How a B-17 Gunner Did the Impossible

Download Warpath now! bit.ly/ITBMTJ3... - And play Tank Tower 2 mini-game: tanktower2-war... - Don't forget to use code SNIPER24 for in game resources!
This is the story of B-17 Flying Fortress ball turret gunner Maynard H. Smith and how he won the Medal of Honor while with the 306th Bomb Group on May 1st of 1943 during a raid to St. Nazaire. This was made using the World War II flight simulator War Thunder. Hope you enjoy! Please like, comment, and subscribe. #WW2 #WWIIHistory #WarThunder
RESEARCH SOURCES: Research sources in all of my content include the United States National Archives (NARA) - and specifically, Missing Air Crew Reports, as well as combat reports and diaries from various fighter and bomber squadrons. catalog.archiv...
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[@TJ3]

Download Warpath now! bit.ly/ITBMTJ3History - And play Tank Tower 2 mini-game: tanktower2-warpath.lilith.com - Don't forget to use code SNIPER24 for in game resources!

[@WildmanTrading]

Weird you didn't sponsor wart hunder, the game you got the footage from?

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@nebraskatpp]

Can you download War Thunder game to a Meta Quest2 Virtual Reality system?

[@ericsahagun5344]

Okay when the guy playing the turret gun was narrating I found myself captivated with this story When you the host kick back in I'm going oh my god I hope he doesn't talk very long and thank God you didn't I know this is messed up for me to say but Christ if you're going to be a narrator you got to be good at it otherwise I don't see how you're going to last and I'm sure you you do One people to subscribe ask somebody who they think is a good narrator and who captivates them and practice to sound like them Oh my god I'm sorry!

[@ericsahagun5344]

I got it Don't talk like your narrating talk like you're talking to your friends You know more natural Good luck!

[@alkitzman9179]

You just never know until it actually happens in combat. Those who will come through and those who will not. Actions speak way louder than words . Snuffy you saved 6 of your crew with your actions. A salute to Pvt. Smith

[@nigeldepledge3790]

I think he was a Staff Sargeant . . .

[@davemccage7918]

Average hight of a man in 1942 wasn’t 6’. In fact 6 foot still isn’t average in 2024.

[@56bturn]

Some Medal of Honour recipients are barely thinking when they do it. They're just doing what they gotta, often in a desperate attempt to survive, or haul fellows out of the fire.

[@dennisbitton8264]

Drbe

[@dennisbitton8264]

Sq 26:06 ​@56btur8thn

[@user-vp1sc7tt4m]

My Dad was a rear gunner on a B-17 during WWII. He never talked about his experiences but definitely lived with PTSD after. Great to hear about "Snuffy" and his accomplishment and more so, his commitment to everyone on that plane, real caring guy with the courage and willingness, and smarts to get them back to safety. Connects me with my Dad because I know he was there in this during the war and he also had the heart Snuffy had when it came to others.

[@briansteffmagnussen9078]

Snuffy experienced more combat on this single run than many other have experienced on their whole tour.

[@craighanson-rc1md]

times are different it's amazing what people went through in WW1 or WW2 & how many came back mentally scarred uncertainly but able to pull through while people today go through far less & suddenly have all sorts of mental issues. I mean in WW1 & WW2 you served for years usually unless seriously hurt while since vietnam especially in combat a unit will deploy for a set period like 12 months or so then rotate out for a while & yet many complain about it. I have a buddy who's in the navy & complains every time his ship sails & he's on rotation & it's like dude you picked the navy you are mostly on ships & it's clearly based on rotation you deploy for "see patrol" for X number of months usually like 6 & travel the world then your on land for about 6 months doing various things like training & whatever while another group sails the ship on another patrol or the ship is upgraded & repaired. I always give him a hard time about complaining & if he hates it so why not move on he's done it for like 12 years. Of course once on the cruise & travelling the world he's loving the navy again.

[@gregc.8040]

Never judge a man before you know what kind of man they really are. Thank you Maynard H. Smith and all who served and serve. He got mad at the fire and pissed on it.

[@peteryoung1461]

That raging fire really pissed him off ...literally!!!

[@rg20322]

He seemed like a total ahole but I don't hold that against him. S

[@rambladesmanmoe6291]

Two of my uncles were ball turret gunners on B-17’s. Both completed their required number of missions. I wish they were still around to hear their stories

[@Soundbrigade]

We never asked …. 🙁 My father (Swedes we are), was travelling with the German soldiers through Sweden during the war, watching them with a rifle in his hand. He also stood watch when Sweden (so disgracefully) left out all the Baltic solders to Stalin’s murder-machine, collecting letters those poor souls had written to their relatives and posting them. But I never interviewed my father about those events and now it’s too late.

[@caderiddle5996]

Now that’s a heck of a legacy to leave!

[@vipergtsmre]

2 in the ball, and both survived the war?? That's a miracle. My Gramps was MSgt Engineer and Waist Gunner in the B17. 301stBG 419th. He got home too, somehow. 2 BS, but no MOH

[@bigblue6917]

I have read of men like him. troublemakers who become heroes. It's like if they are not taking anything from their own side they are definatelly not taking anything from the enemy. For some time I thought one of the worse positions on the B-17 was the ball gunners, stuck out there in such an exposed place. But I have since learnt that because of the armour plating and the protection from the machineguns it was second only to the co-pilot seat as one one of the safest positions in the aircraft. The worst place to be was where the navigator sat. Through the interrogation of captured German pilots it was revealed that the ball gunner caused so many problems for the fighter pilots that they would avoid attacking them is possible.

[@stevemitz4740]

With a tin-foil skin "protecting" you, [from 50 cal. & 20mm rounds] everyone was "Unprotected!" So live with it!

[@onenutoo]

One bad thing with the ball gun is if they are not out of it when they crash land, they are now a smear where the plane crashed.

[@amartyaroy3754]

Not to mention the entire system worked on hydraulics if that was out, you are definitely stuck inside @@onenutoo

[@bigblue6917]

@@onenutoo Sorry I'm a bit late replying to your comment. Like you I thought the ball gunners position was not a place to be in the event of a crashlanding. But I have since learnt that not only did this never happen there was a way of getting the ball turret back inside. I follow a KZbin channel "WWII US Bombers" and one recent video shows how they could get the gunner out of the ball turret even if it lost power. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIHOZnZrZcadntE I hope you find it interesting.

[@onenutoo]

@@bigblue6917 thank you

[@jbman413]

It never ceases to amaze me that our forefathers flew around the world using a wet compass. I stand in awe of thier achievements.

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@minirock000]

According to this and many other similar stories, not so well. Don't forget to be amazed by the ones that navigated water and land just using a compass and those that didn't even have that. I have never heard of a "wet compass". That must be a term adopted by those that have never used a compass or plotted grid coordinates.

[@snakeinthegrak8969]

Teach them how to use it and a map, or become part of the problem.

[@glacier6996]

LMAO @@minirock000 It is you who are the ignorant one.. Aircraft use naval compasses.. All of which were filled with alcohol or some form of light mineral oil.. Hence the term wet compass.. Its amazing how you dont know what you dont know because you dont even know you dont know it......

[@minirock000]

@@snakeinthegrak8969 What is it you want jbman to teach people to use? His wet compass?

[@drone6675]

Man saves entire bomber and crew (don’t be a quitter), gets KP. Army gonna army.

[@raymondclark1785]

When I was in Labrador we lost our water system. Only food handlers could take showers. We had officers volunteer for KP to take a shower and free up airmen to repair the pipeline 😊

[@goldminer7735]

My dad knew him. Heard about him since I was a child. Impressed you have the correct 306th TriH tail mark. My dad was in 306th as Navigator.

[@YnG-Aido]

Cheers to both your father and grandfather a true generation of heroes they both are

[@bulletsunderpressure]

I love how tough this guy is despite never getting along with his superiors. I dont care what anyone says, there are times it helps to have a outside man like this. Just make sure you dont wrong them personally and you should be good.

[@LancelotChan]

Thanks for the story. It's important to learn that not every hero we had was the typical type. Everyone we looked down upon, could be a potential hero.

[@SoloRenegade]

it's not uncommon for the outcasts to become heroes. Many Medal of Honor recipients were disliked (often unfairly) by the other guys in the unit.

[@78tag]

Absolutely - guys like Smith might not give a sh*t what you think but he doesn't care what the enemy thinks either.

[@davidelliott5843]

@@78tagMost well known leaders were of this type. Many bordering on psychopathic but fully under control.

[@todydn]

​@@davidelliott5843i hate to say it but thats what i see in trump and what we need

[@PhysicsGamer]

@@todydn Nah, Trump's just selfish.

[@nigeldepledge3790]

IMO, everyone who flew a mission in the ball turret of a B-17 deserves a medal . . .

[@beingknox2544]

True

[@DavidKutzler]

I'm old enough to have watched Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes with his weekly feature, "A Few Words with Andy Rooney." I remember when he did a piece on the events surrounding the medal ceremony for "Snuffy" Smith. He described Smith as "a classic screwup."

[@samuelschick8813]

Airman: " Snuffy, you have any plans for tonight?" Snuffy: " Yea, peeling potatoes."

[@moss8448]

Remember Andy Rooney saying something about Snuffy going to be awarded the MOH and they found him on KP duty at the base prior to the ceremony. My kinda guy.

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@samuelschick8813]

"“Take me to the Brig. I want to see the “real Marines.” Chesty Puller USMC

[@moss8448]

@@samuelschick8813 classic line

[@KenMikaze]

@@samuelschick8813 "What the hell is a flying Marine doing, peeling potaters?" Chesty Puller USMC after finding out Snuffy in KP duty.

[@arthurhouston3]

Had a good friend who was belly gunner b17. 32 missions. Died 2009 late 80s. Ask him why 32 missions he could have come home after 25. He said we had not won the war.

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@jackdundon2261]

That's a hero. May he rest in peace. (all my WW2 /Korea vet family and friends are gone. And the Vietnam boys are getting thin.

[@denniscrabtree2170]

My neighbor flew 35 missions as a pilot captain of B17s. Never lost a crew member. After returning from his 17th mission, his badly damaged plane was replaced. Received Distinguished Flying Cross. He was over 90 when he passed. He's one of the finest men I've ever known!

[@Rob-157]

God bless him. What a badass 👍

[@LegendStormcrow]

My grandfather was an under water welder. That generation was brave and tough.

[@fractalelf7760]

I was born 20 years after WWII, and it makes me happy younger people are still showing an interest in the history of service our forebears went through for us.

[@electricnut8489]

He certainly deserved that Medal Of Honor. What a fighter.

[@davidbigbee3556]

Well told. I had to read about Maynard Smith every year for my promotion exams (WAPS testing) for 24 years in the USAF. This is the most comprehensive study I’ve ever seen. And even we were taught that he was a troublemaker and pulled KP a lot. Excellent download!!!

[@jonderek4647]

Yes, the MOH and AAF & AF silver star winners were part of our PFE reading material for promotion. Got to meet Levitow while I was attending NCO Academy and Roy Benavitez while at SNCO Academy. Now there's a story you want to hear! This CMSgt salutes them all!

[@tommyjenkins7453]

I was just complaining about not being taught enough Air Force history while in service 72-80,,made SSGT first try line #52 had to get out because I became a single Daddy (divorced) couldn't stay in back then as a single parent with primary custody,,, Congratulations on your 24

[@davidbigbee3556]

@@tommyjenkins7453Thanks Brother and thanks for your service!

[@Paladin1873]

The future Queen's visit to the 306th BG was not until 6 July 1944 when she christened one of their aircraft which had been named "Rose of York" in her honor. Fun fact: the fictional 918th Bomb Group featured in the book, movie, and TV series 12 O'clock High was patterned after the 306th BG. The group number was created by multiplying 306 x 3.

[@emrakultheaeonstorn7430]

Good ole Snuffy Smith! You know they had to go get him from the brig to tell him he won the Medal of Honor

[@Fitn3ss]

My father was at RAF Portreath on May 1St 1943 and remembered the arrival of the damaged 42-29649. He was part of the 519th Advanced Support Group stationed there to service aircraft coming through from the U.S.A enroute to North Africa as part of Operation Torch. His recollection of the incident was that the B-17 was severely damaged and landed wheels down on the short paved runway 26 but with the brakes shot out could not stop before reaching the end of the runway that ended in the sea! So the pilot made a hard left turn into an ancient stone wall next to the runway which stopped the aircraft dead. He didn't mention the aircraft breaking in two but with that damage and a Roman wall I wouldn't be surprised. He was part of the recovery crew and he told the story often. He said "it took the pilot 1 minute the put it in there and 6 weeks for us to pull it out! A great story well told by you. Thank you so much.

[@randalltaylor3700]

Lol. They couldn't find Snuffy for his award ceremony, he was pulling KP

[@billotto602]

I remember hearing about him from a TV show with Andy Rooney. You can never look at a guy & figure him out at first glance if he's an American. We have a way doing the impossible with nothing sometimes. RIP Snuffy & God bless you sir ! You make me proud to be an American ! 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️ 🫡 🇺🇸

[@thomaslemay8817]

The B17 first entered service in 1935 , however, production was limited until 1941 . So the type was approaching 6 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. His plane might have been newly produced, but it was not a new design.

[@charlesbronson7618]

For a plane 6yr old design is brand new...

[@glacier6996]

@@charlesbronson7618 not in those days... 6 years was an eternity in that era for aircraft design.

[@samuelcolt502]

It was highly upgraded from the prototype. It's probably a B17F, or at least an E, with more guns and more powerful engines.

[@harryshriver6223]

I love this story, Maynard Smithy sounds like someone who I would have been friends with most definitely. A real character, on KP then recognized with the CMH. Huuah to Snuffy Smith and RIP 🙏 🪦

[@ashhawk2346]

The bendy flight path is also so that it makes it difficult for enemy flak to calculate an intercept trajectory for their munitions.

[@genreynolds6685]

Not at that scale. Evasive action is on the scale of the flight time of a flak shell to the altitude, about 20 sec at 20,000 feet. You wouldn’t see those zigs and zags on the route map.

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@Preciouspink]

Thank you for noticing this seldom talked about (anymore) man. We (ought not) judge this man harshly,as none here,would choose (or survive) the circumstances of this man’s life,no doubt.

[@DaleWilliams-zc5te]

There's little glory in war. There is honor for those doing what they can for their fellow combatants.

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@ODST626]

That's some main character energy right there

[@randallshughart]

So funny. I live 5 mins from St Nazaire. And believe it or not, the submarine base is still standing. Part of it has been turned into a museum, and the rest is a night club!

[@milferdjones2573]

The Sub Pens were only penetrated in a few cases by special British Bombs most survived.

[@genreynolds6685]

One quibble in a good presentation (liked.). In side views of your B-17s you can see through one waist window and out the other and the top views show the guns directly opposite. In B-17Fs, the waist guns were staggered so the two gunners wouldn’t bang their elbows into each other as they swiveled with their guns. The Es had the guns directly opposite. To my understanding the B-17E was not deployed to England by 1943, being relegated to the Pacific. It was B-17Es which attempted to bomb the Japanese fleet at Midway. Anyway, that is my recollection but if you have records that show I am wrong, please advise in the comments and I will apologize.

[@joeboyd4064]

Dad was in the 8th Army Air Corp in 43/44 out of Chelveston (Shelveston?) as a bombadier/navigator! Just as he got almost 24 missions under his belt they changed it to 32 missions before he could come home!!

[@donweatherwax9318]

_DAMN YOU COL. CATHCART_

[@JA-ov5sb]

My dad was Merchant Marine during WWII and his ship was full of 55 gallon drums of aviation fuel and ammunition being taken to Okinawa during the time that battle was ongoing. That was also the time of most Kamakazi activity against shipping. One of the gunners aboard ship was just like Smith, always in trouble and usually on extra duty punishment of some type. However, during one of the Kamakazi attacks my dad's ship was targeted and this gunner got into a gun duel with a kamakazi headed right at him also firing guns at the ship as he tried to crash his plane into it. My dad watched from the railing (no place to run to anyway) as they fired at each other until he saw rounds hit the cockpit when the plane was about 200 yards out. The plane came on and seemed like it was gonna hit the stern but at the last minute nosed right and hit the water about 20 yards from the ship. If it had hit the ship and cargo chances are the explosion of aviation fuel would have went up like a mushroom cloud killing everyone and I wouldn't be here typing this. So I owe my existance to another troublemaker who stood firm when he had to.

[@prutz9092002]

DUUUUDE! Keep these stories coming. You're quickly becoming a WW2 go-to when I'm looking to slack off at work and shouldn't be on KZbin haha. The graphics and narration are a unique perspective and it just plain....works. Good on ya! Keep it up!

[@TJ3]

Haha thanks man!

[@lobsterbisque7567]

Same here! I usually finish my work 2hrs early😆😆😆

[@taboovsknowledge1603]

I draw houses as an architect. I drew a house for a man and his wife. He said he was a ball gunner in a B-17 in WW2. I said, "You look like a ball gunner" He smiled, and took it as a complement.

[@brianv1988]

Wow what a magnificent story of heroism the guy definitely deserve that Medal of Honor and much more

[@Applelajcik]

amazing stories that deserve more recognition and really make you realise how just will to live, a huge ego and a bit of luck can drive you forward to doing incomprehensible things

[@sergioleone3583]

Thanks for yet another excellent piece on our nation's aviation-military history. As others have noted, it's good for people to understand that not every hero is the "hollywood" type, but as often as not is a flawed individual who stands up to exceptional/excruciating circumstances sometimes even helping/saving those who may not even like them, maybe not even out of altruism, but out of just inherent grit, or that once in a lifetime moment of exceptionalism.

[@karlmcgaugh1929]

This was the best story I have seen on KZbin. Your use of old news print and audio is outstanding. This documentry tells how every person is valuable and the selfless act of saving your shipmates is eternally inspiring. God was watching and it was good.

[@jimwiskus8862]

What an amazing story! We all have our own quirks, I speak from experience. When push came to shove, Medal of Honor recipient Smith, was there and then some. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a happy and safe new year, that goes for all of those who view this channel. See you in the next episode.

[@covertops19Z]

@jimwiskus8862 Maynard Smith was not a "winner" of the Medal of Honor, he was a recipient..The Medal of Honor has never been a contest.

[@jimwiskus8862]

You are right, thank you! I fixed it. 😊

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@Absaalookemensch]

Quite a few screw balls in civilian life performed outstanding at war. Pappy Boyington, leader of the Black Sheep, had a hard time fitting in during peace time.

[@petermcgill1315]

Audie Murphy…? It’s the famous names that give a face to all of those injured from war.

[@Absaalookemensch]

@@petermcgill1315 He actually adapted well after the war, wasn't a drunk, didn't get into fights, etc. He had his demons, but it didn't change his personality.

[@petermcgill1315]

@@Absaalookemensch maybe my memory has let me down.

[@Absaalookemensch]

@@petermcgill1315 No worries. That's why Audie Murphy has such an untarnished reputation. Like Alvin York and Desmond Doss, they were noble people in real life. Though Alvin York was a bit of a hellion before the war before he was saved.

[@Echo30Mike]

Having a 4 star general salute you ( when you're maybe 15 ranks lower than him ) must of made him feel 7 foot tall.

[@harveyhams1572]

Sgt. Snuffy Smith. Rumor he was on K-P when they were looking for him to give him The Medal.

[@theprinceofbadpuns3198]

My grandfather was in the Medical Corps as an oral surgeon/dentist. He didn't see active combat but dealt with the broken men who weren't killed in combat. He would never talk about any part of the war. But he did give me many bits and pieces of what he was issued, and many happy memories are still with me today. He's been gone nearly 40 years, and I remember him as if I saw him yesterday.

[@Pulsed101]

What an amazingly well told story. Loved it, cheers to you.

[@hiturbine]

Could be mistaken, but as I understand it - a B-17 did not take-off or land with its ball turret manned. It was entered once the bomber was safely airborn.

[@williamh3823]

2 ball turrets..early models were coffins for the user as they had no way to enter the fuselage to escape loss of landing gear etc

[@Netseer2000]

@@williamh3823 In Latter models the ball turret still had to line up with its entryway. Damage to the turret at times did not allow exiting. That combined with an unavailable landing gear when the bomber must land ends up crushing to death the belly gunner. The 1985 "Amazing Stories" TV series episode 5 titled "The Mission" is about a ball turret gunner trapped in his turret in a bomber with a damaged landing gear. The crew comes up with a plan to give him a chance to survive but it fails. The crew is out of time and starts landing, and then a miracle occurs.

[@mikeb5063]

@@Netseer2000 should have had a door in the ball that led outside, worst comes to worst you bail

[@Cplblue]

​@@mikeb5063ball turret was too cramped to wear a parachute.

[@mikeb5063]

@@Cplblue make the door bulged out so you can fit inside with a parachute

[@sblack48]

The losses in those days were horrendous, especially for tail and ball turret gunners. So they were recruiting anyone and everyone.

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@davidhohlen310]

I think he should be called a Pit Bull! A very awesome story of the war! He didn't like rules apparently, but cared for them all!

[@pilsplease7561]

A family friend flew the most missions out of anyone in ww2, Something like 90 missions he was shot down like 4-5 times and was the sole survivor in 3 of them he survived one because he was in the ball turret in the tail and fell asleep and the plane crashed on landing and the ball broke off the plane and rolled out into the field next to the runway and they pulled him out without a scratch. He shot down like 6 planes as well as a gunner.

[@davetessmer6424]

If not for one little piece of metal, I would not be here. My dad was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and took a piece of shrapnel thru the knee, rode all the way back to England and was taken to the hospital. Next mission the plane got shot down and his replacement killed and the 4 survivors were POW the rest of the war. I've tried to have as much guts as my dad but probably could never reach that peak. Love you dad.

[@tigarxox]

Honestly at the start of the story I was thinking he was going to tie a sturdy rope, hull out with a fire extinguisher and put out the engine fire.

[@jimmyroy3340]

Funny, never seen this channel before tonight and the 1st story I watch is about a trouble maker made hero from a town 10 minutes from my home. Caro Michigan is a beautiful little town🙏🔫🇺🇸

[@garrettkessler1895]

Honestly.....i don't know how the ball turret gunners had room for their balls doing that job. Nothing but mad respect here.

[@DEP717]

Neat to see Andy Rooney as the reporter covering the story. Rooney later became a legendary Commentator on the U.S. News Program 60 Minutes.

[@rvnerd7671]

Great stories about even greater men. Well done, Sir!!!

[@MichaelWilliams-mo1vv]

We were told at the beginning of the video that private Smith was already 31 and 5' 6"when he enlisted yet at 3:46 he's 22 and a few seconds later (4:26) we hear he's 5'4"!

[@Chief-Solarize]

His military career sounds like mine minus the medal of honor. I like to tell people I was promoted 5 times. They think I was an E6. Actually I was demoted twice. I love the military and the guys who can stay 20 years. I couldn't do it.

[@cindyhawkins6238]

Thanks for your service. My dad was top turret on B-17, 94th Bomb Group, 331st. Rougham Airfield, Bury St. Edmonds, England. He was also a Pearl Harbor survivor serving at Wheeler field. The greatest generation for sure.

[@patrickgroll2046]

This is superb. One minor thing: neither the dorsal turret nor the ball turret could rotate/slew anywhere near fast as you show in the video.

[@JUNKERS488]

Off to a Great start the New Year with this one TJ. Finding the old News Paper articles was awesome. I'm really looking forward to see what you have for us this year. Thanks for all your hard work. Please "Keep "Em Flyin." We've got your six.

[@TJ3]

Same to you!

[@zzzbetty2915]

The Maynard Smith from Minnesota is a different Maynard Smith. This Maynard Smith is from the Thumb in Michigan...and you for got the theft charges prior to enlistment

[@SNP-1999]

Now that navigation on the return flight literally went "Pear Shaped", as we say in England ! I bet the Germans couldn't believe their eyes - a whole formation of B17's flying straight and level over one of their strongest defended towns and harbours in France !

[@tedthesailor172]

A fascinating story. I don't believe there is such a thing as a "typical" hero. The only things that typify heroes collectively are exceptional courage and forbearance, and Snuffy clearly had both in spades. The peripheral characteristics that give rise to these traits can often make the individuals insufferable to other, lesser, mortals. Heroism isn't a popularity contest...

[@moonshineofthemoon8054]

Another excellent B17 story from TJ! I love the B17 stories please keep them coming! Do you plan to do a Saburo Sakai story?

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@ncc74656m]

He reminds me a lot of James Thurber's "The Greatest Man in the World."

[@Pylon360]

Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option? I think the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) weaponized could pull a premium. From sink holes to aerial drone attacks to tapping into popes and releasing toxins, or surfacing toxins with its own pipes, all together could shut down the sinister illusion of conventional warfare. Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { String sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option? I Think The TBM, Tunnel Boring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium, From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare."; System.out.println(sentence); } } -----------_-------_----_--_---- Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare. sentence = "Is The Sink Hole A Option?I Think The TBM ,Tunnel Borring Machine Weaponized Could Pull A Premium,From Sink Holes To Arial Drone Attacks To Tapping Into Popes And Releasing Toxins Or Surfacing Toxins With Its Own Pipes All Together Could Shut Down The Sinister Illusion Of Conventional Warfare." print(sentence)

[@MadTrapper1]

These Smith boys were tough. Canada had Smokey Smith VC. Another determined little bugger who wouldn't give in.

[@dannyw7662]

Are you in person or AI ?

[@jerryt87]

FYI. The B17 wasn't a new type of aircraft in 1943. It had been around since 1938. Easy info to find.

[@biketech60]

That must have been some conversation : Stop peeling potatoes and get dressed to receive your Medal of Honor

[@thenoeticskeptic5819]

The average height of an American male soldier in 1942 was 5'9" not 6".

[@robertlyndon9510]

Now there was a man of Irish attitude. He would do all that needed to be done but would not bend to the self entitled rank and file BS. He stood alone and faced off all those that threatened him. A true centurion.

[@stevesmith8693]

Having the last name Smith myself. I like to think that every Smith is family! And it's cool to hear story's Like these. Even tho the chances he was family are very low. It's still cool to hear the family name attached to the medal of honor

[@debrareplogle651]

An amazing aaaount, Rhank you for sharing. You never know what a person can do until they are in action to choose, he chose to stay and fight and defend his crew and air ship.

[@RicktheCrofter]

I always understood that he received the nickname “Snuffy Smith” after he snuffed out the fire. But also because of the comic strip character.

[@RobinBarton-fh1ts]

Andy Rooney wrote a book about his time in the ETO entitled " My War " it's a great read for anyone with an interest in WWII... Rooney was a draftee and ended up in a field artillery unit with a typical A-hole 1st Lt ( who was a "volunteer ") and made his life hell every chance he could.. He one day read that the Stars and Stripes were looking for people with writing experience and/or education in journalism which Rooney had ( about 2 years college) at the time he was drafted..He filled out all the requisite paperwork then took it to the Lt for his signature ( required ) and got the answer he expected... What makes you Think you're good enough to Write for MY Stars and Stripes in MY ARMY ??? Denied !!!! He did get his transfer, though, not too long after..While his Lt got the Karma he had coming.. It's a classic !!! Read the book.. You wont be sorry !!!

[@oculusangelicus8978]

Another Amazing thing is that that B-17 stay structurally capable even after the plane had been exposed to three quarters of an hour of being on fire that burned through the main fuselage! those planes were built to put up with a great deal of punishment. And I have had the great honor of being able to fly in a Restored B-17, right in the nose cone in the bombardier's seat. And I can tell you, those aircraft were not very comfortable, and to then imagine the plane full of men, guns, bullets and bombs while the enemy did their very best to shoot you down, I have nothing But respect for the men who laid their lives on the line to take the fight to the enemy during DAYLIGHT BOMBING RAIDS while the British took the Night Bombing raids. The B-17G I flew in was the "Sentimental Journey", out of the "Arizona Commemorative Airforce" when I flew in her, there were only two flying B-17s left, there was a third but was grounded because it failed an inspection and I haven't heard if it had later been restored to being airworthy or not. and you would think that a prop plane's acceleration would have been a relatively slow affair, needing to gather some speed before lifting off, but those four wasp motors slammed you back in your seat fairly hard and kept you there until you lifted off the ground and gained soma altitude! It was a bucket list experience for me!

[@vlastimil-furst]

Just checked Wikipedia, and it turns out third time was the charm: He married in 1944 and the couple lived together (whether happily, no idea) till death parted them.

[@danrebeiz4598]

Great job to whoever handles the graphics/animations. Bravo

[@jeffjohnson4664]

the bulletin board graphics look remarkably the same as the old game "B17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th"

[@mike814031]

I have a close relative who actually lead the development of the b-17 and was 53rd secretary of war under FDR During WW2

[@randyedwards3244]

Excellent story TJ, well presented as usual. I found something confusing at the start. Initially you stated his age as 31 but later in the story @ 3:40 - 3:50 a newspaper article and a radio broadcast stated his age as 22 . Is this a different guy with the same name or what?

[@TJ3]

Wow, very good question - I have no idea to be honest. I didn't even catch that. Just got so dialed in on the story. Perhaps he lied about his age? Or perhaps the Newspaper was wrong? I truly do not know! It seems like it has to be the same person based on timeframe and details I believe. But perhaps there was another Maynard Smith at the same time as an air force cadet. Man what a coincidence that would be. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@robertvincent5859]

Snuffy Smith was a true American! Goes his own way...Until the chips are down and it's time to get serious!!!! Then he does all the right things needed..... And gets put on K.P. as they try to award the C.M.H.😂 A true character!!!!

[@boruff68]

That is ONE TOUGH warrior right there ! He has earned my respect.I think this world has forgotten what REAL men did for the world's freedoms we still kind of neglect to these days.... :/

[@faolanliath6687]

As spokesman for the secret order of temperamental little dudes, I am here to announce that Gunner Snuffy has been awarded the prestigious combat cross of the order of battles dwarves with the cluster of Gimli Malorn leaves. 🍂🏅🍂

[@greghardy9476]

Sometimes the greatest heroes were actually jerks. A bad attitude can save your life at times.

[@32shumble]

Amazing that only the lead ship had a radio compass!!!!!

[@fsj197811]

Those old girls (B17s) could take an insane amount of damage and still get their people home. Thanks for sharing.

[@raydrexler5868]

My wife’s grandpa was a belly gunner in a 17. Amazing guy. R.I.P. “Honey”.

[@hundun5604]

19:15 I find it hard to believe that he could hear him talking to his injured tail gunner from a different air plane that flies beside them.

[@davesloat9006]

And even today, a common trope in today’s Air Force is “Airman Snuffy”, in reference to a generic, random junior service member.

[@mikejacob3536]

5'-6" is taller than the average soldier assaulting Normandy. Remember, these guys grew up during the Great Depression. Malnutrition matters. And did he shrink between the intro and 4:30?

[@badiuzzamansatti6391]

Brave men , who left their names in the pages of history ❤

[@erictaylor5462]

I had a horrible bully growing up. I was small and a bit odd, and an amputee, and this kid for whatever reason did his best to make my life miserable. His older brother was kind of cool, even standing up for me a couple of times. The brother's name was Mark. But what he did in Germany, well, it was certainly worth a metal of some kind. He'd joined the Airforce after high school and he was sent to an American base in Germany. They were moving an airplane from one base to another when the decided to stop off at another base to watch an airshow there. The date was 28 August 1988, and the name of the base was Ramstein. One of the aerobatic teams suffered a midair collision between three planes. The pilots of all three planes were killed instantly, but while two if the planes crashed in front of the crowed, the 3rd plane was headed right at the crowd. The plane crashed short but wreckage and a title wave of burning jet fuel went in the crowed. Many were killed but many more were injured and in need of rescue. Mark was able to get several people to safety when a sudden wave of fatigue overcame him. He sat down in a chair and woke in a hospital bed. Turns out the entire time he was saving those people he had been on fire. Mark was a big guy and I have this image of a burning giant rescuing people. What would they have been thinking? Just because someone is a jerk, or related to a jerk doesn't mean they can't be a hero. And a heroic act doesn't stop someone being a jerk.

[@JackRice-u9h]

My Uncle was a radio gunner in the 306th BG out of Thurley.

[@ammoalamo6485]

My father in law volunteered to be a ball turret gunner, B17, in that war. Upon arriving at his assigned post, everyone realized this 6'4" guy would not fit in the ball turret, so he became a door gunner instead. His service history from there is a bit unknown. He suffered PTSD severaly and had a hard time keeping jobs after the war. In his latter years he was bedridden, and his wife was the sole income for him and their lone daughter. Paying the stiff fee to get a copy of his records was not a priority. Personally, I think the government should allow a copy free to family members, or better yet hire people to scan those records and make them available on the internet. In my case, my father's records were supposedly lost in the big fire that destroyed many WWII service records.

[@EWtroutbum]

I'm reading the book written about him, Maynard Smith the book is called "Inferno"

[@GenX1964]

The little guy. But that IS kind of perfect.

[@Timothyshannon-fz4jx]

Heroes come in many forms and guises, and they are often enigma's and the least expected to achieve what they do, commeth the hour, commeth the man, and he was a hero with feet of clay like all of them unless you are Usane Bolt, but a hero never the less, that takes, guts, gumption, and perseverance, and I salute him, because this was the type of guy who helped win the war.

[@tonylam9548]

I am really surprised Snuffy did 4 more combat missions. The usual practice of the American military after a Medal of Honor is to assign the recipients to something like counting paper clips in an office, or something with very low risks. They do not want them to take more risks, they done enough. Combat stress reaction is on the report but I doubt that would affect someone like that.