The Bomber that was NOT Supposed to be Shot Down 

Stop data brokers from exposing your information. Go to my sponsor aura.com/TJ3History to get a 14-day free trial and see if your personal information has been compromised.

American bomber crews at that time used to joke that they had "fighter escort all the way to the target - Hurricanes and Spitfires until they got over the Channel, then 109's and 190's all the rest of the way."

My Dad was shot down while navigating a B-24 and bombing Romanian refineries. He was taken prisoner after parachuting from the flak riddled disabled plane and spent time in a pow camp until Romania released all prisoners when they realized Germanys war effort had failed.

It's fascinating to see the story from two sides' perspective, and somehow the german's ace realization that the victims were not that different from himself that it could be his turn soon, restored a bit of my faith in humanity. At least he's not some cold blooded killing machine.

As I'm rapidly approaching 50 years old I can say this with confidence. Young man you do excellent work.

my grandfather who served with the 464th bomb group in italy and was a top turret gunner and flight engineer was always mad that the B-24 didn't get recognized more and that the b-17 was always talked about like the B-24 never existed...thank you for talking about the B-24...please make more videos about the b-24 and the missions they flew...there is barely any decent videos on youtube talking about the B-24 during ww2

I was stationed in the US Army Berlin Brigade in the 80's where Rudolf Hess was imprisoned at Spandau prison in West Berlin. He was its only occupant when he died in 1987 and the prison was then torn down.

My Grandfather was in the RAF and flew in Liberators from North Africa and Malta (where he met my Grandmother). I honestly don't know how he managed to do it. Basically whether you survived or not in bombing runs was a 50/50 at best. It would have been psychologically brutal.

A late friend of mine was a B-24 waist gunner. His plane made a forced landing in Turkey during the Ploesti Raid and the survivors were interned. Like many Liberator crewmen, he was not a great fan of the aircraft. It was faster than the B-17 and could fly further, but it had a lower operational ceiling and was not as rugged or well-mannered as the Fortress. I don't know how much the loss of Robert Post affected the decision of war correspondents to fly on Liberators, but I do know the B-17 groups were located closer to London and were easier for reporters to visit than the B-24 groups.

Knoke's Book is by far one of the best flying stories I've ever read it is super underrated in my opinion and has so many great perspectives on major events of the air war.

The B-24's had a couple of problems. The first was that they were difficult to fly in formation. The second was the wings tended to break apart from a good burst of machine gun or cannon fire. An interesting fact is that the Ford Willow Run B-24 bomber factory could turn out a complete bomber in 56 minutes. My uncle flew B-24's in the China/India/Burma theatre of the war, for a time flying supplies over "the Hump".

Great video. Once I saw the paint scheme on that 109, I knew who the ace was. You should do one on how Heinz Knoke came up with the idea of bombing the bombers. That is... dropping 500Kg bombs on the bomber formations to break them up.

Man that quote hit hard. I “knew” I would die with my comrades in Iraq and still don’t understand why I made it home without them. I try to live the best I can so that I can carry their memory forward. We will reunite with all warriors in Valhalla. Semper fi!

This was the third mission flown by American heavy bombers into Germany. The cost was five B-17s and two B-24s, both from the 44th BG. The Germans lost two Bf-110s and one FW-190, but in one of those 110s, one of the leading German night fighter aces at the time, Ludwig Becker, was killed. US gunners claimed 21 fighters destroyed, as well as a number of probables and damaged. German pilots claimed at least 12 American bombers, but probably more than that.

Hey guys! I absolutely loved this story and uncovering all of the crazy details. I hope you enjoy it too. Some notes: First off, I know my German pronunciations are a work in progress. I think I got the cities right here, but I am aware that Knoke's last name is pronounced differently in German. However, it was pretty tough for me to say it right without sounding stupid. So I just pronounced it in the English style. Also, on B-24 "Maisie" there were no existing photos I could find of this bomber other than her name. So we created some nose art ourselves for her. Other than that, this should be pretty accurate! Also, there were some really cool details I couldn't fit in here - so make sure to join my Patreon so you can get those bonus stories! JOIN HERE: Patreon.com/TJ3History

It appears you have done a bit of due diligence here as opposed to the standard shoot and die stories. Thanks for these depictions that define WWII by the personal stories. It was after all, real men, not just someone manning the planes and carrying the rifles who ultimately were successful in crushing the evil that the entire world faced during these dark times. How many of us today would willingly face certain death to carry out these missions without their cell phones?

Another exception telling of a war time story I havnt heard before. Keep up the great work TJ!

The production of these episodes are absolutely outstanding.

Loved the perspective from both sides, probably one of your best videos. Great story, great job TJ! 😁👌

Having read his biography as a teenager, when I saw the quick picture at the beginning I thought, "That looks like Heinz Knoke!" A highly interesting personal account of his war and has a fine studio portrait of him with his decorations. Thanks for an interesting story I knew nothing about! 👍😎

Another Great video and Story I didn't know. Thanks TJ. I recommend your channel to everyone I know. It just keeps getting better and better you can tell you are very passionate about History. Happy Holidays Buddy. Already Looking forward to what you got for us next time. Please "Keep 'em Flyin"

One of the best bits of research I've seen on a topic I've read/studied for 40 years. Excellent work.

Thanks for doing this story, I’ve read Heinz knoke’s book and made a model of his Bf 109. Sad to hear about Robert post, may he rest in peace.

Very good video. Piecing together the entire story from various sources was really well done. These people were extraordinary, the remarkable thing was that they didn't consider themselves to be. Absolutely "The Greatest Generation".

Thank you very much TJ for these awesome videos..Keep up the good work and god bless you in this journey .

Heinz Knoke's autobiography, "I Flew For The Fuehrer" is a really good read.

EXCELLENT and OUTSTANDING video. Your are paying tribute to the heroes who paid the ultmate sacrifice for their country. THANKS very much. Greetings from Mexico City.

INCREDIBLE story!. great effort made in the creation of this video. i love the detail in every aspect

Excellent production. Everything is so well done. Interesting and entertaining is always a good combination. And the effective use of CGI really makes this a cut above.

I own a first edition copy of his book, I’ve read it several times. Thanks for covering my favorite Ace TJ :)

Thumbs up . RIP Robert Post ; war history is filled with men having a vision of their death.

My Father in Law was a Bombarder on a B24 Liberator called the House of Rumors . He was lucky and completed all his missions over Germany . He didn’t like talking about it much , only the training he got while he was in the States . I can’t imagine these brave men having to deal with each mission only to have another soon after ! They , being every man & woman who served , wether Army, Navy or Air Force in WWII , both in Europe or in the Pacific , all were truly the greatest generation ! What strikes me is how young they were ! God bless them all !

That long tapered Davis Wing of the B-24 made it a more efficient but less rugged aircraft. B-17s came back with incredible damage. Similarly, the initially criticized B-26 Marauder medium bomber was toughly built and had the highest survival record of the mediums and possibly all the bombers. Great graphics, even of the crew. They continue to improve.

BTW Black and white TV wasn't in common use in USA until 1947 - after WW2 was over. I do enjoy your Histories.

You tell superb stories about WWII. I can't get over the pathos. You humanize the individuals concerned. They have good and bad traits. As all people have. Your stories/histories compel me to keep their memories alive and to pray that they all rest in peace.

Nice video. Lovely to hear both sides as it is quite rare to hear it.

My dad flew in B-24's as a navigator. He loved the 24 saying, it always brought me home'...

Very well done. You have talent for telling a story I've never heard.

Fantastic video. Thanks for producing.

26:34 una de las frases más impresionantes que he escuchado de un aviador de la segunda guerra mundial

That write up on Bob Post is typical of wartime "Reporting". By all actual accounts, he was very unhappy about flying in general and was in no way "Eager to be on the most dangerous mission". In point of fact, like any one with any sense, he was frightened. Despite wartime propaganda, it was a pretty well known around the airfields that casualties on the heavy bombers were heavy and Post, with the curiosity and nose for detecting BS of a good reporter would have sniffed this out in no time.He knew perfectly well that he stood a significant chance of getting injured or killed even if they didn't get shot down.

The production of these episodes are absolutely outstanding.. The production of these episodes are absolutely outstanding..

Fantastic story, well told. Very plausible origins of heavy bomber superiority race.

As always, very comprehensive.

The Writing 69th included the famed "Most Trusted Man in America," Walter Conrite, and the nearly as famous Andy Rooney.

I just read the book of hanz Knoke, man what a considence haha great video as always!!! i love it

Your video content is great. I love the stories you tell. Just note that there would not be flack when fighters were attacking.

Your war thunder custom missions look more fun than the regular Gameplay

Outstanding detail in this video.

Hess's flight is not the actions of a deranged officer disobeying orders. He specifically knew who he was to meet, was allowed to fly in British airspace, similar to a Junkers Ju88 R which arranged to be met by two Spitfires and landed at an RAF base, handling the boffins the latest German night radar. Both Hess's Me 110 fuselage, and the Ju 88 r used to be at RAF museum Hendon but have since be moved to other Imperial War Museums. I Flew For The Fuhrer was in a pile of books in the place my band rehearsed in, around 1990. so i nicked it and it started an enthusiasm for Luftwaffe planes, pilots etc ever since, instead of just the RAF and Allies.

That quote sent shivers down my spine

Love the work you do!

The gameplay at the opening of this video is gorgeous. Hard to believe. Plus the speeds are correct.

RAF Bomber Command couldn’t sustain the heavy loses that daylight bombing brought. And switched its campaign to night bombing. On the other hand, Americas massive resources and manpower was capable of fighting a war of attrition, and they came out on top. With growing confidence in fighter planes such as the P-51 Mustangs, the USAAF was able to not only drop bombs with precision, but also force the German Luftwaffe to combat in their airspace.

I took a ride in a restored liberator and it was amazing. You wouldn't believe how thin the metal was in those planes. A tin can is stronger.

Heinz Knoke's book is a fascinating read, he survived some shocking injuries in a crash.

Interesting perspective by the German pilot, who actually landed and was able to see both ends of the story .. I am sure he saw many people die from the same bomb group that drop bombs on many people he probably knew and yet he still at the compassion to go down and try and save lives once they crashed.

Excellent video.

Thats nuts! Great story.

Pre WW2 the USAAF at Maxwell Field was dominated by the Bomber Mafia who were advocates of daylight precision bombing with heavily armed and armoured bombers that flew in tight formations to defend each other. They advocated that the fighter aircraft was redundant and heavy bombers can win a war without the costly ground fighting seen in WW1. The early raids and HUGE losses of the 8th Air Force on raids proved that a policy of Air Supremacy was the best way to destroy the Luftwaffe and bomb targets. The Bomber Mafia were very scornful of the RAFs nighttime area bombing strategy, until they found in the Pacific that daylight high altitude bombing was impractical due to the Jetstream. William P Acker gets relieved of command and Curtis Le May decides to use area fire bombing on Japanese cities to get results

Great video! One tip, if there is an e on the end of a German word it's pronounced a, as in ah but without the h. Knok-a. Plus Bf 109. Keep up the good work! Thanks from Australia!

Great video. Love your works! Have a question though. Knoke's Bf-109G has 2 wing-mounted 20 mm cannons, right? Not seen in your video. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I enjoyed this video very much. Good computer-generated footage of the aircraft and the combat sequences (other than the minor issues addressed by other), making my quibbles even less consequential. They have to do with the Bf-109 of the Luftwaffe protagonist. First, the intake air filter. That appears to be one of those developed specifically for use in North Africa, where the dust is thick and incompatible with extended engine life (what hotrodders who have run on California's dry lakes without air filters would refer to as a Boraxo overbore). You probably wouldn't find a European based aircraft equipped with that. The second gripe was the tailwheel not being articulated, meaning it didn't pivot (like the front wheels on a supermarket basket) when the aircraft turned while taxying on the ground. Minor crap at the most, and a Great video in spite of it. Overall rating, 99.2!

Great video

The graphics are superb

Great video...👍

Great story.

Please make a video about the Finnish ace ilmari jutilainnen

Its amazing these young men fought so hard. Wounder what they would think of the state of this country now. Brass balls these men had.

Full of authentic, heart wrenching emotions, this voice of the German pilot 😎

Nice vid

The problem with the Liberator was the wings. They were high aspect Davis wings, structurally high-lift, but over-long, hit by cannon shells they would fold, not so the B-17. The 17s wings were 40% stronger by virtue of span and depth and stood up well when hit by multiple cannon shells.

Thats because the B-24's wings broke off way to damn easy.

Thanks ☺️

nice video

My only gripe if you are showing the tropical/desert version of the 109, wouldn’t a European theater pilot be flying a non air filtered 109?

Really sad about Post's father looking in vain for his son's remains after the war. Brings in focus the devastating losses suffered by those at home, especially parents losing children.

Daylight bombing was suicidal. Unfortunately it took a long time for the stubborn US command to realize this.

The American bombers seemed to have more bail out options than the British bombers. Being able to bail out of the bomb bay seemed to be an advantage over the Lancaster whose bomb bay was enclosed.

Good video, thanks! But the air filter does not look correct for the Europe theatre. 👍

This bomber was scary looking intimidating.. they say was a reliable safe unit …

Why is it that English speakers tend to ignore the last syllable in names? Heinz Knoke is not Heinz 'nok', but Heinz 'knoh- ka'; two syllables and a clear kn.

Flying a large, slow and bomb laden aircraft into enemy fighters and heavy flak took serious danglers.....

Never knew about this one.

There is a group with the borders of the UK that believe a very different story behind Hess. It was believed that Hess did this misson on his own and Hitler knew nothing oof this. If this was the case hess would have had to fly to the UK directly for this. Instead they said with evidence they have that Hess landed, what I believe they said was Denmark but they could have mentioned another country. This was for fuel and other neccessities he needed. This alone suggest he did not do this on his own and the German Air Force was in on it and very liely Hitler also knew of this. He then reach an area in the UK where an allegded Duke was living but he denied Hess's story. What is not revealed to the public was a certain Prince George also lived in the area and was at his home at the time. He was also a suspected supporter of the Nasi's and was King George's younger brother. Prince George did die iduring WW II and it was in a plane crash where there was one survior. The crew man did try to hide from the British officials but was caught. His own sister told the story of him being in a room with men dressed in suits and she said she thinks he was forced to sign the offical secrets act. He never spoke of the incident again. Now there were many royalties that supported the Nasi's and to list some was Prince Bernnard of the Netherlands, King Edward of the UK there is even film that was released about years ago of a Young Princes Elzibeth and Margret playing with their mother in the 1930's on the palace grounds giving the facist salute. King Edward advocated the crown to his brother who took the name George and was the father of Princess Elezibeth who became Queen. It was know to the people in general of their leaning. Prince bernnard was instrumental in forming the Bilderberg Group and he owned a lot of property in Bariloche, Argentina. If you want more info on Bariloche maybe you should research this. It is possible that the story of Hess is much different than what you think. Also the death of Heinrich Himmler might be suspicous as his body laid on the floor of house in Germany for three days before anybody was allowed to view or examine it and this was after he was interrogated. It sound very strange but he was in charge of the secret police and therefore knew of many secrets.

And the award for best squadron name ever...The Writing 69th.

I’m not sure if anyone knows, but what game / program was used for the animations in this video? Is it A2A Simulations B-24 for Flight Simulator by any chance?

Many premonitions of death in war seem to be accurate!

What game is the introductory raid/flak taken from?

Scotland actually he was trying to meet ,a scottish lord Duke of Hamilton and his plane ran out of fuel near Fenwick just outside Glasgow

Why the me109 has the sand filter on in the video?!?

Five unknown facts about the spitfire ? ❤❤

The P47 with drop tanks could escort the bombers. Bomber comand thought the bombers could and would always get through so the air corps wouldn't let the P 47s use the drop tanks the British had available. Greg's planes and automobiles channel on RU-vid has proven that beyond any doubt. Nothing like a pilot flight engineer giving the throttle settings for the range to drive a point home. Lol

The B-24 was a great Aircraft made by Ford.

is the picture of the B29 at 7:07 in the poster really too early for early 43

I probably won't see masters of the sky as I don't have apple plus..my grandfather was a top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 during ww2 with the 464th bg 779th bomb squad out of Italy

Great story, superb CGI images. One bit of total bollocks though: when Luftwaffe pilot Knoke is supposedly reading from his diary (amazingly, written and read in English!) he talks about the German fighter crews being at Great Yarmouth, in East Anglia. Shirley shome mishtake?

Did the Germans report any losses that day from that mission? Also, were any other B-24s lost?

ME 109s are just cool looking planes

I'd take the B-24 over the B-17 if nothing else the superior Pratt & Whitney twin Wasp radial engines. The heavy bomber planes 'suffered' the same comparisons as the fighter Mustang vs.Thunderboldt. Take the tough Thundetboldt anyday, especially in the 'D bubble canopy variant. Robert at 69.