B-17 Ball Turret Gunner (Dangerous Jobs in History) 

Most claustrophobic job ever? :S

“So what are the safety precautions?” “No. Good luck.”

“When I die they wash me out of the turret with a hose” My god that’s morbid

My Dad was a ball turret gunner, trained in B-24's but saw combat in B-17's. Made 28 missions with the 401st Bomb Group was shot down on his last mission, spent 1 year as a POW of the Nazi's. Lost him 2 years ago at the age of 91 and he was a tough ol'bird and i miss him very much. Enjoyed your video very much. Thank you very much for all the positive comments!

Mac Dotson was a friend of mine. Died many years ago. He was a ball turret gunner who survived 27 combat/ bombing missions- only to be taken by stomach cancer at 73. Rest in peace Mac and thank you for your service.

Therapist: don’t worry, simple history 3D can’t hurt you. 3D ball turret:

My grandfather, Earnest "Buster" Matlock, was a B-17 ballgunner. He was 5'4. Did his duty, came home and lived out the rest of his life in East Texas.

I remember watching a documentary about a WWII B-17 crew. Their plane was damaged in combat and they had to head back to base for an emergency landing. Their landing gear was destroyed and the ball turret was damaged shut with a crewman still inside. They all knew that he would be killed upon landing. So on the way back to base, they talked to him and said their goodbyes. Imagine being dead while you’re still alive.

My grandpa served on B-17s and B-25s in the war. Being the shortest crew member, he got put in the ball turret of the B-17 and was tasked with manning the tail gun of the B-25. He was hit with flak twice in the war but he said the worst pain he felt was when his leg cramped up while he was in the ball turret and he couldn’t stretch to relieve the cramp for hours until they were back in British airspace

Man enlisting:”I wouldn’t want to be that guy” *he gets the job he didn’t want*

My grandfather Eddie “Spaghetti” Quagge was a ball turret gunner in the B-17. He flew numerous missions in Europe, including his own parents’ country of Italy. On one raid, his plane took heavy damage from enemy fire; he saved the lives of his crew by jettisoning all extra weight through the bomb port to keep them in flight long enough to make it back to base. He returned to Brockton MA for a long and happy life.

We read "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner" in my high school English class and even a decade later that poem still sticks with me. It's so short, but it carries such a heavy dark feeling

Memphis Belle for the win!

Wow, being stuck in a ball turret and the plane has to make a emergency landing. All you can do is watch the ground getting closer and closer. What a terrible way to go...

Can we just appreciate the animation of the ball turret

To anyone fascinated with B17's in general and the ball turret position in particular, in the mid '80s Stephen Spielberg had a TV show called 'Amazing Stories', and an episode called 'The Mission'. It's Fantasy, but fun to watch.

My great uncle (maternal grandma's brother) was a ball gunner during WW2. He wrote home during the whole war that he had one of the safer jobs on the plane, a waist gunner, I think. It wasn' until they got the letter that he was killed, that the family learned he was actually a ball gunner. He was trying to spare them the worry.

AC/DC: We got the biggest balls of them all B-17 Turret: *Hold my ammo*

My grandfather fought in WW2 as a tail gunner for the RAF. When his crew was put together, the way they chose him for this job was to give him a shotgun and shoot at clay pigeons. He was the son of a gamekeeper, so he understood the concept of giving moving targets the right amount of lead, instead of just shooting at them. He said it wasn't uncommon to meet a new guy at the base, chat, play some cards, the new man might put up some pictures of his family around his bunk, and then two days later... 'where's Jon?''... "he didn't make it'' He has 63 bombing missions in his flight record, and three crash landings. He said there was a pipe to relive themselves, but in that moment, he just went in his pants. Half laziness because there were so many layers to undo, half the fact that he thought they would go down in flames, so there was no indignity in it he recalled. When he returned home, his own mother didn't recognise him because of the weight he lost and how the stress aged his face. He followed his father (who died young from complications from being gassed in WW1) in becoming a gamekeeper when he came back to Britain. He started smoking at 13, in his hay day he smoked two packs a day, and gave it up at 83. He was a chronic alcoholic until his death at 94 years of age. I hope everyone watching this fully appreciates the full horror that people like Les endured for our freedom. The luckiest and most unlucky man I've ever met. Anyone who perches on, or covers war memorials with their protests, no matter how important their message, should respect those few yards of brick and iron that commemorate the very people who allowed them to have a voice in this free society.

It’s what my Dad’s job in WWII. I didn’t have full appreciation till now. Thank you. I’ll add that during a training mission the turret unexpectedly spun leaving him holding on until the tail gunner could get out and come pull him to safety. They remained life-long friends.

My wonderful Dad was a Ball Turret Gunner. He flew 33 missions between B-17's and B-24's. I know that he volunteered to be in the Ball Turret, and he wasn't that short at all, about 5'10". I had the greatest Dad ever. He passed away in 2008 at 86 years old. I miss him and my Mom terribly 😥

Alternative title: "Short Kings with steels balls frag german airforce inside an aluminum hamster ball with the armour of a Smart Car and about the same leg room"

"If you're getting in the ball turret, don't plan on coming out."

I can truly appreciate this. My grandfather was a B 17 crewman and was injured while manning the ball turret. His crew managed 24 combat missions in the European theatre.

God bless these brave heroes. I can't even fathom how they fit into that small death trap....how did they manage to fit their massive balls in there with them??

I met a Ball Turret Gunner. When he told me, I asked him, "Can I shake your hand?" Later on after telling him how much I heard that that was a suicide position, he surprised me by saying that he actually liked it. It was such a privilege to meet that WW2 generation.

My great uncle had this job, he fought in WW2 in the European theater, he was awarded the oak branch for his actions, and survived the entire war

my buddies grandfather who is still alive and lives with him (although he has late stage dementia) was a ball gunner. He took some of the most insane photos of other planes and combat from that spot. Unconceivable how anyone could do this. Thank you to those who did this to protect our future.

My great grandfather was a ball turret gunner, he died in 2002. Had a lot of good stories.

"Ball turret bloody uncomfortable." "I believe he's sitting cross-legged hoping not get them blown off." -Call of Duty 1:United Offensive

My Uncle Dave was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and he shared everything that this video related about not being able to wear a parachute, being trapped inside if the hydraulics were damaged and the vulnerability of being inside. My Uncle lost his left leg below the knee from flack but called it his “million dollar wound” because it meant he was alive, pretty much in tact, out of combat and going home.

In most battles you pray to live A ball turret Gunner: prays to stay in one piece

"I got one" "Great kid, now don't get cocky"

My Grandad, Pete “Sarge” Sardenollia was a ball turret gunner in the pacific, he flew missions across the Pacific and did missions in the Philippians. He passed back in 08, He was a great man

And yet men still did it, knowing the risks. We should never stop showing our gratitude.

As someone's who's been a 50cal gunner, the thought of being able to fire 2 at the same time while under a plane is absolutely amazing.

The ball-turret gunner had lots of trouble because unlike other members of a B-17 crew in Simple History videos, they had to wrestle with a 3rd dimension.

“So what airforce position did you get?” “Ball with guns”

My great grandfather was a tail gunner in the B-17 “Big Red”, which if I recall correctly is at the Dayton National Air Force Museum. Tail gunners & ball turret gunners were usually very short and very small, and had to have a strict height requirement for gunners. Super cool history! I always think of the ball turret gunner section in COD 2: Big Red One when you fly in a B-24 Liberator!

I’m more shocked that the turret wasn’t able to just eject off the bomber with its own parachute, maybe right on the outside of the actual turret itself

“The Death of a Ball Turret Gunner” poem: From my mother's sleep I fell into the State, And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze. Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life, I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters. When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.

my great grandfather was a bombardier in a b-17. he was almost shot in the head by a bullet that flew threw the bombardier compartment. but he moved his seat down 6 inches from standard placement. and that 6 inches was exactly where the bullet landed. He lived to tell me the tale and died in 2014 on thanksgiving night. He was a 1st LT.

My grandpa was a Belly gunner instructor during WW2. He was the shortest guy of the group. These guys are on a whole other level. Thank you to him and every other gunner!!

Grandpa scored In the top 1% of pilots for b17s. He was the master instructor for all of recruit pilots entering the 8th Air Force. He never saw combat but he taught all those pilots who did.

Ironically in a ball turret most of the room was taken up by the size of the balls of the operator, hence the name.

B-17 ball turrets couldn’t retract into the plane, they were permanently suspended underneath the plane, unless the turrets was ejected for aerodynamic reasons. The B-24 however had a retractable ball turret.

That poem at the end gave me chills wow.

30 years ago deer hunting with my best friend. We stayed at his grandparent's house. One night we found a manual distributed to tail gunners for the B17. We learned his grandfather was a tail gunner. The manual listed everything the tail gunner needed to know including the weapon system and how to properly use the sights. It was a fascinating read.

Boeing Designer: So how many guns do you want on this Bomber?" FDR: "Yes."

fun fact: American bomber crews had a higher percentage of casualties than the infantry in WW2. If I had to be a ball turret gunner, I think i'd have an accidental discharge into my foot.

Mad respect for those brave guys going up in those turrets back in the day; I hope to meet one one day and thank him for his service.

My grandfather, Clarence “Butch” Hecker, was also a bakl turret gunner in WW2. He always loved to show me around the B-17 at the Cleveland Air Show when I was a kid. He passed in 1997, and it wasn’t until he had passed away that we found all of the medals he’d been awarded for his service. I’m grateful for everything he did for me, and to all service personnel for their service.

My wife’s grandfather was a ball turret gunner. He was one of the toughest and most badass old dudes I’ve ever met.

Person signing up for job: so how dangerous actually is it Army: yes

From what I heard from a WW2 veteran was the average life span when inside that ball turret was 17 seconds in a fight. That is scary.

My grandfather was a ball turret gunner during the war and served in Europe. He flew 32 missions...a 5% chance of coming back alive. I remember him telling a story of when a new mission was announced to the crew a few men would faint from the fear of going up again. My grandfather was awarded the distinguished flying cross and an unofficial membership to the "lucky bastards" club. He passed when I was young but I know the horror of this job followed him for the rest of his life. He was a true hero to our family, I visit his grave every veterans day because I never got to acknowledge what a sacrifice he made.

"They washed me out of the turret with a hose" *BRUTAL*

Ironically enough, the lowest mortality rate of all crew positions on the entire B-17 was the ball turret. It's just that when they did die, they suffered some of the most gruesome deaths which is why they are seen as being the worst job on the plane. Even though the most dangerous position was actually the waist gun. Still an awesome video though :)

4:43 thats next level animation

Wow. Great vid, whole reason I subbed to this channel

Rest In Peace to those ball turret crewmen... my great-grandfather was a all turret crewman and he died in 2006, also the day before my birthday, I never knew what was his name but I heard great stories from him, he once served in bombing Germany and many more axis countries. I was told that he got 9-11 confirmed kills/destroyed enemy aircraft and he was also a victim of belly landing, yet he survived TWICE while he was inside the ball turret. Rest In Peace ✌️

Possibly the worst and most terrifying crew role of the war. Mad respect to those who survived and those who did not.

The animation is really well done

That poem is DARK and hits hard with that last line.

Small correction: The ball turret in the B-24 was hydraulically retractable, but the ball turret in the B-17 was not. Depressing the turret guns straight down put the crew hatch upward inside the fuselage, enabling the gunner to enter or exit the turret during flight. If damage prevented the turret from depressing, the gunner was trapped. But regardless, there was no way to retract a ball turret completely into a B-17 fuselage.

If I walk into a girls house and she dont got the b17 hoodie I'm leaving

*"Your back problems are not service related to the 6 years you spent curled up in a ball turret. You have been denied compensation."*

My maternal grandfather was a B-17 tail gunner and survived his ship going down in enemy territory on the Western Front. He passed away over a decade before I was born but I was named in his honor. Hard to comprehend the bravery and deeds of these men, and I would give anything to have been able to meet him in person. Knowing my ancestor lived through all of this before starting a family has been a source of strength in my most trying moments. That generation was incredible

In the 70’s I went to the Oshkosh Air show with my Uncle Charles who was a pilot . As a young boy I was fascinated with the B-17 and approached one . As I examined the Turret a small man spoke from behind me “ I used to sit in an identical Turret during the war “ As he spoke I couldn’t have been more honored as he explained many concepts and procedures. I hadn’t noticed but a good 30 or more people has gathered around us to hear his story. . I’m sure this fine man is gone by now. Boy we really owe a lot to a few don’t we ?

This video immediately reminded me of the B17 bomber “909.” I remember going on that beautiful aircraft in summer of 2016. Got to do it with my dad, and it was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had. I was so disheartened when I heard the news that 909 went down in an accident. Rest In Peace to those on 909 and all the brave souls who lost their lives fighting in bombers during WW2.

I’m absolutely lost for words at the bravery of these men. I’m greatful for your humble service. “Wash me out with a hose “

Analysis of 1,117 air-combat casualties from the the 8th Air Force B-17 and B-24 bomb groups show that the ball turret was the safest position in the aircraft. Records show 233 casualties among waist gunners, but only 6 for ball turret gunners.

Everyone should watch “Memphis Belle”, that’s a heck of a movie.

Lesson of the day: never be the shortest guy

Wow. Respect for these brave and talented individuals.

My grandfather also, belly gunner. Shot down over occupied France, escaped through Ukraine. My GFs grandfather was a B-17 tail gunner, the other most dangerous job on the plane. Proud of the airforce in our family.

My dad was a ball turret gunner. He passed away this year. Sadly he never got to see these amazing animations. He would have really enjoyed them.

I feel unsafe inside a ball turret fearing that it’ll fall off in the sky

My grandpa who was in the Marines during the Second World War was a bubble gunner over the south pacific who got shot down, he was chosen at the age of 17 because of how small he was thanks for the video

I still remember in CoD Big Red One when you are put in one of these for a mission, still one of my favorite CoDs

My great grandfather was one , he took an AA round through his hand

My nextdoor neighbor Mr.George Roberts was a small gentleman during WWII who was a ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator. He never bragged. He was a hero. Just passed away last year. Warren Massachusetts.

taking “they’re gonna bury what’s left of you in a soup can” to a whole new level

The earliest of the manned versions didn't even have the ability to retract the ball turret. Only the B-24 Liberators came stock with the retractor setup.

'*being a clone Trooper in the Battle of Geonosis'*

my grandfather was a bottom ball turret gunner. His plane, B-17 42-30045, was eventually shot down in enemy territory. the retraction system failed as well as hydraulics. His crew was able to get him out before belly landing and being taken as POW's. He survived the war, after being liberated from an internment camp where he was set to be executed with his crew. I never got to meet him unfortunately.

I LOVE THIS WAR AIRCRAFT. ONE OF MY OVERALL FAVORITES.

"When I died, they washed me out of the turret with a hose" Oh my god... ehhhrrrr

I doubt you’ll see this but I have a story to tell. My great great uncle was one of those belly ball gunners. He went on numerous raids in Germany and made it back. But one raid he was shot down and managed to get the ball turret back into the plane before hitting the ground. He was woken up by a German farmer with a pitchfork. He was soon after captured by the Germans and was sent to a P.O.W camp. They treated the prisoners horribly. They barely fed them and when they did it was only raw potatoes that was fertilized by animal manure. They made them do hard labor and other things. One night they woke them up and marched them into the open snow. He thought they were about to get executed but turns out they had marched them to the British lines and he returned home safely. He didn’t tell his family what happened in his time in the military until he died. Before he died he had someone write a book for him and in said book it described what it was like in training, the ball turret, at base, and in the camp. They books are meant for family only. But I think it’s ok I say it here. Anyways thanks for reading if you do

My one grandfather was one, served in North Africa, flew in missions over Romania and southern Europe. He said that was his station because he was short enough to fit in it.

You touched a nerve. So many stories here. My uncle was a ball turret gunner. He had a messed up elbow but survived the experience. Used to razz my father who was in the navy about how the navy was a "gold brick outfit"

I had nightmares about the ball turret section from Call of Duty: Big Red One

Guys just a point, only the B24's ball turret could be retracted, not the B17s. 8th Air Force had the highest casualty rate of any Army unit during the war.

My great grandfather Eugene R. Freeman flew 35 combat missions as a ball turret gunner in the Mediterranean theater of operations. I had the honor to hear some of his amazing stories and have most of his awards framed on my wall.

I've always remembered reading/studying that poem from college.

SH:Flying Fortress War Thunder:Litteraly Paper Fortress

This is the job my Great Grandfather had. He was stationed in the pacific and never really talked about his war experience. It's sad that we never really got his full story.

I thank GOD for these men and women who fought this great war for us to this very day.... People have forgotten how precious freedom really is these days....

Amazing graphics

My great grandpa was a b17 tail gunner. His plane got shot down killing half of the crew. The plane was torn in half. He had to kick part of the tail of the plane off of his parachute and when he hit the ground he ran for 3 days before he was caught by the Germans. He received an air medal with 4 oak leaf clusters. He flew 13 missions.