How a B-17 Gunner Did the Impossible

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  • čas přidán 4. 01. 2024
  • 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!
    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
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Komentáře • 722

  • @TJ3
    @TJ3  Před 5 měsíci +32

    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
      @WildmanTrading Před 5 měsíci +2

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

    • @Pylon360
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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
      @nebraskatpp Před 4 měsíci +2

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

    • @ericsahagun5344
      @ericsahagun5344 Před 4 měsíci

      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
      @ericsahagun5344 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @arthurhouston3
    @arthurhouston3 Před 4 měsíci +645

    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
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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
      @jackdundon2261 Před 4 měsíci +61

      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
      @denniscrabtree2170 Před 4 měsíci +74

      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
      @Rob-157 Před 4 měsíci +17

      God bless him. What a badass 👍

    • @LegendStormcrow
      @LegendStormcrow Před 4 měsíci +22

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

  • @briansteffmagnussen9078
    @briansteffmagnussen9078 Před 5 měsíci +210

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

    • @craighanson-rc1md
      @craighanson-rc1md Před 19 dny

      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.

  • @alkitzman9179
    @alkitzman9179 Před 4 měsíci +289

    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
      @nigeldepledge3790 Před 4 měsíci +4

      I think he was a Staff Sargeant . . .

    • @davemccage7918
      @davemccage7918 Před 4 měsíci +9

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

    • @56bturn
      @56bturn Před 4 měsíci +14

      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
      @dennisbitton8264 Před 4 měsíci

      Drbe

    • @dennisbitton8264
      @dennisbitton8264 Před 4 měsíci

      Sq 26:06 ​@56btur8thn

  • @Ps119
    @Ps119 Před 2 měsíci +6

    In peacetime this guy would be such a bad fit he would be chucked out but in war he was exceptionally good. Just goes to show that the peacetime military does not necessarily foster the guys they really need when bullets start flying.

  • @gregc.8040
    @gregc.8040 Před 4 měsíci +106

    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
      @peteryoung1461 Před 4 měsíci +5

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

    • @rg20322
      @rg20322 Před 3 měsíci +2

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

  • @jbman413
    @jbman413 Před 5 měsíci +127

    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
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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
      @minirock000 Před 4 měsíci +3

      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
      @snakeinthegrak8969 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @glacier6996
      @glacier6996 Před 4 měsíci

      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
      @minirock000 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @user-vp1sc7tt4m
    @user-vp1sc7tt4m Před 4 měsíci +21

    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.

  • @rambladesmanmoe6291
    @rambladesmanmoe6291 Před 4 měsíci +73

    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
      @Soundbrigade Před 4 měsíci +10

      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
      @caderiddle5996 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @vipergtsmre
      @vipergtsmre Před 4 měsíci +5

      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

  • @drone6675
    @drone6675 Před 4 měsíci +19

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

  • @goldminer7735
    @goldminer7735 Před 4 měsíci +62

    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
      @YnG-Aido Před 3 měsíci +5

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

  • @texasrex2557
    @texasrex2557 Před 4 měsíci +11

    My Pa was a tail gunner in a B24. "Nobody's Baby" Last mission he was about to go on, the CO called him off the plane at the last minute along with the Coms crewman. Said they could skip this mission to use the last of their shore leave before discharge. The plane never returned from the mission.

  • @nigeldepledge3790
    @nigeldepledge3790 Před 4 měsíci +42

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

  • @bigblue6917
    @bigblue6917 Před 5 měsíci +92

    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
      @stevemitz4740 Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @onenutoo
      @onenutoo Před 4 měsíci +10

      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
      @amartyaroy3754 Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @bigblue6917
      @bigblue6917 Před 2 měsíci

      @@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 CZcams 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.
      czcams.com/video/nPk5C50ajho/video.html
      I hope you find it interesting.

    • @onenutoo
      @onenutoo Před 2 měsíci +1

      @@bigblue6917 thank you

  • @LancelotChan
    @LancelotChan Před 5 měsíci +180

    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
      @SoloRenegade Před 5 měsíci +18

      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
      @78tag Před 5 měsíci +19

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

    • @davidelliott5843
      @davidelliott5843 Před 5 měsíci +9

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

    • @todydn
      @todydn Před 4 měsíci +4

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

    • @PhysicsGamer
      @PhysicsGamer Před 4 měsíci +5

      @@todydn Nah, Trump's just selfish.

  • @DavidKutzler
    @DavidKutzler Před 5 měsíci +39

    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."

  • @Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu
    @Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu Před 4 měsíci +49

    They have Snuffy's medals and uniform at a military museum in Frankenmuth Michigan.

  • @jackka82
    @jackka82 Před 4 měsíci +13

    I was in the Army and I still remember one of the sergeants in my unit who had been deployed a bunch of times remark with a smile, it’s usually the garrison s****bags that end up excelling in combat, and sometimes model soldiers crawl up into the fetal position and start crying when s**** hits the fan.

  • @samuelschick8813
    @samuelschick8813 Před 4 měsíci +33

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

  • @bulletsunderpressure
    @bulletsunderpressure Před 3 měsíci +8

    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.

  • @moss8448
    @moss8448 Před 5 měsíci +34

    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
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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
      @samuelschick8813 Před 4 měsíci +8

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

    • @moss8448
      @moss8448 Před 4 měsíci +3

      @@samuelschick8813 classic line

    • @KenMikaze
      @KenMikaze Před 21 dnem

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

  • @joesc641
    @joesc641 Před 4 měsíci +21

    Snuffy was a badass! It's still hard to believe, after receiving the Medal of Honor, they would bust him down to a private. He had to screw up pretty bad. With that being said, I was a Vietnam combat vet (1969-70) and would have been happy with a guy like snuffy having my back.

  • @davidbigbee3556
    @davidbigbee3556 Před 3 měsíci +5

    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
      @jonderek4647 Před 14 dny +1

      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!

  • @fractalelf7760
    @fractalelf7760 Před 3 měsíci +6

    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
    @electricnut8489 Před 3 měsíci +8

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

  • @Chainyanker007
    @Chainyanker007 Před 4 měsíci +18

    Smith looks like a hardass, served him well, lol. Glad he survived the war, even though he got busted to Private. Medal of Honor recipient, wow, what a character.

    • @stevemitz4740
      @stevemitz4740 Před 4 měsíci +3

      I bet the guys who bailed out at first sign of trouble, never had disciplinary problems! (I bet they were "good" "boys!"

    • @skullsaintdead
      @skullsaintdead Před 4 měsíci +1

      ​@@stevemitz4740what if they were? Does their fear & sacrifice mean any less?

    • @stevemitz4740
      @stevemitz4740 Před 4 měsíci

      @@skullsaintdead My point was more directed to the meek & mild type who never step out of line & never accomplish much! I.E like comparing roudey Donald Trump to the polite & evil Biden/ Hunter crim cartel!

    • @robgilmour3147
      @robgilmour3147 Před 3 měsíci +2

      @@skullsaintdead bailing out on your own in a fight? definitely means less

  • @robgilmour3147
    @robgilmour3147 Před 3 měsíci +5

    love this guy, "got mad at running out of stuff to extinguish the fire so i peed on it"

  • @overlycreative1
    @overlycreative1 Před 4 měsíci +30

    If you read the written story in the voice of Andy Rooney, it brings Mr Rooney's way with words to life. His familiar meter and pauses emphasized where needed and gave an entertaining and often somber recount of events. These events were no less. Thank you to Maynard Smith, a brave man who thought of his fellow man before himself. RIP to you all and especially you Mr. Rooney, you supported the troops and certainly earned your awards of the Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal for your service as a war correspondent in combat zones during the war. You were my hero in life and a real man's life to live up to.

  • @emrakultheaeonstorn7430
    @emrakultheaeonstorn7430 Před 4 měsíci +9

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

  • @taboovsknowledge1603
    @taboovsknowledge1603 Před 4 měsíci +3

    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.

  • @paulocarvalho6480
    @paulocarvalho6480 Před 4 měsíci +3

    Clawing himself out of the belly turret, fighting the enemy, helping the injured rear gunner, fighting the fire, all this two, three, four times, back and forth, only tells me he didn't have nerves of steel, he had nerves of diamond grade toughness. Had he got out of the turret sooner, maybe he could have prevented the other men from bailing out. The title of HERO is very well deserved.

  • @martingannon132
    @martingannon132 Před 4 měsíci +12

    This is just proof that it takes all different kinds of people to make things happen. I think that Mr. Smith is a true hero and he deserves to be treated like one. RIP Mr. Smith!!!

  • @randalltaylor3700
    @randalltaylor3700 Před 5 měsíci +7

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

  • @billotto602
    @billotto602 Před 4 měsíci +7

    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 ! 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️ 🫡 🇺🇸

  • @macmacmac4622
    @macmacmac4622 Před 4 měsíci +14

    I come from the same hometown as Snuffy. This story nailed it.

    • @user-fi2ix7mr6i
      @user-fi2ix7mr6i Před 3 měsíci

      I'm in SW Michigan. If I ever get to Caro mich I will check out snuffys History. Never knew he was from Michigan.

  • @jackreacher8858
    @jackreacher8858 Před 5 měsíci +10

    30 mins. fighting for survival in a flaming bomber . Surely a movie here . The last 30 mins will have people clinging onto their seats .

  • @Paladin1873
    @Paladin1873 Před 5 měsíci +18

    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.

  • @harryshriver6223
    @harryshriver6223 Před 4 měsíci +3

    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 🙏 🪦

  • @ahhamartin
    @ahhamartin Před 4 měsíci +20

    If you get to see the photos of when he was found peeling potatoes on KP, look closely and you'll see the wool wrists are clearly burned off his leather jacket. He's still wearing the same one he wore on the mission (it was of course quickly replaced on the photo ops).

  • @TheAirplaneDriver
    @TheAirplaneDriver Před 5 měsíci +10

    I served with a number of guys that had stood before a judge and were told to join up or go to prison. It was pretty common in the “old days”. They did their part like everyone else.

    • @timtheskeptic1147
      @timtheskeptic1147 Před 5 měsíci +1

      Damn, when I was in boot (2007) the RDC asked "who was sent here by a judge?"
      Two people answered affirmative and they got sent home. Apparently 'serve time or serve' has been illegal (wink) since forever.
      (No clue if they had to do jail time upon return)

    • @TheAirplaneDriver
      @TheAirplaneDriver Před 5 měsíci +4

      @@timtheskeptic1147 I went in 1971. It was not at all uncommon….legal or not. My guess is that judges applied that technique depending on the crime and the perceived quality or potential of the man. One of my best friends was arrested in Texas for stealing cars and I do think his time in the Navy was better for him than time in prison. It’s actually not a bad idea. Lots of kids need that kind of discipline in their lives. I also served with bank managers and college professors….all went into the Navy rather than get drafted into the army.

    • @timtheskeptic1147
      @timtheskeptic1147 Před 4 měsíci +2

      @TheAirplaneDriver one of my uncles was one of those guys and was one of the first SEAL members.

    • @TheAirplaneDriver
      @TheAirplaneDriver Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@timtheskeptic1147 Very cool.

    • @milferdjones2573
      @milferdjones2573 Před 3 měsíci

      @@TheAirplaneDriver The police Boot camp idea were a failure because they failed to follow up with several years in the service. And yes service in often was way better than prison although the military when not short handed would rather avoid the extra trouble they cause and not all reform instead ending up in Military Prisons.

  • @randallshughart
    @randallshughart Před 4 měsíci +13

    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
      @milferdjones2573 Před 3 měsíci

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

  • @j1972w
    @j1972w Před 3 měsíci +3

    A true hero indeed. Snuffy RIP you were a real one.

  • @DaleWilliams-zc5te
    @DaleWilliams-zc5te Před 5 měsíci +7

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

    • @Pylon360
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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)

  • @Fitn3ss
    @Fitn3ss Před 3 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @thomaslemay8817
    @thomaslemay8817 Před 5 měsíci +16

    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
      @charlesbronson7618 Před 4 měsíci +4

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

    • @glacier6996
      @glacier6996 Před 4 měsíci +5

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

    • @samuelcolt502
      @samuelcolt502 Před 3 měsíci +1

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

  • @Preciouspink
    @Preciouspink Před 4 měsíci +9

    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.

  • @Echo30Mike
    @Echo30Mike Před 4 měsíci +2

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

  • @6258RB
    @6258RB Před 5 měsíci +8

    I have an uncle that is 99 that was a belly gunner still living Earl Estes is his name, he still gets around doesn't drive anymore but did a little over a year ago.

  • @joeboyd4064
    @joeboyd4064 Před 4 měsíci +4

    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!!

  • @genreynolds6685
    @genreynolds6685 Před 4 měsíci +11

    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.

  • @brianv1988
    @brianv1988 Před 4 měsíci +5

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

  • @ashhawk2346
    @ashhawk2346 Před 5 měsíci +17

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

    • @genreynolds6685
      @genreynolds6685 Před 4 měsíci +3

      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
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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)

  • @sergioleone3583
    @sergioleone3583 Před 4 měsíci +10

    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.

  • @prutz9092002
    @prutz9092002 Před 5 měsíci +34

    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 CZcams haha. The graphics and narration are a unique perspective and it just plain....works. Good on ya! Keep it up!

    • @TJ3
      @TJ3  Před 5 měsíci +4

      Haha thanks man!

    • @lobsterbisque7567
      @lobsterbisque7567 Před 5 měsíci +1

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

  • @JA-ov5sb
    @JA-ov5sb Před 3 měsíci +3

    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.

  • @harveyhams1572
    @harveyhams1572 Před 5 měsíci +4

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

  • @jimwiskus8862
    @jimwiskus8862 Před 5 měsíci +16

    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
      @covertops19Z Před 5 měsíci +3

      @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
      @jimwiskus8862 Před 5 měsíci +2

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

    • @Pylon360
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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
    @ODST626 Před 3 měsíci +2

    That's some main character energy right there

  • @joelpiva1541
    @joelpiva1541 Před 4 měsíci +29

    An incompetent officer who was responsible for the death and capture of many good men isn't identified and probably not punished. I'm a combat veteran, and the only friends I lost were under similar circumstances.

    • @milferdjones2573
      @milferdjones2573 Před 3 měsíci +3

      In this case they were identified and actually were a very competent officer before the incident. Here their gear failed them and they made understandable mistakes trying to navigate by seat of pants with failed gear. At end of this show is request I think by the commander that Bomber Command replace the bad compass rigs with a new vastly superior compass system that is available.

  • @mikelastname
    @mikelastname Před 4 měsíci +4

    I really enjoyed this video - nice speaking cadence, good use of existing and new material/media, great story flow as well. The subject matter was interesting, but you elevated it to enthralling.

  • @davidhohlen310
    @davidhohlen310 Před 4 měsíci +3

    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!

  • @Applelajcik
    @Applelajcik Před 4 měsíci +4

    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

  • @Absaalookemensch
    @Absaalookemensch Před 4 měsíci +11

    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
      @petermcgill1315 Před 3 měsíci

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

    • @Absaalookemensch
      @Absaalookemensch Před 3 měsíci

      @@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
      @petermcgill1315 Před 3 měsíci

      @@Absaalookemensch maybe my memory has let me down.

    • @Absaalookemensch
      @Absaalookemensch Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@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.

  • @theprinceofbadpuns3198
    @theprinceofbadpuns3198 Před 2 měsíci

    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.

  • @karlmcgaugh1929
    @karlmcgaugh1929 Před 3 měsíci +1

    This was the best story I have seen on CZcams. 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.

  • @jimmyroy3340
    @jimmyroy3340 Před 4 měsíci +7

    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🙏🔫🇺🇸

  • @ardmore0017
    @ardmore0017 Před 5 měsíci +4

    Glad to have taken part in this as a B-17, it was my first time flying it in a TJ3 video, awesome story and well filmed

  • @hiturbine
    @hiturbine Před 5 měsíci +9

    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
      @williamh3823 Před 5 měsíci +3

      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
      @Netseer2000 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@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
      @mikeb5063 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @Cplblue
      @Cplblue Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @mikeb5063
      @mikeb5063 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @scottdewey03
    @scottdewey03 Před 4 měsíci +3

    Hi. I'll just note: I'm a "history Ph.D," which might include people some of whom tend to look down on what you're doing because it's not "academic enough." But I definitely DO NOT look down on what you're doing, which is bringing back to life, and to proper appreciation, interesting stories that are interesting and significant in their own right, but which also help to illuminate the wider story of the war in the air. [And, you've also clearly done a lot of solid, time-consuming research to tell these stories.] So, thanks for your good efforts (including the account of the Marianas Turkey Shoot that I was just watching earlier), and keep up your good work!

    • @longforgotten4823
      @longforgotten4823 Před 4 měsíci

      This master student of History agrees. I think this type of work augments the work of academic scholars and allows the public to engage with historic events. Well done.

  • @sblack48
    @sblack48 Před 4 měsíci +4

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

    • @Pylon360
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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)

  • @pilsplease7561
    @pilsplease7561 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @facitair
    @facitair Před 5 měsíci +22

    I do enjoy your videos TJ! Your doing a great job at documenting interesting WWII history. As a WWII aviation enthusiast I would like to thank you for taking the time to share these stories with us.

    • @TJ3
      @TJ3  Před 5 měsíci

      Thank you!

  • @DEP717
    @DEP717 Před 5 měsíci +2

    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.

  • @robdondorf9570
    @robdondorf9570 Před měsícem

    Andy Rooney, from the news show “60 Minutes,” was a war correspondent with Stars and Stripes during WW2. I first heard the legend of Snuffy Smith from him during one of his segments. Heroes come in all colors, shapes and sizes!

  • @Pulsed101
    @Pulsed101 Před 3 měsíci +2

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

  • @kepecs0408
    @kepecs0408 Před 3 měsíci +2

    GREAT telling of this story!!

  • @JUNKERS488
    @JUNKERS488 Před 5 měsíci +4

    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
      @TJ3  Před 5 měsíci +1

      Same to you!

  • @johndyson4109
    @johndyson4109 Před 4 měsíci +2

    America's Finest, A HERO AMONGST MEN! Courage and Honor..

  • @fsj197811
    @fsj197811 Před měsícem

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

  • @rvnerd7671
    @rvnerd7671 Před 5 měsíci +6

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

  • @davidraymer397
    @davidraymer397 Před 4 měsíci +2

    Can't judge what a man is like until you place him in that kind of stress.

  • @debrareplogle651
    @debrareplogle651 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @jgonzalez101
    @jgonzalez101 Před 2 měsíci

    Wow, such an amazing heroic story! Just goes to show you can't count anyone out who doesn't or isn't willing to quit.
    One Member of the Greatest Generation during WW2!

  • @eggboi6760
    @eggboi6760 Před 5 měsíci +4

    WOW! Amazing commentary and cinematography. Keep up the excellent work!-

  • @tedthesailor172
    @tedthesailor172 Před 4 měsíci +9

    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...

  • @robertlyndon9510
    @robertlyndon9510 Před 4 měsíci +7

    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.

  • @71Splinter
    @71Splinter Před 4 měsíci

    I am from a city North of Brest in England, Portreath is a car drive from where I live, amazing that such a story happened so close to home, incredible man.

  • @Chief-Solarize
    @Chief-Solarize Před 4 měsíci +3

    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
      @cindyhawkins6238 Před 4 měsíci

      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.

  • @johndaniel4597
    @johndaniel4597 Před 5 měsíci +3

    Love this channel. Well researched with excellent simulations.
    How about covering the story of 351st BG’s B-17 ‘10 Horsepower’ whose mission to Leipzig (20/02/44) produced 2 Medals of Honor - 8th AAF’s most decorated crew? Thanks again.

  • @danrebeiz4598
    @danrebeiz4598 Před 4 měsíci +2

    Great job to whoever handles the graphics/animations. Bravo

  • @moonshineofthemoon8054
    @moonshineofthemoon8054 Před 5 měsíci +9

    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
      @Pylon360 Před 4 měsíci

      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)

  • @daviddansereau1793
    @daviddansereau1793 Před 4 měsíci +3

    Only 32 years after the Wright brothers first powered flight.

  • @zzzbetty2915
    @zzzbetty2915 Před 4 měsíci +3

    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

  • @philgiglio7922
    @philgiglio7922 Před 5 měsíci +5

    Remember andy Rooney doing a report on this incident...in his usual droll style

  • @virtualworldsbyloff
    @virtualworldsbyloff Před 3 měsíci +1

    In 1943 there were still a lot of good, experienced and well equiped German pilots around...

  • @teedtad2534
    @teedtad2534 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Pilot captain and Smith did their job under great danger! Who cares if Smith had problems with other crews he was very BRAVE with little or NO experience! Amazing story like other great Americans that fought against rhe Nazis and Japan!

  • @ambercrombie789
    @ambercrombie789 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Excellent work, young man. You have a bright future.не облажайся😎🤓

  • @thomasfx3190
    @thomasfx3190 Před 3 měsíci

    Really well produced & written TJ!

  • @johnnycaps1
    @johnnycaps1 Před 4 měsíci

    Great graphics of the aerial fighting. Great story. Takes all kinds of characters to win a war.

  • @TheBishop12
    @TheBishop12 Před 18 dny

    Worst jobs in war:
    •Ball Turret Gunner
    •Tunnel Rat
    •Boiler Room crewman
    •Explosive Ordnance Disposal