History Professor Breaks Down "Masters of the Air" - Part One

Join Reel History for part one of our nine-part historical breakdown of Apple TV's WWII epic "Masters of the Air." Be aware of spoilers as we proceed through the series.
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Reel History delves into historical films to separate fact from fiction. These engaging episodes explore, contextualize, and clarify stories related to the most famous historical movies. In contrast to the more prevalent "reaction" videos, these installments seek not only to entertain but to educate and inform. For host Jared Frederick and producer Andrew Collins, these episodes are a labor of love and a means of expressing passion for the past as well as cinema. Courteous viewer feedback is always welcome. The views expressed are our own and do not necessarily represent our employers or organizations with which we are involved.
The intro music is "Salute To A New Beginning" by the United States Army Herald Trumpets.
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners. All original commentary and materials produced by this channel are the intellectual property of Reel History, LLC. To reach the Reel History team, email [e-mail].

[@ReelHistory]

Brief correction at about 19:18: I misspoke here. I meant to say that Huglin replaced Turner, not the other way around. Apologies. Another note: Keep in mind that we are not a streaming service. We offer historical and educational commentary with pertinent clips. You can and should watch the series via Apple TV+: shorturl.at/AFN48 Thanks for your support, Jared

[@ondrejdobrota7344]

Was any B-17 attacked by enemy during delivery flight?

[@ondrejdobrota7344]

Time 24:50 attack on pens was inefficient a Greyhound film is horrible nonsence. U-Boot danger was very low in June 1943.

[@TheRealSlimSteve]

Hi Jared - great detailed analysis there, enjoyed it a lot. I've got a couple of points, but bear with me! I live near the Bloody Hundreth airbase, Thorpes Abbott, and have been there a lot, so know quite a few things! Firstly, as you're doing the proper history thing, the scene where Norwich is being bombed the shit out of, the timescale is wrong. The Baedeker Blitz as it was called, happened over the spring and summer of 1942, before the US was in East Anglia, and before there were any serious defensive fighter forces there. There were very few raids from 1943 onwards, precisely because that was when the whole of East Anglia was full of US bombers and fighters. The Germans knew they wouldn't have a free run at it like they did in 1942. I get why the directors did it, to illustrate that war would come to everyone. But it might be worth you researching and making a comment on that. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwich_Blitz Secondly, I think you should reference the actual Thorpes Abbott airfield and it's museum at some point in your review series. It's incredible. An amazing collection of thousands of artifacts, uniforms, diaries, etc. You can sit in an actual B17 pilot seat, and get into a repica of a ball gun turret to get an idea of how cramped it was. The briefing hall in the series is exactly like the actual hall which is still there (along with many other of the original buildings) but the best bit is the control tower, which is fully restored and accessible throughout. There is genuinely nothing more evocative than going onto the rooftop balcony, and into the rooftop glazed control room, and imagining the bombers coming back. It is seriously an essential visit for anyone with an interest in this stuff. Give it a mention. I suspect they might be needing a bigger car park after this series is over! www.100bgmus.org.uk/ Lastly, and this is a bit of a quirky but fun point, I come from a small Scottish town originally, and all of the main stars flight jackets in the series were made in a small factory in that town. I know people who work there and made them!! Small world stuff. You can even buy an exact copy of the white one, bit pricey though!! Just thought you might like that little gem of behind the scenes info!! www.aeroleatherclothing.com/latest-news/post/2023/12/01/masters-of-the-air-ww2-leather-jackets Hope I didn't bore you, and looking forward to the next review! Steve

[@christiankirkwood3402]

You offer "historical and educational" information??? Fair enough. Now quit the "reverse negative" pan-handling and offer information you withhold while you prattle on, more as a "critic" than historical source, which you certainly aren't, as in "closing speed" and it's pertaining to a frontal attack - from any other angle, it's not relative as such, it's known as "deflection" Go back to university "professor pan-handler" Thanks for the laughs and you can hold the thanks for us feeding your algorithm. Bye bye now 👋

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

Retired USAF C-130 crew chief and flight engineer here. This show is doing things right by me. I liked the way they showed the FEs dealing with electrical and landing gear problems, and looking over the pilots' shoulders, as I did. What really struck home the most for me was the 0dark30 wake up, just like my first combat mission over Iraq. We even had the big breakfast of eggs and bacon.

[@gravitypronepart2201]

I'm a retired Navy aircraft squadron ground guy and I also relate to the show in many ways.

[@jordanm.4411]

Aside from formation flights in the Herc, this is the only place I’ve ever heard of “Tail End Charlie”. They got the words mostly right it seems!

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

@@josephhorne6749 I was stationed at Little Rock AFB for 20 years, never PCSed, worked maintenance there for 14 years, then flt eng for my last 6, '03-'09, 61st Airlift Squadron Green Hornets.

[@Faded_Scout22]

My grandfather flew B-17's with the 8th 390th bomb group did 35 missions, was shot down once, and had to make his way back using the underground, his plane was named I believe "quitchabitchin" this series is going to bring my grandfather's time in to life ❤😊😊😊

[@drutalero2962]

Air Force vet here. I'm very happy to have seen them praise the crew chiefs. (My favorite job I've ever had) because we work hard to get these jets in the air and date safe for the pilots and mission. It was the job who made me who i was. ❤

[@Farbar1955]

Was there actually a feeling that you owned the airplanes and the pilots were just "borrowing" them? I always have this scene in my mind where a crew chief is telling a pilot "you better bring my plane back in one piece". My Dad worked electronics on B-47's and there's no doubt he spent more time on the planes than the pilots ever did...I would think they would develop a sense of ownership.

[@rayvanhorn1534]

Well said brother; I was a HERK flight mech/crew chief & it's good to see a nod of appreciation, especially for those men of that "Greatest Generation".

[@DonWan47]

No one in the USAAF European theatre worked on jets. 😂

[@Dickie72002]

If it’s in the air, maintainers put it there! 😊

[@johanreillo8403]

He obviously isn’t talking about serving during ww2 dumbass@@DonWan47

[@stranger299a]

A random detail i noticed that the German gun crews use correct Luftwaffe uniforms as opposed to the army uniforms most movies would use

[@hoosierfilms5350]

I believe the reason why there is no training in the last 2 shows is because BOB was unique is the sense that that company (and regiment) was experimental and went through training in together, they have the ability and historical accuracy to show the comrades built through t the war from training to the end unlike many other units during that time. Hopefully they do a Navy style band of brothers show one day….as now they’ve shown every branch but the navy at this point. But I’m navy so I’m biased lol

[@Zarastro54]

If they do, I hope it’s on the Enterprise.

[@ironkraken7157]

i think a big part of training in BOB was showing that Sobel was incapable of leading, and we needed to see that to further the impact of Winters rise as a leader.

[@hoosierfilms5350]

@@ironkraken7157 I think that was an added bonus, but from all the books the I’ve read from those men, that training is where they grew together as brothers and formed their bonds , which were later reinforced through battle.

[@elliotclose6038]

I would love to see a show about the US Submarine campaign during WW2

[@MrModelaer]

I knew a B17 pilot that flew later in the war and he said that he used to laugh at the movies that showed the pilots with crusher caps and no flack jackets. "In truth, he said we wore flack helmets and flack jackets with one jacket on your lap while sitting on two.

[@ukmediawarrior]

I think, for me, this is the difference between BoB and The Pacific and probably Masters of the Air as well. BoB showed you the men training, bonding into a unit. You got to know their names, their attitudes, what they looked like, so when they went into combat we felt for them, we feared for them, we recognised them if they got shot of blown up, we wept with the survivors. Those characters became dear to us. But with The Pacific they spent so much time on the Homefront rather than really showing the men bonding that I didn't feel the same connection to them when they were in combat and being killed. I couldn't even recall all the character names as I could with BoB's.

[@ReelHistory]

It's hard to show training for the Air Forces since a lot of guys entered earlier and others trained all over the place before being consolidated.

[@omalleycaboose5937]

The Pacific wasn't about a group in the same way as band of brothers The Pacific really has 3 central characters and their circles. It's more about each man's individual experience. I prefer band of brothers, so many memorable people represented, but the Pacific is just different not better or worse

[@Patrick-xv6qv]

That's because BoB and the Pacific were two completely different series. BoB focused on one particular group of soldiers the men of Easy Company based on the book Band of Brothers. The me of Easy Company spent over 2 years together training together before they went to war, minus the replacements. So of course they bonded and the series should that bond. The Pacific was based on several books, With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge, Helmet for my Pillow by Robert Leckie, Red Blood Black Sand (Iwo Jima) by Chuck Tatum, and others. Most of the Marines (minus John Basilone) wer le thrown into combat right after they completed basic training, their infantry or motor training, and then several months of training before they.landed on what ever island they fought on. Most of them didn't even know each other, didn't go to basic training, or their MOS training together before they were assigned to what ever division they were assigned to for combat. Therefore they didn't have the 2 plus years of bonding as the men of Easy Company did before they went into combat. Also unlike the army during the European War who for the most part stayed within the same units during the war. The Marines were transferred often after their Island battles. They needed combat veterans to mix in with the Marines who never had been in combat before. For example, my grandfather was with the first marine division on Guadalcanal and after Guadalcanal he was sent back the the US as a Drill instructor on Paris Island and then transferred to the 5th Marine Division and given a platoon for the Battle of Iwo Jima. It was rare for a Marine to spend the entire war with the same unit as Sledge and Snafu and those men did. They were lucky, if you can all it that, to remain together after Peleliu.

[@ukmediawarrior]

@@ReelHistory Oh, I absolutely understand that :) I was just saying from my own preference when watching such a show, BoB is superior in that it makes the viewer a part of Easy Company. I have read and own Wild Blue by Stephen Ambrose where he details the lives of the 741st Bomb Squadron based out of Italy, focusing mostly on the crew of the Dakota Queen and that gives the reader an insight into how diverse the men were and their training, so I assumed 'Masters of the Air' would be of a similar vein. I guess if they are focusing on one bomber, one crew, or even two then it will quickly become as personal to us viewers as BoB. The movie Memphis Belle managed to do that over an hour and a half, so I hope this mini series can do the same.

[@Giantist]

Exactly, we all developed bond with the BoB characters because we were with them from the beginning

[@gbe84]

I was fortunate enough last year to get to sit down and chat with "Lucky" Luckadoo, the last surviving pilot from the Bloody 100th. Even in his old age he is still very sharp and very happy to share his stories. I learned a lot from a man who lived these kinds of missions and I'll always consider myself very blessed to have heard it firsthand. My deepest respect to all of those who took on these harrowing missions, day after day.

[@hix7503]

it’s no exaggeration when i say that i was looking forward to this video more than the show itself!

[@ReelHistory]

Most kind of you!

[@mcmoose64]

I initially thought that the portrayals of Cleven and Egan were a bit over the top, but on re-reading Crosby's book, they were actually quite accurate.

[@jamesgreaney7615]

Some of those civilian workers don't seem to be British but rather Irish. Irish immigrants in the UK had traditionally worked in construction, particularly infrastructure ('navvies') and the wartime shortage of manpower meant that labourers from neutral Ireland were even more in demand - it's an interesting touch. (Also 'Keoghan' has two syllables!)

[@ME-xh7zp]

On the B-17’s rapid climb in Greenland- as a 4 engine prop combat pilot that’s a fairly accurate depiction for the circumstances. With propeller a/c, the minute you apply power you get the blown wing effect massively increasing lift, combined with a four engine heavy that is operating at minimum weight low on gas without bombload and its power to weight is surprising; -17’s were also known for their docile low speed characteristics making such maneuvers easier unlike the -24. Combined finally with the extreme winds, it can cause amazing angle of climb capabilities when seen from the ground at the approach speeds of a -17. On the subject of the 389th, you’re correct that during the shown period detachments were in North Africa however the Group itself never technically left Hethel, England. I’m not sure if this is what occurred, but I do know in other B-24 outfits of VIIIBC who lacked iron due to detachments sent to the Med they would fly using other units’ tails - including B-17s. Frankenstein crews like that often hoovered up ‘observation’ folks to fill a few empty crew positions. That *may* have been what occurred here, but it could have also just been a very odd flub considering the surprising accuracy I’ve seen.

[@4139kx]

I'm puzzled as to how John Orloff mistakenly cited the 389BG on the May 21st 43 Wilhelmshaven mission. The 389th didn't arrive in England until June 11th. A couple of minutes cross-referencing would have revealed the facts.

[@ME-xh7zp]

@@4139kx Yeah it's either a goof, or an extra deep dive regarding 389th personnel grabbing Egan on an observation flight of their own. I don't have his logbook or the data for that mission sadly.

[@4139kx]

@@ME-xh7zp Freeman's War Diary confirms no 389BG (or any other B-24s) over Wilhelmshaven on that date.

[@ME-xh7zp]

@@4139kx Of course they weren't active as a unit - the only possibility i see would've been a 389th crew flying as part of another group - which did happen even cross platform on occasion. But a goof is just as if not more plausible

[@archbury918]

It was an error. It was actually the 305th

[@gwzipper1]

During the wheels-up landing, you see the B17 from the side. Right before touching down, we see the belly ball turret missing. This is 100% accurate; I met the man who came up with the process of ejecting the ball. If they landed with the ball, they would "break the back" of the airplane, rendering it scrap.

[@jesimann5291]

W

[@Jbryan23]

Jared does such a fantastic job of providing us with real facts, and he has a real talent with teaching us all something very important when it comes to history! Wish I had a teacher like Jared growing up, and what a cool guy he would be to sit down with and have a beer and learn some cool stuff!! Keep up the great work Jared, awesome channel!!! Justin from Peachtree City, GA

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks Justin. Let's plan on that beer sometime.

[@Jbryan23]

@ReelHistory I would be honored, my friend. If you are ever in the Atlanta area, let me know for sure! I reside about 25 minutes south of the airport! I will take you up on it for sure! 🙂

[@jjlivepattern]

I realize most know this.. Digitally Capturing realistic flying aircraft - especially WWII aircraft while in formation is not easy. In reality every plane moves independently due to unstable atmospheric conditions, air movement, air pockets, wind etc. CGI for this one couldn’t have been easy. Agreed the planes appear to moving pretty fast on this production lol. Although in reality a diving fighter plane at closing speed must have looked like a blip flash and quick streak of movement for a second. I have played music for most of my life and had the honor to perform at a national private gathering for one of the U.S.S Coral Sea’s (formally Anzio) Veteran’s Reunions around 1990.. Incredible folks. And met a B-17 pilot who spent a year in a German POW camp. I saw him a couple of times in our town. I never asked him questions. He did mention the first time I met him - when I briefly commented on a small aviator insignia on his jacket and brifely thanked him for his service.. he said with a brief smile, ‘I’m just glad to be here.’ Our 2nd Cousin was not as fortunate. His plane and body was found and recovered from a lock waterway in the Netherlands in the 70’s. His name is Lt. Frank Cross. We all grew up around WWII vets. Our neighbor’s dad fought in the Pacific and survived combat on Iwo Jima. He was one of the kindest human beings we have ever known. Much love, respect and strength to all ‘good’ souls who find themselves in harms way be they civilian or combat veterans. I really enjoyed this commentary. Thank you

[@lairdofdunstan1093]

i often ride my motorcycle around the area where i live , the area has a great many disused airfields from WW2 ,theres a memorial about 10minutes away for the 8th USAF at a site called Glatton and not far from that there is Conigsby , i pass Madingley cemetary a few time a month with my job ,its a very sobering place with the remains of 3800 air men buried and the names of over 5000 listed as missing

[@watercooled8105]

I’ve looked forward to seeing this series and have flown in a B-17 twice as a guest. To hear it’s iconic engines’ sound and actually feel it fly through the air is an incredibly emotional experience for me. My Uncle George must have been drawn to flying by the same experience. Although only he experienced the absolute horror, terror and confusion of WWII aerial combat that just a (very) few of us know. My deepest respect to all who served-Godspeed

[@Jericho9696]

Air Force vet here I loved the first two episodes and I’m loving this channel now after watching his band of brothers commentary

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you. More to come!

[@4139kx]

@@ReelHistory Please confirm that you had an email from John Orloff acknowledging the error in referencing the 389BG in episode one. Thank you.

[@ReelHistory]

@@4139kx confirmed

[@user-tj8wv7ri7d]

I was so lucky to work for and be trained by pilots that were with the 8th and the other European flight groups. One of my CFI's had flown with Rickenbacker in WW1 in the 94th and then came back for WWII. All of these men were unique. The years from the 20's to the Depression and then WWII produced a different breed of human. Yes, they had all the faults, wants and desires, yet they endured. If they didn't, they died. God bless their memory.

[@bigmal1690]

Just saw the 1st one last night, was a iffy that it wouldn't live up to band of brothers, because that show was brilliant, but I was surprised, I liked it, and if the rest of them are as good, I'll be very pleased

[@Spider-Too-Too]

Barry Keoghan is moving up in the movie world

[@BigRed0059]

Love it so far. Each episode has been better and better.

[@keithwolstenholme4238]

For you WW2 air war buffs I recommend the book, “I Flew for the Furher”.

[@robertbenson9797]

As always, great observations and information about the film. One thing that I found interesting about the US Army Air Force in WWII is the make-up of aircrews. The decision was made early on to make all enlisted men on bomber crews sergeants. The German military held sergeants in high esteem so the thinking was any airmen, not officers, captured by the Germans would be better treated if they were sergeants. The Army determined that gunners from the Midwest had a better understanding of deflection or lead because many had learned to shoot hunting quail, pheasants or waterfowl. One of the training methods was to have gunner candidates shoot short barrel Remington Model 11 12 gauge shotguns at clay targets thrown from a moving flatbed truck. The gunners had to shoot where the target would be in a few seconds rather than were it was at that moment. Because the target was moving, you had to learn to lead the target.

[@LotusVette84]

I have grown up watching WWII movies. Especially ones involving the air war. Battle and Britain and Memphis Belle are two movies I have watched more than maybe any other movie. I am never phased by war movie violence or gore, but the combat scene in this gave me a sickening shudder I cannot describe. So well done.

[@asdf9890]

I don’t watch much TV, but signed up for this one. Loved the first episode so far.

[@andrewdeen1]

I'm about to look and see if you've done it already but I'd LOVE to see you break down the recent hulu remake of 'catch 22' ...I thought it came and went and really deserved more attention

[@JClark2600]

@0:50 I have that same projection screen in my home office! Crazy, now I can host new show screenings i guess... LOL

[@nicholasmodzinski2528]

I couldnt wait for your breakdown!!! Thank you so much,cant wait for your ten parts!!

[@pjny21]

Hope you enjoyed NYC! Also, 1990 Memphis Belle is an awesome film that I couldn't get out of my head while watching.

[@Krommer1000]

That jacket is amazing, and would still be VERY stylish if worn today. Great find!

[@ReelHistory]

I do have a replica--though it is getting a bit tight these days!

[@paulfrance5059]

The flight clothing for the series was provided by Eastman Leather a UK company.

[@gravitypronepart2201]

​@@ReelHistoryYou get all the good stuff!!

[@user-gh1fu6yc4f]

I read A Wing and a Prayer before starting to watch the series so that I'd have some of the background on these characters and the events. I highly recommend reading it.

[@oifiismith]

ALOHA! @15:22 My personal story of a bike I got in OIF2. Being a FIST Sgt, We would have to go to briefings at headquarters, which were across the FOB (Liberty) in our full combat gear. I got tired of walking so I got the interpreter to get me a mountain bike for like $25. First time coming back from a briefing, I tried bunny hopping a curb in full gear,😲bent the back rim like 90 degrees. My battlegave me so much sh!t. Ended up bringing it back home after I got it fixed, after my tour, only to have it stolen😪. Mahalo for the great review🤙

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for sharing your story!

[@driednoodles4291]

So far I’m absolutely loving this series. I haven’t really felt this into a series since band of brothers. It’s yet to be seen if it’s as good but as of episode 3 it’s looking that way. So far it’s easily better than the pacific and I LOVE it!

[@darksidemachining]

@27:43 Regarding education. It was not so much that the military wanted their pilots to have more knowledge than a high school diploma, it was assumed that someone in college, which was self initiated as opposed to high school, knew how to study and absorb written material. There was a ton of facts and figures and abstract thought required to pilot and navigate an aircraft which presumably a college student could master in a short period of time. A gunner, though highly and extremely important, needed to simply know and train how to range and lead the target and maintain his gun or cannon. A high school grad could pull a trigger. Have learned this perspective decades ago directly from WWII and Korean war veterans.

[@Jruss1994]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who got winters and Nixon vibes from buck and Bucky

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks. I knew one of the navigators from that bomb group. He told me he trained on B17s, shipped the crrews across the Atlantic on ships and gave them B24s. I already read that book...in school.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in.

[@texhaines9957]

@ReelHistory this was an Era I heard about from uncles, my Dad, and his friends at the VFW and American Legion. As I started to volunteer in Memory Care and VA, I heard a lot more about their war experience no book or movie has shown me. Currently, I know a Vietnam veteran in memory care, who retired as a full bird colonel. Not sure, he might think I'm one of his aids from long ago. His wife says he likes me, and calms him down better than the medical staff. Interesting VN experiences shared. His wife was Army as well.

[@davidkuhns8389]

All depictions of the bombing campaign focus on the 8th AF. They love showing those beautiful scenes back in England. My dad was a B-24 bombardier flying out of southern Italy. They faced all the dangers of the 8th but returned to tents in muddy fields and locals begging food to fend off starvation. My dad used to recite a poem that said something about "the 8th gets all the glory; the 15th just flies out to die."

[@TheRealSlimSteve]

Was the same with boots on the ground. My maternal grandad fought at Monte Cassino, just a couple of weeks before D-Day, allied losses 100,000, no general historical recognition, in fact most people haven't even heard of Monte Cassino. My paternal grandad went ashore in Normandy two weeks later, allied losses just under 10,000, but massive historic recognition, and everyone has heard of it. Funny old world.

[@johnorloff3738]

@@TheRealSlimSteveThe Big Red One? Patton?

[@TheRealSlimSteve]

@@johnorloff3738No, if I recall, the 1st (TBRO!) under Patton did take Sicily, but were redeployed back to the UK for D-Day before they could take part in the Italy landings.

[@Zippezip]

Jared, excellent summation of Episode One, I look forward to your subsequent critiques. Having said that I agree with one very strong point you made when Gale Cleven said, " I don't know what I saw." That I agree just about sums it up.

[@loriwheeler8167]

My Dad flew in the 44th. He was bomber pilot, B24, shot down over France and made his way across France, over the Pyrenees and was interred by Spain. It's a thrilling story which, luckily, he wrote down. We also have an account from a crew member and I do recall seeing something about one of the crew who had ended up in a concentration camp. He passed in 2000 and we never asked him questions. But one thing I've been trying to find is his military record. It occurred to me, watching this show, that he probably flew more missions. I have been unable to locate his military records and have tried numerous google searches. Any help in how to do that would be appreciated.

[@nathangeiger3548]

My Great Uncle had a wheels up landing, while piloting a B-17. Ran out of gas before they could land (properly). As I recall, the plane broke in half from it. In hindsight, I’d imagine this was from not having jettisoned the ball turret.

[@nyykSIUUU]

As a swiss I don‘t have much connection to the subject except for the fact that a B-17 bomber of the 8th Air Force crash landed in a lake near where I live in 1944. that fact has always amazed me

[@nafs53]

At boarding school in the early 60s we had powdered egg, came in square cans with an embossed lid. I can relate..😖

[@leeenfieldsmle]

Can't help but notice the contemporary hairstyle of Austin Butler's love interest, and the overuse of the sheepskin flying jackets and aviator sunglasses to add extra glamour.

[@archbury918]

If you look at a photo of Marjorie , you will see it is styled the same, only longer. The sunglasses may be overdone given the weather in England, but the sheepskin is spot on

[@gravitypronepart2201]

​@@archbury918And all aviators gotta have the sun glasses, cmon!

[@TexasVernon]

Interesting aside regarding bicycles: I was on a super tanker back in the 1980s. The ship was so long there was a bike used when needing to go from one end to other.

[@brookehuntoon1004]

Thanks for the review. Loved the first two episodes. Also enjoyed your take on Band of Brothers, but wondering why no review of The Pacific. If you have I can’t find it. Absolutely love this channel.

[@ReelHistory]

The Pacific will be out beginning in March after Masters of the Air--with a very special guest no less!

[@swaggerdagger5168]

Just finished the second episode about 20 minutes ago and saw this video pop up when searching for reviews, perfect timing

[@ReelHistory]

Welcome!

[@ryand2413]

Just so you know, we still call it gremlins in the system. Source: currently aircraft maintenance in the USAF

[@gravitypronepart2201]

Navy aviation here. Same. It's so frustrating that a pilot would write up a gripe, and the maintenance guys often couldn't duplicate it on the ground.

[@thelizardkingdc]

Gotta do The Pacific! Just rewatched it after years and its unbelievably brutal. Must do!

[@ReelHistory]

Already filmed and being edited. It'll be beyond your expectations

[@thelizardkingdc]

@@ReelHistory yessssss cant wait! 👑

[@vipergtsmre]

I can't wait to see this show. That pillow hit close to home. Gramps was 8th to 12th to 15th AAF. MSgt Engineer, 301st BG 419thsq. Roughly 42 to 45 but he never said a word and the archive fire destroyed his official records... thankfully, I do have a bit of info from my uncles and mom, and have some of his awards, class A, and some documents

[@michaelmilitello5644]

Jared, My grandfather was a ball turret gunner on a B17. I have many stories I would love to share about his experiences. I recently donated several of his war relics to the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum in Hattiesburg, MS at Camp Shelby.

[@gibson617ajg]

I met a ball turret veteran whilst on holiday in California - whilst on a visit to Planes Of Fame - in the mid-90's. He was sitting in the shade under the wing of a B17 and noticed my '100th BG - Thorpe Abbots' t-shirt and told me he was stationed not far from there. I told him I lived just an hour's drive away from where the 100th were based. He showed me a photo album containing a series of photos from the Bomb Release camera of his aircraft - showing the moment one of 'his' bombs took one of the vertical stabilisers clean off a Fortress that had drifted underneath them. The camera caught its tragic demise as it spun out of control. I asked him if anyone got out. He just shook his head. It was an honour to have spent a small amount of time with this hero. Our lads used to fly at night of course - which didn't turn out to be as 'safe' as expected.

[@callsign_scooter9602]

Finally! The voice of reason enters the chat!! I really love your breakdowns and eager to see you do each episode. I just trust your research and your ability to be balanced, so refreshing to see! I will say, I didn't think that hard about how fast the fighters were moving and yeah they look way too fast. Just a thought I had while watching, though. It might have been a creative choice to show a casual audience how impossibly hard it was to actually hit them. If they did it like how Wyler's film shows the attacks, I can easily see people critique it as incomptent crews unable to hit the broad side of a barn. But I like how it showcases how important the formation was and how bomber groups are organized and operate. Since the Memphis Belle movie doesn't really explain it well, I was kind of confused where they were in the formation in that movie. I still love it though!

[@bobleicht5295]

One of my uncles was an 8th AF cook somewhere in the UK, until personnel losses on the Continent caused him to be swept up as a replacement. Ended up in the 9th Armored Div, where he crossed the bridge at Remagen. We only learned of it years after he passed away by reading letters he sent to his mother - our grandmother. Lest we forget.

[@Rebel-Rouser]

Thank you for the wing and a prayer recommendation. I will pick it up post haste

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Best review I’ve seen yet.

[@ReelHistory]

Many thanks!

[@Concetta20]

He *is* the spitting image of his Dad!

[@ReelHistory]

I sound like him too!

[@ConversationStartersVideo]

Did a Masters of the Air Tour in England in 2022, Donald Miller was with us. His book is incredible and he shared that Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg were stickers for accuracy in the production.

[@Farbar1955]

70,000+ subscribers...wow, I remember when I joined up there were only 300-400. Congratulations on how this channel has grown!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for sticking with us!

[@jeremybr2020]

I was watching a reaction to this first episode by one of the big reaction channels here on KZbin, and one them was wondering, before starting the episode, whether they would be doing the interviews before each episode, like they did in Band of Brothers. Having done some research myself, I felt a bit bad for them, because they will soon learn that very few of the people they see will make it thru the war, and there is only one last surviving member of the bloody 100th. And I don't think he was one of the originals. (though I could be misremembering that one). So unlike Band of Brothers, where a good handful of the members make it well past the war, this series will likely be much more depressing, considering so many of these people will be killed in these episodes.

[@vincentbergman4451]

My great uncle (dads side) was a navigator in the 490th (RAF Eye) Started in 24’s Switched to 17’s First missions were for D-Day Did missions for Battle of the Bulge Raids in Germany until the end of war Once he got home he never flew again

[@juliekling8598]

Excellent content! Thanks!

[@NessaBear90]

Love your commentary and facts. I'm such a history buff/nerd and none of my friends are so it is always fun for me to listen to someone talk about things I enjoy. On a personal note I love this new show. B.o.B is my #1 but Masters is for sure my #2. The Pacific was good but I didn’t feel a personal bond with the guys except Dr. Sidney Phillips but that's because Ken Burns' documentry The War is one of my favorites and I felt like I knew him. The core guys for Masters I feel a bond with them.

[@gravitypronepart2201]

I get what you are saying, but My Dad was in the Pacific. I have to wonder how he would feel about it. Connected or not, that's what the Pacific Campaign was like, and I think we should Appreciate that. It's not all about being entertained. I don't mean to throw shade though.

[@jabbamiles]

If you are ever in the area the 100th Bomb Group museum at Thorpe Abbotts is well worth a visit. It's housed in the original WW2 control tower and a few other buildings.

[@lolroflroflcakes]

I mean the B17 might be a big boi but the agility when overshooting the runway is probably more accurate than you'd think. The plane was light on an empty leg, has four gigantic radial engines and piston engines very much have power on demand. If you give it the gas it's going to get up and go, especially on a windy day.

[@mikejacques8863]

Epic intro music

[@carl9654]

'Gremlin' remains a fairly common term in military aviation to this day.

[@juliepiccone3856]

Can’t wait for the part two recap to drop!!

[@davidk7324]

Great work Jared. Paul at WW2TV has a nice video reaction to MotA and lively comment discussion in case you have the time.

[@davemac1197]

That was not a bad episode at all. Obviously I will have a few notes: - "carousing in English pubs" - I have no idea what this means, of course. - East Anglia is a geographical region and accounts for an area northeast of London that is bounded to the north and east by the North Sea. In the 8th Century it was given to the Danish Vikings as a peace offering, like the French gave them Normandy to buy them off from attacking Paris. The region is divided into two counties, Norfolk and Suffolk - literally north folk and south folk, with Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south included by some definitions. It was peppered with airfields during WW2 and many were used by the USAAF. During the Cold War in 1980, the twin USAF bases of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk were involved in "Britain's Roswell" UFO landing incident in Rendlesham forest, and the main sensitivity surrounding the case was the undisclosed presence of tactical nuclear weapons stored there. In the news this week is a leaked report that the US may be moving nuclear weapons back to UK bases because of the rising threat from Russia. - This brings me to the popular Pennsylvanian pastime of murdering English place names, even when people in New England seem to get it right ("Gloucester" refers): for "Norr-folk" you should drop the 'L', so it sounds like "Norr-fuk", and Suffolk is simply "Suffuk". I know it looks a little vulgar, and interestingly the F-bomb was an 8th Century Danish import into England through East Anglia and not considered vulgar by the Danes, but was by the Saxon English only because it was a Danish word. In discussing this with a Danish friend, I was told that today it is considered a little rude in Denmark only because of the pervasive influence of English language and culture from British and American TV and film imports. - Thorpe Abbotts is in the middle of East Anglia and just north of the River Waveney that marks the boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk, and the airfield was still used by light aircraft in the 1980s before being closed. I think you got the city of Norwich ("Norrich") right, which is the county seat (capital) of Norfolk. - Saville Row (the street in London famous for tailors) is another one that got murdered - someone from New Scotland Yard will be flying out to draw a chalk mark around all the suits in your closet - it should sound like "Savvel Ro". Your version sounded more like Seville, which is a city in Spain (we defeated their armada in 1588 - haven't heard from them since). - "gas rationing" should be "petrol rationing", of course. We are not a country that uses the word "gas" to describe a liquid. - Luftwaffe Flak uniforms using red collar tabs is indeed a correct detail - the red "waffenfarbe" indicates the artillery (Flak-Artillerie) arm of the service. The flying (Flieger) arm and paratroops (Fallschirm) used yellow tabs, brown for signals, white for senior staff officers and the Herman Göring Panzer Division, and many other colours for various support service arms. In the army and SS, the "waffenfarbe" service branch is indicated by coloured piping instead, around the edges of the shoulder tabs.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for keeping us straight! I'm now going to go drive on the right side of the road! 😉

[@davemac1197]

@@ReelHistory - like Napoleon!

[@marcusg2703]

I'm looking forward to the next episode with Jared but not as much as I'm looking forward to your corrections!😂 Keep them coming. 👍👍👍

[@davemac1197]

@@marcusg2703 - too kind. I've had reservations about this series, but so far so good.

[@renealarcon3970]

On the subject of approaching speeds of German fighters. B 17s and B 24s traveled at between 200 and 300 Mph to and from the bombing targets. Of course the faster speeds were attained when the airplanes had released their bombs. ME 109's and FW 190's , the German fighters, could easily achieve 400 mph in a dive, from the side, or their preferred attack approach from the front. That is a total combined speed of interception of about 500 to 700 Mph. If diving from behind then slower , perhaps 200 mph. That happens in an instant. So perhaps the visual effect , in the video depiction of German fighter encounters is not that far off or dramatized. I'm a General Aviation pilot, and even when you are not being fired at, things can happen very fast while flying. Its hard to imagine how I would respond if somebody was firing at my little Bug Smasher. Infinite Respect for those Bomber crews depicted in this series. Cheers.🛩

[@colinfitzgerald007]

I LOVED the show...LOVED IT!!

[@E_Dtl]

The sound production on this show is insane, and I am sure my neighbors agree, because I had to turn the AV to 11.

[@ReelHistory]

We saw the premiere on a thirty-foot screen and it was impressive.

[@Rufus6540]

My favorite story about Americans as told by British locals was that Yanks were "overpaid, oversexed, and over here!"

[@paulfrance5059]

A common story, told in Britain, about WW2 bombing. “When the Germans dropped bombs, the British ran.” “When the British dropped bombs, the Germans ran.” “When the Americans dropped bombs, everybody ran.”

[@evancrum6811]

My grandfather was a B-17 pilot and his first mission was on 11/27/44 and flew until the end of the war. Luckily his group dealt with more flak the German fighters. I have found all his missions.

[@ReelHistory]

Respect to your grandfather.

[@evancrum6811]

Thank you. I can try and find the site for his group if you want. My other grandfather was a Merchant Marine but i dont know where to even start to find his missions.​@@ReelHistory

[@ReelHistory]

@@evancrum6811, try period newspapers as a starting point.

[@evancrum6811]

@@ReelHistory I will try. I know I can find his rank. Just a lot of Merchant Marine things are harder to find.

[@Fireguy723]

Great video as usual sir. When I watched this i was very much surprised by the similarities of this and the film Memphis Belle. From the gear up landing at the beginning, the foggy near mid air collision and even the way they delivered the line "target for today is Bremen".

[@ReelHistory]

I thought similarly.

[@alanrogers7090]

Boeing designed the B-17 to have semi-retracting main wheels for just that problem of not extending. The wheels did not fully retract into the engine nacelles and they stick out a little bit. If you had to belly land, you wouldn't cause much damage to the fuselage this way. The A-10 ground support jet has the same design feature for the same reason.

[@anonymouscontributor2376]

Lovely episode Jared and team! I just found Reel History’s channel. Love it! I’m now subscribed and look forward to each after episode for Masters of the Air and more in the weeks to come. Great work guys and thank you for masterfully mixing accurate history with cinema and entertainment. I enjoy the educational factor here the most as a viewer! :)

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you and welcome!

[@rebelscumspeedshop]

I'm commenting because it helps the algorithm gods ,but I'm going to watch every episode and let it sink in before I watch any content on the matter. Then I shale return.

[@davantemorrison6866]

Couldn’t wait for this series and review from this channel

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@joshh8245]

I've watched the first 2 episodes of Masters of The Air four times already. Can't wait for the rest of the series. Your breakdowns of the episodes should be required viewing in my humble opinion. The historical context you provide is great and helps provide a more clear picture of what went on over there. I learn something new every time I watch your channel. Eagerly anticipating your upcoming videos about Masters of The Air. I'm reading A Wing and A Prayer by Harry Crosby currently and will be reading Masters of The Air after that. Definitely interested in reading Frank Murphy's book Luck of the Draw as well but don't have that one yet. It's on my list though. Keep up the good work and thanks for doing this.

[@ReelHistory]

Cheers!

[@joshh8245]

@@ReelHistory 👍

[@saloonno1232]

Re enemy aircraft speed… fortresses flying around 200 miles, an hour, and German enemy aircraft flying close to 400. That’s a pretty fast closing speed of 600 miles an hour. That is fast. So, there depicted speed on the film was pretty accurate.

[@gravitypronepart2201]

I think it was closer to 400. The fighters slowed to about 250 to avoid collisions, and the Forts combat speed was 150, but that's plenty fast.

[@callofdutyfriend]

Great video as always, Reel History team! Jared, I’m curious if you’ll go into detail regarding interrogation mentioned after the mission?

[@ReelHistory]

Crews were interrogated after all missions. These covered debriefing for interrogation about flak locations, lost aircraft, plane bailouts, fighter activity, and bombing observations. (Records of downed aircraft and parachute sightings were used by the Red Cross to check on German reports regarding prisoners of war.)

[@callofdutyfriend]

@@ReelHistory That’s what I figured, thanks for the reply! Excited for y’all to cover the rest of the series!

[@donaldjones3580]

I refuse to pay for A+, keep up the reviews.

[@HarrisonReed1]

My grandmas first husband was a waist gunner on a b-17 Unfortunately he was killed by a Messerschmitt bf110. His plane was named “Hicks Hack”. The plane was brought down south of Wagenfeld, Germany in Jan of 1944. Only 19 years old. Most of the rest of the crew were taken POW by civilians.

[@killerkev3]

I don’t know if you’ve been in the air within close proximity to another plane. But they move fast no matter how “slow” you think they are it moves fast past you

[@ReelHistory]

It's all about the optics.

[@leandrocosta3709]

The 389th Bomb Group, the Sky Scorpions, was later transferred to North Africa to take part in the low level Ploesti raid on August 1st, 1943.

[@thedude1316]

Fantastic and informative as always. Thank you, Jared.

[@faeembrugh]

Interesting that you found a bomber jacket in Italy. I myself got a quite worn but wearable A2 jacket in a Turkish street market for about $80. This stuff is still out there!

[@signalnine2601]

When I listened to Churchill's history of ww2, apparently he also once almost flew into France. Nothing like what was displayed here as the navigational error was fixed. Apparently it was on his flight back from the Bermuda trip.

[@JClark2600]

@27:35 You said Bibbik went to UC Davis, then spoke about these airmen needing additional schooling because of the service they were in. I can confirm or support that because I live in the area. Back in the 40's upper mid-westerners would've desired to go to Davis not only because it's still one of the best animal schools around but also because if he had stayed in Wisconsin and went to school most of the school year they would be in doors because it's way too cold for most farm animals but at Davis it's reasonable.

[@ralphpatrick3071]

I enjoyed the first episode.

[@ReelHistory]

We did too, overall.

[@galloian]

Good stuff. Just watched Woody's review this afternoon and appreciate your review which I get to see this evening :). Looking forward to EP2s review.

[@pjny21]

Its really hard to ride a bike in an inebriated state lol. That had me laughing as a New Yorker that bikes a ton to my local bars and breweries.

[@davidgrandy4681]

I liked the first two episodes. Because of 2023 digital capabilities they are using the right aircraft for early 1943, probably B-17F's. On the downside there was the usual bullshit about the Norden Bomb sight, "Second most secret device after the atomic program of the war." Uh huh. The Germans had the blueprints of the Norden BEFORE the war, and liked it so much that they didn't use it. Same with the Brits, as they considered their bombsight better. Besides when you fly over enemy territory you are going to have losses, and the enemy will recover many many many copies which I assume would be in the hundreds. Some secret. I'll also mention tactic of flying in boxes so that each aircraft support the others against German fighters. It didn't work. What did work was the arrival of P-51 Mustang long range fighters for escorts, but that I suspect won't be for a few episodes. Here's a prediction for future episodes. 8th Airforce bombing was Precision Bombing. Well the 8th AF flew with hundreds of aircraft in formations that were miles wide. And they most often flew aboves solid cloud cover. They dropped their bombs when the leader dropped his. I don't see a lot of precision in that.

[@colincampbell817]

There does appear to be a strong bias towards the stories of the Officers and less about the Enlisted crewmen. Sadly all the officers seem to look like the ideal poster boy for the US military. We need to see more human/flaws in the personalities to actually grow any attachments with the characters.

[@UnkieB]

It was actually the 305th BG the Egan flew two missions with as opposed to the 389th. A disappointing mistake on someone's part. Not loving it so far two episodes in, but not hating it either. The character development could be better.

[@ReelHistory]

Good point on referencing the 305th.

[@ReeseMacalma]

Dang, the day has finally come!

[@michaeltoss8204]

Loving this series so far. Thanks for giving more info about it.

[@ReelHistory]

Cheers!

[@hijinks21]

Thank god. For once no homework after a video