides. those were pretty bad

    • @frecatorDementa
      @frecatorDementa 2 года назад +5

      @@msaa1125 Those were almost exclusively the SS, not the general soldiery

    • @aquila4460
      @aquila4460 2 года назад +7

      @@frecatorDementa Ah yes, the clean Wehrmacht. No, the Wehrmacht a) participated heavily in the genocide, especially on the eastern front, and b) willingly and knowingly fought to prolong this genocide.

  • @sethjansson5652
    @sethjansson5652 4 года назад +631

    Boeing engineers: aah, just as planned...

    • @campkira
      @campkira 4 года назад +2

      how do youplan the second plane.... the reasosn why they suvived is to the 9 live take all the impact..

    • @beacher50_
      @beacher50_ 3 года назад +8

      @@campkira its a joke ya *stoopid*

    • @whyle5318
      @whyle5318 3 года назад +2

      The boeing engineers KNEW that this would happen.
      They planned for this.
      They hoped.

    • @Schzercro
      @Schzercro 3 года назад

      They planned for them to have a fun time.

    • @SephirothRyu
      @SephirothRyu 3 года назад +2

      The beautiful mating ritual of the B-17.

  • @tofu985
    @tofu985 4 года назад +47

    now this is what i call quality from above

  • @therealcapalot
    @therealcapalot 4 года назад +196

    The greatest history channel ever

    • @thetheandthe6371
      @thetheandthe6371 4 года назад +5

      Can’t disagree with that

    • @jurassicdano3695
      @jurassicdano3695 4 года назад +4

      How did you put this comment 14 minutes ago if it was released 11 minutes ago what the heck

    • @jiemileng7745
      @jiemileng7745 4 года назад +2

      @@jurassicdano3695 IKR

    • @jiemileng7745
      @jiemileng7745 4 года назад +3

      Don't forget Oversimplified 😁. They are both great History channels.

    • @flipmanlet8982
      @flipmanlet8982 4 года назад +3

      True

  • @jonathanvandagriff7515
    @jonathanvandagriff7515 3 года назад +71

    This is one of the coolest animations I've ever seen... It's like a hybrid of cartoon and 3D. Loved it!

  • @jeffreylindsey1757
    @jeffreylindsey1757 4 года назад +76

    The fact that one half of the crews of the two B-17s (10 out of 20) survived is amazing in itself. That is some heroic and skillful flying. Never knew this took place. They didn't call that the greatest generation this Country has seen for nothing! Thanks for the video.

  • @johnarmenta2199
    @johnarmenta2199 4 года назад +61

    Fantastic video!! I the opportunity of a lifetime, so I took it. I purchased front-seat tickets - the bomber positions - for me and my brother to fly on a restored B-17 last year. $750 each - TOTALLY WORTH IT!! In real life, that machine is incredibly small, compared to what you may think. Everything is cramped. That plane had one purpose: deliver those bombs! Everything else, even the men, was expendable. It was 20 minute minute flight "there and back", and I 'll never forget it. The rumbling, the shaking, the vibrations, the wobbly take off and the bouncy landing. And I gained a whole new appreciation for WWII, and what we asked of our men back then. Many of them were late teens, early 20's, flying over enemy territory, risking their lives - absolute heroes! Every one of them!!

    • @roadtrain_
      @roadtrain_ 2 года назад +2

      Those planes had a bigger goal than just 'deliver those bombs'. B-17's were made to bring their crews back home, they were incredibly resilient.

    • @HDL_CinC_Dragon
      @HDL_CinC_Dragon Год назад +1

      I did this too a couple years ago and it was absolutely worth it. Sitting in the front gunner position was an amazing experience. Such amazing and impressive machines!
      Fun anecdote about our flight: The plane had a loose wire on the starter for one of the engines so we were sitting on the tarmac while one of the ground guys on a ladder was literally knocking on it with a hammer trying to figure out why it would only try to start for an instant on each knock. At first they were thinking the solenoid was going, hence the "percussive maintenance", but eventually figured out it was simply a loose wire. It was really funny to me listening to the pilots above us and the ground guy going back and forth coming up with ideas. I love these birds and I will forever be in awe of them!

    • @thecocktailian2091
      @thecocktailian2091 6 месяцев назад

      Out of Arizona Im guessing? Id love to sign up for a ride. Ill take the top turret though.

  • @vincentgao6027
    @vincentgao6027 4 года назад +370

    So basically
    When when a adult plane and another adult plane likes each other very much they create a little plane baby

    • @mecate818
      @mecate818 4 года назад +25

      And a b 25 pops out

    • @voltsiano116
      @voltsiano116 4 года назад +21

      When a mommy bomber and a daddy bomber love each other VERY much...

    • @ii_existinq2958
      @ii_existinq2958 4 года назад +3

      @@mecate818 or b-29

    • @ClingyCrab
      @ClingyCrab 4 года назад +8

      @张静
      Imagine giving birth to a child bigger than you

    • @daviddonaghy7568
      @daviddonaghy7568 4 года назад +5

      Vincent Gao That's where P-47s come from.

  • @chirho100
    @chirho100 3 года назад +34

    The B-34 is an amazing aircraft, strikes fear in the hearts of their enemies.

  • @F-Man
    @F-Man 4 года назад +106

    Never knew this story! Incredible airmanship and heroism.

  • @a_lexine
    @a_lexine 4 года назад +318

    --reads title--
    excuse me, but *_WHAT_*

    • @digitalnomad9985
      @digitalnomad9985 4 года назад +1

      Nostalgia for the biplane era is all well and good, but things can be taken too far!

    • @a_lexine
      @a_lexine 4 года назад

      @@sharkapologist well then, consider me extremely impressed

  • @NukeFinity
    @NukeFinity 4 года назад +117

    My grandad was punished and send to the east front after playing cards with an shot down English pilot in the Normandy. Instant of arresting him he and his colleagues just played cards with him.

    • @bobstadelmayer8402
      @bobstadelmayer8402 4 года назад +25

      My wife's grandfather was in an airborne unit that took part in Normandy. Gliders would land behind enemy lines transporting troops. He was one of the men being transported. Their glider was hit, killing the pilot and co-pilot. He managed to crash land the craft, but was severely injured. A German soldier happened to find him and patched him up (luckily it was a medic), before high tailing out of there (the Allies we advancing). Glad he learned that not all Germans were bad people, since I'm of German descent.

    • @hellatze
      @hellatze 3 года назад +2

      @@bobstadelmayer8402 mu grandad nuke the korea back in ww2. That was wild day as the plane chased by american.

    • @dr.barrycohn5461
      @dr.barrycohn5461 3 года назад

      That's very cool. Hopefully, I gather he survived as you are here to tell the tale.

    • @dameerfaadhil4455
      @dameerfaadhil4455 3 года назад +4

      @@hellatze u gave me a stroke

    • @szexmaster
      @szexmaster 3 года назад +2

      And did he survived the eastern front?

  • @YouAwakeYet
    @YouAwakeYet 2 года назад +5

    WOW!!! Beyond incredible!!! Shout out to pilot for his airmanship and the copilot for sticking through to the end....
    Unbelievable

  • @dh4913
    @dh4913 4 года назад +43

    I like how he said "No" in a very serious manner

  • @rayaso6036
    @rayaso6036 4 года назад +180

    Is no one going to talk about during the reunion a cat was parachuting down

  • @themegaforce810
    @themegaforce810 4 года назад +126

    Great video. I believe the saddest part of this event was Rojohn’s ball-turret gunner, Staff Sgt. Joseph Russo. He was stuck in the ball-turret position below the B-17 and the crew were unable to crank him in. Rojohn said the most painful part of the flight was hearing SSgt. Russo saying his Hail Marys over the intercom "Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.” Co-pilot Leek later said "I could not help him, and I felt that I was somehow invading his right to be alone.”, so he took his intercom off. It wasn’t just Leek and Rojohn in The Little Skipper, Russo was in there too, waiting, and destined to die.

  • @brokenbridge6316
    @brokenbridge6316 2 года назад +8

    This was an extraordinary story. My compliments to the pilots and their efforts in this most unusual day.

  • @jonathanyoung5780
    @jonathanyoung5780 3 года назад +42

    Always held those who served in those times at the highest respect and gratitude. Its no wonder their called The Greatest Generation.

  • @aaaaaa-nl9ut
    @aaaaaa-nl9ut 4 года назад +122

    In War Thunder, the planes will break into pieces when they touch each other

    • @winniechua4585
      @winniechua4585 4 года назад +4

      When will they let ppl do this i wanna b that biplane

    • @nicholasescobedojr6087
      @nicholasescobedojr6087 4 года назад +1

      Ya they do

    • @midgarw6775
      @midgarw6775 4 года назад +5

      In war thunder they break apart when they touch the air.

    • @Death-bd1tl
      @Death-bd1tl 3 года назад

      @@midgarw6775 they break apart after lift off

    • @CecilioSprayetti
      @CecilioSprayetti 3 года назад +5

      That is being fixed in the upcoming patch, you can actually do what they did in this video ingame now lmao

  • @johnnyk.2911
    @johnnyk.2911 4 года назад +19

    My father in law piloted a B-17, he since has passed away. This story was amazing and left me in awe.

  • @dougrippe33
    @dougrippe33 3 года назад +19

    The “Little Skipper” was once the aircraft that my grandfather was a crew member of. From what I’ve researched regarding the missions he flew, the last one was on 12/5/44 and they then started flying “The Little Sweetheart” A/C 532. Amazing how I stumbled across the video and how close it could’ve been my grandfather involved with this. If anyone is interested, Milton Brucker 100th Bomb Group, he was the bombardier.

    • @gavinrojohn9351
      @gavinrojohn9351 3 года назад +2

      I'd say he was lucky to not have been involved in this incident

  • @Ol_Durty_Badger
    @Ol_Durty_Badger 4 года назад +93

    The real reason the planes went down is the weight of those pilots massive steel balls.

  • @dreamingfoxtrot
    @dreamingfoxtrot 3 года назад +175

    6:23
    Anybody saw a cat coming down in a parachute?

  • @hipcat13
    @hipcat13 4 года назад +51

    Crap, I thought this was going to be a story my dad told me about how they landed at a forward airfield because they were short on fuel. While they were waiting for someone to fill their tanks and repair some battle damage, a flight of B17's were coming in short on fuel and in a hurry to get down. Two of the 17's landed one on top of another and trundled down the runway like that until they came to a stop. Dad was in night intruder ops in a Mosquito at the time.

    • @medical-cyanide1526
      @medical-cyanide1526 4 года назад +3

      I kinda wish the wrecks of the planes were saved.
      The ones from this story

    • @larrystansbury9546
      @larrystansbury9546 4 года назад +3

      Man those mosquito's were bad ass airplanes

  • @ericyell898
    @ericyell898 11 месяцев назад +1

    Wow, thats amazing!! Thank you guys for your service, and all service personnel for your service.

  • @m10tankdestroyer94
    @m10tankdestroyer94 4 года назад +118

    Imagine just vibin' somewhere a German coast and see a weird 8 engine bi-plane fly over you 😂😂

  • @conradovillegasalvarado6392
    @conradovillegasalvarado6392 4 года назад +21

    This channel just keeps getting better and better!

  • @exsappermadman25055
    @exsappermadman25055 4 года назад +7

    This is one of those "couldn't make it up if you tried" stories.......Both pilots are true legends....

  • @chefbrett2269
    @chefbrett2269 3 года назад +6

    Awesome!!! New favorite channel! Thank you for the history lesson! Always learn, and support the armed forces. Thanks from America Brothers. 🇺🇸

  • @shahnidismail8941
    @shahnidismail8941 4 года назад +10

    Props to the german who told his men not to fire at the B17.

  • @paulwilkinson4073
    @paulwilkinson4073 4 года назад +167

    If I get a cat I’m calling him yarnie not joking

    • @Alex-qh5ll
      @Alex-qh5ll 4 года назад +17

      ...and then that cat would tell you historical facts and stories.

    • @paulwilkinson4073
      @paulwilkinson4073 4 года назад +6

      Alex hahahahahah I hope so

    • @Al_Ares
      @Al_Ares 4 года назад +2

      Wha about 'Al-Yarn-ul-hub', It would sound eastern.

    • @paulwilkinson4073
      @paulwilkinson4073 4 года назад

      Aluminium Mechanics ok why not? 😂

    • @reginald7143
      @reginald7143 3 года назад

      not if i do it first

  • @alekk2320
    @alekk2320 4 года назад +8

    I'm glad people took the time to record these stories from the soldiers. They are almost all gone now, so these are incredibly valuable.

  • @stevenrapp177
    @stevenrapp177 2 года назад +1

    Watching these videos makes me sentimental about the grandfather I never met who flew B-17's over Germany. He managed to successfully land a B-17 missing the entire tail in Germany, saving his entire crew aside from the tail gunner. They were hidden in a small village for a few weeks and were safely rescued by the Allies. He never went back into Germany, but my grandmother (also in the USAF) delivered a letter to the people of the village from my grandfather thanking them, so he is now considered a war hero in a tiny German village.

  • @LowCountryMack
    @LowCountryMack 4 года назад +9

    "What an incredible story"! A testament to the 'see it thru no matter what' attitude of our greatest generation.
    Thank you for this amazing story.👍

  • @somebloke7056
    @somebloke7056 3 года назад +10

    A very beautiful story indeed, the fact everyone managed to survive and meet up again many years later is simply amazing. I'm very glad it has a happy ending.

  • @jockellis
    @jockellis 4 года назад +25

    You show a “tight” formation where the planes were so far apart as to be specks in the distance. A B-17 radio operator told me of having a prop from another plane cut through the upper fuselage during a fighter attack . Gave him a bit of a fright.

  • @DamnControl5
    @DamnControl5 2 года назад +2

    I love the speed of the planes in this animation. It is spot on. Not too fast not too slow.

  • @clappincheeks5584
    @clappincheeks5584 4 года назад +10

    Some of the greatest stories to ever come from war, are built around the B-17 bomber air raids!

  • @RockmanDash
    @RockmanDash 4 года назад +5

    Amazing, as pilot myself people like this were truly an inspiration to learn how to fly.

  • @jaden6685
    @jaden6685 4 года назад +30

    Why is this channel so underrated?

    • @jumpinjojo
      @jumpinjojo 4 года назад

      MyDixieRekt Who underrated the channel??

  • @dhy5342
    @dhy5342 5 месяцев назад

    I met Glenn Rojohn, the pilot involved, at a local airshow. Very unassuming and humble.

  • @panzerivausfh4938
    @panzerivausfh4938 4 года назад +12

    I just can't believe how underrated yarnhub is, I swear your animation is so great and so is the narration

  • @thetruechez1364
    @thetruechez1364 4 года назад +4

    I literally thought these were real planes, from the thumbnail and the first few seconds, these animations are getting waaaayyyyy better!

  • @zombieo_43
    @zombieo_43 4 года назад +11

    B17s mating colorized

  • @jaymerino1912
    @jaymerino1912 2 года назад +6

    my grandmother flew b17s at the start of the war before the Ferry command. the all women crew would set the bomb sights and drop dummy rounds on the way to Florida and California. they were never recognised till decades later. she always told me how rugged these planes were. RIP.

  • @Waftey
    @Waftey 4 года назад +4

    I love how this channel understands that many German soldiers were honorable in war including the guy who gave the order to stop firing at the two planes. Not all of them are cold blooded killers, most of them just thought they were fighting for their country and didn't know about any atrocities.

    • @nachobroryan8824
      @nachobroryan8824 4 года назад

      Wasn't necessarily honor. There's no reason to waste ammunition on a plane that's going to crash anyway.

    • @waynesimpson2074
      @waynesimpson2074 4 года назад

      Have you seen the film reals of the political rallies in 30s/40s Germany? There were millions of them adoringly praising their Leader. The sad, repugnant fact of war is the only proven, known cure for Nazis ideology is aerial bombing on a colossal scale. Bomber Harris was treat as a pariah for doing to the German people what they had done through Europe to others, it does not make it right but it puts a stop to it. Where did all the Nazis go? They weren't all killed, they had their ideals shaken out of them? The vast, vast majority of the German people voted for the Nazis and knew full well what that meant regarding the oppression of the handicapped, communists, jews, homosexuals, non-Arians , fellow Europeans etc..and that was actually the appeal. This was evident on a daily basis and on a personal level. I don't doubt that many Germans had their regrets especially when the 'quick' war dragged on and the rest of the free world amassed to destroy the Nazis expansion. I still can't comprehend how an intelligent, civilized society like Germany fell for the rhetoric of the Bohemian Corporal?

    • @TheGirard62
      @TheGirard62 2 года назад

      @@waynesimpson2074 austrian, not behemian

  • @Danglesboy1
    @Danglesboy1 4 года назад +12

    This needs to be a movie .

    • @cyndirojohn4542
      @cyndirojohn4542 3 года назад

      We have been trying for a movie, unfortunately not successful yet. Thanks for the thought

  • @dwaynevenzon643
    @dwaynevenzon643 4 года назад +10

    Yarnhub youre the best when it comes to History telling, at least right now.

  • @topphatt1312
    @topphatt1312 2 года назад +1

    This channel has to be one of the most binge-able channel on RUclips, every single video they release is short, sweet, and super entertaining.

  • @kobusdutoitbosman6240
    @kobusdutoitbosman6240 3 года назад +4

    A remarkable display of fighting spirit and airmanship - NÉVER to be forgotten !

  • @panzerboidasixth6892
    @panzerboidasixth6892 3 года назад +98

    *"Ah, B-17-kun! your ball turret is touching my fuselage"*

    • @nathanfogarty4673
      @nathanfogarty4673 3 года назад

      @Zhiann Delgado
      Definitely

    • @APersonOnYouTubeX
      @APersonOnYouTubeX 3 года назад +10

      OH GOD NO

    • @nathanfogarty4673
      @nathanfogarty4673 3 года назад +13

      @@panzerboidasixth6892
      Seeing this comment makes me want to pour sulfuric acid down my throat while constantly stabbing myself in the stomach

    • @TetyLike3
      @TetyLike3 3 года назад +2

      @@APersonOnRUclipsX General Kenobi no!

    • @ThatOneGuy-ce2js
      @ThatOneGuy-ce2js 3 года назад +2

      Shut

  • @ohitsrusher842
    @ohitsrusher842 4 года назад +90

    "And that kids is how baby b17s are born."

  • @cryptedz9860
    @cryptedz9860 3 года назад +2

    the fact that he animates it makes it entertaining not a boring documentary

  • @michaelhowell2326
    @michaelhowell2326 4 года назад +7

    I like to think that I'm a history guy and I've never heard of this. It's something one would think everyone knew the story.

    • @cyndirojohn4542
      @cyndirojohn4542 4 года назад

      We are grateful for facebook and Yarnhub getting the legendary story told. We are highly praised for the documents in the book

  • @muhammadfarras9782
    @muhammadfarras9782 4 года назад +12

    Loving the new animation

  • @americanbluejacket209
    @americanbluejacket209 4 года назад +9

    Incredible courage and airmanship from those from "The Greatest Generation" who provided a legasy for themselves and Freedom for our country's future. I salute them. Each and everyone. God Bless them as they pass through into history.

  • @shiny4984
    @shiny4984 2 года назад +1

    I know you said "so dark you couldn't see the sky" and you show an almost perfectly visible sky the same frame, but i'm not complaining since this is some top shelf stuff

  • @eddieboggs8306
    @eddieboggs8306 4 года назад +4

    Knew a man once that was a tail gunner in a B17. Everyone was killed except him. He ran to front of plane and took the controls and flew back to base. Miracle.

  • @Saipan2297
    @Saipan2297 4 года назад +17

    Yarn hub: new video
    Everyone: *_yes_*

  • @dr.barrycohn5461
    @dr.barrycohn5461 3 года назад +7

    I must say, an amazing story that I had never heard before. Thanks for bringing it to light and to life!