A Strange B-17 flying fortress

[@FlakAlley]

🤔Ever wondered Why WW2 US aircraft only had 1 Roundel? Find out here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXnOlGeQiptnatk

[@jkevinf5091]

My father flew C-47’s as a troopcarrier pilot. During Market Garden, dropping pathfinders, his plane received a direct hit from flack. A 8X4’ hole was in the fuselage opposite the cargo door. 5 troopers were wounded badly. The rest jumped. He could only maintain 100’ over the channel on the return to England. With the copilot and my father pulling the controls as hard as possible, they cleared the cliffs and upon landing at a reserve RAF field, the tail of the plane came off. He received the DFC, air medal with 3 bronze clusters, the N Africa- Italy campaign, invasion of France, Invasion of Holland, Crossing of the Rhine, and European Victory medal, and presidential unit citation. He also received the French order of Merit in 1995. I never saw his medals until he passed away, and his ribbons were displayed on his casket with his American flag.

[@jharris0341]

Respect to your father

[@pal6636]

Hey, you never saw his hardware because in my experience guys like that are always humble, they are rarely concerned about credit and aren't thinking about themselves . Cool story ..

[@DGill48]

I think he was made of the same stuff as my Dad. He never gave any details about the deal he went through until I was almost 30. B-24 navigator, shot down, one of 3 who lived. POW, 16 months

[@jharris0341]

@@DGill48 Respect to your father as well.

[@jamesmusisca7547]

another american hero who helped save the free world axis powers put the free world against the wall and it fought back with everything that's what happens when you piss off a whole country

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Richards returning the plane and crew intact, is nothing short on the definition, of a hero!!! We may use the word hero quite often, but here it's warranted 👍!!!

[@Nic7320]

*intact

[@petratical]

@@Nic7320 Actually, "intake" is correct as he "took" them "in"! Chuckle. Any way you say it, he was sure one cool, heroic dude!

[@Dark_Knight_USA]

Greetings: U R immensely correct! This man went above, beyond and in2 the next realm of duty. They do not make them that way NEmore. Thx 4 the fine compliment 2 him.

[@KoshN]

Re. intake and intact, I bet it was a speech to text error, or an autocorrect to the wrong word as he was hitting send. I've had both happen.

[@stephenseagrave1382]

“Intact”?

[@willielarimer7170]

A man that bagged groceries at the store I worked at was a waist gunner on a B17 and after the war worked at Boeing for 40 years. He was an artist that painted nose art on planes. He painted a B17 on my leather bomber jacket. He passed away in the late 90s. I'll cherish that jacket always

[@baltazargabka_]

This is fake story to fool people and make views.... people, don't be naive

[@gordonhall9871]

that is a special Tresure

[@ReallySirius]

That’s really wholesome. I’m sure he’s very happy that you care so much about it!

[@battlefieldP4Fbeta]

Priceless! you never know who you have in front of you sometimes.. damn. On the shoulders of Giants we stand.

[@scottstangeland2878]

You are so Honored !!!!!!!!!!!

[@sbvictory]

My cousin was a young B17 pilot in WW2 stationed in England. He told us several interesting stories about his service. One of them was when he and some of his crew members requisitioned a spare 50cal machine gun and mounted it in the front of his B17 to address the frontal attack vulnerabilities discussed in the video. His modifications were successful, but upon return from his mission, he was ordered to remove the machine gun by a short-sighted superior because it was non-standard. What a shame that was.

[@GetDougDimmadomed]

His superior was an idiot. Grunts have a long history of modifications that are superior to anything the engineers come up with. He should have had that retrofit taken to the factories to beef up the planes. Stronger frontal defense would have caused less planes lost and more airmen would have lasted longer.

[@P14u2nv]

That alleged "superior" was well beyond being short sighted as field mods were not only common place in those days but were encouraged which saved many a life. For instance the very first F-4 Phantom outfitted with guns was a field mod that was a huge success and which I believe eventually led to Top Gun training to teach dogfighting techniques which was not taught because it was replaced by missile technology. Afterwards the losses of F-4's was substantially less and kill ratios increased considerably.

[@robertpurinton7898]

Another Highly modified B-17 (19 fifty caliber Brownings) was "Ol' 666" captained by Jay Zeemer. His B-17 was literally saved from being scrapped due to battle damage. His crew of misfits got it flying and took on missions no other crew would touch. The story of their flight to Bougainville Island and Buka Island is edge of your seat excitement.

[@georgerowe9166]

I read an account of that mission and I always wondered why Ol' 666's exploits weren't turned into a movie. It would have been great! They could have cast Jimmy Stewart as the pilot and everything!

[@rickyelich3908]

@@georgerowe9166 Yes, that would’ve been a great action movie that was made from real events ! So much material to choose from ! Officer versus airmen interaction, airmen versus the Japs , airmen versus their plane , many directions for the dialogue to go.

[@andrewlaco1776]

Thanks for mentioning this. I finally started the audiobook after having it for two years. It’s super exciting already!

[@ruthparker1140]

("Sgt.J."). "I've heard of that." Very Poor Judgement of Commanders in the Pacific theater of Operations, Fighting against the Japanese Navy. And, Some Army planes. U, Have. Limited Ideas why THEY... Sent small numbers of Bombers With No Escort. Or,... A small one. U, Don't know how Many times a thing like that happened. But, It's Definitely Not What Dome Would have ordered. Lucky you know Your Relatives. 👍✌️🙂🕊️

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

@@ruthparker1140 The distances were so vast in the Pacific that none of the fighters could escort the B17s as they couldn't fly that far on the fuel they could carry. Lindberg was sent to show the P38 pilots how to get maximum fuel mileage...and this doubled the range! Then they developed the drop tanks for them so finally the escorts could protect the bombers.

[@johnnyblade4351]

Amazing how this guy got home with all crew to home base...... Phenominal What a great story. Respect

[@johnnyblade4351]

Thankyou so much for the Comments & Heart. I wasn't born til 61but my life is filled with WII & aircraft .. I came to North Noirfolk @4 and I think it was 11 group our area. Thousand Bomber Raid & Dambusters up the road Scampton. I met a Danbuster Hitchiking from Barnstable to Bude . Never got his name. Sadly 617 Sqd

[@FlakAlley]

@@johnnyblade4351 Thanks for taking the time to comment Johnny, That's an amazing story! Best wishes to both you and your wife :)

[@johnnyblade4351]

@@FlakAlley Hi Thankyou for up loading. I don't have a wife (I wish) Not or any civil partnership. My folks were both Blitz Kids'' as I call them. And I love the era which will never be repeated in History. I am waiting for a film to be released. About Charlie Brown whose B-17 shot to pieces. A luftwaffe pilot was sent up to take it down but on seeing the condition he didn't fire & thought they would crash in the sea. He flew back accounted a kill. but the beleagued B-17 limped home and crashed landed on the scottish coast. there is a documentary. When both men met it is so Heart Warming. The Hounor between foes. Another story up north was a B-17 crashed & burned seen by a school kid. He commerates them every year since. I was truly touched by that. There must be a million stories of a generation of young men doing what they had to do. Thanx I don't wish I was born earlier because I would of been in fray. For Sure JBX

[@StuckOnAFireHydrant]

Damn that was chilling. And to think they all survived after that ordeal as well?! I've never heard of this story, but it was a great one as always with you guys!

[@bigblue6917]

I do know about it but I'm still very impressed by the story and what they did

[@stinkymccheese8010]

That is an impressive career.

[@jannejohansson3383]

And what a plane that was. There was maybe few bullet holes on the skin. And it didn't even start to burn after crash, that pilot managed situation goodly. There written JJ on side of plane, at least on that video.

[@baltazargabka_]

This is fake story to fool people and make views.... people, don't be naive

[@paulcarey1708]

Given the size of this guy's brass balls, it's remarkable the B17 could maintain altitude with 4 engines let alone 1!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

WOW I am in my 80's and never new of this B-17.....WELL DONE MY FRIEND.....Thanks from an old Navy flying Shoe🇺🇸

[@infantryattacks]

Eighth Air Force used various models of B-17s as gunships for a brief period during the war. Extra guns and ammo meant extra weight. When flying in formation with B-17s loaded with bombs toward the target the extra weight did not prevent the gunships from maintaining formation with the rest of their assigned combat box. However, once the formation dropped its bombs, the more heavily laden gunship B-17s struggled to maintain formation with the lighter bombers. Combat studies showed the gunships actually suffered heavier losses that normal B-17s. Accordingly, the gunship concept was ended without fanfare. However, the chin turret used on the original gunships was deemed a success and was introduced to combat in the G series production models.

[@robinmcphail34]

I can't help wondering why they didn't employ gunship A20s or B25s as point men on medium range missions?

[@nigelsmith7366]

Wow so many misconceptions and incorrect facts

[@donaldromesburg1902]

I had a long talk with a former B 17 waist gunner , his plane was one of those flying gun ships , he told me on his third mission his plane was shot down and he spent 14 months in a German pow camp

[@donaldromesburg1902]

@@nigelsmith7366 hey , why don't you give us your facts and misconceptions

[@philiphumphrey1548]

I think the trouble was the USAAF were stuck on the dogma that "the bomber would always get through" which was common before the war. They tried all sorts of tactics to get unescorted bombers through in 1943 with disastrous results at Schweinfurt and Regensburg, in fact anything but simply fitting the P47s (which they already had) with drop tanks and using them to escort.

[@jonburgess3614]

This man was a true hero, keeping calm and staying at the controls of his aeroplane in the most extreme danger. Making sure his crew safe and free from becoming POWs. His score with the 8 fifty calibre machine guns would have made many a fighter pilot envious. This type of officer leads his men by example, playing his part to the full In keeping the world free for us all in two wars.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

This was a serious "Moar DAKKA!" plane.

[@dabking94.19]

Can't imagine how it felt being that first FW-190 being ripped apart head on by thoes 8 .50 Cals pointed in a straight line. Must have been one Hell of a flash, shudder, then lights out.

[@stevebuffinton1094]

Man, they were just kids. As a veteran of the Air Force I'm so proud to have stood on these men's shoulders and hope that in my service to our country I made these men and all like them proud. We owe them a giant debt.

[@ironworkerfxr7105]

Beyond true statement......TY

[@stevebuffinton1094]

@@ironworkerfxr7105 Thank you but no thanks necessary, it was an honor to serve.

[@mknewlan67]

My son man’s the weapon controls on drones. Got his pilot license and graduated college so he could become a pilot for the Air Force. He wants to fly tankers. I’m incredibly proud of him but as an army vet as is his older brother we constantly give him crap.

[@ruthparker1140]

​@@mknewlan67. ("Sgt.J."). People Don't understand That we don't start Hollywood Movie 🎥🍿 Knock down Drag out Fights. We give EACH other S..t. And, Respect. The 70's, 80's. And, 90's Marines Could P..s me off Easily. I, Have Friends whom are Marines. Varied duty Jobs. Most Army Guys From 2000 - to kinda Resent don't say anything unless directly asked. I, Was more proud to be a Military person, Than Some of the Jack ass Vietnam Vet officers. And, Very few N.c.o.s that Led Poorly. Did More to Screw up Moral than to Keep the Unit thinking it was doing good enough to Keep training. Snd, What Good you were doing. That's Why I, Hated a Southern military base. Just where I was. Not The whole thing. Lol.

[@JesseKnight2000]

Thanks for the upload, the Strange B-17's story, that I never heard of

[@FlakAlley]

Thanks for the comment Jesse, no worries!

[@patrickdurham8393]

If I weren't already in awe of that guy, the fact that he got all those boys home on one engine just made it for me.

[@brucemacallan6831]

People tend to forget how very young these boys were. Turned in to men at an early age. Some of the BoB pilots in combat against the Luftwaffe were teenagers, 18 & 19 year olds!

[@loddude5706]

Would seem this boy had read of Earnest Shackleton & then followed his example in the sky. Excellent airmanship.

[@larsrons7937]

Yes. It's no wonder that one of the contemporary Avro Lancaster's further developments was called "Shackleton". Side note: The Avro Shackleton served in NATO frontline (the North Sea) as surveilance aircraft until 1991.

[@DomXereX]

My deepest respect to the captain for bringing all his crew back to base alive. I admire him because my experience of the war in the former Yugoslavia was unfortunately much bloodier. I was in the 3rd ZNG Guards Brigade and we held positions in eastern Slavonia, usually where it was the most difficult. We were "firemen" who prevented the penetration of our defense. We fought for Osijek, Vinkovci and Vukovar. We lost every third fighter (1500 dead) but our positions never fell. A very high price for freedom, but we Croatians know that freedom has no price. Once again my full respect to the captain for bringing back all the crew members alive. That's a real commander.

[@adrianbooth438]

"How many .50 cals?" Richards: "Yes"

[@slowery43]

not funny, not original

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

Great vid. I've only heard of the similar "Old 666" story this story was new to me! 👍

[@robertreavley7145]

Another great story told well by you! I’m really pleased for you that your channel is getting more subscribers! I’ve been here from the beginning and love flack ally!! Keep on telling your stories mate! Their greatly appreciated!!!

[@bartfoster1311]

US Military during WWII: how can we fit more guns without making it unstable?

[@thomaskositzki9424]

How did the guy not get more medals?!? I am German and have studied the air war over Europe quite some bit... When he lost his second engine I thought: "Yep, now they are goners for sure." Loss of control due to one-sided engine power, spin and most likely loss of all crew. Read similar events a dozen times at least. Nah, not this guy! Keeps going, loses THREE ENGINES over France and brings the plane and crew back to Greta Britain! Not only that, but CRASH LANDS ON SAME AIRBASE! Wooooow. That's some of the most extraordinary airmanship I have ever heard of!

[@mouser485]

All B17G models had the front chin turret however, maybe this particular B17, in the story, inspired that. Great story, thank you for sharing that with us.

[@LAR-hs2qt]

Capt. Richard's was no doubt, a blessed and heroic man, worthy of his honors. May his family long enjoy their blessings.

[@baldeagle1337]

A great story i've never heard of, returns a damaged b-17 with all the crews survived was not so easy.. It take some great skills, Richard is undoubtedly a hero and his name are synonymously with the amazing b-17 that can return home safely even with just 1 engine left or even with the tail shot away

[@jduff59]

You simply cannot win a war fighting against men like this. I'm surprised he wasn't nominated for a Medal of Honor for this. It's the type of story you wouldn't believe unless verified, and that's why I'm glad I subscribed to this channel. Thank you. I have read books about the 8th Air Force and the staggering losses from frontal attacks, but that turret full of Browning's was badassery.

[@JH-ex6mb]

The Captain saved his crew who probably all went on to have families also. Hell of a generation.

[@BasementEngineer]

Hell of a generation of murderers.

[@richardklauke2418]

@@BasementEngineer Do the world a favor and stay in the basement

[@johnwalters1149]

I wonder if the United States becomes a Communist Hellhole(it is well on its way). Will you turn in your neighbors or will you grow up and fight for freedom? The choice is yours.

[@flparkermdpc]

That's a great point. All these USAAF pilots were best in their high school and college classes. Each one lost was a human capital catastrophe. The US lost about 420,000 dead in WW2 total, not all of whom were this quality, but I think of the millions of German kids who never saw adulthood. I have no idea how Germany recovered to where it has. But it never really has completely. Both Germany and Japan are depopulating, for reasons of loss of male breeding stock and brain power. We have no such excuse for the mess we're in.

[@bigblue6917]

That has surely got to qualify as one of if not the biggest fighter ever.

[@flyingmonkeydeathsquadronc968]

Look up the B25 H. 8 forward firing 50s and a 75 mm cannon

[@sturmgeschutze3070]

The RAF’s Nimrod during the Falklands were fitted with sidewinders- that beats it iirc

[@j_taylor]

You'd enjoy the story of Jay Zeamer and his "Eager Beavers" in a...heavily modified...B-17 in the Pacific.

[@slowery43]

this post surely qualifies as one of the dumbest on this page

[@badgerapocalyps2546]

Thanks for sharing such an interesting story! I never heard of a four-prop bomber pilot transitioning to a jet fighter, from the sounds of it he was quite the pilot.

[@dukecraig2402]

A lot of them were retrained as fighter pilots for Korea, in an interview Robin Olds talks about being one of the instructors that had to train them to fly fighter's. Apparently he didn't like it very much.

[@nicomeier8098]

2:28 "As they pass over Calais, France, heavy flak opens up on the B17's" --> footage showing 88mm field artillery shooting horizontally....

[@7Steveski]

Wow, what a pilot. I had an uncle who flew a full set of missions over Germany in a B 24 liberator. He had some stories!

[@slowery43]

and that means nothing to viewers watching this video, its not about you

[@jetman7946]

@@slowery43 ....Lighten up Hoagers.........Steveski is acknowledging a member of his family that was part of the Greatest Generation. Pain is temporary, but PRIDE IS FOREVER !!! Right Steveski ??? I wish my Old Man flew 25 missions and came home, instead of 23 , being shot down, and a wounded POW. He mighta lived past 48 years old.

[@WilliamHomer-o3i]

My father flew in B17s was at Hickman when pearl was attacked flew during battle of midway. Switched to B29 after war was shot down during a ferret flight on 13 June 1952 died in gulag in 1955 I was in AF for 23 years as Sobietbanalyst

[@WilliamHomer-o3i]

Meant Soviet analyst

[@Gleeful_Winner]

My grandfather went into WW2 in a B-29. He said it was the most thrilling and terrifying thing he ever experienced.

[@baltazargabka_]

This is fake story to fool people and make views.... people, don't be naive

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

That was a great story. That was definitely a flying fortress.

[@baltazargabka_]

This is fake story to fool people and make views.... people, don't be naive

[@marbleman52]

An amazing display of skill, determination, and sheer guts..!! His crew must have really trusted him to stay with the B-17. HERO....!!!

[@slimchancetoo]

At 2:30 those 88's ain't gonna do much damage to the Fortresses flying overhead.

[@nickjohnson811]

With such a success in the air, surprising that the A/F didn't modify more B-17s into that config.

[@turninwrenches8127]

Im sure it did effect the bomb load, but I still agree with you.

[@nickjohnson811]

@@turninwrenches8127 It would seem that if they had dedicated a few of these per formation, they could have severely curtailed frontal attacks before the allies had fighters capable of going all the way with the bombers. Saving other bombers and their crews would have more than made up for the loss of bomb load capacity.

[@NK-qn6pq]

They put chin turrets on all b-17s later on.

[@danielbackley9301]

@@NK-qn6pq Yep the b-17g and h models all came with 2 .50 in the chin turret

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

They did try a few dedicated escort B-17s with lots of ammo and extra guns. Problem was, they had to load up enough ammo to last the entire flight out and back, and when the bombers B-17s dropped their bombs, they were so much lighter hat they could fly faster and higher, but the escort B-17 gunships still had too much ammo to maintain formation.

[@pauljs75]

The one time where the bomber pilot almost makes ace against fighters during a mission. That's got to be something they weren't expecting.

[@michaelkniazuk6418]

Thank you for your service captain. Rest in peace.

[@Odysseuss.]

What an amazing story of raw courage and duty. Thank you for sharing this

[@manjulajayasena5979]

I can remember reading this story from the book section of a 1945 readers digest magazine from the collection of my father !!! It was captioned "Eisenhower's best loved war story" I kept on remembering the story and looked for that magazine in 2019 with a view to conserving it, but then, 22 years after my father's passing away, someone had disposed those magazines. Suddenly I came across this one. Thanks for the upload.

[@edp-theeverydayprepper5686]

I can only imagine the shock of those enemy fighters when he opened up those guns. Literally the last thing they were expecting.

[@johnf8061]

Love your videos especially when they are so unusual. Keep up the great work and I look forward to your next one

[@kurkruk70]

This man was the definition of a bad ass warrior! His bravery and leadership is a perfect example of why his generation was the greatest. RIP Sir, you had a life well lived! Great video!

[@philip4193]

The B17-G would go on to utilize this experimental chin turret (however with fewer guns mounted in this turret on the G-series production models) to great success in defending against frontal attacks from Luftwaffe fighters.

[@robertdevito5001]

Fw190: oh, you're approaching me? B17: I can't kick the shit outta you if I don't. Fw190: o_0

[@andreasschirmer1938]

The B17 is my favorite Plaine! Thank you for this story.

[@rickyelich3908]

Andreas Schirmer I think you mean plane .

[@tomj217]

The B-17 was simply built different. What a remarkable airplane. I had the distinct privilege of flying on one back in 2015 and it's one of my greatest memories. And what an incredible pilot too. To go head-on with FW-190s while piloting a heavy bomber, nurse his aircraft back to base on a single engine, and then transition to jets in the Korean war... that's just amazing.

[@FlakAlley]

Thanks for the comment and support on the channel Tom, the workmanship that went into the aircraft and their pilots back then was done by whats called the greatest generation. Absolutely, its almost unbelievable what these crews went through and lived to tell the tale. Then to take on Korea after this is just something else

[@moffatt43]

Nothing but pure admiration for the Crews of all the Bombers and Fighters of those stationed in the UK during WW2. I grew up in the village of Sawston not far from Duxford and we had Aircrew billeted in Sawston Hall during the War,the villager’s were encouraged to adopt a Aircrew or pilot and help them acclimatise to the English way of life….. Many a lifetime of friendship was made this way but Many a Story of the Heroic actions of these Airmen was heard in the Surrounding Pubs and Dance Halls. Just outside Cambridge we have the American War Cemetery and it is rather large and awe inspiring as you walk through the Main entrance and find yourself on top of a slight hill looking down onto all of the Grave Markers stretching out in front of your eyes to the left and right. Just down the road from Duxford in Whittlesford Churchyard there are some Graves well tendered by the Church of Polish Pilots. Nowadays Duxford is a Imperial War Museum but I remember as a kid exploring the Gun pits,learning to drive on the runway and seeing visitors from America returning to their Base and the stories were incredible. Now we have lots of Aircraft beautifully restored and in Flight worthy condition and the Airshows are awesome and we have Hangers full of all the Aircraft flown during WW2 plus Historical aircraft from the beginning of flight. There are Military vehicles and exhibits and some you can even drive around in. Sally B is one of the Main attractions and I dare anyone to not get goosebumps when the Spitfires,Hurricane and Mustang are in the Air with their Merlins growling. It’s about remembering those Men who will never return and remembering the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for our lives and our way of life and our freedom. Remember without them,none of us would be Free to be who we want and do what we want and say what we like. Many of our friends and family might not even be around !.

[@MrBsbotto]

What a terrific, heartfelt tribute, Leonard! We all think our own lives are precious. Yet so many, many people screwed up their courage and selflessly threw themselves into battle in order to save their country and the values they so treasured. That heroism just blows my mind! Hats off to all veterans but especially those who paid the ultimate price. You will never be forgotten!

[@NK-qn6pq]

Richards was one kill away from being a B-17 ace.

[@danstotland6386]

Outstanding commentary! Thanks!

[@Chefbriank]

Right on Thank you sir you are one of our heroes and will always remain just that who rah

[@_AvgWellInformedCitizen]

I wasn’t aware of this story before. A superior bomber pilot and dedicated crew pulls off something nearly impossible. Definitely a good reason to fear that B-17

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

Ordinary men doing extraordinary things. The greatest generation. Thank you for posting this amazing event. Excellent work.💪💪👍👍

[@Montana_horseman]

I would've loved to hear the German radio chatter when they first saw those eight 50 cals in the nose blinking away at them... I imagine it was a power pucker moment.

[@TheErilaz]

I am pretty sure that the word "Shaize" was uttered.

[@SentokuLC]

*Be me German Fw190 pilot thinking the crippled B-17 is easy prey, see it turn head on and laugh and then my buddy in front of me gets fucking vaporized*

[@Montana_horseman]

@@TheErilaz Repeated three times really fast.. heh heh

[@Montana_horseman]

@@SentokuLC No plan ever survives contact with the enemy. ;)

[@AYVYN]

Mein Gott. Unser Flugzeug hat mehr Löcher als ein Berlin Bordell.

[@fokkerd3red618]

I've never heard this story until now. It's absolutely astounding that they made it back on one engine, let alone survive the mission.

[@jeffmoore9487]

Can't believe we haven't all heard about this one. How many B17's do you suppose sought battle with FW 190's and shot them down? Clever!

[@treystephens6166]

Yeah, make them scared‼️

[@jacknick429]

They just don’t make ‘EM like this guy anymore !!! Talk about CMH level courage !!!! Respect !!!!

[@nicedog1]

A great story. Subscribed

[@jetman7946]

My Old Man was a radio operator/waist gunner in a B-24 out of Spinazolla, Italy. Flew 23 missions before being shot down and a POW for 8 months. I've always been a guy who loves history, and especially WWII. I knew of the guy from Maine who outfitted his Liberator with extra armor and .50 cals who flew missions in the Pacific, and subsequent B-25s with additional 50s on the nose fuselage, but I never heard of mounting 8 50s in the nose of a Flying Fortress. MERCY !!!

[@jetman7946]

I think that pilot who flew in the Pacific Theater was Lieutenant Colonel Jay Zeemer.

[@jasonhooey5677]

I've been subscribed for a long time! Love the videos

[@riderstrano783]

Looks like the kind of plane that also terrified the maintenance crews

[@baltazargabka_]

This is fake story to fool people and make views.... people, don't be naive

[@riderstrano783]

@@baltazargabka_ incorrect, the thumbnail aircraft was indeed real, and was a B-17G test bed airframe given to Curtis-Wright as an engine test bed. It was heavily modified over the years and at one point was equipped with a Wright J65 turbojet (pictured above), as well as at one point mounting the turbo-prop version of the engine, the T49. However, it was only ever a test bed and never saw combat, thus why it’s appearance here is erroneous

[@baltazargabka_]

​@@riderstrano783 Have you seen video? Thumbnail has nothing common about that video...

[@stringalongmike1953]

Very interesting. Thanks for the video.

[@FlakAlley]

Thanks for the comment Mike, we Appreciate your support on the channel :)

[@12309.]

I read about B-17 “gunships” no bombs to “defend” the Bomber Flight. The regular B-17’s with a bomb load had to slow down so that the “gunships” were not left behind and vulnerable they were soon disbanded.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

What an amazing experience of bravery and a crew bought home miraculously. More people should know this story and service. May you fly with the angels.

[@richardcutts196]

Good to see you using appropriate footage, unlike another channel I could name.

[@vincentsmidowicz2931]

❤ Nice One as Always ~ fascinating and enlightening! Cheers

[@MatthewBaileyBeAfraid]

At around 2:15 when it is mentioned that heavy Flak is encountered over Calais, it is interesting that none of the guns shown were firing flak missions. While most of the weapons shown were some variety of Nazi Flak Cannone, including the Flak 88 that earned such an infamous reputation among the allies as an AT Gun, and Artillery, Flak Missions would show there weapons pointed nearly vertical (most Flak Missions fired at between 80º and 87.5º elevation, with some rare missions at the edge of range firing at a mere 60º elevation, if the formation of the Flak Box was low enough, and still within their linear range).

[@colinlinvill1310]

Imagine being a German fighter pilot and you see a plane known for having a weak front side coming straight at you. “Everything is fine, this guy’s an idiot” you think, moments before your wingman gets *deleted.*

[@Ocker3]

What an absolute GigaChad! "Stay with the ship boys, I'll get us home" *lands plane at own airbase* "I just really wanted to sleep in my own bed tonight"

[@JUNKERS488]

Great Video. Thanks for posting.

[@ash.ab.5575]

love the story and how you mix the game in the story

[@pastorofmuppets1968]

A true hero. Thanks for the upload.

[@c.j.griffis2101]

That right there is why I love B-17s. They could take an obsolete beating and make it home with their crew miraculously. The B-17 shows the American spirit.

[@amirsafwan8491]

This experimental turret worked well. Why did they decide to go with the twin gun turret instead for the forward mount?

[@historyofmanstonairfield4782]

Sorry, but although "West End" did make an emergency landing at RAF Manston, it took off from its base at Grafton Underwood.

[@angusclark8330]

Wow! on all fronts. Did the heavily armed chin turret feature on any other B17s?

[@josephd.5524]

'One-of-a-kind,' as said in the video- some engineer and pilot's wild idea. It'd be expensive to make more, plus the maintenance complications, etc. Worth making for a nasty surprise, but they needed more numbers than anything because 8 .50cals can't do diddly against a flak barrage.

[@jhoncho4x4]

Late B17f and B17g.

[@angusclark8330]

@@jhoncho4x4 Thanks! I keep thinking I know my stuff...

[@rp9674]

What a hero and amazing guy kicked all that ass and then live to 90, sounds like a pretty good life!

[@AngeloZ32]

That's an amazing story! Someone should make a movie about it! Simply Amazing!

[@512bb]

As always, thank you for what you do. Without great historians like you , free societies would have been lost many years ago. As the Soviets said "The future is known, it's the past that is always changing".

[@A.R.77]

Nice work on the vid!

[@remismywaifu8482]

Imagine this thing flying side by side with the YB-40.

[@sidefx996]

Thank you for sharing this amazing story. God bless these men.

[@edwardgoering1237]

What a Hero Thanks !

[@lieutenantkettch]

Damn, one kill short of becoming the first bomber pilot ace.

[@johnwalters1149]

My dad was a Bombardier on 52 B-17 missions over Europe and North Africa. He was my hero. I wish the United States Air Corps would have put these guns on every B-17 and B-29. The war could have ended sooner and with far fewer B-17 crews dying.

[@benjaminrush4443]

Another American Airman destined to become a Legend & Hero from two Wars. Thanks.

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you, Vittie. Like the old saying goes: "Bring enough guns to the fight."

[@randallsmith5631]

Made it back to England on ONE engine. OUTSTANDING

[@dmprdctns]

Magnificent report! One thing that tends to bug me in production value, is the much over used fillers on the left and right of the screen for 4:3 ratio viewing as is done by most videographers... My thinking is that it greatly distracts from the main video content and takes the viewer out of the historic moment. Rather... Just leave the left and right strips black... Just like back when the film was intended to be viewed. But thankfully... as is so unfortunately common in other presentations... The original footage was not attempted to be zoomed in to 16:9 ratio... which is most frustrating for the viewer since it obliterates much of the original video content. But, thanks... Wonderful, intriguing work...

[@bbb8182]

Nothing excites me more than unique up-gunning of WWII aircraft or other war machines. Like the famous 666 B17 and how the crew DOUBLED the number of guns and also mounted guns on the nose for the pilots to fire! What an awesome machine. And then they volunteered to fight nearly impossible missions. What courage!

[@stevenlangdon-griffiths293]

A totally amazing video. Fascinating from start to finish. Thanks for posting it.

[@vanpenguin22]

Of all the things which bring joy in this world, All of the great ones are belt fed.

[@1912papa]

Amazing man. An excellent example of how hard times create hard men. The opposite for soft times.

[@dieselyeti]

While six .50s makes a hell of a statement, I'd think a quad setup might have been better in terms of weight, vibration and ammo burn.

[@crowe6961]

This one wasn't about perfecting the engineering, it was about sending a message. The later B-17G model settled for a chin turret with 2 .50 cals, and was then mass-produced. In the numbers they were deployed in, this proved to be sufficient.

[@timmytyphoon]

My dad was a bombardier in B-17Gs. The head on attack was because from the rear the rate of closure made the fighters easy targets.

[@amramjose]

That was absolutely heroic.

[@davidwoodward7020]

what a fabulous story over the B17!! well done that brave man!!

[@andrewtongue7084]

Outstanding courage & leadership....this (& I have repeated same, may times) was the last, great generation; we shall never see the like of such again. As a former British Airborne soldier who has (also) served in campaigns, it is with no little admiration for those of both my Father & Grandfather's era who fought for the freedoms subsequent generations take for granted. Honour & bravery, unsurpassed. Rest now.