Can You Survive this Actual B-29 Bomber Mission? (Probably Not)

This is the story of B-29 Super Fortress "Rosalia Rocket". You decide if you live or die in this "Can You Survive" episode. Big thanks to Pacific Wrecks for their awesome archives of information which I used for this. Here is the link to the page: pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-...
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[@TJ3]

Hope you all enjoyed! Big thanks to Pacific Wrecks for their awesome archives of information and images which I used for this. Here is the link to the page used: pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-29/42-24656.html

[@davidspencer8373]

David spencer

[@christopherreaves691]

#7,survivor

[@epicexcalibur6445]

Hey what game do you use to record this footage? IL-2 sturmovik or warthunder?

[@epicexcalibur6445]

@@TJ3 ahh thanks, ive been trying to pinpoint which gaijin game you've been using but i cant figure out which

[@johnhafford1970]

Goffrey didn’t make it🤬🤬🤬

[@RookVR_]

I picked #2. I knew from the moment I heard he was a tail gunner I’d be dead. The tail gunner was the most dangerous job on a bomber because the enemies usually attacked from behind. Anyways, great video!

[@TJ3]

Thanks!

[@kreb_70]

Same for me and I had same reaction haha

[@RookVR_]

@@kreb_70 nice lol

[@hart-of-gold]

Same because it was very hard to get into and out of most tail gunner positions, and they were the most likely crew to be be wounded. I think it was common for tail gunners to keep shooting back to the last as well.

[@matpaulin6504]

I'm 7

[@KyleCowden]

I picked number seven. Survived. This format is very educational and reinforces the dangers of war on a visceral level. The WWII Museum in New Orleans ha a similar exhibit but with a submarine. You draw a card from a deck, man that position and after "recreating" the mission, you find out if you were one of the survivors. I think this tac does more to educate.

[@TJ3]

Very cool! Thanks Kyle

[@johnemmanuellaurente8937]

I picked number 7 too

[@danielwalicke6635]

The Titanic museum in Tennessee does the same thing. You pick a card of a passenger and at the end of the "tour" you see if you made it or not

[@Glazed-Gaming]

I was 7 too.

[@didierdenice7456]

yes, i too survived as a number 7... not due to any particular talent/skill or right decision as many people tend to believe nowadays... but out of sheer luck ! And this is confirmed by surviving veterans who at some point found themselves in the first line of combat.

[@Deran087]

7, the lucky number always works babyyyy!! Also, this video was highly educational and informative with many details being covered, It was also fun to choose a card and gamble on your life like a game haha. You're seriously underrated man, keep the amazing work!!

[@peanutbutterisfu]

My grandfather was a flight engineer on the b-29 in the Korean War was in a refueling squadron. He took many pictures and I’ll never forget the pictures one took of a bombing mission it was a pic of the bombs coming out. One of the missions was super dangerous and was all over the news papers in America after it happened. Cool stories too! One was when a fighter was low on fuel, their tanks on the b-29 used to refuel were empty and had hundreds of miles back so they hooked up the fuel hose to the fighter and the fighter turned his engine off, feathered his prop was towed back to base.

[@brettbradshaw3297]

This video is illustrative of the grave dangers faced by B-29 crews. My Uncle, Johnny Marshall, was a Gunner on B-29's in the Pacific and survived the War. Unfortunately, I chose #8, so my character was not as fortunate.

[@dukecraig2402]

Not really, the video doesn't actually show one of the greatest and possibly most grave danger of being a B29 crewman, accidents, more often than not attributed to mechanical problems, as I'm sure you know the Wright R3350 engine's on the B29 were a source of constant problems on the B29 particularly in the heat of the Pacific Islands they were forced to operate off of. I knew a B29 crewman very well years ago who operated off of Guam and he said that without a doubt the scariest part of every mission was taking off, you're fully loaded with bombs and fuel, the aircraft is at it's heaviest and you're trying to take off from an improvised air strip on an island that's shorter than Boeing recommended for that amount of weight forcing the engine's to be run at War Emergency Power, 130% throttle with water injection, if something was going to break in one it was most likely then and there couldn't possibly be a worse time for it to happen. At a certain distance down the runway on each side was a flag, this marked the "point of no return" as far as taking off was concerned, because at that speed and weight with the amount of runway left there was no way to get the B29 stopped before the 40 foot cliff that dropped off into the ocean at the end. Just as you're feeling good for yourself because it got off the ground and you're about to start cheering knowing that you made it through what's most likely the most dangerous part of that mission you look down and see three B29's at the bottom of the ocean that didn't make it because an engine conked out or even just lost power during take off, and those planes still have the crewmembers in them that were friends of your's because the Navy diver's at the time were too busy to come and remove their remains, it was at that moment you'd start feeling bad about feeling good for yourself because you made it off the ground. How'd you like to start each mission out like that?

[@e-ron8784]

I survived also as #7 Harold Schoeder. I can't imagine the mental struggles he deals with day to day, giving he is still alive. Thank you all y'all for yer service!

[@TJ3]

Agreed

[@flomisa6866]

Same I chose number 7

[@punnyamalviya4723]

Same 7

[@oilersridersbluejays]

*Schroeder. I picked him also.

[@lmcg9904]

#7 gang rise

[@afilia616]

This is a really unique video style to engage with the audience. I really enjoyed it plus learning a thing or two about what the Americans did in ww11. I picked 9 btw

[@raysgarage2351]

Well that was tense . Thanks for such an eye opening experience . Great video & brilliant idea choosing this format .

[@rockstarJDP]

I chose number 9, ironically the position my grandfather served in the RAF. Although like him, if I'd been in that position we'd have all survived cause I'd have gotten us all lost and never made it to the target 😅 our family doesn't have a best sense of direction and its been a running joke since his service days!

[@TJ3]

Haha!

[@robertsmith2227]

Me too, good one

[@opanzerofthelake36]

same here

[@dukecraig2402]

We've all heard it during a family vacation, "Don't tell me where we're at!!! I know how to read a map and I don't need you to tell me!!!" "No!!! I'm not gonna ask the guy pumping the gas where we're at!!!" Good times.

[@rockstarJDP]

@@dukecraig2402 haha exactly, "I know where I'm going, I was a navigator in the war for gods sake!" "Exactly, so pull over and ask for directions already!"😅

[@johnstudent6968]

I picked 3 at least I survived the initial crash. It is surprising that everyone on the crew who was sent to an enemy hospital never recovered. Incidentally, I had a much more peaceful mission with other airmen to help convert a WWII factory near Tokyo into a park earlier this year.

[@trime1851]

I suspect the people sent to the hospital were either ignored or murdered.

[@fiery_ginger7530]

Ehh I got beaten do death apparently #1 doesn't always win ig

[@vcv6560]

This series was a fabulous idea, that fact that my assigned role-person, fire control Corp. Abel (#4) was lost in the mission makes the video even more impactful. I've read much of the campaign against Japan, over the decades since my teens. Its easy to get lost in the large numbers involved, the planes and casualties inflicted on the ground the square miles destroyed, but taking the name-position of a real crew and hearing their final outcome is so very moving. Thank you for putting this story together.

[@lucassenders860]

I died after the wounds as the radar man, #6. It's so illustrative, I think the bombers would be the last force that I'd volunteer for

[@christopherclark4774]

Can't imagine flying in ww2 with its issues, but my grandad flew on the B29 in Korea. He passed some time ago, but 2 things I Remember, 1, that the p51 merlin engine was a beautiful sound, and a story about how before they were deployed and in San Francisco, the pilot had all the crew except for him, copilot, and engineer stand on the golden gate Bridge. Grandad said it was a little foggy. He said that they were standing there, and heard the plane, then they saw it fly towards them and pass under the bridge. Grandad said( verified by grandmom) that the pilots name was Jonesy and that they were told not to say anything to avoid being court martialed.

[@em1osmurf]

we have airshows here in norfolk, va, with ww2 era aircraft. there's something about rotary engines, a signature roar. we have an air museum in va beach, "Beware of Low Flying Warbirds" says the sign. the air corp had a problem with the golden gate bridge, but i don't recall anyone going to prison for it. it happened more often than people would think!

[@christopherclark4774]

@@em1osmurf just think that people had no cell phones or security cameras. Plus people prolly didn't care with a war going on.

[@northstar6888]

# 5 You just never really know. Great video. And to the crew RIP.

[@treywest268]

I wish you would record more of these kinds of videos. It really shows people what it was like to be part of a crew and never knowing if you will all come back from a mission. Great video! I watched this when it came out. I didnt survive then. I dont remember who i picked but i didnt survive thid time either and inqm sure i chose someone else. Once again i died.

[@orcstr8d]

Very well done! Thank you. Rosalia (Ro-ZALE-yuh) Rocket was named for Co-pilot Goldworthy’s hometown in eastern Washington. I had a friend who worked there for a couple years.

[@JT-io9ii]

I chose #11 and managed to survive. Note: Also survived in the previous P-51 mission. Love the videos

[@TJ3]

Congrats! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Someonethatyouysedtoknowlol]

I died in both missons hahaahah

[@JT-io9ii]

@@Someonethatyouysedtoknowlol sorry bro.

[@Someonethatyouysedtoknowlol]

@@JT-io9ii if i was a pilot during ww2 i would had died before Even touching a Plane

[@JT-io9ii]

@@Someonethatyouysedtoknowlol lol You can be my crew chief then.

[@douglasthecorgi2568]

I’d love to see more videos like this. You get to learn and feel like you’re participating in history. 😃

[@shonw2318]

This was a really fun video to watch and take apart of. If your looking for suggestions to make more videos like this, might I humbly suggest making a video, seeing if we could survive the infamous mapping mission of Buka Island aboard, "Old 666", the modded B-17E flying fortress.

[@dakosaurusrex9850]

Number 8. Engineer. Paused the video when engine 1 lost power and decided I'd cut fuel to engine 1, feather the prop, and prep fire extinguishers just in case. Started the video again and engine 2 immediately goes down and I was like welp. That's it. We're dead. Lol. Made it to the ground but was wounded, captured, and then died the next day. Crap

[@TJ3]

Good thinking though! Hope you enjoyed it!

[@dakosaurusrex9850]

@@TJ3 most definitely. When the p51 video came out I enjoyed that more than I have any video in a while. Made my girl "take the test" too. I passed on my first try but she wasn't so lucky. She followed the 262 to the airfield cause she got target fixation. Lol. Those types of videos are amazing and you should definitely make more choose your own path videos. They're very informative and actually made me quite nervous and I second guessed myself constantly 😂

[@markhonerbaum3920]

Some times fantasy is safer than reality, they were the best generation there loyalty was beyond question.

[@JUNKERS488]

I chose #6. Great Video TJ. I think it's your best one yet I really enjoyed it. Thanks for all your hard work telling these amazing stories that help keep history alive. These brave American Heroes need to be remembered. Keep em Flying.

[@TJ3]

Thank you Rick!

[@twrea]

interesting way of story telling, glad I picked #7 must have been beyond harsh for those who made it to the ground.. Great work on this video.

[@roberthenry9319]

#11. Survived. This is the most unique history viewing experience on the internet. It is absolutely brilliant.

[@rickyhenry4958]

Welp, I died right off the bat. I was #9. So cool for you to cover the pacific war. I feel like it don’t get enough love.

[@808scott]

Here in Hawaii, its ALL ABOUT the Pacific War.

[@VictorLonmo]

I chose right waist gunner and did not make it... I like this video format. It helps put the tragedy of the mission (and war) in perspective. The same information presented as just some numbers would feel just a statistic.

[@TJ3]

I agree. Thanks!

[@fritzgw5403]

Argh.. I picked #5 I could only imagine what kind of condition they were in, the food must have been be awful. I salute this men for their heroic acts. Thank you for this informative videos please make more engaging videos like this.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Excellent video.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

I flew in B-29 Fifi over Lemont & Joliet Illinois on a mission at 2500’ and not only survived but had a blast. Unfortunately Gunfighter wasn’t along to fly escort so we had to go in alone. Side note, Fifi’s radio has its own web site.

[@barsakncoglu5847]

I SURE LOVE being a #4 CFC of an overweight B-29 that took of from Saipan which has such horrible weather only a few weeks of open flight window is present, has no fighter escort, has enemy waiting for us in daylight, gaining altitude is not an option because of the jetstream that blows above Mt. Fuji, and being forced to follow General Haywood Hansell's precision bombing doctrine in which probably all of our bombs will miss the target by 29km, and we'll lose %70 of our fleet.

[@fullclipaudio]

Sign me up!

[@user-jk8ck4zj6q]

Can't believe I found this video simulation. Sgt Goffrey (#5) was my Great Uncle (my father's mother's brother). Video simulation extremely accurate with all stories I've been told or data I've gathered over the years. According to statements made by the three survivors, Uncle Tom did in fact survive the crash but was relocated to a hospital where he allegedly succumbed to malnutrition & frostbite 2 months after the crash. His remains have never been recovered. He was allegedly cremated and had his remains interred in a Japanese cemetery which no longer exists. He is memoralized, along with the rest of the crew, on a monument in Honolulu. My father still remembers to this day the last time he saw his Uncle as a 7 year old in his mother's kitchen where Uncle Tom was in uniform and had come over to say goodbye and he had given my father a USAAF uniform patch.

[@em1osmurf]

long ago (1970s) i walked the Tinian airstrip, and saw the bomb pit where they loaded the atom bombs into the B-29s of history. the only sign that time has passed was the 10 foot tall marijuana plant growing in the center of the runway. thanks for the memories!

[@baltogaming2437]

I chose #12 and thought I was screwed, but somehow, I survived. If I was the commander though, I would probabably feel incredibly guilty that I survived and 9 others weren't able to make it

[@tylernettles9567]

Wow this is kind of fun but also really demonstrates how perilous these types of ww2 missions could be. Nice job on this. I chose number 2, James Corrigan the tail gunner so I died. Just my stinking luck but I would like to think that I was a big pain in the ass to those Japanese pilots

[@manueliovescu-udvardy7175]

Me too

[@nabuna8134]

I chose #7 because it has always been my lucky number. Well it was for Harold Schroeder and it still is for me I guess. Kudos to those airmen.

[@bangbangmon8728]

Ur video is very interactive. Very unique compared to other war history video. Very vool

[@lindagreen1105]

I chose 7 and I survived.

[@thelonious2213]

Radar - hehe it must be a safe spot! Bomber loses engines over Japanese territory - yeah I'm dead. Jokes aside, I preferred the previous video where we could actually make decisions and survive according to those decisions, rather than just playing a game of chance.

[@TJ3]

Yep it's deff a little more fun when you get to decide! But sometimes luck does decide your fate :) not to fear though, the next one of these will be another decision video!

[@thelonious2213]

@@TJ3 true that, especially in a bomber. Looking forward to the next one!

[@JankExpeditions]

I was Crp. Harold Shroder or #7,its my fav 1 digit number so I decided that that was it and turned out it was!also the day before this comment,july 27th,was my bday but keep up the great work on these videos and I love these would you survive videos!

[@coolsurfer1785]

I like this video TJ

[@jakemccormick6068]

After referring to Sakai Japan's greatest surviving Ace attacking an American b-24 liberator or a b- 17 at high altitudes was extremely dangerous for the Japanese the American bombers were very fast at high altitude making them hard to catch due to the zero's poor performance at high altitude the bombers also fought back with several machine guns and they were also very sturdy airplanes that could take a lot of punishment before being shot down the zero had a 20 mm Cannon but it had very little ammunition around 120 rounds the other guns were in the nose and they were 7.7 mm so to sum it all up attacking American big bombers up high was considered foolish

[@togna99]

Funny thing... i choose 11 as this was the number that saved my grandpa in ww2, it has come up timea again and never faild us.....great video and thank you.

[@TheWIldGoose27]

Number 12 Commander and Pilot Survived, Just want to say great video very cool interactive content!

[@rickparker1144]

Cool video format. Do more of these, please!I picked #10. KIA. Bummer.

[@Malmsisch]

Please do more of those Videos!

[@badguy1481]

5... I died of injuries! (I flew many missions in S.E. Asia during the VN war...and I flew them in a plane designed almost 10 years BEFORE the B-29). As a pilot, in an aircraft cockpit too small to allow the wearing of a parachute...the odds of getting out of a damaged aircraft were pretty much nil. But...if SOMEHOW we survived, the prospect of capture and death was probably even MORE likely than during WWII...even for those airmen captured in Japan.

[@fiftytwo2]

i picked 8, and keep making these, they're great!

[@fiftytwo2]

i died

[@dominicmeyer4288]

I chose #5 and I’m honestly surprised I even made it that far because I was hoping for the pilot role. My hope was solely based off of movies where the pilots normally make it and the gunners get killed off, I was even more surprised that I outlived some officers and that many airmen were killed. WWII was truly horrific.

[@nigellawson8610]

I picked number ten and bought the farm. No home alive in 45 for me! The only blessing for my character is that he fell to his death. He was not starved or tortured to death by the Japanese. Never the less, it would suck being killed in your early twenties without having the chance to experience life. This fact illustrates the tremendous debt we owe to these guys. To quote the inscription on the Kohima war memorial, they gave their tomorrow for our today.

[@Riccardo_Silva]

I choose number seven...no shiny career, no brass assignment, just an unsung hero. I like it! Corporal Harold Schroeder, you're gomna be rembered by an italian flight simmer!

[@wendyvinshlikapoltz8211]

Wow my heart was pumping out of my chest the whole time, I picked Commander King

[@douglasthecorgi2568]

I picked #9. It’s nice that he honored the promise he made to his family. I was going to pick lucky #7, but I thought it’d be too obvious.

[@alanfike]

I like this game. Great idea, if you came up with it, but thanks for creating this anyway. Picked 11, by the way. I don't expect to have this luck again.

[@amelierenoncule]

It is said, mes amis, that sometime after the first B-29 aeroplatform did a low level recon-mission o'er Tokyo, the Empress Nagako (the wife of Emperor Hirohito), wrote in a letter: “Every day from morning to night, B-29's fly freely over the palace making an enormous noise. As I sit at my desk writing and look up at the sky, countless numbers are passing over. Unfortunately... the B-29 is a splendid plane.”

[@ognjenpavlovski8616]

I picked 7,yayyy,,good video.

[@treywest268]

I have chosen #8 1st Lt. Henry Warde. I died the next day from the injuries I suffered during the air battle or during the parachute jump/landing.

[@richardbenjamin8341]

11, I made it. A relative of mine was a real world USAAF B25 crew member who survived his early war tour and I returned to USA to live a long and happy life.😊

[@mariannepontemayor2508]

The spinning crash part I’ll be weeeeeee

[@jemc4276]

Lucky 7 never lets me down!!

[@matthewconrad4728]

I picked 12 as a lucky number, was thrilled enough to find out it was the pilot. Then to make it through. Seriously though, that’s scary how that all worked out.

[@buckskinlady]

#5 Right waist gunner. Survived the crash but not the pow camps which is honestly worse than not getting out of the plane in time

[@birchtree334]

#9 spot, navigator. NGL, i felt like I might be ok since I was pretty center mass which good pilots know not to shoot at, usually they'll try and shoot the pilot, the gunners, or the engines. But the navigator is is in the middle of the damn plane, I think between the bomb bays. The only way you can get through is through a very small tunnel crawl space that runs over the bomb bays. It's not like a B-17 or a B-24 where the bombs are on either side of a bridge that allows access to the space infront and behind the bomb bay.

[@aidanspencer3079]

I chose 7, lucky number! Love the video.

[@joehickey8597]

I picked number 10, and OOH I’M FLYING HEREEEE

[@Yak9741]

Survived as No. 12. What a harrowing tale.

[@ughettapbacon]

I took number 6 and I died. This was actually quite entertaining. I'm going to go watch the mustang video now.

[@TheMuro22]

Me: picks number 2 Video: number 2, tail gunner Me: oh yeah I'm certainly dead

[@keving1318]

#7, surprisingly survived.

[@nicholaslang3830]

And love the vid

[@pavelslama5543]

Picked 1. Lucky as always...

[@michaelconley2371]

I picked number 12 because aircraft commander , pilot would been my dream job.

[@M1903a4]

#6 Radar - Died in Chiba hospital. Since the Zero was a navy carrier plane I suspect most of the aircraft defending Tokyo would be aircraft from the Japanese 1st Air Army, which was responsible for defending the Kanto plains, which included Tokyo. Mostly Tonys and Oscars probably.

[@georgivanev7466]

Number 5. Damn, almost made it... RIP to all the brave men.

[@oden151]

I picked number 6, at first i was happy because i manage to bail out but unfortunately that didn't last long lmao

[@PopcornNSodaProductions]

#4 Central fire control, Corporal Robert Abel. Died from I assume failure to bail out. My injuries also could have done me in

[@Loren_Vosser]

I was no.7 Corporal Harold Schroeder who survived the war but we were not told how he got on with the rest of his life. That would have been interesting shocking just how risky and lethal the life of an airman in WW2 was they were all heroes bless them.

[@bb-ballistics1706]

The last video I got them all right apart from the last choice. This video I picked number 7 so got quite lucky

[@Flako92]

I picked #7. Honestly seeing my comrades fall one after another i would probably feel guilty coming back home while the rest didn't.

[@benjaminma5078]

i chose no. 12, and i end up surviving the crash and getting liberated from enemy camps at the end of the war. I actually have some experience flying the b-29 from some flight sims. Those b29s could have flown higher, which would have kept the bombers safe

[@JPhelps]

I chose #2 and as soon as I saw I was a tail gunner my heart sank

[@jrosalia]

Wow! How ironic that i chose to watch this

[@thelatiosmaster]

lucky 7 for the win edit: was a good choice, but this story is really terrifing

[@xspinmubeat2412]

Man, number 11, i lived

[@hooliganbear3010]

A pick number seven! Woo!

[@Godzilla20191]

I remembered the bomber that the front was blown off but it flew for a few seconds or something

[@jaylinbrown1978]

I picked number 10 bombardier. At least I got a "front row seat" for my final mission. 😅😅😅 Falling to my doom. Tragic.

[@EstrangedOne]

Right waist gunner, Staus: Deceased

[@Gotobar]

Number 7. Wanted to be one of the pilots, but I also survived so I certainly can't complain

[@macandfries6765]

I picked 6! Havent seen if I'm dead or not

[@Galaxy-oy4nj]

Picked 11, good choice

[@viper5535]

I chose #11, my heart goes out to all fallen during war.

[@Nickrioblanco1]

From what I read B29's because of their computerized fire control system did not use tracers.

[@hart-of-gold]

Knew I was doomed as soon as they said #2 tail gunner.

[@keithrickson8522]

Wow I survived! Picked number 7, Corporal right waist gunner. Already have survivor's guilt.

[@Geordan_Ramsee]

Is this warthunder Pog

[@Silentservice77]

Picked 11 and was surprised to live.

[@Hanking_Man]

I was 4 and then I died and I was like “oh ok ima switch to ten” *anger noises*

[@phoneboi8270]

i chose 7 and never thought i will survive

[@theconfederacyofindependen7268]

I'd pick radar operator, cause the time I will be chosen as radar operator, I would know any fighter on radar cause of a ping that pops up which in my last mission on the B-29 Bomber would be fun, however. My nightmare can come in the form of the B-29's high altitude ceiling, even though a 2 story building is bad enough, 35,600 feet of the B-29's max altitude is likely overkill to me, but I would have a parachute, that's not enough to me *realizes* away damn

[@pauld6967]

I picked #7 - survived. Using this numbering system, my father would've been #3,...except he was B-17s, not B-29s.