When a Ball Turret Gunner Saved His B-17

[@michiganheroesmuseum]

This is perhaps the best account of Maynard "Snuffy" Smith's action that I have seen or heard. Extremely accurate. The Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth, Michigan, proudly displays his Medal of Honor, Uniform, and personal effects in their Medal of Honor Gallery. The museum possesses the most extensive collection of Medals of Honor on public display in the world. The museum is dedicated to telling the stories of Servicemen, Service Women, and Astronauts from the State of Michigan. - Did you know that Snuffy entered the service because his dad, the local judge, gave him a choice between jail or the army? - Did you know that Andy Rooney credited his long career in the media to Snuffy? - Did you know that he was assigned to the ball turret because he wasn't popular when he attended aerial gunnery school? - Did you know that this happened on his very first mission? - Did you know that when they were looking to give Snuffy his Medal of Honor, no one could find him because he was doing KP, peeling potatoes? - Did you know that there was a controversy surrounding him as he ran for Governor where he saved a woman's life, only to have it revealed that he is the one that staged the event? Indeed Maynard "Snuffy" Smith was an incredibly controversial character; however, when the situation went from bad to worse on May 1, 1943, he went from an average guy to a true American Hero.

[@Yarnhub]

Hi. Let us know if the museum would like to use the film and if so you can get in touch with us on the contact page. We’re very happy to support museums in their work.

[@Magi..]

when the MUSEUM starts wanting yarnhub's work

[@lardlover3730]

indeed

[@_Saracen_]

Quite a character

[@brintsmith2329]

Clearly this man was the epitome of the difference between a good fighter, and a good soldier. not every good soldier makes a good fighter. (ask me how i know that.) Not every good fighter makes a fighter makes a good soldier. As a combat veteran, who would i rather fight with? a man like Sargent Smith anytime, any place!

[@iowaredneck9416]

If I could, I’d have a beer with this guy. Generally doesn’t like people and remedial tasks, but when the time comes, he’s the one you want at your side. He’s my kind of guy

[@stepvanjoe3469]

Generally is that type that stays the course when duty calls

[@Nucl3arDude]

He probably would've fit in well with Aussie or Kiwi soldiers. Switched on, switched off. He knew when he had to get stuck in and didn't hesitate.

[@captain_commenter8796]

Being a gunner on a B-17 dangerous as it is, so a ball turret gunner managing the save a the said bomber truly is a awesome accomplishment

[@theMasterChiefRules]

Your sentence is nearly incomprehensible.

[@Top2BottomGaming]

@@theMasterChiefRules Being a ball turret gunner on a B-17 is incredibly dangerous, so a turret gunner managing to save his B-17 is truly an amazing accomplishment .

[@dermotlouison4528]

@@Top2BottomGaming c,news World news A

[@michaelbujaki2462]

And god forbid you're stuck in there when they have to belly land.

[@michaelbujaki2462]

@@theMasterChiefRules I can understand it just fine.

[@pewpewdragon4483]

Hated the job, assigned the worst role, yet covered for everyone, and brought them all home, that's when you know you can count on him. Unfortunate that he got demoted after all that, but a medal of honor is a medal honor, and I'm glad he went home alive.

[@fantasia55]

It was the safest position.

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@fantasia55 They figured he had enough of needing to be the hero, and gave him a well deserved break from the crazy.

[@Zesmas]

medal of honor is just a stupid chunk of medal that they give people instead of what most medal of honor recipients would rather have which is just a lump sum of money. Medals are a cheap way to reward people for showing Unparalleled courage in the face of overwhelming enemy force, medals honestly SHOULD exists but they should not be the only thing that gets rewarded. i know for a fact that 100% of medal of honor Recipients would rather just be given a boat load of money instead. or perhaps monthy pay for the rest of their lives.

[@tantanryuryo5716]

@@Zesmas too bad they not doing shit, huh?

[@Nucl3arDude]

@@Zesmas They get a lifelong pension from memory. Not tied to years of service, just for the decoration alone.

[@captain_commenter8796]

The way Yarnhub animates different points of view, from 1st to 3rd person is so immersive! It feels like you are actually there! Feeling the tracer shots, the explosions. Just awesome!

[@jurassicdano3695]

Sometimes even 2nd person, one time when the bf109 crashed into the b17 they showed a bit from the photographer view

[@dbzfanexwarbrady]

man you'll be blown away by DCS then

[@bestservedrandom2892]

Yarnhub's criminally underrated. You guys truly deserve more than a million subs and I sure hope to be alive to see that soon.

[@Sensei_Foosball]

Only a million? Where’s there diamond playbutton

[@Gazzi79]

They will one day I'm pretty sure.

[@rodney6052]

Imagine how realistic the animations will be soon

[@weirdpringleschip]

Yes

[@322Hellas]

He needs 100m

[@Abdullah-mn6sw]

Hearing stories like this makes me realise how different ww2 aerial battles were. Now you'd either get blown up by missiles or eject while he's walking around in a flying plane on fire.

[@Ismail-oy9eo]

maybe i'm wrong but i think that skill back dan, played a way bigger role in dogfights than it does now. technology does so much of the work. even in tank warfare, back in ww2 you where aiming manually. now tanks aim with computers with 99% accuracy.

[@aegeanharrier6648]

@@Ismail-oy9eo On tanks, you just aim directly on the target and the system calculates its distance, its speed and fire at the point the target would be in a few seconds. Even game developers dont put that in their games.

[@Abdullah-mn6sw]

@@Ismail-oy9eo True

[@5peciesunkn0wn]

@@Ismail-oy9eo Skill still plays a part. It's just different kinds of skills. Back then it was manual aiming, now it's definitely more reaction time with regards to flares and chaff at the right times, but situational awareness is still a huge skill in both, or rather all three/four eras of aircraft combat. (cloth and wood/biplanes, metal monowings, early jets, modern jets).

[@amistrophy]

@@Ismail-oy9eo operating planes is even harder now. Pilot training takes alot longer and combat planes are significantly more complex to operate.

[@chevysuarez7306]

Wow props to the story telling in this one, the way you highlighted his personality and throwing in comedy between scenes really made this more empathetic than usual.

[@Baconnery99]

Smith walking around in a burning plane is really an embodiment of "this is fine" meme

[@legionx4046]

Truely like god damn man

[@pocketinfinity6733]

there is nothing that is wrong with the situation that is currently unfolding around me

[@ceu160193]

@@pocketinfinity6733 Cup of tea would be final touch.

[@murkywateradminssions5219]

coffee* no American bomber plane or crew would have Yorkshire tea in their cabin...unless...

[@mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325]

The job of a ball turret gunner is truly under appreciated

[@doogleticker5183]

Your humour is not lust, just respectful.

[@mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325]

@@doogleticker5183 I'm sorry but what part of it is lust

[@flameshot0983]

@@mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325 Under appreciated. under, like underneath the bomber as the gunner.

[@mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325]

@@flameshot0983 Under? Huh. I still don't get it. I just said that the job of a ball tur.... Oh. I made a ball joke, didn't I?

[@cleverusername9369]

@@mohammadsyazwigeoffrey7325 no... how do you not get your own joke? The ball turret is physically on the underside of the plane. You said the ball turret gunner was under-appreciated. Under, under, get it?

[@txnetcop]

A story that you can relate to if you have ever been in combat! We had a guy in our outfit that just could not follow orders, but he was a hero when you needed one.

[@markdorn8873]

What's "acheto"?

[@txnetcop]

@@markdorn8873 thank you for bringing that to light

[@dong7474]

Do you mind sharing any stories about him? Would love to hear your experiences as well if it isn’t too much to ask.

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

Thank you for your service.

[@ArthurMG00]

@@dong7474 commenting here so I can hear it too

[@larrybrashear4988]

My father-in-law was a ball turret gunner. The only time he jumped from a plane was during his training in Texas. At age seventy-five he marveled at how small the ball was when he saw one at a Florida air show.

[@titan4110]

Its marvelous he survived that so well done for him.

[@roadking99jokerst60]

Same here about seeing how small the turret is. One as static display came along with Sentimental Journey on tour long years ago.Dad was ball gunner. Smaller guy with huge guts.

[@vitamaltz]

Why did he jump during training? That was very unusual.

[@j.peters1222]

Outside that heroic act, it's a shame that Smith couldn't get it together when it came to his career in the military. You have to be a special kind of trouble to get demoted from Sergeant to Private. Regardless he still is a Medal of Honor recipient and that means something.

[@phoenixraider42]

he ended his military service at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

[@j.peters1222]

@@phoenixraider42 Where did you hear that? I can't seem to find any references to that.

[@truthsayers8725]

the USAAF promoted ALL non-officer flight crew to Sgt or above for the sole reason that NonComs got far better treatment than the lower enlisted ranks so yes it was a slap in the face to get bucked down from Sgt to Pvt, the promotion to NCO wasnt based on merit. and yes he did end his military time as a SSgt according to what i was taught in Air Force Basic Training...

[@Gunjack1440]

Naw….my grandpa was demoted from sgt several times because he refused to lead his squad into death marches several times in the pacific front. His squad loved him and aptly named him snakeyes. He could tell where the Japanese were positioned because he could smell them. 2 bronze stars and 1 silver star. He took out machine gun nests and carried several wounded compatriots out of action. He didn’t have a work ethic problem either as he was enlisted prior to the war lying about his age to get off the Texas farm…..he just wasn’t going to be fodder.

[@ClappOnUpp]

My grandfather was a b17 gunner in world war two. We're Canadian. He didn't talk very much about the war but the stories my father was able to get out of him are incredible. Crash landing in France was my favorite.

[@k3xa1300]

Damn he really saved his crews! Also respect the animator love your content.

[@miketranfaglia3986]

One of hundreds of thousands of heroes we've never heard of---until now. Thank you, Sgt. Smith. Job well done!

[@realwealthproperties5671]

Umm a ton of people have heard of snuffy smith. It’s a really well known story.

[@williamm374]

I visited the B-17 that was used in the Hollywood movie about the Memphis Belle, at Linden Airport in New Jersey. My father struck up a conversation with a man who said he'd been a ball turret gunner. My dad was at a loss for words and just said "It takes a special kind of man to be a ball turret gunner," and the guy simply replied, "Yes, small!" I not ashamed to admit it, but I shed tears that day, in private, thinking about all the men who died in these.

[@pjduker05]

Hands down this is the best history series on KZbin! This needs to be on TV. Bring actual history back to the History channel. Keep the great work Yarnhub! And thanks!

[@J0LL1B33]

The fact that this one man handled every job each crew would do with just 2 hands is amazing. He did everything to save his crew.

[@stomper2888]

I can proudly say I work for the very same company that made those flying fortresses!!!

[@KubFire]

Boink 737?:D

[@hifuncautismboi2350]

@@KubFire *insert spring bouncing down stairs noise*

[@brokenbridge6316]

Fun Fact: On the day Smith was to receive his Medal of Honor he had gotten in trouble and was peeling potatoes when the dignitary picked to hand him his medal arrived. So Smith got pulled off peeling duty and was dressed so he could go and receive his medal. This man was one of three people in the 8th Air Force to receive the Medal of Honor and the only ball turret gunner to do so. A fascinating irony if you ask me.

[@stevemc01]

Two things: 1) Smith really didn't give a s*** about anything lol; he was even late to his own Medal of Honor ceremony. God bless this man. 2) Cinematography and voiceover has shot through the roof in quality.

[@mikes622]

I had read about Smith several times but didn't know he had trouble with his crew but knew he had authority problems . A very brave man non the less .

[@calmchugh2601]

It's insane how much the b-17s could take and still keep flying

[@guts-141]

War Thunder: are you sure about that?

[@Jesusavesbro]

War thunder got the b-17 and the zero mixed up

[@robertlucky781]

The way that Boeing designed the B-17 was what made them as tough and reliable as they were. A GREAT book to read about the B-17 is Martin Caidin's "Flying Forts".

[@niksonrex88]

Marvel of engineering.

[@seanohare5488]

I totally agree

[@Cybop-xd9mm]

The animation, the story telling, the history you guys provide is absolutely amazing. And at the end I love how you ask the viewer to watch more videos on your channel. Such a gem of a KZbin channel

[@tkthegk_1394]

These vids are amazing a absolute joy to watch, the way u guys animate is so immersive, i liked the voices aswell, good job Yarnhub!

[@ZuluLifesaBeech-]

Here in my home state there was a man that served as a B-17 Belly Gunner. He was given a doctor's note excusing him from wearing a seatbelt when that traffic law came out. The WW2 Vet couldn't stand to be confirmed or strapped in. Respect to all our Vets. 🇺🇸

[@johndavies1090]

They built those planes tough, to take it and dish it out, and they crewed them with the same kind of men. The emotions you show on Smith's face in this film are beautifully done.

[@citrusmikasa]

You can never imagine how much hard work these men had to go through just to carry each other's lives

[@knighthunter1791]

I love the facial expression Smith had at 7:20, I too would've have gotten a mini heart attack after that.

[@vanngocthien]

Fact: This man is one of the most drunkard you will ever met, he joined the army just so he can escaped prison. Yet he became one of the greatest hero on this singular mission. Another fact is that he himself was never told about the purple heart award, so while the people of the purple heart award waited for him. He has absolutely no clue about it and continued his work as a demoted soldier.

[@kamash581]

@@brianlam5847 well he did get demoted...

[@mr.monhon5179]

To what I read a while ago, dude was enlisted into the military to escape prison for some domestic violence, wasn't the greatest chap around. While still in the military, he'd often just disappear and get drunk somewhere, neglecting his duty (several missions flown without him), while his comrades threw themselves at German AA. This is one of the very rare bombing missions that he ever mind partaking, then back to his drunkard state.

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@mr.monhon5179 and he was able to still be there for his pilot to fly his final mission, and saved the lives of those on board, while getting the 190s to "focke" off long enough for them to limp home. He also didn't like the other guys either, so what is your point of trying to bring his character down with the fact that he liked his alcohol?

[@mr.monhon5179]

@@airplanemaniacgaming7877 Because he's in the fucking military, when command tell you to go, you go, not evading your mission and leave your comrades to die. He hid from flying several missions and neglect his own comrades because some fuckery that he's at least 50% responsible for. He's a criminal force into the military, and even then he didn't know how to behave. He got drunk at some random pubs while his comrades was risking themselves flying over Germany. The only mission he ever joined (probably because someone held him at gun point and force him up the B-17), he got some luck and had a chance to show off. But other than that, he was never a good solider, not even mediocre.

[@barneydenstad2148]

@@mr.monhon5179 A question is then, how did he got his sergeant grade at all, if he was that lousy soldier??

[@Arash_Leopard]

wow. the only veteran who had PTSD in a yarnhub video. theres not even a single one like this.

[@Arash_Leopard]

just had to point it out :/

[@oceanonboba4577]

Not everybody has ptsd when they come home from war

[@3DPT]

There are others like Audy Murphy who had PTSD, but it's not mentioned in the yarnhub video.... That might be a cool follow up video for the channel to have one for all the war hero's with PTSD...

[@lospereye]

I’m so glad he got his parade, the dude’s a hero and absolutely deserved it and more

[@Windhox_cz]

And yet another story that would be perfect for a video game mission - You would have to micromanage fire, your wounded comrade and enemy planes. Why do we still need to invent our own stories when there are so many real ones!

[@guts-141]

Basically Call of Duty United Offensive mission Minus the fire dousing and more plane shooting on the bomber

[@LancelotChan]

Thanks for the story. Reading it on the web and seeing it in action are two totally different experiences. Thank you so much!

[@somerandomdudeontheinterne8188]

I swear, this channel is the best history channel I've seen, the quality doesn't disappoint at all, this is amazing

[@thelegoguy9490]

As someone who loves war, and animation, you and your channel bring exactly what I love. And also, I’ve never heard this story before, so thank you for further educating me!

[@hannahbrown2728]

Hearing he came home to a parade, even if he never said he wouldnt come back without one. In the face of all he put up with at least he got some recognition he deserved

[@flack2998]

Smith didn’t deserve the demotions. He saved lives.

[@SilerHarmon-o7u]

He shouldn’t had got demotions

[@cloudybopy5788]

Being a ball turret gunner is hard but producing awesome vids like this is super hard to accomplish but yarnhub has!!!

[@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347]

I love this! Underrated channel, underrated story, underrated job! Respect to y’alls!

[@omenaccipio]

Wow... Thanks Yarnhub. This are stories that I would never know without you. Glad to be a subscriber. By the way... Not even a darn MEDAL OF HONOR grant Smith some RESPECT from his comrades? That's sad... for them.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

Boeings factory issued flight-manual on the B-17 lists 6'-2" as the height limit for the Sperry Ball Turret, and most 6-footers reported ample room to operate. But many times smaller men were allocated there by the ship's Captain. Just as ironically in the infantry many times it was the smallest man of stature chosen for the heaviest weapon they carried the attention-getter B.A.R...with it always drawing immediate priority converging enemy fire and him being a smaller target to hit.

[@Ni999]

You'd have to be skinny and flexible to fit in at 6'.

[@bobmalack481]

At barely 5'7 and 135 lbs. and flexible you bet I'd be 'voluntered' for that ball turret position in the day. I do got a good eye and a good shot mate!..and I STILL am at 67.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

@@bobmalack481 Kool. Both King David and Goliath will tell you size is, and never was "the measure of the man."

[@sakil8272]

These stories feels soo good. I hope they never finish uploading and always find a new story.

[@jenclydelemosnero2529]

an iconic chivalry in the sky,thanks to yarnhub making on this couragious movie with best immersion on this weekly history special.

[@RidinDirtyRollinBurnouts]

I truly wonder how you guys don't have more subs. Your animation and content are top-notch. I'm starting to suspect the YT algorithm at this point, because you guys blow other channels out of the water with your storytelling.

[@dovidell]

A bittersweet ending to a forgotten hero , and all because of a faulty compass

[@CHMah-dd2dc]

What smith did is truly astonishing! Great video yarnhub!

[@dominicevans2541]

Fair play, yarnhubs animating gets better and better and shows no sign of stopping! Keep doing what you're doing and make history an interesting and fun topic, and keep telling the unknown stories and giving these soldiers' the respect and attention they deserve

[@samkangal8428]

He was there when they needed him the most . A true hero .I bet you could walk straight to hell and back with guys like him .

[@bethanychrist5640]

No I'd had to go alone and co it back. He'd go to stay

[@P.Palmata]

I suggest making a video for the smaller nations that fought in WWII. As a bulgarian I suggest doing a video about Dimitar Spisarevski the first bulgarian pilot to ram an enemy plane. His story is very interesting and I think a lot of people will like it.

[@omenaccipio]

Yarnhub has made a LOT of lesser known fighter from different parts of the world. I agree with the concept and would love to know about Mr. Spisarevski. But the way you wrote "I suggest making a video for the smaller nations..." implies that Yarnhub has ONLY made videos about the mayor contenders and that is not fair for them.

[@P.Palmata]

@@omenaccipio I may have missed something but I never watched video where it says something else than Uk US Canada Germany Japan or USSR.......

[@ps92809]

@@P.Palmata theres lots of videos that have more then those guys

[@neddyseagoon9601]

I had a British mate who collected WWII memorabilia. He brought Stoyan Stoyanov's (another ace), Bulgarian insignia'd Luftwaffe styled uniform jacket and only once home (language misunderstanding), he found some service records in the pockets that he didn't know he was buying. I'm wondering if the tiny plaque in Sofia, recalling that Bulgarian civillians faced off armed Nazis while refusing to let them take Jews, (the only nation that did this), has been made more prominent since I was last there.

[@P.Palmata]

@@neddyseagoon9601 About the uniform I don't know, I think it's a very rare find especially considering the fact that it belongs to an ace from a smaller nation. I also read Stoyanovs book about the air combat over Bulgaria and how he became an ace with 15 victories, it's an amazing book, I recommend it if it's translated to your language. The information about facing off nazis, is correct. Not only civilians but also military faced them when they tried to do some shit with the bulgarian jews. Dimitar Spisarevski himself got in trubble for swearing and beating the shit outta some germans for forcing a jewish woman or something along that line. Although a lot of the bulgarians had respect for the germans as long as they stayed in line. A friend of my dad once said that when the wermacht arrived in Bulgaria they were very polite and paid for everything (drinks, food, hotel rooms ect.). I am not saying the germans were good, but it's a small detail that I want to pass :)

[@DarkLord89213]

This is a new story I've never heard of and I actually enjoyed it thank you for sharing I feel bad for him that his crew hated him but I would show respect to any air man no matter what Gunner position you are in

[@cesaralarcon5228]

There arent enough words to describe a man who through thick and thin carries on his duties

[@sethwalters1509]

Check out a podcast called SNAFU. It’s all on the 8th Air Force in WWII. It’s a mixture of an audiobook and dramatic production. 10/10.

[@kevinkranz9156]

MY UNCLE A WAIST GUNNER ON B17 FLEW ALL HIS MISSIONS SHOT UP NOT DOWN KILLED FOUR B109 P 51 ESCORTS WERE SO WELCOME THEY COULD WATCH BOMBS DROPPED ON BERLIN IRONY WAS HE WAS BORN IN BERLIN CAME HERE AT THREE BEFORE WWI NEVER SAW HIS DAD AGAIN HE WAS IN GERMAN ARMY RIP UNCLE FRED AMEN 🙏

[@MayHBLee]

None of your videos can not be liked. Once more an incredible job!

[@pylesjellydonut7785]

" Those 3 men were never seen again. " That went from 0-100 really quick

[@Terminator850]

A10: I'm invincible, I can fly on one engine and half a wing gone! B17: That's cute. I can fly with no engines, no rudder, half the hull gone and while on fire.

[@gdurant]

Love to Scruffy and his family as he is a real hero. He came through adversity and met the challenge and the greatest tradition of the United States army. We are all proud of him and may God rest his soul and bless his family.

[@gabutman6144]

"People that I have no interest in, but was forced to associate with" My life in nutshell

[@raymondrichards9262]

I think that's how most people feel nowadays 😕

[@MaxCat07]

I like that you talk about personalities regardless of their nationality (German, Russian, British, American, Japanese)

[@felixbui9818]

another great video! its truly amazing how he managed to save that b-17! what a hero

[@dong7474]

Almost every comment I make is how shitty life is going, and how great timing yarnhub has. But I really can’t say it enough. Had a really bad night last night, wasn’t looking forward to _anything_ today, and saw this. Now I can forget my problems for 8:41

[@robertlombardo8437]

Finally! Voice acting! You guys are hitting the big time now!

[@voltsiano116]

Dude did fulfilled job that didn't require being in the cockpit. What a legend.

[@TheeNikuwa]

Petition for yarnhub to add a b-17 with the yarnhub logo as its roundels as an easter egg,on a sidenote yarnhub strikes again with their great animations as always! Ive never opened up a yarnhub video ans NOT felt a sensation of epicness in my brain! Seriously give yourself a pat on the back!

[@Thetrumpetkid-e5k]

Stories like this one are unbelievable. It shows that no matter who you are or what your reputation is, you will always have a chance to save a life.

[@ChanLaCà-s8n]

These videos are absolutely amazing because of the way it shows knowledge to viewers😀

[@joshuanolan4268]

Every time I watch this channel it just keeps getting better and better well done Yarn Hub

[@SnapDragonProto]

Yea man, great animation, great stories and all in your channel is great man, you TRULY deserve more recognition and 1 Million subs dude, Keep up the great work!!!!

[@skykingimagery899]

What an account. My father was a navigator in 306 flying out of Thurleigh. Who knows. He may have known this guy. He was shot down in April 1943 and served 18 months in Stallag III. This was called the Clay Pigeon squadron because of all the flack you mentioned. Rarely flew more than 3-4 missions. I was so lucky to sit in the navigators seat a few years ago in a reconditioned B17 that was flown into our local airport. They were brave men. The navigator had double duty. There were two huge machine guns on either side of that desk. That's why they called it the flying fortress.

[@nahoy350]

"You won't get out, not when it dives at 300 knots. There's a beat, deep inside you, it will not die *IF WILL FIGHT BACK!* "

[@canthi109]

War thunder moment

[@shprits_007]

With greetings from Russia, I watched this video 3 times since this story really struck me, thanks to the author for his interesting videos)

[@rivesdoe6442]

You put so much work into your animations I love it!

[@CaptainNonsense1]

These animations are just getting better and better with each amazing story that passes. Absolutely love seeing new content from this channel. Keep up the awesome work 👍

[@rohitgoyal7258]

Man there were quite haters of this man also, Imagine a plane holding on for the whole fight and collapses 10min after landing, man that's a true patriotic plane.

[@lime9672]

What a day, yarnhub posted a video on my birthday 🎉 😁

[@Yarnhub]

Happy birthday!

[@icantthinkofaname7293]

My grandfather was a ball turret gunner and he was also 5'4. When i watched videos about the ba turret gunner it makes me question how I'm alive. B17s were already a dangerous job but being in the ball turret seemed like certain death. Yet he made it out and still served in Korea too.

[@iskatuska5404]

These videos get better and better eveytime

[@philhand5830]

I am deeply honored to have done the grave side service four years ago for a retired Lt. Colonel who also was a ball turret gunner on the WWII B-17s in Europe. One Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Cramer ret. lived into his early 90s in his home town of Mobile, AL. RIP Colonel!!!

[@AlT-yk1sv]

Amazing video and animation to relive to tell the history. I am amazed and looking forward to watch more of the history you can share.

[@JayKee_-fc7xq]

Great story telling and animations, always loved your content, keep up the good work.😊👍

[@450sr_rider1]

MAN SUPER WELL DONE, THESE ANIMATIONS GETTING SO MUCH BETTER

[@davidwemyss7303]

Honors to Sergeant Maynard H. Smith, he fought for his crew, aircraft survival, but as important: Duty, Honor, Country...

[@Buorgenhaeren]

This is one of the few channels on youtube that masterfully balances quality and quantity the videos are all top notch and they release not to far apart, great job y'all doin

[@richardvonpingel2379]

The guy deserved his medal.

[@leedamien3374]

This is top tier animation! Another great story with even better animation

[@rowanvithanage4195]

As soon as I got the notification I clicked and don't regret these 8 mins. As always love your content. Could u do something about erwin rommel whenever you come across something interesting abt him?.

[@theedgyhighschoolkid1328]

I feel like this man deserve more than a medal of honour and being famous, he showed incredible valour which ive only seen him and Murphy pull off, all while in a burning, barely flying wreck.

[@matthewholmes899]

There are a handful of buildings and streets in the air force named after him.

[@kuruvillageorge1735]

That animation of the FIRE was so good!!

[@rickyhenry4958]

It makes my day when y’all post a new video. They get better and better each time!

[@sinpi314]

These B-17s must be some of the finest bombers ever produced.

[@yourfavoritepereh1268]

You should see them in War Thunder

[@2wolfmom981]

Never miss these videos. Love the work y'all do. Keep up the WONDERFUL WORK!!!! Fan for life ❤️

[@kodygamer2126]

Even tho he got demoted, I still respect his action saving the B-17

[@Hamfish2809]

Hello there. I am an Australian who is a huge fan of you videos. This story was great and I have one to recommend. It would be awesome if you did a video about the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney harbour. On the night of May the 31st - the 1st of June 1942, several Japanese midget submarines infiltrated Sydney Harbour. The day before, a Japanese submarine launched a reconnaissance aircraft which flew over the city. Multiple surveillance outposts even reported sighting the plane, but none thought it was Japanese. When the submarines entered the harbour, the allies had no idea they existed until then. they carried 2 muzzle loaded 450mm dia torpedoes and 140 kilogram scuttling charges. One of the submarines launched torpedoes at the USS Chicago, but with no hits. it also fired shells from it's gun when it surfaced. one of these hit Fort Denison, and there is still a scar on the bricks there. I went on a tall ship cruise around Sydney harbour and I spotted the scratch as I passed the Fort. The other 2 subs both sunk, one was scuttled, and the other sunk by a shell from the USS Chicago. As the heavy cruiser fired upon the submarine, with it's guns as low as they could aim, multiple shells bounced of the water and into Taronga Zoo. The crew of the Chicago visited the zoo the next day but luckily none of the animals were hurt of killed. One of the submarines was damaged and the crew commit suicide after scuttling the submarine. A day of 2 afterwards a huge Japanese sub surfaced near Newcastle and shelled the coastline. 1 house was damaged. I hope you and your team like this story and consider it for a video in the future. From Australia. PS i'm 12 years old and using my mum's account XD

[@RoverIAC]

7:46 Major Tomas F. Wit, what an F wit.

[@sd906238]

There was an award ceremony for Snuffy Smith for him the receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. The whole base was assembled for the ceremony including the top General for the 8th Air Force. Only one person was absent for the ceremony. You guessed it, Snuffy Smith was in the kitchen for KP duty for being a screwup.

[@novemberdawn8145]

More and more impressed with each video from you guys, the animation had improved ridiculously. I always get so annoyed though when I hear how heroes, especially those who develop mental disorders, are punished. Now we know about him at least!

[@bankerduck4925]

Ball Turrets are awesome as it is, but this! THIS is Epic! Also very good animation as always... Cheers!

[@matydrum]

B-17 was a hell of a plane!

[@gerren0927]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL ANIMATION THIS THE BEST HISTORY AND ANIMATOR CHANNEL!! (no offense to all the animation and history channels out there)