Masters of the Air. Season 1. Episode 5. This is another insane aerial fight!

Hello there and welcome to yet another one of the best aerial fight scene i have ever seen, enjoy it!
A series from Apple. During WWII, five miles above the ground and behind enemy lines, ten men inside a bomber known as a "Flying Fortress" battle unrelenting flocks of German fighters.
As always Add-Free!
A like or comment is always appreciated and i will try to respond to them all.
Have a wonderful day! I recommend listening with headphones.

[@marwankthd1629]

I liked the detail about destroying bomb sights as these were considered highly classified technology.

[@markusbjorklund5920]

Complete Norden system was delivered to the Germans before the war. There was a German spy working at the Carl L. Norden Company.

[@Xingmey]

yeah and were thought to be inferior by the germans and japanese engineers who studied those that were captured several times...

[@JB-yb4wn]

@@Xingmey And they were inferior. Hardthrasher has a video explaining why.

[@Tank50us]

@@Xingmey Yes, it was inferior for the types of missions the IJA and Luftwaffe flew. But for the kind of mission that the USAAF flew, they were actually very good bomb sights when used in the way they were designed. The problem is that wartime experience meant that they couldn't be used in such a way, and the accuracy went right out the window.

[@Debbiebabe69]

The bomb sights *were* accurate - far too accurate for the task of dropping dumb bombs from a mile wide by ten mile deep formation of bombers, through 30,000 feet of air and changing conditions, onto a point target. The 'destroying the sights; thing was just a morale boosting thing by brass to make crews think they have the best sight. Other nations sights may have been less sophisticated, but they were quite sufficient for the task.

[@bmused55]

This episode played out like a freaking horror film. The music and tension were top notch. That musical sting when the last remaining B17 appears on screen all alone... just superb.

[@jckoibra2662]

Yeah

[@SGusky]

The whole soundtrack is on Pandora. It’s really really good to listen to.

[@280StJohnsPl]

Terrifying....no matter how bad the land invasions were, you were on the ground, not 20,000+ feet in the air dealing swarms of enemy fighters, flak and deadly cold.

[@namelastname1085]

Definitely the best episode of the series for me.

[@whaaat3632]

The falling parts and evasive maneuvers after were the best 4 minutes of the series.

[@inesayala947]

I don’t know what I expected from this show, but not what would be so terrifying and claustrophobic. It’s like being a bull’s-eye at a carnival and hoping you don’t get hit. And knowing that, getting back on the damn plane over and over again. The last episode makes me nauseous.

[@Perfectblue33]

I found episode 5 to be the best yet. There are more story lines but i can't show them all. Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful day!

[@jeffjakubowski9323]

I flew several years ago in a B-17. They are much smaller than you'd imagine.

[@Perfectblue33]

You actually flew one? That is very impressive to me. Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful day!@@jeffjakubowski9323

[@davidakridge2831]

We're it not mostly a true story, I would say it highly exaggerated. I'm just dumbfounded at what those guys did voluntarily. 😢

[@searkpslendorman]

@@jeffjakubowski9323 I never flew in one but I did tour a flying B-17 years ago. Much smaller than you would think as I didn't have much room and I was, at the time, only 5'9" & 178 pounds.

[@johnson7156]

feeling those German pilot are exceptionally good at those rockets. Could never hit a thing with those rocket in war thunder lol!

[@jackychan9236]

Well it's not like we get large bomber formations that's flying straight line for us to shoot at in WT......

[@alexwilliamson1486]

The WGR 210 were designed to reall “break” up the formation? A direct hit was indeed lucky…bloody big rockets however…!!

[@Xingmey]

@@jackychan9236even then... they were intended to be used from fighter s(BF 110) from the rear of distances of about 1000 to 2000 meters, fired into the formation to break up the formation, and then have the BF 109 and FW 190 pick those bombers off one by one.

[@sgtdude1110]

The Germans couldn't hit anything with them either lol.

[@ArxInvicta]

@@sgtdude1110 Considering that germany had by far the best and most experienced fighter pilots in the war, if anyone could hit stuff with rockets, it was them.

[@armandomendoza9028]

0:39 "How many Tie Fighters you want attacking the Falcon Milennium heads on?" "YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!"

[@priestsonaplane2236]

It’s the millennium falcon asshole

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

🤣❤️

[@zacharynix2691]

Im ready for the Mustangs to finally arrive to get these guys some air support. Brutal to watch

[@khylebaguingan8211]

Pretty sure this is mid war

[@stevetheduck1425]

Not over the target, and not until they got the big overload drop tanks.

[@sixmax11]

the fighters lacked the range of the bombers. that's why they equipped them with the guns. the b-17's were on their own most of the trip.

[@khylebaguingan8211]

Mustangs weren't a thing mid war.. warhawks & thunderbolts lack the range to support this guys

[@dustin1931]

@@khylebaguingan8211 P-38s could escort the bombers just as far as the P-51s

[@sixmax11]

the t.v. show 'rat patrol' was a prime time series when i was in first grade. never would have guessed they would still be making WW2 shows now that i'm collecting social security.

[@rogueriderhood1862]

I remember Rat Patrol. It was so bad we used to call it Twat Patrol!

[@lancethompson3431]

The greatest generation......

[@wsgeo]

I recall my father telling me how it was flying in the B17. It was difficult for him to talk about it when I was young, I now have an enormous appreciation for what he did at the age of 20 years old. He said that he hated the flack boxes as they bracketed his formation.

[@claudiocorleone7856]

Basically these men faced suicide missions. Worst part about it is they knew and still went. Heroes all of them.

[@Perfectblue33]

I totally agree with you there. Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@bryancockel3216]

My father was one of those guys: 305 bomb group and one of the few that survived the 2and Schweinfurt raid... He never talked about his combat experiences ever, but kept a meticulous diary which I read as a kid in the 60's (much to his anger). At the end of his life, I asked him: "how did you get into those planes day after day?". His prophetic answer was: "it was impossible not to...". Think about that...

[@overcastfriday81]

The worst part is their general knew about drop tanks and refused to give them fighter escort with drop tanks until they replaced him around 1944. The history books revised actual history to make it sound as if "we were stupid but figured out drop tanks in 1944". No, there was actual just one man who was evil or stupid or both.

[@barenekid9695]

Heroes !!? Brave certainly but hardly heroes.. as they Carpet bombed Civilians that means Schools Hospitals and helpless civilians Rarely hitting any serious war targets. By current standards the entire "murican Bombing adventure would be considered as a Horrific and unjustifiable.. MASS war crime.

[@jeffgodoy8676]

0:20 the soundtrack is so chilling and has the vibe of alien horror theme.

[@jckoibra2662]

Yeah that scene was so scary

[@bolobalaman]

Sound like Spider Man 2099 - Miguel O Hara theme

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

My favorite scene of the show.

[@codyn.8225]

That was a sound of a freakin wolfpack

[@calito44]

I thought The Pacific was too much misery but this series surpasses it....Wow.....

[@rogueleader7506]

Id argue that the pacific was still worse. The bombing campaign got better after the Allies established fighter escorts and achieved air superiority. The Pacific was actually the opposite, the more the war dragged on the more ruthless and die-hard the Japanese became.

[@azerty97212]

yup The Pacific was pure misery@@rogueleader7506

[@TheNapster153]

As mentioned elsewhere, Allied Air Power suffered for every devastating bombing run. People can joke about the Luftwaffe's effectiveness, but what was present in the Western Theatre was a menace when and where it appeared.

[@sr7129]

@@rogueleader7506I see your point but it’s important to remember bomber crews still suffered pretty heavy losses until very late in the war even with escort, just not at the rate of 43. There were just so many more replacement/upgraded aircraft and so many WELL trained replacement crews *cough Luftwaffe* the rate of loss wasn’t as high.

[@inigobantok1579]

The main characters here literally dropping like flies from the two supposed leads to their own friends

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

What makes this scene is Hambone and the music for me. As he looks up as he hears the German fighters and sees the incoming German fighters and says, “Jesus.” That sent chills down my spine. The actor that plays Hambone did the best eye acting in the show. You see and feel the fear and the attempts to overcome the fear as he is taking instructions from the pilots.

[@Big_Glizzy.]

An absolute terrifying experience, nothing about this scene is exciting.

[@johnmac3410]

That's one intense scene! God bless those men of the 8th Army Air Corps.

[@Perfectblue33]

This episode was really good. I highly recommend this series. Thank you for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@nordlandak6853]

Best series on tv

[@iamx29]

I think the most terrifing thing for me is getting shot with those huge calibre bullets used by the fighters,I mean if you survive its just real luck. a few years ago I was lucky enough to go to an air display and watch a real dogfight between a spitfire and a Messerschmitt Bf109,it was just amazing but terrifying at the same time. Theres also footage of a similar amazing flight between a spitfire and a Messerschmitt Bf109 the pilot was german as well and the way he flies so low to the ground you just know that this dude is a real "bad ass" dude,even the spitfire pilot said"you really had me there".its on youtube guys watch it,it will send chills down your spine! just look up the amazing pilot Klaus plasa.

[@Wailwulf]

If it was a real dogfight, they would have been using live ammo. Think you meant to say a "highly realistic dogfight"

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

This episode was outstanding.

[@nyca520]

Truly the greatest generation Thank you sirs for your heroic bravery and valiant service to our country RIP 🇺🇸

[@TheBluesnbob]

IDT we'll ever have brave selfless men like them again, Warriors!

[@bryancockel3216]

Thanks for the sentiment...but my father who was one of those guys in '43 was more of a victim...not a hero. He did not sign up for some heroic reason nor did he ever think he was a hero.

[@Strathclydegamer]

@@TheBluesnbobcomments like that are a huge slap in the face to those who have served their countries with distinction in subsequent wars. Whether those wars were justified is another matter, but comments like this crop up in every WW2 related video and instead of honouring WW2 veterans, they just come across as insulting to veterans of Afghan, Iraq etc

[@TheBluesnbob]

@@Strathclydegamer My Dad was in Pattons 3rd Army, I was in the Army and Coast Guard. I respect all veterans of every campaign and I was referring to the last World war that killed millions, with old weapons and brave men. Not comparing.

[@Blashmack]

Imagine seeing a modern version of this with a hundred F-35s or SU-34s diving right at you. Damn

[@FutureRoadkill]

Nah I think it would be more terrifying seeing your bomber buddy’s get 1 shorted out of no where all at once

[@ThatSpecificIndividual]

A modern version you wouldn't even see the fighters. Just a wall of amraams.

[@fludblud]

Thats the scary thing about modern warfare, unless you have your own radar warning receiver the first hint you are under attack is when you suddenly explode.

[@williamnixon3994]

The good thing is that you wouldn't be nearly as close to the target as you are in WW2, you'd be dozens of miles away dropping precision munitions within inches of where you aimed. The bad news is that you're equally if not even more boned in a bomber if SAMs or a defending fighter catches you with a missile, cuz you don't have self-defense missiles of your own (yet, anyway) to force the enemy fighter to flee and good luck managing to score an AAM kill with another AAM

[@leerich8758]

This would still be worse.

[@ohinek007]

0:22 so powerful moment

[@0michelleki020]

it's nice that they show the main fighting tactic of the Bf-109.

[@Rik915Sks]

yep it's this tactics called "george lucas always more CGI" because is not great to see just 4 german fighters doing their best to defend their land....the reality is boring, we need more tie fighter, flying fast and loud!!

[@Blashbuck]

@@Rik915Sks i'd love to see a source?

[@eyepatchpirate7726]

Yep there are a bit too may me's in this scene flying head on into a wall of mg's

[@0michelleki020]

@@Blashbuck it seems that Rik is ignorant of what energy fighting (boom and zoom) is, all fighter and interceptor pilots used the tactic extensively to get a jump on their enemies.

[@yashkasheriff9325]

@@Rik915Sks Hey asshole, the Luftwaffe literally did send hundreds of fighters at 100th BG, do your research.

[@dochiq]

1:52 The artificial lake (Aasee) in Münster seen here through the bomb sight was expanded beyond the bridge only after the war. So this is a modern aerial view of the city. And they aimed not at the railway facilities but at the cathedral, which would be further to the left inside the old town.

[@Perfectblue33]

Thank you for your good observation there. I learn something every day. Have a wonderful day sir!

[@dochiq]

@@Perfectblue33 You're welcome. I lived for 10 years in Münster, so I was interested how it is depicted and looked twice :)

[@Perfectblue33]

You are prob one of the few people commenting in this way. Thank you so much!@@dochiq

[@armandomendoza9028]

Well, I suppose showing the heroes aiming at a cathedral wouln't be politically correct nowadays....

[@punman5392]

Yea the show totally downplayed the targeting of civilians on this mission.

[@Grandizer8989]

I knew a B17 pilot who became friends with Ace Günther Rall at air shows and Rall told him they wanted nothing to do with B17s. Maybe a short burst then they got the hell out of there.

[@phunkeehone]

So the hit and run tactics was generally the most used? No wonder they didn't want to stick around for too long.

[@bbvollmer]

ultimately depends on who it was.... Egon Mayer shot down 25 b-17s single handedly... i think Pips Priller shot down even more. Heinz Knoke also had a reputation for being a bomber killer. The 17s were harder to bring down then the 24s, but they were by no means invincible. They had weak points and the Luftwaffe knew all too well exactly where they were

[@nikolakaravida9670]

The way bomber formations were attacked is always inaccurately portrayed in media because it would be boring. Fighters would use the "yoyo" tactic - they'd zoom, fire a burst, then gtfo and repeat. Flying directly through a bomber formation was suicide. Bomber gunners didn't score a lot of kills but they sure as hell acted as a deterrent and saved many planes. You couldn't just sit on a B17's ass and pull the trigger.

[@noahgoodburn1123]

@@phunkeehoneRoyal Flush to this day holds the American record for most planes shot down on one mission. 9 aircraft shot down.

[@Muschelschubs3r]

@@noahgoodburn1123 Claimed. There's a difference.

[@leerich8758]

Bravest of the brave. True heroes RIP

[@davidself2223]

Sheer grit. That’s what won the war. Men and women who did what had to be done.

[@RickPop85]

those German planes were protecting my Grandmother 😢

[@Phantom-uk2nd]

2:26 wish there we're more shots like this in this show, showing the formation close up from a third person perspective

[@Perfectblue33]

I hope you liked the scene. Please be kind in the reactions. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful day!

[@armandomendoza9028]

I must say this scene is quite good. There are still a lot of inaccuracies, but it is way more realistic than the fight battles in the first episodes.

[@Perfectblue33]

@@armandomendoza9028Thank you for your nice comment there. Have a wonderful day!

[@MaheshWalatara]

Its hard to get excited for these scenes when you know it was all done on a computer.

[@piranhaattack4836]

I damn near shit my self when 390th got mentioned in this episode. My great grandpa who still alive today was a tail gunner in that group on the Baby Buggy II plane. I told him about it and he even read about his group getting mentioned in the show on the paper and said wonder if I’m in it lol

[@Perfectblue33]

Thank you for you kind comment there. I wish your Granpa and you have a wonderful day!

[@craigjenks9064]

what a legend !

[@Perfectblue33]

@@craigjenks9064 Indeed! Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful day!

[@armandomendoza9028]

I am glad this fight scene is an improvement compared to the previous ones. Actually it is quite decent. Sure the "Star Wars' cloud of Tie Fighters going directly through your windshield" is ridiculous... but at least they got rid off the lone gunner downing 15 fighters, bombers flying backwards or radar guided rockets.

[@doomsday9973]

None of which actually happened in the show. SMH

[@woon1che222]

average war thunder bomber gameplay right here. 0:26

[@bryancockel3216]

Games will never capture the trauma and horror that my father experienced over the terrible skies of Europe...he was scarred forever. War is not a game....

[@hangoutinsw]

Does anyone have a link to the soundtrack in this scene? I've been browsing the official releases from Apple but didn't find this one. It sounds real cool.

[@user-ei2yx6fv2g]

Снято качественно и эффектно. Снял бы Спилберг, например про Ил-2 ...Чтобы, интересно получилось бы ?..

[@gregorysuddeth581]

We have no real clue how lucky we are to live in this country and what has been done to keep us free.

[@euanreid6682]

Well you know Hitler did give Henry Ford the Iron Cross medal.😂

[@billyrock8305]

Nice! 👍

[@5ch4rn]

I've never seen such swarms of fighters in any authentic WWII footage I've ever seen.

[@sebastianruhland5198]

Because this is Hollywood bullshit.

[@kokoeteantigha389]

It is recorded they did appear in those numbers on many occasions. It's amazing how people lived through those things long enough to tell the tale.

[@user-kj9pb9jc3v]

Absolutely terrifying, brave men, thank you for sacrificing so much. That generation would be horrified to see the conflicts in the works today and how similar they are to 1939-1945.

[@user-ip8dm5dp8l]

Эти смельчаки, бомбили женщин, детей, стариков. Сожгли Дрезден, где нет военных объектов. Это убийцы, а их командиры-военные преступники.

[@PolarizedMechs]

Amazing amount of experts on the strategic bombing campaign in WWII on this page. If only Spielberg had hired you people instead of listening to historians, who interviewed the real flyers on both sides.

[@Perfectblue33]

That is a interesting comment right there. Thank you for posting it. Have a wonderful day!

[@NapFloridian]

Our boys got them.....

[@Perfectblue33]

Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@user-kj9pb9jc3v]

The generation of WW2 would be horrified to see the similarities of conflicts in the world today.

[@Perfectblue33]

Thank you for your well put comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@gundam116]

I like how the shot the bomb sight but I would have thought it would get destroyed when the plane crashes.

[@andywilliams7323]

The bombsight's destruction in a crash couldn't be guaranteed. The Norden bombsight was considered highly advanced and sophisticated technology for the time, which the US believed gave them a crucial advantage. Consequently, it was highly classified technology that had to be prevented as best as possible from falling into enemy hands. So that the US didn't lose their perceived advantage and the Axis powers weren't able to replicate it or develop countermeasures to it. However, in practice, the Norden Bombsight actually wasn't as sophisticated as the US initially believed it to be and actually didn't give them the advantage they believed it did.

[@papas7669]

My son Nathen Solly (Lt John L Hoerr) is at 2.47 with the hat and goggles, then 2.58 he shots the bomb sight :)

[@Perfectblue33]

Seriously? The actor? Damn.. Thanks for your comment. Would love a answer. Have a wonderful day sir!

[@papas7669]

@Perfectblue33 seriously😁 He also had a good scene in ep1, he is the co pilot of the B17 that does the belly crash landing.

[@Perfectblue33]

@@papas7669Your son is doing really well in acting in my honest opinion. You should be proud!.

[@captainamerica3531]

Holy shit!

[@gundam116]

I think there was something like 300-350 German fighters during this raid.

[@buckyoung4578]

My father is credited with 35 missions as the pilot of the G.I. Jane/Pallas Athena (Greek goddess of war) with the 392nd Bomber Group out of Wendling, RAFB in East Anglia. The ONE thing that he said was CERTAIN was that the fighters disappeared whenever the bombers got close to target. Because at target, there was ALWAYS flak. Why would a German fighter get shot down by its own flak? So, in this scene, Masters of the Air is historically inaccurate.

[@derrickj45]

On this mission it was reported that the germen fighters didn't leave when the flak started up again. This was actually the first time for the bombers of the 8th Air Force to witness the germen fighters so aggressively on this mission. Plus, this mission was the start of what was known as "Black Week" for the 8th Air Force.

[@fleisbester612]

0:27 this guy looks like Austin Butler with the mask.

[@robertelder164]

At Munster the aim point was the front steps of the Cathederal at one pm on Sunday. They all missed it, so only 700 civilians died

[@dustin1931]

I'm surprised they didn't at least get some P-38 escort.

[@priestsonaplane2236]

They only get escorts across the channel pretty much, those planes don’t have the range

[@dustin1931]

@@priestsonaplane2236 the P38 has one of the greatest fighter ranges in the entire war.

[@priestsonaplane2236]

@@dustin1931 wow do some research and try again

[@MIXTAB1]

Long live baby face ✌️💯❤️

[@Perfectblue33]

Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful day!

[@user-ph4lv1ql6x]

Thanks you so much from johnsingeltonCopleyStonewell,MrRungsungunkoom,😊

[@barenekid9695]

Jingoistic 'Tale' Few fighters were shot down by Bomber gunners Ones that were were largely due to rear gunners, who along with bombadiers suffered the most casualties. Copilot was the lowest (war long proven) casualty position.

[@lappin6482]

the greatest generation

[@CrimsonXYR]

i dont rember if it was the sixth or 5 ep when it was just "royal flush" the only b-17 left after all the other went down just being all alone up high where no one can save u and a huge chance u will land in german territory

[@euanreid6682]

Funny to watch the swarming realism of it all.😂

[@Perfectblue33]

Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful day!

[@doomsday9973]

Uhh what’s not real about that? they were sometimes jumped by 100 fighters at once. Did you even read the book?

[@funkydozer]

Even though this crew remembered to equip their shouting voices to talk loudly at the German plane horde, it wasn’t enough to keep the score in the air on IMDB

[@geordiedog1749]

germans had the norden since 37. they didnt rate it

[@NickGalaz]

You deserved that belly turret guy ahaah😅

[@frazuppi4897]

LET'S OVER THE ODDS

[@BobDeCaprio]

this is back when guys knew how to bail out of planes

[@imawakehereme1818]

How would I survive this war now

[@joonahautala8196]

Whilst I enjoyd the Band of Brothers and Pacific when I grew up, don't know If I'll give this one a watch. Partly for how repeative these episodes scenes feel with little variety to the battles, but also the sheer lack of empathy I've lost towards bomber plane crews of all sides that in the long run sowed so much destruction and missery admist civillian targets in both allied and axis countries.

[@WeirdNeville]

It was a total war. The strategy was one of area bombing and aimed at civilian targets: civilians provided the labour to create war materiel. I don't blame any individual in these aircraft for executing what was an existential mission against a nation geared to destroy the world order. They did what they had to do. Whether it was 'right' is a question that we can argue today. But they didn't have a choice back then.

[@PolarizedMechs]

A shame you weren't around in 1937 and 1939 to tell the Germans and the Japanese to not start the war.

[@CestPasFaux-kt9zq]

Well Even if I did not see this serie, It seems that after 5 episodes it is always the same fights

[@Perfectblue33]

I semi agree with you. But they are different targets. Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@uclaztec2]

I don't feel that they did a good job building up the anxiety and tension of going up against the flack and luftwaffe in the previous episode. But, they did a very good job of it in this episode. The score this battle scene was excellent.

[@notreallydavid]

Flak - from Fliegerabwehrkanone, 'flyer defence cannon' Please kick me. All best.

[@notreallydavid]

Flak - from 'fliegerabwehrkanone', 'flyer defence cannon' Please kick me. All best.

[@JoeHinojosa-ph8yw]

They missed their chance. Clark Gable was a waist gunner on a B17 and you didnt show it.

[@Perfectblue33]

Thank you for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@laaarsu]

The scene is enough to explain why the entire week of October 8th to 14th was known as Black Week.

[@Perfectblue33]

I did not know of this Black Week. I had to look it up. Black Week was a turning point in the USAAF's strategic bombing campaign against Germany. The heavy losses forced the US to re-evaluate its tactics and develop new strategies for protecting its bombers. Thanks for pointing this out to me. I learn something every day it seems. Thank for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@germany456]

being a bomber in ww2 was a death call

[@luisarevalo7172]

Daylight bombing without fighter escorts was suicide.

[@karlydoc]

I know it was made about 15 years ago(Red Tails),but the effects in Masters of the Air is much better directed than George Lucas's cr3p.

[@KomradeLeonski]

When are they gonna slap drop tanks on P-38s and P-47s?

[@andrewnlarsen]

Sadly I think that we won't see much of them...got to reserve for the big boys coming in (P-51s).

[@doomsday9973]

In 1944 they got P-51 long range escorts with drop tanks

[@bettercallsamuel7541]

“He should be buried” ☹️

[@ryanelliott71698]

The bomb sight being destroyed bit I feel mixed about. Technically yes, back then it was used as propaganda at home, but the truth is the bomb sights were nothing special and weren’t very accurate. It kinda feels like the show is perpetuating this myth

[@derrickj45]

no they actually did this.

[@andywilliams7323]

It's not myth. Although yes in practice the Norden Bombsight proved to be nothing special. At the time, the US genuinely (although incorrectly) believed them to be a highly sophisticated piece of technology that gave them an advantage. So they genuinely gave them highly classified status, which meant they had to be prevented from falling into Axis hands.

[@carteljameson8395]

It's wild to me that people can comment with the benefit of hindsight and act like they're smarter or something. Dude, the US Military legitimately thought the bomb sight was a huge advantage. Just because you can read about how it wasn't 80 years later doesn't change that fact. Get over yourself. Your mixed feelings don't mean anything.

[@janporinchak5867]

I don't think the door gunners on these bombers would have had anywhere near the kills on fighters as shown here.

[@1teamski]

Remember, they aren't the only ones firing at the fighters. Those B-17 formations were absolutely lethal and were responsible for the destruction of the Luftwaffe by the end of 1944......

[@janporinchak5867]

@1teamski I don't know the statistics but there were a lot of other factors for the demise of the luftwaffe. As you point out it wouldn't be real pleasant flying at one of these formations tho. Still the presentation seems a bit "star warsish" to me.

[@1teamski]

@@janporinchak5867 It is, I agree. Not quite as bad as Red Tails though.....

[@anthonytrupia4010]

All the shoot downs are researched for accuracy. You guys should take the time and read how the shot this series

[@user-tq9bg7dp7o]

Bombers don't "fight". They bomb and defend, but they keep on course and altitude. Fighters fight, They maneuver and "dog fight".

[@B61Mod12]

B-17’s limping on one engine don’t hang with the pack as long as this one did….

[@MishaElRusito]

Gotta admit, even though overall the show is not that good and lacks a lot of things that made its predecessor like The pacific and Band of Brothers great but the fight scenes are done very well.

[@markegg262]

Ffs why spoil it by having 6 fighters stuck together wing by wing and passing 50m through the box. This is Star Wars with Messerschmidts.

[@InspirationSessions]

I find it incredible watching these scenes that the rounds fired from bombers' defensive turrets ever actually made contact with enemy planes enough to cause meaningful damage. Or were they mostly just a deterrent?

[@ArxInvicta]

The effect shown is vastly exaggerated, fighters had a hit rate of aprox. 2%, gunners were far, far below that. In many cases every single defensive gunner would expend their ammunition without scoring a single hit - the only gunner position that repeatedly scored hits was the tail gunner. The rest was basically there to make the crew feel better.

[@yashkasheriff9325]

Gunners were known to overestimate their kills, not chiefly out of ego, but out of human error. You fire a few bursts at a 109, you see it disappear into a cloud bank, you probably think you've downed it, and you keep that in the back of your head. 8th AAF knew their gunners were overclaiming kills but didn't interfere to correct them because they knew it would hurt morale to reveal that B-17Fs did pretty minimal damage to Luftwaffe fighters overall with their defensive guns.

[@Railriderchris]

What one should remember is that while the defensive gunners didn't do a lot of downed aircrafts, they DID shoot enemies down, and this makes the whole difference. One shouldn't judge their effectivness on stats alone, there are reports of German fighter pilots who were scared of going into bullet net of the bombers. And the mere fact that the Germans were searching for ways to approach the bombers from the least dangerous position like from the front or above the plane to evade the ventral ball turret shows that to them, the defensive gunners were no joke. With no defensive armament, the Germans would have had all the time of the world to quietly shoot down every bomber instead of doing much more difficult hit and run attacks. I'm flying in a WW1 squadron on the game IL-2. Last Saturday, we did a mission where the huge German Gotha bomber was to bomb England. Our bomber group has been attacked by swarms of Camels and SE.5 and our morale was very low as we lost a lot of gunners and planes and we thought our guns were not effective. During the debriefing together with our enemies, they told us how frightening it was to approach our bombers, they were seeing and hearing the hail of bullets entering their airframe, wondering if the next would hit the engine or pilot. And indeed, we shot down quite a number of them. Not much compared to their whole number but imagine what would have happened to us or the B-17 crews if they had NO defensive guns?

[@yashkasheriff9325]

@@Railriderchris Yeah, agreed. The value of 8th AAF's bombing lay in that they drew the Luftwaffe out to fight, where they could be destroyed in '44, and their bombing did have some tangible effects on German industry, even if it wasn't as effective as anybody hoped.

[@williamnixon3994]

These formations are the epitome of "Throw enough shit at the wall". You're not walking through over a dozen barrels of .50 cal fire unscathed, and since everyone's firing at the same or similar targets they all believe themselves to be the one who shot it down, inflating the number of actual kills drastically on top of the other reasons airmen would 'kill' so many aircraft

[@user-vk2tm4yt8t]

flying a plane takes nerve i can only imagine how fucked up it is to fly and be shot at

[@NS-cs3wp]

What's insane about this is how useless strategic bombing proved to be in actually disrupting enemy operations. The bombs were so innaccurate that hitting the target was worse than chance. All this terror, all this pain, for nothing.

[@andrewnlarsen]

I'm not sure about Germany but about Japan...I see your point.

[@armandomendoza9028]

I know and I partially agree. But it was not for nothing. Look at this way: Strategic bombing was not just a huge wasting for the allies. It was ALSO a huge waste for Germany. Hitler coulnd't just leave german cities to be bombed to oblivion and Nazi Germany commited a huge amount of men and resources to fight the bombers, men and resources Germany was sorely lacking. Thus, the Luftwafee sent its best units to defend the german cities stripping bare other war theaters. Same with the flak defense. By 1944 there were almost 1 millon men in the flak service, men that were sorely needed in Russia, France, Italy, etc. Same with ammo, guns, fuel, etc. Thus, yep. The strategic bombing campaing was a failure in a conventional way. However, even in failure it made a huge indirect contribution to allied victory just by forcing Hitler to assign massive amount of men and resources to fight the bombers.

[@PolarizedMechs]

At this point? Kind of. After Big Week, when the 8th and 15th Air Force crippled Germany's gas production? It was far from useless. Tell the Germans when they had to husband their fuel for doomed offensives, or couldn't have more than two fighters over the beaches on D-Day, that the strategic bombing was useless.

[@sandbridgekid4121]

America had nearly unlimited pilots and aircraft, the Luftwaffe didnt. In the savage calculus of war, Germany could never sustain allied air offensive.

[@Perfectblue33]

Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

[@user-tg3kw8ck4x]

bf-109-👍👍👍

[@minervajones1232]

German fighters fired 20mm cannon which had much greater range and destructive power than the 50 caliber machine guns on U.S. fighters and bombers.

[@Caseytify]

They had the gunners firing their machine guns like fire hoses. That's not realistic. Most gunners, most of the time, fired in short, controlled bursts.

[@svenblau]

The Ball Gunner should not be able to get out of his cage on his own...

[@phillydelphia8760]

Well, they totally could. Look it up.

[@MajSolo]

We got our masks on as director directed here comes the Fighters FIRST according to history and when they get over target the fighters disappear and Flak take over ..... remember it takes 30 seconds for a Flak 88 shell to reach 30K so change in direction evey 20 seconds ... oh .... maybe the movie forget about all that .... anyways ... let go guys ... after bomb drop hard turn ... absolutely all crews were for that in real life WWII but this turn every 20 seconds is still necessary .... after bomb drop. You can not fly straight just cause you dropped the bombs. When it comes to movies it looks good if they have the mask on and the plane is shaking. A little blood helps too. If we skip movies and go to WWII the planing of these missions just to make a few more guys make it back. It just looks to me every service men was loyal to everybody else ..... planning these raids.

[@MajSolo]

Have not heard 100 fighter attacking a bomber formation but could have happened. Or SHOULD have happened. CAUSE I read a book where Mustangs found 100 Nazi fighters on their way to the bombers and it became a dogfight instead. So since reading that ... sure there could be 100 size attacks on Mighty Eight. Usually in late war LW stayed on ground and usually if you found them a gaggle of 60 - 80 but 100+ should be the extreme.

[@MajSolo]

Remember number 3 is on fire ...... number 1 is on fire ....... moving the gauges ... we are fine .... we have to bail .... NO NO I said we are fine ..... you know all that hollywood bullshit. I say rev the remaining engine up to what is necessary cover many miles and then bail. Just like the fighter pilots in vietnam .....nurse the craft forward and then jump.

[@commanderdaniii5176]

@@MajSolothis wasn’t late in the war this was October 10th 1943, where US bombers didn’t have long range escorts. The 13th wing saw 350 Luftwaffe fighters. Mustangs escorting bombers long range didn’t happen until like February 1944. So yes this happened. Also the US at beginning didn’t believe in long range escorts and the aircraft designers didn’t think it was possible at the time (which it was) before 1944

[@paulmiddleton4215]

@@commanderdaniii5176 if you are thinking the escorts were 1 group from start to finish, you are mistaken. the long haul escorting was done in shuttles, utilizing all the fighter groups available. P38s did some of the mission legs, P-47s wouldescort some of the leg, and P-51s would escort the longest portion, .this process would be repeated for the return journey. at the end of each fighter groups shuttle allotted time, when a different group assumed the escort duties, the retiring group could seek "targets of opportunity" on their way back to base.

[@commanderdaniii5176]

@@paulmiddleton4215 P-51s didn’t escort bombers on the longest portion during the mission over Munster. Also my mistakes too with the February 1944. The P-51 first escorted bombers mid-late December 1943. Two months after the mission

[@mybluebelly]

So where can i see this series in Europe? Some kind of fancy pay tv channel or something? Don`t have a clue what "Apple" is.

[@Perfectblue33]

www.apple.com/nl/apple-tv-plus/ Here you go. Have a wonderful day!

[@adamarteon6192]

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure the Germans didn't yet have fighters with rockets

[@mako88sb]

They did. They were first used in the spring of 1943 but not very good results. By the summer and fall of 43, they were being used more effectively. Used mostly with the twin engine fighters. There’s a KZbin video about the 21cm rockets used by the Luftwaffe from a couple months ago.

[@doomsday9973]

You are wrong they certainly did

[@carteljameson8395]

You're pretty sure huh? Too bad you're wrong.

[@ichbins8588]

in fact, they did: from mid 1943 on, 21cm rockets mounted under the wings were used, not very accurate and also very bulky, makint the aicraft slower and less manouverable (which could be fatal as more and more US escort fighters appeared). From beginning 1945 on, the much more advanced (and sleek) R4M rocket got into service, mounted mainly under the wings of the ME262, but also FW190 were equipped. It was launched as a salvo, mostly 24 rockets in total, and had devastating effect as only one hit could down a bomber. The fighters approached from behind, launched the rockets and turned away, evading the bomber's defensive fire.

[@menkaur1301]

почему брковые непападают !!!

[@omarjhungoor2598]

This is a good movie what the name.

[@Perfectblue33]

It is a series on Apple plus mate. Have a wonderful day!

[@menkaur1301]

движок *

[@menkaur1301]

танк падает !!!!!!!!!!

[@menkaur1301]

посему боковой не помает турели ????

[@germany456]

did bucke actually die

[@Perfectblue33]

If i remember correctly the answer is yes. Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful day!

[@doomsday9973]

No he was captured for the remainder of the war

[@menkaur1301]

у тебя один двихок и турэли

[@Perfectblue33]

please in english. i dont understand you.

[@Takiro_Soposu]

No fighters to escort? The most BS scene,and suicidal The top must be drunk to sent them without fighters escort

[@menkaur1301]

ПОЧЕМУ ВЕРХНЯЯ ТУРУРКЛЬ С ТРЕЛЯЕЕТ БЕЗ УПРЕЖДЕНЕИЯ !!!!

[@TonymanCS]

I didn't enjoy it at all. The whole 100th is gone. It was goddamn heart-breaking.

[@iamx29]

This whole scenario is technically wrong as hell. The B17 planes are far too close together at that range they would have shot each others planes to bits.The mass of german fighters just wouldn't happen like that this is not the battle of Britain lol a typical Luftwaffe fighter squadron would consist of 12 aircraft and they wouldn't all be in the air at the same time. Usualy they had"hunter packs"consisting of about 6 planes lead by an experienced pilot or ace,when one pack lands for rearming refueling the other pack goes up. German Fighters only had very limited fuel and ammunition for short bursts and short range fuel tanks but of course the guns had "Devastating" effects if on target.

[@jordan6049]

What? The Luftwaffe sent up over 300 planes on October 10th, 1943.

[@iamx29]

@@jordan6049 350 actually but not all at the same time!remember they only had a short time in the air,the number of planes in the air in total may have been 350 but not all 350 planes at once or they would all have to land and refuel at roughly the same time!that's insanity logistically speaking,you can see in old footage that various squadrens were scrambeled at certain times,this was the same for the British and Germans,the battle of Britain was different in that the germans had ordered more planes and made available more bases over France.

[@falcondmp]

true: on average a bomber formation could be 2 to 3 miles wide and more then 20 miles long .

[@anthonytrupia4010]

They did take on friendly fire, the formations were separated when the German Pilots came at them head on. This show is pretty accurate Spielberg did his research on this series every plane shot down is authentic.

[@charlieboffin2432]

These brave men would not recognise their country if they were alive today which is such a sad betrayal of their sacrifice - same goes for my fathers generation in the U.K. who fought the same battles but at night with no escorts ...