The Bomber that Stopped Hitler's Final Attack

[@TJ3]

I NEED YOUR HELP! I am still actively hunting down and traveling to interview these heroes! If you can, please consider joining my Patreon so I can tell more of their stories! Thanks so much for watching everyone! Patreon.com/TJ3History

[@docholidayoutlaws104]

Sure will buddy ! There was a patient of mine who was a Marine fighting the Japanese in the pacific about 20 yrs ago , but I am sure he has passed away by now along with my uncle , my father’s brothers !!!

[@Pilotboya380fn-yt]

Yes sir! I would be happy to help you preserve our heroic vets and their stories!

[@TJ3]

@Pilotboya380fn-yt thank you!

[@andrewwright8507]

The best interaction I had with a WW2 Vet and MOH awardee Bob Maxwell which has since passed. Didn't want to talk about himself or his deeds in war but was more interested in myself and an OIF vet about our experience in war. It's one of my most prized memories as far as talking to another veteran and hero!

[@ianmclaughlin8987]

Wow, Lt. Kendall Eakes is a 101 years and he is sharp as a tack, his story was amazing to hear. Everything was great, his story, the footage and the animations. Thanks for telling this man's story and letting folks honour his service by watching this.

[@TJ3]

Thanks so much!

[@franktreppiedi2208]

Most veterans won't talk about the war. This guy imparts invaluable information on what it was really like.

[@richardthompson5810]

My grandfather was a navigator in this type of medium bomber for the SAAF, first in North Africa using Bostons, and later in Italy in the B26 Marauders. He was awarded the DFC, which I have.

[@lil2nerdy645]

Oh yes the mighty Marauder one of the most underrated aircraft of WW2.

[@TJ3]

Yep

[@Pilotboya380fn-yt]

@@TJ3 merry Christmas tj!

[@Pilotboya380fn-yt]

@@paulhicks6667 real 🗿

[@TJ3]

Historical notes: Many units by December of 1944 had altered the Invasion stripes to only be on the bottom of the aircraft. It's complicated to explain, but due to cohesive presentation, we had to go with the full stripes here in our simulators. Also, the aircraft presented is not a Stearman, but the closest thing we have. Bonus points to anyone who can figure out what it actually is! Haha. Also - Kendall Eakes understandably doesn't actually remember what bomber he flew on each mission. But he did remember flying Barrell Lass a lot, and had a beautiful pic of it! So that will be his aircraft for this series! Thanks for watching everyone!

[@troygroomes104]

Looks like a PT-13 cadet. & a p-36

[@JUNKERS488]

I think it's a J6B Jaktfalken ll This is also why it doesn't have a tail wheel just a wooden and metal skid. Plus the exhaust is different. it's easily a J6B Jaktfalken ll

[@troygroomes104]

@JUNKERS488 it's not its a pt13 , there is 2 near me

[@JUNKERS488]

@@troygroomes104 I have flown on stearsmen and its not a PT13 Stearsmen look at the front of the prop and the wires it's not an American built plane. Hopefully TJ won't keep us wondering to long. I think this is the version of the J6B just before they added a engine cowling to it. TJ even says its not a Stearman in his post. Have a great Holiday season.

[@EmilPozarphoto]

at this time of the war the rear bomb-bay was not normally used?

[@floyd3276]

My uncle Claire Howe Oliphant Jr. was there December 23, 1944. Flak took the wing off and a 109 took out the tail knocking the tail gunner out. Frank Stanton was the pilot. Claire became a POW for the remainder of the war.

[@BobbyTucker]

I love listening to this gentleman telling his stories, I could listen to him all day long! Thank you for bringing him onboard.

[@robertv2787]

Wow, great video! Great graphics! Kendall is a true hero, one of the few vets left. Love that B-26. Thank you!

[@SabrinaBraden-n7n]

My dad was in the 8th during WW2, flying B17s into Germany stationed in England, story i was told many young men didn't return tragically lost forever in the great sky battles of WW2.

[@LemonHead-sq5ws]

Who tf says “sky battles” lol

[@SabrinaBraden-n7n]

​@@LemonHead-sq5ws Coming from someone that uses a 2 letter word to make sentence, keep in school and apply yourself i have faith in ya, you will get it. sooner or latter.

[@panzerivausfg4062]

I call bs

[@Aaron-s7t7q]

Is this a bot, wtf are u trying to say

[@mase1880]

The most capest comment i have ever read

[@ericbrammer2245]

'widow-maker', yet, had THE Lowest Loss-Rate of any Medium Bomber in the War!! My uncle flew these (and B-17's, which used 'rocket bombs' on Sub-Pens?!), but he Loved the B-26! It brought him Home, every time!

[@LancelotChan]

Thank you for another interview!

[@americanfortruth]

B-26 was actually one of the safest planes to fly, had one of the least % of crashes, B-29 many were lost not even getting hit, engine fires and other mishaps.

[@nolimitsoundpro]

Excellent! History Channel 2.0... thanks for all you do!

[@manuwilson4695]

Absolutely amazing. His knowledge and memory at 100 years old is sharper than many people half his age! I love his no nonsense demeanor. 👍

[@KyleCowden]

The Martin B-26 was a fighter plane with bomb bays. The veteran pilot loved it but it was tough on rookie fliers. The Douglas wasn't bad either. My dad coaxed 410 kts out of one on his way from CA to FL. I didn't know that detail and knowing of his combat time my imagination started to work on me, begging the question "why"? So the next time I saw him and expecting a great wartime anecdote I asked him, "What compelled you to push a B-26 to 410?" He shrugged and said, "Just to see if I could." 🙄😂

[@TJ3]

@@KyleCowden haha awesome

[@KyleCowden]

CORRECTION: It was 425 and M.P.H., not KTS. I just fact checked myself 😂.

[@KyleCowden]

@ 275 is in the cruise range. IIRC, max speed (not to be confused with VNE) 375 or something like that. It was North of 400 and I believe he said 425. But I remembered and added a reply, that's m.p.h. not knots like I typed in the original comment.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

​@@KyleCowdenI assume not in level flight ...

[@KyleCowden]

@ I don't know that. Dang, that would have been a good question.

[@mchrome3366]

Always great to hear new stories to add to the tapestry of the 1000’s of individual battles in just the Battle of the Bulge. Also any war video not AI produced is already a plus.

[@jagsdomain203]

One of the best looking aircraft ever made

[@baonguyentang314]

My wife's mother is from Saint-Quentin, in France. I didn't know that town was an allied airfield during WW2.

[@dirkusmaximus9268]

How many Saint-Quentin ‘s are there in France do you think ?

[@jeannotschumacher1024]

One ​@@dirkusmaximus9268

[@marco-dn7kd]

​@@dirkusmaximus9268 There is a single Saint Quentin (in the Somme département, in Picardie) Many others have included something more in their name such as Saint Quentin en Yvelines or Saint Quentin Fallavier etc. Besides the history if the airfield is well documented. Somme is very famous because of WW1.

[@Mark-p2n4o]

D-Day Stripes Were put on aircraft so they could be easily Identified as Allied Aircraft so they would not be fired on by friendly troops.

[@chipsekulich1603]

Love this format... As good as the stories are, it is definitely much better than just listening to the story alone without pictures. Well done... See if you can match this format up with other existing narratives- it would be amazing!

[@markchapman2585]

I love hearing the stories from our WW II veterans. Thanks for the great video's. Cheers 🍻

[@gregoryknox4444]

GREAT GRAPHICS. Thanks for posting.

[@raymondyee2008]

For one thing the B-26 had a lot to dispel bad criticisms especially back with the training squadrons.

[@TJ3]

It was a lot safer than people thought!

[@peterhewson3216]

@@TJ3 A loss rate of less that 0.5% made it move from a very dangerous aircraft to a very safe one and a very accurate bomber also.

[@bradfordbroswtent.8450]

This is an incredible story, Makes it even better when you have the real life person there telling their side of the story. Great work all around.

[@TJ3]

Thanks for watching!

[@bradfordbroswtent.8450]

@@TJ3 Welcome, Thank you for all your videos, stories and especially the interviews.

[@josephnason8770]

What a great old southern gentlemen.

[@TJ3]

Indeed!

[@JUNKERS488]

Wow a Brand new TJ3 Video, It's like Christmas came early this year. Another great video and story. Thanks for all your hard work to find and bring these stories to us. You never disappoint. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year TJ. Please Keep 'Em Flyin, Buddy.

[@TJ3]

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[@JUNKERS488]

@@TJ3 Was it a J6BJaktfalken ?

[@danconser6709]

Thanks for allowing Lt. Kendall Eakes to tell his story. My grandfather was in the infantry, and fortunatelty wasn't sent overseas (or I probably wouldn't be here). He was 98.5 yrs old when he died in Sept 2020. Watching & listening to Lt. Eakes, I remebered my grandfather. Thanks for sharing his story.

[@michaelhines4132]

Good video! Dad was in the same group at the same time, but different squadron (557th BS). I've been going over his diary about the "Battle of the Bulge" events, 80 years ago this week.

[@jamesbrown4092]

I had the privilege of knowing a few WWII veterans (sadly all gone now) and nothing compares to hearing the stories from the people who were actually there.

[@Philippereismaillard]

Thank you for your service, Sir!

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

My grandpa enlisted when he heard his number was up. He went into the USACC as a sheetmetal mechanic and after training was sent to the Philippines. He would only talk about the training phase and never about deployment. I could sit and listen to Mr. Eakes all day. Thanks TJ

[@user-Carl_HIPS_WHO]

My father was a B/N in the B-26. He flew 65 combat missions in the 394th bomb group. I think he received 22 Distinguished Flying Crosses and Numerous Air Medals. He passed in 1988. A great follow on book written about the group is called "Bridge Busters" by J. Guy Ziegler. (Bradley Printers, 1401 W. Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007) My dad flew a lot in "Heavens Above" .

[@LewisSawyer]

My dad was a tail gunner/armorer in the 394th. There were some things he would talk about; and some things he would not. Dad also flew 65 combat missions. Like the pilot in this video; dad flew on several different planes during those missions. According to his records, he flew on 14 different B-26's. but 35 of his missions were on just one of those planes.

[@larryburwell8550]

my Dad was a radio operator air gunner on the b26 Bat outa Hell II of the 455th bg 323 bs. they flew these missions in the battle of the bulge as well. flak was heavy said his diary. they bombed tanks and troop movements

[@MrBBaron]

Another informative and interesting video. The graphics are superb.

[@kennethtyree4770]

My dad was 386th, 9th AF, 22th 5th AF but never told me about the Bulge. He told me about bombing ball bearing plants in Holland and raids in Norway in preparation for D-Day. He was wounded after his squadron was moved to France.

[@jayhands6911]

My uncle, SSGT Albert J. Hands, Radio Man/Waist Gunner, and my future namesake, was part of a combat crew in the 322nd Bombardment Group, 451st Bombardment Squadron during the “Battle of the Bulge”. He went on two missions on 12.23.44. On New Year’s Day he was on his 35th and last mission with the 451st on a bomb-run over Stadtkyll, Germany, at the “North Shoulder” of the “Bulge”. His ship was hit by flak from an 88mm round in the left wing, causing it to detach as the ship burst into flames and spiraled to the deck and crashed. He and five of the six-man crew were KIA, with only the pilot being able to bail out, becoming a POW. When my would-be uncle’s body was found four months later it was found to have carried a “U.S. Dollar” in one of its pockets. I was later in life gifted a “1921 Peace (Silver) Dollar” coin from my grandfather, informing me this was my “Uncle Bud’s”. I held it all these decades, not knowing the significance of this gift. It turns out that this past fall I found out, through newly released military records, that was the “One U.S. Dollar coin” found on his corpse. I carry it today in my pocket in memoriam. God bless his soul, and all those service folks who served in WWII, particularly those who lost their lives.

[@Coelhin_83]

its sad to think that in some years, there will not be a living veteran 😔

[@TJ3]

Indeed.

[@MrBestshot33]

Imagine being in the spot of feeling reprieve when sent to war because training was more risky

[@TJ3]

Yep

[@billybudd6776]

My parents met building them in Baltimore. He left Martins to go to bombardier school then off to 15th af flying liberators.

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

Wow! Amazing man and video!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thank you K of TJ3 History and also Kendall Eakes..... Shoe🇺🇸

[@timf6916]

Nice, Love the History of the War.

[@dyslexicboogaloo]

This Old Boy’s accent is charming.

[@TJ3]

Absolutely!

[@terryeustice5399]

Great documentary on this soldier’s story in the Air-Corp . Thanks for sharing! 💯👍🇺🇸

[@danielgregg2530]

This great. Thanks very much !

[@TJ3]

Thanks for watching!!

[@Pilotboya380fn-yt]

Hey tj! It’s djrolypoly! Sorry I crashed into you during filming haha

[@MilesMorales-13]

Hey TJ wassup

[@davidgreenidge9879]

Thank you for your service 🙏 sir.

[@maureencora1]

i Always Like the B-26 More Than B-25. It's Looked Faster.

[@robertmunoz7543]

Very detailed story!🤔 Jman

[@johnharris2337]

This bomber did not stop the German offensive, it was a part of a larger force used by the Allies. Fighter bombers like the P 47, the British Typhoon and Tempests were far more effective, especially the rocket firing equipped and the British Fighter Bombers with 4x 20mm cannon, they operated a cab rank close air support with the frontline Allied troops.

[@HarveyAndToddTheWraith]

I feel like it should be mentioned somewhere (either thumbnail or the title) that this is an interview with veteran, because from the title of the video and the thumbnail I had no idea about it and the whole time before I got to watching the video I thought it's a video about the B-26...

[@stephenhall3515]

Such a wonderful southern gentleman!

[@zacheryshockley9238]

101 and as sharp in mind as the days he flew! INCREDIBLE! This man has live quite the life no doubts about that! God has been good to him🥹🙏🏻What a blessing to hear these stories from him🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🫡💪🏻God Bless You SIR! I was born in Montgomery Al and live a county north today so it was cool to hear he trained there way back then!

[@dv2033]

I lived in Arcadia Florida 3 years ago, still not far from there.

[@FunHistoryWithCleont]

I like you informative video ww2 GEEK APPROVED🎉

[@lurking0death]

Baloney! The P-47 stopped German armor cold in the Battle of the Bulge.

[@wiseguy6539]

I'm so glad my time at Prum was in the late 1980s and the airbase I was working at was a US base.

[@Goodvibrations-Impickingup]

I wish you would do a story on my uncle’s B-26. I have a lot of information but maybe you could use your resources to find out more. The B-26 exploded mid air- some shutes were reported but no survivors in the end.

[@DD-uf2uo]

Kendall Eakes, from the Carolinas, sounds to me like he may be from or around Columbia SC. He has that Southern drawl similar to me. We are a dying breed. 😢 .

[@mm-white]

sounds like a charleston accent to me!

[@doomhippie6673]

The Battle of the Bulge was not Hitler's final attack. That honor goes to the offensive to liberate the garrison of Budapest.

[@MGB-learning]

Great video

[@waynetaylor8082]

In an era before BONE SPURS 😅

[@deadon4847]

Tell that to your hero's Clinton and Biden.

[@waynetaylor8082]

Actually it's heroes 🤣. A "poorly educated MAGAT"

[@waynetaylor8082]

Actually it's heroes, as in plural and NOT possessive. No doubt, you're one of Trump's "poorly educated MAGATs😂"

[@peterj5106]

I'm curious here. Were the new US recruits told that the US declared war on Germany? I know that some of their history that's taught in Schools is absolutely not true but in reality Japan struck Pearl Harbour on the 7th & Germany Declared war on the US on the 11th.

[@diffened]

The US declared war on Germany on December 11, 1941. What is your issue?

[@Retroscoop]

It were B 26 Marauders that killed more folks in the Belgian town I was born in than the Germans did during the whole war. And to make it even more tragic, these 30 something civilians were killed at a time in which these parts of Belgium were already completely liberated (which happened in Sept. 1944). I never saw a real good explanation on why these American pilots could have made such a terrible error in navigation, as the town they bombed (Genk) is at least 40 km away from the German border. It wasn't a small mistake, and it also wasn't the real intention to bomb this little town. In fact, many thousands of Europeans (French, Belgians...) were killed by not so friendly bombs. The fact that they were killed by Allied Forces also had an impact on what happened after the war with their family members. While families who lost family members and property by German bombs were fairly well compensated, the money that went to those families who lost members by US or British bombs was faaaaar less. The dark side of each war, hidden behind the glam of the victory on the Germans, who bombed Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Antwerp with their V weapons.

[@carycoller3140]

Did he say 15,000 died in flight training????????

[@MRCORRUPTD]

Make a video on the blood hundredth

[@dereksmith5019]

Was the B26 a duplicate of the B25 ?

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

Who flew the aircraft over there? Were they delivered by liberty ship and assembled in england or france?

[@johnrussell5896]

Thank you for your service USA military and all of America

[@SAS1122334455]

why d-day strips is on the planes in december 44 ?

[@Pilotboya380fn-yt]

It’s either that or pacific paint. The sim we use only has 2 b26 color schemes, and the invasion stripes is the best we can do

[@TJ3]

Complicated to explain, but this is the best option we have in the simulators used to recreate these stories.

[@troygroomes104]

Allied aircraft still carried the invasion stripes on both the upper & lower wings & fuselage and empange from d day to end of war in Europe

[@josefhorndl3469]

They didn't like to be shot down by friendly fire.

[@janlindtner305]

Splindit👍👍👍

[@PappyGunn]

Did we really have to back to basic pilot training to talk about ONE mission?

[@gnosticbrian3980]

Wasn't Hitler's final attack launched in Hungary in March 1945 - Operation Spring Awakening? The 387th Bomb Group played no prt in the Red Army's defeat of the SS Panzer Divisions used in that attack.

[@robertmunoz7543]

Uh Italians were part of da axis too!🙄 Jman

[@MrNote85]

If Hitler's was not brutal. He would definitely be in the top 10 talented generals of the World

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

He wasn’t a general, and he ordered his generals to carry out some gigantic strategic blunders. The Germans had some fine generals however, Hitler often time doomed them to defeat. Operation Barbarossa is a perfect example.

[@MrBBaron]

​@@darrinlygrisse5287Hiltlers biggest and fatal error was declaring war on the US. What an idiot call.. thank god

[@PahanSithumina-y3t]

I want to play with u man

[@JUNKERS488]

We are dying to know is it a J6B Jaktfalken ? I don't think its America made I think you just put a different skin on it.

[@josefhorndl3469]

Are you are asking for the fighter at 2:42? I think, it's a very normal Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Model 75).

[@JUNKERS488]

@@josefhorndl3469 No thats an easy one I built one of those for a museum years ago so U.S. built planes I know. I'm asking about the Trainer he used at 2:12 instead of the Stearman. TJ asked if anyone can guess what it was because he was not able to use a Streamen for the video. He used a Swedish plane with U.S. Skin on it I think. It it was U.S. , Japanese or Luftwaffe aircraft I'd know but I'm not that good with other Countries.

[@josefhorndl3469]

@@JUNKERS488 First I thought it was a variant of Boeing P-12, but I think you are right. It's very similar to an ASJA (Svenska) J6B Jaktfalk II, which were used by Swedish Flygvapnet & Ilmavoimat (Finland).

[@JUNKERS488]

@@josefhorndl3469 Yeah, Great minds must think a like cause my first thought was thinking about variants of U.S. aircraft. Lol. But It was the nose cone on the prop that kept popping up in my mind I knew I had seen if before but couldn't remember where. I used to work a lot with hard to find Luftwaffe aircraft and realized I had probably seen it in photos in Europe. I thought Italian first then remembered Sweden had a few planes that looked similar to the Stearman that some were used in combat rolls and later training. It was fun figuring it out. Maybe TJ could give us a Mystery plane to figure out every now an then just for fun. TJ has done some amazing research and attention to even the smallest details are what makes his videos second to none. Hope you and your family have a Wonderful Holiday season.

[@KAL346]

This is also a story out of the fantasy books. Nothing like this ever happened or had any impact on the war.

[@LewisSawyer]

My dad was in the 394th, which also flew in the mission against Prum. Nothing fantasy about it, I have dad's records from WW II. The 394th flew several missions in the Battle of the Bulge, as did several of the 9th Air Forces B-26 Bomb Groups as well as 9th Air Force's P-47 squadrons. The 9th Air Force B-26's definitely had an impact on the war, prior to D-Day the 9th Air Force pummeled German airfields, transportation nodes, road bridges, railroad bridges, and communication centers all through Belgium and France, which made it difficult for the Germans to get reinforcements into the area during D-Day and the days that followed.

[@FunHistoryWithCleont]

Hi

[@luukpleunis]

u and yarnhub should colab

[@FozzyZ28]

😁😁👍😎

[@flypawels]

👍

[@spyridon3089]

in American documeantaries fiction is fact and fact fiction

[@T.h.e__T.r.u.t.h]

Not first

[@martinmendoza5873]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@Billy-y5b]

This is why we have the Greatest country in the world, Awesome video!

[@colewalters5336]

Thank you for not editing out everything he said just to make it "politically correct".

[@andrewwright8507]

Compare that to 18 year olds today it's despicable

[@hawkgreenway821]

Training training training, with a pinch of parenting and a few role models. 😂

[@garrington120]

B 26 was a disaster