If you’d like to be a cool kid, then become a Patreon here – or if you’d like to email me send a message to lordhardthrasher@gmail.com
0:00 Intro
4:30 We’re Going to North Africa 1st
8:36 But you’re not doing it properly
16:16 Play it Again Ira
22:30 Mid 1943 – The Crisis Begins
26:53 The Black Summer
28:03 Operation Tidal Wave
34:21 Into The Valley of Death – Schweinfurt
41:34 What Now?
48:37 Survivors Club
Selected Internet Sources
The Butt Report – Transcript from 2014 –
The Cherwell Memorandum –
Target for Tonight (1941) –
– Admiralty Professor in opposition to Bomber Command
– International Law pertaining to Ariel Bombardment in 1939…eg there was none
Selected Bibliography
America’s Pursuit of Precision Bombing 1910-1945, McFarland
Absolute War – Chris Bellamy
Absolute War – The Firebombing of Tokyo
Big Week – James Holland
Black Snow- James M Scott
Bomber Boys – Kevin Wilson
Bomber Command – Max Hastings
Bomber Offensive – Sir Arthur Harris GCB, OBE, AFC
Bomber Command’s War Against Germany, An Official History – Nobel Franklin et al.
The Bomber Mafia – Malcolm Gladwell
Dresden – Sinclair McKay
Dresden; Tuesday….. – Fredrick Taylor
Undaunted and Through Adversity (Vol 1 &2) – Ben Kite
United States Strategic Bombing Survey (European War) (USSBS) Sept 1945 – Var. –
– The Combined Bomber Offensive guiding charter, Enclosure B
Photos used published under Creative Commons – Public Domain, unless otherwise stated
Footage used
Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, Directed by William Wyler (including on-board shots he took at the time on actual missions) – copyright Paramount Pictures 1944
Target for Today – US Army Air Forces Film Division, 1944
The Rear Gunner – The U.S. Army Signal Corps Photographic Section, Warner Bros. 1943…(read more)
LEARN MORE ABOUT: IRA Accounts
TRANSFER IRA TO GOLD: Gold IRA Account
TRANSFER IRA TO SILVER: Silver IRA Account
REVEALED: Best Gold Backed IRA
Masters of the Air – The Bomber War is a gripping World War II documentary series that delves into the untold stories of the courageous men who fought in the 8th Airforce, one of the most formidable bomber forces in history. Episode 4 of the series, titled “8th Airforce 1942-1943,” chronicles the harrowing experiences of the American airmen as they faced the challenges of aerial combat during the early years of the war.
The 8th Airforce, also known as the “Mighty Eighth,” was instrumental in the strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany. As they took to the skies in their B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators, these brave aviators faced intense resistance from German fighter planes and anti-aircraft fire. Despite the overwhelming odds, they continued to carry out their missions with unwavering determination and resilience.
In this episode, viewers are taken on a visceral journey through the experiences of the 8th Airforce pilots and crew members. The documentary provides a detailed account of the challenges they faced, from the treacherous raids over enemy territory to the devastating losses suffered by the men and their aircraft. Through archival footage, interviews with veterans, and stunning reenactments, the series paints a vivid and poignant picture of the realities of aerial warfare during this pivotal period of the war.
One of the most compelling aspects of “8th Airforce 1942-1943” is its focus on the personal stories of the men who served in the bomber crews. The series highlights the camaraderie, bravery, and sacrifices of these individuals as they confronted the perils of combat. It also sheds light on the psychological toll of war, showcasing the resilience and spirit of these airmen in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Furthermore, the documentary provides a comprehensive look at the strategic significance of the 8th Airforce’s bombing campaign. By targeting key industrial and military sites in Germany, the bomber crews played a crucial role in weakening the enemy’s war effort and paving the way for the ultimate Allied victory. The series examines the complex logistics and tactics involved in these perilous missions, offering a deeper understanding of the impact of strategic bombing on the outcome of the war.
Overall, Episode 4 of Masters of the Air – The Bomber War offers a compelling and insightful exploration of the 8th Airforce’s early years in World War II. Through its powerful storytelling and immersive visuals, the series pays homage to the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of the men who flew these perilous missions. It serves as a poignant reminder of the tremendous courage and resilience displayed by the airmen who played a crucial role in shaping the course of history during this pivotal period.
The American Army Air Corps also known as the BOMBER MAFIA – actually prevented research into auxillary drop tanks for allied escort fighters.. The fighters that were built by american manufacturers for sale overseas i.e. Britain and France were allowed to have hard attachment points for auxillary gas tanks. That was proved by fitting the astonishingly short ranged Spitfire with auxillary drop gas tanks that allowed it to be flown all the way from Britain to Egypt for the North African campaign.. At the time of Schweinfurt – P 47 Thunderbolts had access to British made 108 gallon auxillary drop tanks . These could have been doubled up to allow the P 47's with say 1 drop tank to takeoff escort to just inside France, and then be releaved by a second wave of of double drop tanks equipped p 47s'. Even so escorted bombers still lost 7% of their numbers on average on every mission until the end of the war.
best
Bruce Peek
It's not Stalin's fault that the Kulaks burned their own crops.
In your section about the raid on the Romanian oilfields you said that they were producing at 60% of their capacity. Which of the sources in your bibliography did that come from? As it happens Romania's crude petroleum in 1943 was 60% of 1936 which was it's peak year before 1945.
Book! Book! Book! Book! Book! Book! Book! Book! Book!
Regarding US bomber obsolescence, it's somewhat misleading to refer to the date the first model of an aircraft was introduced. By the same measure, the 109 (1937) and Spitfire (1938) would be as obsolete in 1943 as the B-17 (1938.) They weren't, because during WW2 much of the improvement occurred between different models of the same airframe. The fact remains that even the 1943 B-17G and B-24J had a little over half the maximum bombload of the Lancaster, but that fact should be balanced by a direct comparison of CEP.
Me- Lud. Your mention at 20m 25s should have been treated with a great deal more respect. 42 is, after all, the answer to "Life, the Universe and Everything !" It is not our fault that the question was too obscure or that "I've always thought that there was something wrong with the Universe" is actually the most accurate answer to all of life's biggest conundrums.
I remain Sir, your servant and co-purveyor of "Urine Extracting" explanations of Historical Facts.
Oh and P.S. Loving your channel, as always.
Ah, but you have not lived until you have heard the Jabberwocky recited in Welsh (it is a thing, it is rather good). Though at the time i heard it, I was rather happily drunk, which may influence my recollection.
This is great!
You, your writing colleagues, and all involved get my full-bore upstanding civilian-style left-handed salute.
Truly outstanding work.
Scholarship, montage, and wit.
Flippin' hilarious is the best way to explain the details of the amazingly, stupidly horrible. Well done.
Well DONE.
Thanks to all.
Really do love your content. It always challenges my view on what you’re talking about and helps me stop and think before making an assumption on something
Much of what you say is correct, except that Bomber Command and then 8th Airce achieved nothing before 1944. There was in fact a major war-winning achievement. Hitler sent the Ostheer into the Soviet Union mostly on foot with horse-drawn carts. This was the great bulk of German MANPOWER, but the bulk of German INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT (well over half) was diverted to the War in the West. Part of the reason for this was the Strategic Bombing Campaign. While at first, it did little damage. After the Fall of France, it was the only major military activity in the West, but it was significant enough that it was part of the reason that German industrial output went West instead of supporting the Ostheer. Committing your manpower in one campaign and then committing your supplies and equipment primarily to another campaign is and was a recipe for disaster.
Enjoyed that, thank yop. One of the things occasionally overlooked through the fould ups is the sheer guts of those involved on both sides. A glass with you Sir.
HardThrasher and Perun videos. Simply brilliant
The Almighty AI Algorithm led me once more to the Lord of the Hard Thrash! My otherwise awful day was brightened! A humble suggestion: would Jenkins consider taking up an interest in Vogon poetry?
Despite these horrific loses and bad planning I feel that had these raids not taken place, the Luftwaffe would have been free to be deployed elsewhere. Also, the constant need of fighters to be deployed as a defence force dwindled the Luftwaffe's meagre oil reserves and gradually killed off its pilots. So from a perspective of attrition it kind of resembles a Verdun scenario as envisioned by the Germans back in WW1.
Further to the USAAF brass's opinions on droptanks and fighter escort, see the video on Greg's Planes and Automobiles entitled "P-47 Thunderbolt Pt. 6 Range, Deceit and Treachery".
Many, many congratulations on passing 30k subscribers! You have a terrific channel, and your research is second to none. I cannot wait to see you press on to 40k and further. Well done.
I know that this is almost beside the point in a video that is more concerned with the fairly indiscriminate littering of mainland Europe with things that go boom, at great cost in lives and machines. But I think it is a valid observation that real world communist regimes have not exactly been comprised of nice people. The tendency has been more to start as they mean to go on with the murdery stuff, than to kick off proceedings in a well meaning and benevolent manner, then get sidetracked later as their political philosophies are found wanting. I am not in any way advocating for communism as a workable system of government but I do at least feel that there has been a lack of examples of one coming to power peacefully, so that it can inevitably fall on its face in short order.
Though I am continually bemused at just how much of a boogeyman communism still manages to be in some circles, even decades after the fall of the Soviet Union. And how often specific uses of taxpayer money in a capitalist society (eg. universal healthcare) are painted as being basically communism.
actually the 88mm multi purpose gun was a flak that was just so comicaly strong that it ended up used as a anti tank weapon as well.
the B17 might be the only war winning weapon in history that was more or less obsolete when it arrived at the front.
one Brit officer in a taxi did more damage to Ploesti in 1916 than the entire USAAF did in 1943.
Thank you. This was captivating, and it's now past my bedtime.