During World War II one of the most dangerous assignments for any US serviceman was to fly with the Eighth Air Force in the European Theater. The Eighth sustained 47000 casualties, of which a stunning 26000 were KIAs. As the War went on, and long range fighter air craft came into service, the missions became somewhat more survivable. In 1942-1943, US bomber crews thought that the 25 mission rotation back to the States had been cynically set up because after twenty-five combat runs you were statistically almost certain to be dead or in captivity. Close. The odds of making the 25 missions during that time period was one in four. In 44-45 the missions were increased from 25-35. Uncle Sam giveth and taketh.
Masters of the Air, the first of nine episodes appearing on Apple TV today, is intending to do for the European air war what Band of Brothers did for the ground war. I shall see. Review to follow.
I had an uncle who flew in a B-17 for the 8th. He flew all 25 missions and then rotated back home for bond drives and promo tours (he won medals himself and in those days that was a big deal. During that time they only lost their tail gunner once – but he turned up years later, having bailed out and been helped by the French Underground.
How this series will be remains to be seen. The Pacific never quite caught on like the original. BoB was lightning in a bottle. It followed the men without much embellishing, and was able to have the actual veterans as part of the production. It brought WW2 to generations that had largely put that era behind us. And given the time in history – mixing the post Saving Private Ryan WW2 renaissance and the brief post-9/11 patriotic waves – I doubt such a production today will match BoB or BoB’s impact.
The British did not fare much better with their tactics of night bombing. Their fighters did not have enough range to provide escort duty and like the Americans, survival rates did not improve until 1944.
The American Catholic has published my article about my Dad, https://catholicstand.com/they-will-know-we-are-catholics-by-our-selfless-actions-prayers-courage/. Among other things, they flew inland on D-Day. His tombstone bears the single word, Normandy. I think he flew 35 missions before they made it mandatory. He was 19 when he volunteered. Two months after he came home, his plane crashed on takeoff with a full bomb load killing all on board. After he died, the Dept of Defense send us 5 or 6 medals he had never claimed. In many democrat controlled cities today, if he spoke his mind on patriotism and his country, they would imprison him for hate crimes. And he and all the others like him are the reason they are free. guy, Texas
The country owes an unpayable debt to men like your Dad Guy. May he have been enjoying the Beatific Vision from the moment that he died.
My father was with the 91st Bomb Group, 8th AF based at RAF Bassingbourn during WWII. On a trip to England he drove us all around the old base and introduced us to some of the locals that were so kind to him and his friends.
Thirteen years later I’m a young WAVE on leave in England. I took the train to visit Mrs. Quayle, the widow of Col. Quayle, RAF. We had a lovely afternoon. She told me stories about the Yanks who came to Sunday lunches. “The fellows raved about my chicken dinners. I’m surprised they didn’t put two and two together….the rabbit hutches were in plain view..”
My dad’s stories about his time with the squadron and trips to London were mostly positive though we knew about the destruction of the V1s and V2s
When Saving Pvt. Ryan was released I volunteered to take my dad to see it. He refused. Only later did I learn that he had been in a B-17 over the landings on DDay.
Twelve O’Clock High got good marks for authenticity.
Guy, thanks for adding the link to your earlier post.