The Fight for the Sky | US Fighter Pilots V. the Luftwaffe (1945)

US Army Air Forces Special Film Project #157
The Fight For The Sky: Our fighter pilots versus the Luftwaffe in Western Europe, 1945.
A documentary on the activities of the 8th Air Force Fighter Command in Europe. Shows a base near East Anglia, England. General Doolittle discusses a mission. Pilots are briefed for an escort mission over Germany. P-47's are relieved in flight by P-51's. German pilots rush to intercept US planes. US bombers and German fighters are downed. Shows Gen. Kepner. Fighters destroy enemy planes, transportation and communication. Montage a series of still photos of U.S. fliers killed in action.
National Archives Identifier 63894
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[@robertzedeker3234]

My Dad was a B 24 pilot, shot down on his 13th mission. When they took off from England, they knew that they didn’t have enough fuel to get back, they were a decoy. He spend 13 months as a POW, thank God he survived. When I asked him about that mission, he said he knew they were expendable. How these men had the courage to do this is beyond amazing. God bless them all, we should never forget them.

[@ClearedAsFiled]

Your dad is a HERO and true PATRIOT. .....God bless him and the men he served with....

[@2nostromo]

If you give his name, maybe you don't want the exposure... understood but I'd love to look him up. I've got a few of them I've studied. Army Air Forces Flt O Sylvester "Bess" Everhart is one out of many worth knowing about. I guess I figure if we keep them alive in our memory.. oh you know. I mean 13 months in POW... we owe him. at least that much.

[@2nostromo]

@desertmandan123 Checkout the Doolittle Raid

[@victorsauvage1890]

Lives in you and your connections and associates! Always carried on : Spirit and sensitivity : Not clumsy thugs! Creative and trustworthy!

[@robertzedeker3234]

@@2nostromo he was 2LT Robert Zedeker

[@laurencejenner1127]

Hard to believe this is 80 years ago. Thank you, great work!

[@Doolittle1954]

Yes. Hard to believe that almost everyone in this film has passed. They are truly the Greatest Generation.

[@ashermil]

Blowing up steam locomotives with a P-47 must’ve been a helluva lot of fun!

[@binko969]

Excellent. Some of the best gun camera footage ever recorded. Much of it not shown regularly. There was a ton that I’ve never seen before and I thought I’d seen about all of it

[@arniewilliamson1767]

I think the one advantage the allies had is the rotation of personnel. In the RCAF aircrew we’re rotated out after 30 missions. Many of those rotated out were then utilized as trainers to provide new pilots with real world knowledge of what they would face in combat. The German pilots flew until they died. The result was that by 1943, the cream of the German Air Force had been lost. Allied aircrew rotation played a big factor over the longer term.

[@marbleman52]

Japan did the same thing by keeping its best pilots in combat and getting most of them killed early on.

[@arniewilliamson1767]

@@marbleman52 very true. Especially after Midway.

[@charlesfaure1189]

@@marbleman52 Those best pilots were trained by guys who weren't "those best pilots." Teaching is a particular skill, shooting down aircraft is another. Many, many top fighter pilots are incompetent as teachers, just as, say, Roger Federer is incompetent as a tennis teacher, as he admits. So this narrative is very overblown. The Japanese pilot selection and training system was flawed for a long war because it was geared toward meticulously turning out naturally-gifted high-end pilots. This was not foolish on thepart of the Japanese, becaues they knew from the beginning they could not win a long war in the Pacific. They were gonna win with the experts on hand or they were gonna lose. No third option.

[@tsmgguy]

Looks like a blue-on-blue attack on a Spitfire Mk IX at 21:30. The wing radiators are deeper than on an Me-109. And a Mosquito at 27:40.

[@pommunist]

shhh!

[@alasdairblack393]

Well spotted, I agree.

[@relathan1]

Narrated by Reed Hadley! My favorite narrator for these WWII and Cold War films.

[@henrysantos121]

*Another excellent documentary well done*

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Thanks for the footage put into this format. Good job all round !

[@shanefrance5071]

Priceless footage

[@MsZeeZed]

8th did a better job of PR than fighting at times. Filming the planes flying in a lovely “idiot’s row” (all the close-ups) not USAAF “thatch weave” (most of the long shots), creating that wingman camaraderie. Comparing the intro of this film to the one about the realities of wing flow separation close to Mach 0.9 with Winkle saying “very sad when those Lightings dived from 32K ft, they cratered into the ground” is a bit of a shocker. Being a fighter pilot is only really glamorous in peacetime kids. Its a bloody attrition in wartime still.

[@robertheinkel6225]

The thatch weave was a defensive position, once you are under attack, not when you are scouting for your opponent.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@robertheinkel6225 Out in the Pacific, countering Zeros - was it used in Europe?

[@Doolittle1954]

@@robertheinkel6225 The Narrator said "Weave" not "Thatch Weave". Big Difference

[@Doolittle1954]

@@EllieMaes-Grandad Do not think "Thach Weave" was used in the European Theater unless by individual pilots.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@Doolittle1954 Thank you.

[@dennisnichols2411]

"Fort" Roach did a fine job of making films for the USAAF. The razorback Thunderbolts, invasion stripes and presence of P-38's indicates the location shots were done early to mid-1944 (P-38's were pulled from the ETO a month or two after Normandy). Have you seen the prequel to this- "Target For Today"? It documents 8th AF bomber operations. Released in 1944, It was shot during and just after the disastrous Schweinfurt/Regensburg offensives in 1943 (Ira Eaker is the commander of 8th AF in it).

[@chrisw8417]

Not exactly true that they “pulled P-38s from ETO” after Normandy. 9th AF used them into 1945. My relative’s fighter group didn’t transition to P-47s from the P-38 till February of 1945.

[@tualatindave3797]

My father was a B-24 pilot in Europe during the war. It is sad to think the main role of bomber command was to reduce fighter capacity of the Luftwaffe through attrition giving the Allies air superiority. The destruction to the war effort via bombing was negligible, despite the crews' heroic efforts. You were far safer in a front-line platoon in the Army then flying combat missions in a bomber.

[@PeteCourtier]

Indeed. Big Week was to use the bombers as bait. It worked but at a high cost to those brave bomber crews.

[@desktopgrenadiers4321]

That was the role of the US Bomber Command (Later 8th Air Force) but RAF Bomber Command was to ahem, 'destroy the morale' of the German People by area bombing.

[@dukecraig2402]

No it wasn't negligible, there's people who push that narrative but it's nonsense, among other things like lectures I've listened to given by historians about the bombing campaign in Europe I've also read the reports from the German military and industry about the damage and set backs to their war effort and it was substantial, that's why they were constantly pulling fighter units out of the east and moving them to the west, because the bombing was killing their war effort, if it was negligible they wouldn't have moved all those fighter units out of the east where they were so desperately needed to help stop the Russian's who were advancing back across their country towards Germany. And Big Week wasn't about luring out the German fighter's, it's just that it also did that which gave our fighter's who were now free to chase after them unlike before the chance to shoot them down, but bombing Germany was still the main objective not shooting down fighter's that didn't do a single thing to stem our war effort except to shoot down the bombers that were smashing their war machine, if the effects of the bombers was negligible they'd have just stopped using them and so what about their fighter's, they'd have just battled them in dogfights during fighter sweeps, which the USAAF had already started to do after they showed up until the Germans decided to keep all their fighter's on the ground to save them for attacking bombers, because the bombers were putting a hurting on the German war effort. No their effect wasn't negligible, not by any stretch of the imagination.

[@tualatindave3797]

@@dukecraig2402 German war production increased as the war went on, not decreased. There were areas were bombing was helpful, but from a loss/gain perspective it was a failure.

[@Bowhunterohio]

The bombing campaigns helped win the war. We bombed railroads for supplies, railroads for fuel that was fueling their war, factories that was building planes, subs, tanks, ammunition among others. Most say that the air war is what won the war. The reason they didn’t get their jet fighter in the air to make a difference is because we bombed their factory. Those bombers was a major role in the victory. The only time that bombing was questioned was when we went into cities and carpet bombed killing thousands of civilians. Regardless the bombers was key to the allied victory.

[@briancooper2112]

Great video!

[@AJHyland63]

I noticed that one of the planes shot down was a Mosquito 27:40. Low slung engines with triangular extension behind the trailing edge, tail planes abaft of the tail fin

[@ondrejhadek5675]

There was a Spitfire at 21:30 as well. They must have accidentaly added some german gun cammera footage I assume.

[@gary6300]

Hi buddy fantastic documentary really enjoyed watching the video. it's amazing what these guys went through looks like most of the p-47 footage is the 56th fighter group. Cheers Gary 🇬🇧

[@dougleandmaize16]

Excellent

[@LuisdeMontevideo]

Es notable como en poco tiempo mejoraron los diseños y crearon cazas excelentes

[@jarikinnunen1718]

About of 100,000 US airmen killed in war in Europe. Many died in training.

[@lenholloway4390]

I did not hear or see much about the RAF but I think they had something to do with this.

[@Doolittle1954]

Probably because this was about the USAAF and not the RAF

[@Rjelmiles]

Excellent job remastering this documentary. I bought my first of several copies of this film on VHS in 1980. I've got a couple of versions on DVD now. While I don't expect it to happen, I've always hoped a film preservation group would redo Fight For the Sky frame by frame like some classic films have been done. The clips of German guncam shown here of B-24s and B-17s being hit can be seen in many other documentaries. Those versions are much clearer than in this film. How the clips made it into this film in such poor quality has always baffled me. FYI, the photo montage at the end isn't featuring pilots that were KIA. While four were shot down and made POWs, all survived the war with the exception of George Preddy, who is mentioned but not shown.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

I suspect they were copies of copies ... it happened a lot. It's also the reason why many of the films in the US National Archives are unusable.

[@flparkermdpc]

Preddy was killed by "friendly" fire when he pursued some Messerschmitts that had attacked Allied positions. The US AA was ready for the next planes into their fields of fire. Preddy's aggressive group were those planes.

[@2nostromo]

"They had a beautiful summer that day in England." had to laugh out loud. I've been there. I wish I was a poet to find the right words. What more to say could there be except, from the very bottom of my heart... "Bless them all."

[@douglasturner6153]

Good ol Reed Hadley. Love how he talks about a possible dastardly German "Sneak Attack" on their formation headed to bomb Germany

[@Rjelmiles]

Reed Hadley narrated several AAF documentaries including The Last Bomb. An excellent film too. He was also a descent actor.

[@falconinflight6235]

It's truly amazing how you can get men to risk their lives for others who say "thanks for your service."

[@charlesfaure1189]

Militaries recruit and conscript the young for two reasons--physical resiliancy and the ability to believe "it can't happen to me" that makes them easy to recruit and send off to get killed.

[@Andrewausfa]

P-47s from 56th Fighter Group at Halesworth, P-38s from 55th FG at Wormingford, P-51 4th FG at Debden

[@John-mz8rj]

Something to live through.

[@antonrudenham3259]

The fact that this was released for public consumption back then shows the woeful state of aircraft recognition then prevalent, especially among ground types who OK'ed this for release. We can clearly see a Mosquito under attack and a B24 spinning in.

[@shawntepitts488]

Good one

[@billbolton]

I suppose England was the most armoured of all Carriers.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

Heh. When I started this channel, it was just to supply a few clips to support the articles on my website. Things have kind of spiralled from there …

[@billbolton]

@@ArmouredCarriers I draw the line at TickyTocky style song and dance videos; all else is good, you have free rein with my blessing. 😊 Seriously though I appreciate the content.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Airstrip one . . . . it was bombed and shot-up a lot . . .

[@billbolton]

@@EllieMaes-Grandad but no waves over the bow.

[@MarsFKA]

27:40 That's a Mosquito. What is an American pilot doing, shooting at a British aircraft?

[@Doolittle1954]

The most dangerous job during WW2 was a heavy bomber crewman. Missions were countless hours long and if wounded there was no place to be treated until you landed back home. You don't hear them talking about the realities of war in these sugar coated Army Films. When these men clamed aboard their ships they knew that at least 20 out of every 100 men would not return. My Dad a bombardier was shot down over Belgium and did not return home until a year and a half later wrote home about how scared he was and you could feel his fear reading his words. These films in my opinion are an insult to the hero's who every day risked their lives for us. I wonder how the people on the home front would feel if they knew the realities of war which is whom this propagandas film was intended.

[@waynejfoster9860]

If I ever get to heaven I will search high & low for each & every Allied soldier, sailor & airman who gave their lives during WW1 & WW2 and thank him personally for laying down his life so I could lead a free life today. And also thank him for giving me the freedom, & honor, to follow in their footsteps, join the Army & serve my country with pride.

[@herrlichdiearmleuchterderampel]

Wenn Sie das glauben , sind Sie ein armes Würstchen !😅 Wo ist denn Frieden ? Warum kämpfen Sie nicht gegen Xi , Kim il Yung oder Putin oder sonstige Diktatoren . Nur große Töne spucken aber den Schwanz einziehen sobald es knallt . Die ganzen Kriege dienten nur dazu den Amerikanern zur Weltherrschaft zu verhelfen . Bei Stalin haben Sie sich nicht getraut . Angst oder wie ? Patton hatte recht mit seiner Meinung ! Ich glaube nicht das die im Himmel sind , die sind alle in der Hölle, egal welcher Nation. Ausgenutzt und verheizt von Ihren Führern oder Präsidenten . Was soll da so heroischen sein !

[@waynejfoster9860]

@@herrlichdiearmleuchterderampel I think I'll have to run your comment passed "Google Translate" & get back to you 😂😂

[@billimplom6610]

Intense, that's all I can say.

[@stephan7306]

Wie toll das wir nicht zurück geschossen haben.Und immer schön gerade aus.😢:-((((((

[@markgordon2260]

Trying to figure out what the flying boats are that are being attacked near the end...

[@giancarlogarlaschi4388]

Highest Attrition Rates : - German U Boot Crews - RAF Bomber Command - 8th. Army Air Force Bomber Crews. First Lieutenant ( Ret ) Air Force of Chile USAF Trained ( Paid by Chile ).

[@andrewmorton9327]

What's remarkable is how little evasive action the German pilots take when attacked. Possibly because by this stage of the war there may inexperienced pilots being flung in.

[@MsZeeZed]

38:30 - Its always Rommel 😹

[@jep1103]

Love the opening music theme to this, wish I knew what it was. Anyone any ideas?

[@markgordon2260]

An adaption of some of the motifs in the 4th movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The first movement has the opening notes in the same rhythm as the morse code for V (used by the allies representing Victory).

[@ligmaboo]

Same

[@MarsFKA]

38:41 Strafing aircraft on the left disintegrates when something on the ground explodes.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

Grampa"Woody" was RCAF, RAF, and USAAC from paying for a US civil pilot's Lic to the French Liberation, and a Greec litttle girl's adoption.

[@jamesbugbee9026]

A captured Halifax? Beautiful little Siebels. Savoias. A nearly innocent Feiseler. The railroads. Family-owned barges. French flying boats? If it was there, it got shot

[@TheDustysix]

....To Whom It May Concern....

[@2nostromo]

At ~9:20 in when the pilots make notes on their hands.. those look like times for stuff like rondevous and whatever... but how does the navigator know how to set the headings? obviously there is no beacon in enemy territory... I've always wondered how a whole squadron found their way through hostile air space in a coordinated way. I know you all here are pretty savvy so what gives? heh

[@SuperUnknown1967]

Read " A Wing and a prayer" by Harry H. Crosby. He was a navigator in the 100 b/g, 8th A/F. It's a great memoir.

[@harrycurrie9664]

Time, direction, speed, and pathfinders.?

[@евгенийибрагимов-м9п]

чтобы успокоить американского обывателя показали постановку с лётчиками в кабине.

[@roywinchel3620]

I watched n watched till I couldn't take it anymore...

[@user-vp5hu8om9b]

В той войне мы были союзниками, что вообще не скажешь про сегодняшнее время.

[@mikes7639]

Thats very observant of you, and its too bad your side cannot believe the west does not want your country land, nor do we hate you. Why you cant just fix up your giant and poor land to make it a great place to live. Just leave us alone and we will do the same

[@randallhatcher6028]

Good I found one without British narration . It's seems it's all the brits do..

[@christophercook723]

Why is Forces plural??😢

[@Doolittle1954]

Because there were several Air Forces such as 8th AAF, (The mighty 8th and the largest) 9th Air Force, 12th Air Force, 15th Air Force etc.

[@christophercook723]

@@Doolittle1954 how stupid. They all have USAF. You lot take the s from Maths and put it on Aircraft. We have Bomber Command, Fighter Command, Transport Command and Coastal Command . All one Airforce but for simple people it makes sense to use numbers.

[@Doolittle1954]

@@christophercook723 If your argument made any sense I could respond intelligently.

[@christophercook723]

@@Doolittle1954 l doubt that. You have an lncontinent lmbecile as your President. Top man. One Air force in various numbers.lts a simple concept to grasp.Did you know Anerica is a Continent not a Country and the reason its not the USNA is because its one Continent not two.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

@@Doolittle1954😅

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

It was a very brave German pilot who took to the skies from early 1944 on Not even their jets were going to save them

[@spudskie3907]

I don’t know which was more frightening as a member of a bomber crew: 1. Bomb by day when your plane is easily spotted by the enemy Or… 2. Bomb by night and pray you don’t collide with another plane in the darkness

[@2nostromo]

Sorry for too many comments. I've never seen such quality footage and good narration too. I'm lucky I found this. I'm nobody, hardly know a kite from a Sprite but is there any sexier airplane than that P-38? I've read that she was a good fighter too. I'm old, maybe it is just age but I feel in my bones that it is all coming back. /the Chynna, the Ruz... even the Iran/NK fanatics. God don't let this all happen again. Never again. But if needed I know we'll be ready. And spare a prayer for the brave Ukraine men and women all fighting the scum out of Russia. They are doing the fighting and dying and we get the benefit. I hate Russia. What the hell good has ever come of the Ruz? Nuthin but destroy, murder, rape, torture and lies. Slava Ukraini, Glory to the heroes. Send them the F-16s... send ATACMs. Send Putin straight to hell.

[@АлександрКишнарев]

Дядя а ты фашист ☠

[@MarioGon-y5r]

Fajny film

[@herrlichdiearmleuchterderampel]

Geschichten aus dem Paulanergarten !

[@terry2xb]

Was willst du erwarten reinste Propaganda reinste Tontaubenschiessen was für ein scheiss derweil hatten die Amis selber grosse Verluste vorallem bei den Bombern Die Luftwaffe war zu dieser Zeit schon total geschwächt keine Maschinen keine Piloten kein Sprit