Target For Today (1944)

[@user-qy9tf2im7f]

My Father was a B24 Navigator in the 15th Airforce, 449th Bombardment Group who had the distinct honor of the most Missions to Ploesti. They were the most decorated Group in the 15th, only because they had the highest casualty rate. Only 18 of the 62 Ships of the Original Cadre saw the end of the War in only 16 months of operation. Lost 135 Ships on 254 Missions. The only Group with more losses was the Bloody 100th of the 8th Airforce who lost 178 Ships, but flew over 35% more mission. God Bless the RAF Crews who had much higher losses and were not rotated out of Theatre if they completed 25 Missions as American Bomber Crews had the option to do so. My hats off to The Greatest Generation!

[@markcoutts7750]

🫂🙏☮️🌈💜🇨🇦

[@johntydee6367]

If Harris gets in, in 2024 it will have been all for nothing.

[@ragandoil]

ther are not enough words in the English language to express my deep thanks and admiration for these young men who offered themselves that we might breath freely , a Brit vet

[@RPe-jk6dv]

you stupid ass. you believe in left propaganda.

[@gaylebordeaux7632]

@@RPe-jk6dv I don’t see left propaganda, none what so ever, maybe your angry because???

[@josephlambe2796]

@@RPe-jk6dv you need a good smack idiot

[@josephlambe2796]

Amen they did what was required

[@barbzricanor6156]

@@RPe-jk6dv q

[@iggy502000]

Excellent documentary. Amazing footage and clarity. I used to work with a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel. He started flying B-24's then B-17's. His plane was hit by flack knocking out the entire electrical system. His plane went down. Several of his crew never made it out. He was captured and a POW. After the war he continued to fly heavy bombers including the B-47 and B-52 into Vietnam. He was a real gentleman.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

My 2nd cousin once removed was Charles Earnhardt. P-38 pilot, North Africa. Became an ACE decorated by Jimmy Doolittle. Shot down twice, captured the 2nd time. Post war became a Lt. Col. A.F. reserve. In 1974 2 thugs came into his pharmacy in northern Ohio looking for drugs and killed him. We are related to the racing Earnhardt's Dale #3 is my 7th cousin..

[@freddymustafa5020]

@@jeffreymcfadden9403 what a sad ending for such a courageous man,he was probably defiant that's why they killed him, RIP to his soul

[@ForelliBoy]

The fact that so much of the film is dedicated to the "prep phase" goes to show how much importance it has for the "action" part of the mission.

[@tallwalls76]

Failure to plan, is planning to fail.

[@mars6433]

When I watch these documentaries, all I can think of to say is, "Thank you, boys. Thank you.".

[@jayvillane]

I can’t get over how well this thing is put together, not only 77 years ago but by the military…during the worst conflict mankind has ever known… The animation and backing music…just flawless

[@grayk02]

Total mobilisation. By 1944 plenty of Hollywood’s film industry had been conscripted into the Armed Forces and put to work doing what they do best.

[@jayvillane]

@@grayk02 re: Charlie Chaplin

[@grayk02]

@@jayvillane I don’t think Charlie Chaplin ever became a US citizen tbh…so he couldn’t be drafted into the US forces.. Actually World War 2 wasn’t a happy time for Mr Chaplin, I think he left the states for a fair bit of it

[@jayvillane]

@@grayk02 you’re right, he wasn’t - but I was alluding to “The Dictator” and his touring of the country getting people to buy war bonds

[@BadgerDave]

This was directed by William Keighley who was a director with Warner Brothers. These look professional because they were. Cheers

[@michaeldryden4639]

A guy that I knew many years ago who was working on channel defences used to say that when these 1000 bomber raids went over it was awesome. The noise and just the shear numbers left a lasting impression on him

[@stedyone1090]

One was my father in a B-24. All were heroes.

[@normannokes9513]

As a schoolboy July 1943 watching Life and Deathof Clonel Blimp Odeon cinema outer London constant rumble for possibly an hour of bomber force on route to target. Warm night with windows open one would hear returnees around 2am. Gallant lads never forgotten !.

[@stedyone1090]

@@normannokes9513 Your so kind. So many crews did not return. I am so proud of my father. As a B24 squadron leader he had the weight of many on his shoulders. After flying the plane for so many hours his crew had to carry him from out of the plane to the vehicles. He saw God on all 25 missions

[@stedyone1090]

@@normannokes9513 My father was a B25 pilot/squadron leader for 25 missions. He saw God on every flight. He stayed friends with his whole crew till he passed. All were heroes

[@661AV13]

God bless to all the service men and family of the service men who fought for our great country !!!these men are truly hero’s and those are the men that make me proud to say I am a American 🇺🇸 !!! there are no words that can no way come near to how grateful and appreciative I am for these brave American Heroes !!! AGAIN GOD BLESS WITH LOVE AND RESPECT TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS AND SOLDIERS WHO SERVED AND FOUGHT FOR OUR GREAT COUNTRY TRUE HEROES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS !!! GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸 !!!

[@markbird7547]

8th Air Force. 401st Bomb Group. 612th and also 613th Squadron. Deenethorpe, England. 1943-1945. 26 missions. Maximum Effort. Thanks Dad. 🇺🇸🎯☑️❤️

[@stedyone1090]

My father was a pilot, squadron leader in a B-24 for 25 missions nearby your father. All were heroes.

[@markbird7547]

@@stedyone1090 God bless them all, the long and the short and the tall. 🇺🇸

[@markbird7547]

PoleBrooke?

[@stedyone1090]

Maximum Effort

[@661AV13]

@Mark Bird.... God bless and respect to u and ur father, men like ur father and my grandfather are truly the reason I am proud and honored to be an American 🇺🇸 !!! True brave heroes of righteousness !!! God bless America 🇺🇸 !!!

[@stannousflouride683]

I was working outside when a flight of a B-25, a- B-24, and a B-17 flew over and the noise of just those three bombers was astounding. I can't imagine what the hundreds they discuss here would have sounded.

[@johnfranklin8319]

I too was working outside and single plane flew over me at about 2000 feet, I knew it was a WW2 plane but I wasn’t sure of the type, so I took note of it’s configuration, I said to myself. “2 engines, 2 tails” I went home and looked it up, it was a B-25. The thing I remember about it was how loud those 2 big radial engines were, it was a great sound!

[@michaelK3148]

I witnessed fly in of 20 B-25s to USAF Museum in Dayton commemorating 70th anniversary of Doolittle Raid. What a roar when they kept the engines of all of them running on the tarmac after landing. Similar fly in for the 75th anniversary in 2017. Hope they will be able to do the same next year for 75th. Also, the fully restored Memphis Belle is now on display there.

[@hrdley911]

I had literally the same experience here in Central Florida! I heard them inside the house and ran outside. Exactly as you described there was a B-17, a B-24, and a B-25 travelling westward. The rumble and drone of those engines is unmistakable.

[@ScrotusXL]

An excellent documentary for the war effort made when we needed maximum effort and recruitment. So tragic that those stats quoted in the film were way more optimistic than reality back in the day for returning aircraft and aircrew. Such sacrifice, it still resonates today. Thank you all for your service and your sacrifice.

[@robertnielsen2461]

I had an uncle that flew with the Eight A.F. In my youthful ignorance I asked him what it was like on these missions, he looked at me for minute and then stood up and walked away.Years later at his funeral the military conducted the proceedings and his record was read,it was only then did the family know he had been awarded a Silver Star among other things,he never spoke of the war.

[@desertdaisymarie6951]

My love won't tell much about his experience in Ukraine, I only find out through other means.. War is horrific, an abomination.. Sadly, a necessary one because it gets forced on us by psychopaths with a God complex..

[@elkabong6429]

My sisters in law's father was a pilot of a B-17 in the 401st BG. I'm sending her the link to this remarkable film, so that she will have a better idea of the sacrifice her dad and his comrades made during the war. He is no longer with us (RIP) and I think she will appreciate all that he went through even more. He completed 25 missions. Thank you for posting this.

[@davidsutton6863]

Best 8th Airforce footage I've seen. The mass takeoff between 50-54 mins is superb - turn up that volume.

[@glenrandall7090]

7 1p1- I free - -

[@tiamatxvxianash9202]

This mirror's into balance the Combined Bomber Offensive over Europe as portrayed in Britain's "Target For Tonight". The memories of all these American's that served to help liberate occupied Europe will live on due to this excellent film.

[@stedyone1090]

Thanks. My father was a B-24 nomber pilot, squadron leader over Germany for 25 missions. He was in England and takeoffs with full fuel and full bomb loads were very scary. Many bombers crashed on takeoff in the fog.. All were heroes.

[@thethirdman225]

"Target for Tonight" was a propaganda film. It was intended to be a morale booster.

[@borninvincible]

Always praising the Yanks, but we all know it was the communists who crushed the nazi war machine. If it wasn't for the Soviets, all you Europeans would still be speaking nazi. Don't ever forget that.

[@micheledimond]

I love these films. So much strategy and planning. I really enjoy learning about WWII. Terrible loss of crews, incredibly brave, heroic young men.

[@nicholasroberts6954]

This film ought to be properly digitally restored - most of the photography is outstanding.

[@horseyhorselips3501]

I’m just starting to Watch this Film, I’m at .56 time in and saw how it’s all live footage and No Actor’s. This has got to be real good. I have an Uncle who was killed in Combat April 6,1942 Bataan Philippines 🇵🇭 he is listed MIA. Received a Battle Field Commission a Purple Heart 💜 Cluster and a Bronze Star Medal 🎖 He joined the US ARMY in 1925 at the Age of 15 years old by changing his last name from Orzolek to Roslick the VFW in Old Forge Pennsylvania is Named after his Birth Last Name but his Military Records are under his Last Name of 2nd Lt John Roslick of the 31st Inf Reg Co C of Pennsylvania My dad got Drafted December 1942 and was made a Combat Medic and went to Cadaver School and was made a Combat Medic Field Surgeon in the 924 Field Artillery of the 99th Inf Div

[@rpm1796]

@@horseyhorselips3501 Bless em' all M.O. My cousin, Jock Patton was a P.O. flying Spit Vs out of Biggin Hill with 401'Ram' Sqn, RCAF. He was lost off Le Havre, Normandie, June 2nd, 42. Age, 20.

[@contactohn7982]

2020 here, cheering every plane that made it back, heart sinking for every one that did not. Thank you, amigos

[@dougchance8891]

65.000 air crew from the UK died

[@UdaySingh-cg3rw]

@@dougchance8891 is this number is confirmed by official record

[@dougchance8891]

@@UdaySingh-cg3rw It could be as high as 68,000. There is ofcourse official records of deaths and those listed as missing

[@dougchance8891]

@@UdaySingh-cg3rw You can Google-Bomber Crew killed in WW2-full of statistics.

[@UdaySingh-cg3rw]

@@dougchance8891 yes, l read it now

[@kevinpittman2517]

this is the absolute best documentary about the formation of the US Airforce ever made. Was glued to it the entire time thank you,

[@pooryorick831]

This is a fascinating film. I never realized the amount of detailed planning went into each mission. It gives me a greater appreciation for those who fought the Nazis from the air. I have watched it three times. Thanks for uploading.

[@micheledimond]

Sometimes there's so much happening, so do I!

[@joblo3940]

@@micheledimond cffzbj ofyfjgft bvnhjf vvh bvegg k g

[@harrybayes8617]

@@joblo3940 COVFEFE?

[@joblo3940]

@@harrybayes8617 yes please Harry no sugar

[@harrybayes8617]

@@joblo3940 You got it! So glad we could understand each other!

[@bergssprangare]

Amazing men, Amazing machines and bravery that exceeds it all..Today everything seems so lackluster in comparison. ..Thank you for uploading

[@redstone51]

ONE !F THE VERY BEST NO NONSENSE OR SUGAR COATED VIDEO'S ON WW2!!! MORE PLEASE!!!

[@divisioneight]

Absolutely fascinating! The level of detail and planning going into these missions was just as much of an accomplishment as the work done during the missions. It's a tribute to the people then who did the incredible things that we can only appreciate now. Thanks for the posting!

[@user-mp3eq6ir5b]

Plus, they Kept Most of it Secret! From the Cute Brit Nurses!

[@dougchance8891]

SO VERY TRUE

[@travisgraham6083]

Hi there. I was wondering where this particular film was sourced from. I'm working on a documentary and I'd like to use about a 5 second clip from it.

[@johnfranklin8319]

Great documentary, shows interesting aspects of waging an air war, weather, target selection, navigation, fighter cover, rescue, etc., etc., great stuff!! And no actors, actual members of the US 8th Air Force.👍🇺🇸

[@stedyone1090]

My father went to England and was a B24 pilot squadron leader on 25 missions and received DFC medal and saw God on every 9 to 10 hour mission. He stayed best friends with his crew until he passed. They were all heroes...

[@scottomalley7819]

They were all heroes

[@kenbellchambers4577]

An exceptional doco. It was very interesting and informative. The interior of the planes was shown more completely than anything that I have ever seen in a military film. Very well done, thank you.

[@frankwilkinson6328]

What the hell is a doco? Use proper words.

[@kenbellchambers4577]

@@frankwilkinson6328 Eet mi shortz.

[@raybame5816]

I was 3 months old when this raid happened. I did not know my uncle was flying it. Really interesting. Now every face you saw on this screen is gone. I think we owe them quite a bit....RIP....thanks to YT we can see and appreciate what they all did.

[@kaosontour2251]

Hope you all got that.. The right wing of the lead aircraft is in front and above the left wing of the 2nd plane of the 3rd element which is in front and below the right wing of the plane on the left of the 1st plane in the 2nd element but below the 1st plane of the lead plane of the 3rd element, he in turn is behind but above the 2nd plane of the 3rd element except on a Tuesday when he is above the 3rd plane of the 1st element....Who ever worked out these formations deserves a medal. really had to have their whits about them

[@ih82r8]

IKR?!?!! The whole formation deal confuses the heck out of me.

[@kerrymehaffey5181]

I believe it was Curtis LeMay who designed the high altitude combat box formation.

[@TheIsreal0312]

I am from Memphis and remember the Memphis Belle being displayed in front of the National Guard Armory. Unfortunately the city did not put it under any sort shelter and it gradually deteriorated. The good news is the Memphis Belle was restored and is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

[@johnemerson1363]

@88Gibson LesPaul There is a name sake for the B 17 Memphis Belle. It is a B 2 Memphis Belle

[@howardkerr8174]

I lived in Memphis until 2010, the Memphis Belle was eventually restored after soliciting funds from...everywhere, with many veterans of WW II assisting in the effort. I believe before moving to the National Museum of the United States Air Force it was downtown, a few blocks from the pyramid.

[@normanhadley4250]

My father H. B Hadley was a radio operator in the 8th and was shot down into the channel, was rescued and became a member of the "rubber ducky" club his life being saved by use of a life raft, he was in a B-26 but I did not see him in this excellent documentary.

[@infantinofan]

My father-in-law was a B24 Liberator tail gunner (93rd BG, 409th BS) from 1943 until 6 June 1944 when his last mission was a diversionary raid on Pas-de-Calais on the morning of D-Day.

[@harryminter7935]

30 crews went down, 30 crews for one nights battle! So Brave just to climb in the plane!!

[@20alphabet]

Brave? They weren't volunteers. They either went or spent time in prison.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

@@20alphabet so brave it is

[@Napolean46]

​@@20alphabetservice to humanity

[@pikeywyatt]

my mom lived in a small town (yaxley near)peterborough ,brother bill born 1942.and lived with mom in S.London.but when sis Ann was born 1944.they went back home to get away from the V1,but she found it so bad to see the US bombers crash on landing and takeoff they all came back to S .London.i was born in 1946 ,my love goes out to all the families of all

[@pikeywyatt]

those guys that got in those planes ..THANKS

[@confusedbadger6275]

My mother was born in Plymouth and used to chase th ed doodlebugs over Plymouth Hoe and watch them land in the city centre . She used to dance with the American GI's and Airmen on Plymouth Pier before the fuckers bombed it.

[@15kr]

@@confusedbadger6275 Thank you Brits who stood up to Hitler in the early years of the war and then crushed him. I looked up the Pier and am very sad about its loss. We are so fortunate here in the USA to have been spared the destruction experienced by other nations. I have not been to Plymouth, but loved Brighton and London.

[@spreadeagled5654]

I bet as these young aircrews are suiting up and departing on their missions, the most anxious thought going through their minds is the grim reality that some of them won’t be coming back. Somber thoughts, but the missions must go on for victory. Brave and dedicated men. 🙏🇺🇸.

[@MrSvenovitch]

If the gadget would have ignited the atmosphere I wouldn't have to read your stating of the obvious. An end to suffering. It could've happened back then you know. Alas.

[@billskis]

It is said that 90% of all U.S. Troops never saw a day of combat. This film illustrates that well.

[@nigelevans8259]

They were a magnificent generation, made of sterner stuff than me. My father was in bomber command and like most of his generation he did his bit, I am emensly proud of him.

[@lindamcentaffer5969]

Looked like a "Milk Run" to me. My Dad was a Ball Turret Gunner that did his full tour. (One of the FEW that survived). He came back home an emotional wreck. You should watch "Ball Turret Gunner" also on You Tube. I saw a Ball Turret in San Diego's Balboa Park Air museum. What 20-year old today could do that job? Guaranteed to come home with PTSD! After that, check out German Gun Camera stuff & remember, there are people's sons in that 6 ft circle. These are the many missions that WEREN'T Milk Runs. Right at the end, they sure blew the heck outta that orchard, eh?

[@christopher9979]

The reality is that the massive bombing campaign suffered from horrific accuracy with only about 1% of bombs landing within 500 feet of the intended target. As for casualties, the only more dangerous assignment than bomber crew was submarine crew. The bombers had 25% KIA and only about 14% of crews able to finish the originally slated 35 missions. The amount of crews who suffered terrible injuries, both physical and psychological, was more than any infantry unit during WW2.

[@rikspring]

indeed the bombings were not really effective, after war studies indicate that certainly the daily bombing of Berlin, for example. which does not detract from the achievements of these brave men.

[@chucknorris6640]

Not all submarines focres only the U-Boat suffer a higher casualty rate of a force of 40,000 more than 32,000 kill or capture at the end of the war and yet the u boat force was the 8 air roce and the RAF bomber force bot with a above 50% casualty rate

[@bryanduncan1640]

My wife’s mother; who lived near a USAF bomber base, always used to say that you never dated a tail gunner because you never got a second date!

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Why not?

[@genehubbard110]

Cause they were only gunning for tail 😁

[@jonathanp89]

@@reallyhappenings5597 Are you really that stupid?

[@konradhenrykowicz1859]

And she's daughter of a nose gunner... :)

[@lloydrmc]

:(

[@robertmarks5438]

Very informative. The mission briefings & debriefings were very detailed. My dad flew a B-47 out of Pease AFB in the early 60’s.. I would like to know what his briefings entailed, especially his primary & secondary targets as well as the enemy resistance types and locations and their entry & egress locations of their missions. Probably still classified. I would have loved to pick his brain before he passed away. He also flew in Viet Nam & was an air attache in a S.E Asian country. He had a very interesting life. I was very proud of him.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

You should be proud

[@tomservo5347]

'The War Lover' is a great book set in the 8th Air Force. Something the air crews looked at first thing in the map room was how much string was still on the bobbin in relation to what was pinned on the map indicating their route. Lots of string on the bobbin meant usually a 'milk run' or short distance mission to France. However when the bobbin had little string left on it, it indicated a very rough day ahead-the dreaded deep strike into Germany.

[@wetwriterrr]

Very informative comment....thank you.

[@shable1436]

This is the best documentary on ww2 bombers there is

[@witekp2066]

Quite fittingly, it was Boeing B-17 planes that pulverized the factory of Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau, one of the predecessor companies of today's Airbus. Looks like their rivalry has very deep roots 🧐.

[@vincentdeasey978]

O o. Hl

[@vincentdeasey978]

O o. Hi o ok kjoh

[@vincentdeasey978]

O ojn bbokb ok o onkm k . N o ow nqlo. Ok .ok .ok mbo o loh o

[@vincentdeasey978]

Jl ooh oh ok. Onmoh

[@bobmalack481]

And thank God for the B-24 Liberator bombers which carried a larger bomb load of 12,000 lbs. plus, and was a harder plane to fly, and had the innovative 'high aspect ratio' Davis wing, AND those B-24 Pratt and Whitney R-2800 twin wasp radial engines were superior to those B-17 Wright Cyclone's, and almost bullit proof. If I had to put my life on the line in a bomber in WW2, I'd put it in a B-24 Liberator..the unsung 'heavy' WW2 bomber.. Robert at 66.

[@Beobout6]

So glad they produced this film. Amazing to watch those brave young men fighting for freedom. Just think what all of these factories and resources could have provided for the world if there would have been peace among nations instead of death and destruction.

[@scottjohnson6563]

Family member, waist gunner on a B-17, shot down over Germany, all of those men are gone, my parents generation.

[@harryschaefer5887]

I keep an eye out for my former boss, Mr. Morton Sobin who piloted photo-recon missions, once landing as the sole survivor of a mission, he survived because of the heavy armor beneath the pilot's butt. I understand that he once was "called on the carpet" for a celebratory stunt flying beneath a bridge in London. He never spoke about any of this to me. I know now he was a true American Hero.

[@stop8064]

LL 0p00

[@jordiegundersen1465]

Incredible operations planning and amazing professionals!!

[@sgtrock2821]

My girlfriend and I were at the VA at former Mather AFB 4 years ago and a very old veteran commented on my Air Force cap. He said he was in the Air Force. I said really? Where were you stationed. He said I was a B-17 pilot in WWII. He said he was 92 years old and his wife had passed 18 years ago. He also said he was shot down at Bastogne and was a POW. He said it was it was his opinion that since it was near the end of the war and the Germans could see the writing on the wall so they didn't treat POWs as harshly as earlier in the war. He had the whole primary care waiting room on the edge of their seats. He also said in a case of mistaken identity his wife was informed he was MIA and she'd gotten some belongings to some soldier with the same name. He said imagine her surprised when he'd gotten home. You never know what story you'll hear at the VA.

[@christineshotton824]

My grandfather fought in WWII from the day after Pearl Harbor to VJ day. Films such as this were important, not just for their Intel, but to let the average sailor, soldier, or Marine know that his command structure was on the ball.

[@patrickyoung3503]

Amazing organisation . Well documented . A terrible wast of men . War is hell . God Bless all who served & those who did not return R.I.P..

[@karenhenningsen4671]

Detailed account was it was like, beginning to end. My Dad flew 31 missions and was shot down 2 times in a B-17. Got a lot of insight how it was like for him as a pilot.

[@GutpileCharlie]

Thanks for posting. This was an excellent and informative video.

[@thetooginator153]

It’s amazing to think of all the brainpower that went into making these missions possible, while trying to maximize the safety of the crews.

[@ilokivi]

Having Alan Turing as an ally helped.

[@simonhattrell5321]

Hats off and respect for all those men who put their lives on the line to destroy the Nazi war machine and hasten the end of the madness of Adolf Hitler. Let us never forget their sacrifice. May we be worthy of them all. The casualty figures in the film were not realistic as these crews had horrific loss rates.

[@2hn688]

L00000000000000000ppp000p

[@grossadmiral1]

Frauen- und Kindermörder!

[@theshitheads3178]

Let's not forget the Germans that also died for their nation

[@omnipitous4648]

My mother was a 5-year-old girl in Germany during the war. Yet I am an American but my brother was born in Regensburg. Life is complicated.

[@pmangeri]

I just wrote a similar statement above. My mother was in Gdynia at the time of this raid, 5 years old. Now a proud American. We were all born in Germany. My father was an American contractor. I just retired form the Army. Loved being stationed in Germany.

[@omnipitous4648]

@@pmangeri Germany is an amazing place today. And it should be a lesson to all of us that people being judged by immutable characteristics is wrong. I''m looking at you BLM.

[@15kr]

@@omnipitous4648 The lesson is that minorities need to be protected from the majority.

[@omnipitous4648]

@@15kr Absolutely. But the idea of group identity is only going to lead down a hell hole. Integration caused its own problems as a mechanism. I prefer social osmosis. Social osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of individuals with their disparate parts moving through selectively permeable social strata into a region of higher demographic concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the demographic concentrations on the two sides..

[@15kr]

@@omnipitous4648 Well good for you. It sounds like you might be against discrimination in housing, banking, employment, policing, incarceration, voting, education, health care, and marriage. But we just need to go slowly?

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

A fascinating film of the US part of the strategic air campaign. SUCH a shame that the incredible coordination between USAAC and RAF wasn't given a better airing! Those Air-Sea Rescue heroes were RAF, plus, an integral part of the diversions used were Fighter Command "Rhubarbs". ALL these Allied aircrews were extraordinarily brave and far too many people take a narrow nationalistic view. The night campaign by the RAF, the day campaign by the USAAC and the intruder missions flown by both added up to the total defeat of the Luftwaffe over western Europe. HEROES ALL.

[@grinded77]

I always thought being an airmen in WW2 would be awesome, until you find out the casualty rate.

[@nobodyknows3180]

@Werner Monoton depending on where you get your stats from, the numbers are all over the place, but one source I checked said about 16,000 men served on subs in WW2, of these some 3400 died - that's about a 20% loss rate. Pffffffft. Of the airmen, the loss rates among the British were 60%. Numbers for US airmen that I could readily find were broken down into different categories and I didn't care to do any totaling or calcs to figure a loss rate, but they suffered about 75,000 deaths. That's quite a bit more than 3400.

[@LosBerkos]

@Werner Monoton What?

[@shawnyoung8752]

War of attrtion. Until the P51 Mustang was given the rolls royce engine and the gas pod to protect the bombers they took a high toll. Like the Sherman tanks we had to sacrifice men to keep the pressure on. We just out produced the germans. American auto industry went from cars to jeeps tanks ,and churned out more than the nazis could. Those americans are hands down The Greatest Generation

[@shawnyoung8752]

Werner. We. As in America. Sorry i did not use they.

[@shawnyoung8752]

What did Yamamoto say after the Pearl harbor attack did not deluver a knockout blow to pacific fleet? Im afaid we have woke a sleeping giant. Do you not agree that american industry had no affect in the outcome of that war?

[@michaeldryden4639]

They were indeed an amazing generation

[@mike03a3]

The 8th Air Force in the UK had more men killed in action than the entire USMC in WWII. I cannot begin to imagine the courage it took to drag themselves out of bed and climb into a heavy bomber.

[@howardkerr8174]

@mike03a3 Yes, it must have taken courage to not run and hide back then. When I graduated from high school in 196× I wasn't pressured to go into any particular branch of the service, but there were whispers about 1 or 2 guys in my area who were rejected or who were conscientious objectors. Guys who were 4 F in WW II didn't have it too easy, either.

[@stedyone1090]

My father piloted and was squadron leader for 25 missions over Germany, saw God on every mission, and upon return from 9 to 10 hours of flying the plane, being shot at by fighters and flak his crew had to carry him to the vehicle after landing. All were heroes.

[@sebidotorg]

As someone who was born and went to school in Kassel, I wish they had done a better job, and followed the plan outlined here. In fact, the whole old city center was destroyed in a fire storm during a single night, while the fighter plants were completely missed, continuing their production.

[@jackx4311]

Have you seen photos of Coventry, after the Luftwaffe fire stormed it? Or of London, in the Blitz, which was bombed seven days a week for EIGHT WEEKS in the autumn of 1940?

[@sebidotorg]

@@jackx4311 Just as awful. Doesn’t change that I wish they had followed the plan, and actually hit the factories, instead of killing that many civilians.

[@adrianjackson2696]

The IP they refer to is the Initiation Point for the start of the attack.

[@madcitymcflyer]

Incredible footage taken by personnel of the 1st Motion Picture Unit flying with various B-17 and B-24 bomb groups of the 8th Air Force on deep penetration bombing missions. The film was produced in late 1943 to educate flying and ground support personnel on the details of putting together and then flying these harrowing missions. Much of the combat footage has been incorporated into hundreds of motion pictures, television shows, and even newsreels. It was released for USAAF use in early 1944.

[@tonyminett7273]

Mm

[@wetwriterrr]

Excellent comment, very informative.

[@alejogarciajr022]

What a teams efforts wow good job one after d other supporting d whole teams yesyes saluted this kinds of formations wow perfect job

[@dougchance8891]

BRAVE MEN- ALL OF YOU. THOSE WHO RETURNED- AND THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T THE FREE WORLD OWE YOU- BUT IN THIS P.C SOCIETY- WHO REALLY CARES I DO GOD BLESS YOU ALL- FOR OUR FREEDOM.

[@cacambo589]

Hey Doug, PC is the alternative to fascism. It means letting folks love who they want, dress how they want and worship who they want. Brave people died for freedom and tolerance and respect and judging people by their characters not their race, creed or private life. Get it now?

[@conveyor2]

@@cacambo589 So: All lives matter! Glad you agree.

[@gabbyhyman1246]

Thanks for turning a historical treasure showing our unselfish heroes into a soapbox for your personal views. My guess is you haven't sacrificed a damn thing for America.

[@dougchance8891]

@@gabbyhyman1246 As an Englishman-and being born in 1940- I have most certainly not sacrificed anything for America. However I do know of the sacrifices both the USA and UK-[including Commonwealth] bomber crews made during the war. 68,000 Bomber Crew of the UK-Commonwealth were killed

[@renatoamaral8259]

Excellent documentary with historical value, believe it or not! Historians should watch this great video! A+ documentary.

[@virtualcolditz]

Must have been exhausting flying in close formation for that length of time. It's hard enough just flying two light aircraft 200 yards apart; flying vics of three bombers within 50ft or so must have been incredibly hard.

[@jakobc.2558]

Thats why all U.S. bombers had 2 pilots.

[@stedyone1090]

My father was a squadron leader and flew a B-24 on 25 missions and after he landed his crew had to carry him from the plane to the vehicle. He could not walk after an 8 hour mission flying the plane, freezing and getting shot at by fighters and flak.

[@Hardia882]

@@stedyone1090 - My uncle piloted B-24s also. He said they were like trying to fly a Sherman tank. He loved his planes & held the crews who supported him both in the air & on the ground in very high regard.

[@stedyone1090]

@@Hardia882 My father was too tall to go into a fighter. The 24s flew in every theater from North Africa to Europe and Alaska and all over China and the Pacific. They flew the farthest, the highest and largest heaviest payload. It was most dangerous on takeoff.

[@hrdley911]

@@stedyone1090 The pilots had to be in pretty good condition, as the controls were literally wires and pulleys. The B-24 was a bit difficult to fly in tight formations, partly due to the high Davis wing. I'm not at all surprised how exhausted they were. God Bless our greatest generation!

[@timrobson8337]

This is a really interesting video, and the quality is superb. Thank you for posting!

[@richardivonen3564]

Excellent documentary. Thank you !

[@issuma8223]

Thousands of people working together and risking their lives to achieve a common goal is impressive. Imagine what it would be like if our politicians did this today.

[@johnfranklin1955]

For all you youngster, at 8:50 that was a Slide Rule that guy was holding in his hands. Basically a manually operated calculator.

[@howardkerr8174]

When I was in high school in the 60s we still used slide rules. As much as I like math, I didn't appreciate having to buy a slide rule for 1 class that lasted a year. I mean, it wasn't like a calculator that could be used for other things...like your taxes. What amazes me are the rudimentary bomb sights for hitting targets while flying over it, and several thousand feet up. I applaud any of the people involved with designing the various bomb sights (on planes, ships, or submarines)...true mathematical geniuses.

[@lrw3984]

OK boomer...

[@johnfranklin1955]

Bill Enoch No, son of.

[@alazyfrog5969]

High school 1977 in France, I still used a slide rule in maths, ironical because I was studing computer science.

[@alanschwartz7073]

they all sound so mature but look young for their ranks

[@carycoller3140]

Not like our young and selfish video game youth. Some of those guys were group commanders at the age of 25. They were amazing and had a purpose. Today our youth only want to know what's in it for them.

[@Contact_Info]

Hardship of life will do that to you, no time and no room to be immature .

[@briand4000]

These are the children of The Great Depression era. They knew hardship and, to many, having clothes, medical care, food and shelter in the military was a true blessing.

[@Geckobane]

You can't blame the generations of today for not being the same as young people in the past who were forged in the dual crucible of abject poverty and total war.

[@paulhugo2180]

@@Geckobane Yes you can

[@whisthpo]

Fantastic documentary, superb content, production and editing. I'm a big fan of '12 O'clock High', 'Memphis Belle' etc (Lucky enough to have been inside the 'Sally B' at RAF Duxford) This is an Awesome Historical account of one facet of the Air War in WWII. Bookmarked & Subbed.

[@TGS-y2p]

Greetings from Gdańsk and Gdynia (born in Gdynia)

[@michaeldryden4639]

I remember reading a story of a Texan crew member in B17.s who thought he was a big brave guy (which of course he was ). On one trip his plane was brought down but he was lucky and a resistance family found and looked after him . This is when he realised what bravery really was. This young family were risking death to hide him. There two small children played in the street and came running home if the Germans appeared. Many years ago I had the pleasure of meeting two women who had been in the resistance it’s hard to understand the risks they took to help the allies

[@Bjornontour]

There’s an excellent drama series on this particular topic called Secret Army(BBC1) that aired between 1977-79.42 episodes where made.

[@jackhammer111]

1:33:48 The most devastating attack on orchards in history. It cracks me up that this particular clip is used so many times in movies, tv shows, and documentaries. They're just blowing up trees.

[@jezalb2710]

So you think

[@jackhammer111]

@@jezalb2710 Yes. I know a tree when I see one.

[@jezalb2710]

@@jackhammer111 so you say.

[@painmt651]

Some of us STILL admire and have pride in the kind of people who made victory possible. God bless the people of the USA!!!

[@floofycatz]

A lot of respect for these behind the scenes works and the warriors who did this work. Me: let's get up and go, Them: we gotta plan this out. :)

[@schortii]

Anklam is my Hometown. The Arradow plant, the train station and the harbour were hidden, but the historic city (1 km west form target) was destroyed too. More than 400 people died that day and about the same where injured. After the war the city was over 80% destroyed. 18 bombers were shot down above Anklam.

[@davesteadman1226]

I'm sorry your town had to suffer like that. Every one of those 400 people were innocent victims of pathological political ideology and greed, just like all wars. They had nothing against the average Brit, Frenchman, or Yank.

[@clintbridges7896]

42-30301 Idiots' Delight B-17 FLYING FORTRESS Idiot's Delight was the first B-17 of the 94th Bomber group to survive 50 missions; not once turning back due mechanical failure. The first mission was flown July 14th 1943 and the 50th was 22nd March 1944. The 94th suffered huge casualties during this...

[@joesprinks4215]

Being born in 1940 I can vaguely remember some of the second world war and hearing the aircraft overhead as we sheltered in the basement . 1have always been interested in the operations of our own Bomber Command and later of the fabulouse USAAF (THE MIGHTY EIGTH) .I must thank the producers of this fllm and the presenrers of this educating and. enlighting film as an insight into how things werer at that time will look foreward to any further interesting films of this era

[@carollee8823]

Also the British hitting them at night resulting in constant fatigue due to lack of proper sleep.

[@thethirdman225]

Only if they were hitting the same spots.

[@emmgeevideo]

Love those old-time announcers. They were taught that accent.

[@emmgeevideo]

Ka Chun Chu It is called the “Mid-Atlantic accent”. Check out the Wikipedia article.

[@clintbridges7896]

Eighth Air Force B-24H Liberator no. 41-29192, known as Skylark while assigned to the 389th Bomb Group, was renamed The Sky Shark after being transferred to the 392nd Bomb Group. Piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert K. White, the bomber was heavily damaged by enemy fighters during a February 1944 raid on a Messerschmitt plant in Gotha, Germany. Ten airmen bailed out successfully, and all but one became POWs. Technical Sergeant Richard W. Wenzlaff, the radio operator, was later listed as killed in action.

[@davidhoffman6980]

Are you a relative of any of these guys? How do you know about this specific aircrew?

[@Junk65]

WOW. I’m an USAF Veteran and I’m amazed that we can accomplish bombing the hell out of every country but CAN’T solve our Homelessness and Drug Problems. Sad!

[@questionreality6003]

Well, you could have had the Nazi's and now upcoming Jin Ping's communist chinese deciding your homelessness and drugs availability if you want - otherwise your USAF's great contributions by men like you decide things. China right now thinks you're weak and is quite ready to bomb you flat as a pancake.

[@canuck_gamer3359]

I don't wish to take a complex issue and oversimplify it...but any system of running a nation over our history has had positive points and drawbacks. I have studied this extensively and what I have found comes down to this; American capitalism's major drawback is the inherent greed among the wealthiest. When super large (or mega) corporations are constantly putting artificial downward pressure on expenses, primarily wages the result is loss of jobs entirely or people working jobs which cannot support a reasonable quality of life. I also believe that Americans have a strange hostility toward the government participating in this economic cycle through taxes and programs which frankly, I don't understand at all. Socialized medicine is an excellent example. There are wealthy countries around the world where people can build up great companies from nothing, just as they can in the USA but those countries all have baseline medical coverage for it's citizens. And again, I don't see the downside to that at all. Again, it's oversimplifying things but globally, there is enough of everything to ensure every person on the planet can live in a home with their families, be comfortable and go to work everyday. The problem is the super rich and the "elite" in non democratic nations do too much to ensure things don't change. North Korea is a good example (though a much smaller one than the USA) where the entire nation is set up to ensure one family continues to live in luxury and remains in power.

[@johnfranklin1955]

It’s one problem by far, if they were to correct the first problem, drugs, 95% of the homelessness would disappear. How are “we” going to fix it?

[@dmkuchins6646]

@@johnfranklin1955 wrong. increasing extreme inequality is main cause of homelessness.

[@frankcorner8716]

As Bernie said there should be no billionaire. One day one of the multi billionaire will get his own military and take over this lost civilized country. They are all a security risk.

[@stepney56]

Brave men all of them. Bomber Command from the British RAF had the highest casualty percent of our armed forces 61,000 killed from the 120,000 who served. A death rate over 50% truly terrible loss rate but they still boarded their planes and flew their missions. Hero's all.

[@ih82r8]

The men who fought this war were nothing short of amazing.

[@prsearls]

This is an amazing documentary showing the behind-the-scenes preparation of Eighth Air Force attacks on Germany and occupied Europe. You won't get this kind of detail from Hollywood. I had an Air Force ROTC instructor that was shot down over Germany (B-17) and became a POW. My uncle was a flight engineer on B-24's in the Pacific; he survived. I was too young to ask about his experiences. These young men were incredibly brave and many paid with their lives. Very few of these men are alive today.

[@15kr]

A former 8th AF POW told me that he was marched from camp to camp in 1945 with inadequate food and clothing. He was still suffering the effects in the 1980s.

[@thethirdman225]

That's not true. You get a pretty good idea from 12 O'Clock High. Same for The Dam Busters.

[@julianbennett3772]

Fascinating film about the many involved in preparing missions and the various stages in this. One knew it happened but good to see it documented.

[@NVTrucker]

Excellent movie! Thanks again AirBoyd for another outstanding contribution.

[@DPG214]

So articulately narrated, never was American English and British English so close in their vocabulary and diction.

[@freddymustafa5020]

God bless those brave men for their services although I do feel bad for the innocents killed who were around the targets and oh how I love those airmen leather jackets with fur collars! Real fur back when furs were real! Thanks for this very informative program

[@davidprice7162]

Damn straight

[@jaywalker3087]

Innocents around the target!!?? In Germany there were no innocents, war ain’t pretty. Thanks to indoctrination they all gave the nazi salute,,,,,,,

[@chucknorris6640]

@@jaywalker3087 so by your logic even the German baby’s were Nazis what a stupid thing by your part not all German were Nazis is like saying that all Americans are Democrats only because of the president being part of the democrat party

[@jaywalker3087]

and wouldn’t the German babies have been indoctrinated to be Uber Mensche ? 40,000 people died in the blitz . His plan after Operation Sealion was to take every able bodied male and ship them to the continent as slaves and to impregnate every young woman by rape , thus increasing the size of the ‘master race’ War is not pretty and man is an obhorent creature.

[@661AV13]

GOD BLESS WITH LOVE AND RESPECT TO ALL THE FAMILIES AND SOLDIERS WHO SERVED AND FOUGHT FOR OUR GREAT COUNTRY TRUE HEROES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS !!! OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ARE TRULY THE REASON I AM PROUD AND HONORED TO BE AN AMERICAN 🇺🇸 !!! GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸 !!!

[@kkksrai6835]

00

[@chucknorris6640]

As a kid all my friend grew up admiring super heroes or athletes, meanwhile I grew up admiring this brave Americans for me they are real heroes

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

Brave young men. Fascinating seeing some of the aircraft mentioned in books I've read about the 8th Air Force.

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Outstanding. So that's why the old man used a lot of grease pencils, he was used to using them from his days in the USAAF. Love the huge wall maps.

[@user-mp3eq6ir5b]

@49:30 ☆ All that's Missing is a Cute Little Puppy Smuggled under the Bombardier's Flight Jacket. (the music made me say that!)

[@prodirector11]

The things the USAAF pulled off successfully back then is absolutely incredible. So much tactical and strategic knowledge that doesn’t get its flowers for importance these days because of reliance on technology.

[@rodrigo100kk]

True.

[@billsmart2532]

Thank! So much detailed information!!!

[@tectorama]

During the early part of the war, bombers were lucky to get a bomb within five miles of the tartget. I don't know how much this improved with the introduction of the Norden bomb sight ? An amazing film.

[@rickieodem488]

America's greatest generation in every sense of the word. Average Joes who went out to do a dangerous but necessary job and made history in the process.

[@donlove3741]

Greatest generation ? Why ? Greater than the patriots at valley forge? The patriots at Chickamauga? Belleau wood? Chosin reservoir ? Hue?

[@rickieodem488]

@@donlove3741 Why? Because they reshaped the world. Men did perform heroic acts in all of the battles you mentioned, but none of them had the same impact on the world stage. And they are not defined just by WWII, but also the Great Depression that preceded it and the incredible prosperity that succeeded it. My father lived through the Depression, fought in two wars, and finished out his career as an aerospace engineer in the Gemini and Apollo programs. He put me and my brothers through college and was married to my mom for 56 years. And he wasn't any kind of driven overachiever, he just had a sense of "do what has to be done" that is sadly lacking in current generations.

[@donlove3741]

@@rickieodem488 the American revolution didn't reshape the world ? The US civil war ? WW1 was prelude to WW2,almost a recess in the same global war. Korean war changed Korea. Greatest generation indeed.. Media hype to sell Brokencraws book. The Atlantic charter came from the greatest generation yet it was this same generation that said it didn't apply to colonies only colonial masters. This greatest generation gave US the Vietnam war. This greatest generation has sent this country down the road to constant war in the Mid East. Read your history.. FDR talked high minded ideas yet.. Truman Eisenhower,Kennedy,LBJ,Nixon , Bush all greatest generation. They did what they did to survive, survival is neither great nor unique. WW2 cured the depression. The acceptance of Government intervention and benevolent power was born from this generation. The concept of US supremacy came from this generation. Over 2000 nuclear weapons were exploded by this generation contaminating ,displacing and killing non US people. This generation supported colonial power against the colonies. This generation declared freedom yet imprisoned those who chose to declare they were communist. Greatest? They did nothing extraordinary. The greatest generation exposed the hypocrisy of the US proclamations on liberty to colonized people in Africa ,mid east and Asia. The greatest generation was drunk on power and the delusion of their infallibility and divine right through might.

[@RPe-jk6dv]

necessary? stupid uneducated joes worked for the real enemy of the true america, warmonger fdr, the cripple in the wheelchair.

[@rickieodem488]

@@RPe-jk6dv Riight, FDR torpedoed millions of tons of shipping in US waters and sunk the Pacific battleship fleet at Pearl Harbor all by himself. Brilliant.

[@shable1436]

Imagine the morale of enemy as you watched and heard 100s of planes coming your way, that had to be demoralizing

[@donlove3741]

Seems it had little effect. War production never ceased and output diminished slightly or not at all.

[@coolroy4300]

It's hard to believe the German people fell for that little freak with the little mustache and over 60 million people died .

[@donlove3741]

@@coolroy4300 not at all.

[@shable1436]

Easy to say in retrospect and bias from an American pov 70 years later. I know that there are tons of ignorant ppl thinking how bombing Germany was a war crime, and although its sad that civilians died, they were families of Nazis or complacent and should have tried to leave Germany knowing we were coming. You can't invade everyone around you kill millions and cry cause you got the shit bombed out of you. Funny how kids today are influenced by revisionist or have grown up post wars and can't stand the animosity that is bestowed on them by other kids from other countries and they had nothing to do with and they fight back by saying how great Germany was back then having such power and getting measured on world stage by wars.

[@coolroy4300]

@@shable1436 They were taught to be hateful and ungrateful. They are useful idiots . They are democrat socialist.

[@65gtotrips]

One of THE BEST films 🎥 of WWII from that era

[@davidhoffman6980]

@1:07:38 I think this footage was shot on the ground, as putting a bulky video camera in the nose blister during combat would have been cumbersome and disruptive. Also the footage would be a lot more bouncy. However, I believe that he is a real bombardier. Look how fast and confidently his hand goes to the appropriate dials without looking. The guy has skills.

[@stronkvodka731]

The stats showed, you had more chance surving in a foxhole than a b17 without fighter escorts 🥺

[@456swagger]

That would be your little secret.

[@LosBerkos]

Fascinating, and where might one find these foxhole statistics? What percentage greater a chance?

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

@@LosBerkos He got them from some vr game