Flying A Bomber Through HELL | Masters of The Air | Major John 'Lucky' Luckadoo

The first two episodes of Apple TV+'s highly anticipated World War II series 'Masters of the Air' have premiered. This series follows the exploits of the U.S. Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group, whose pilots flew Boeing’s legendarily speedy B-17, or Flying Fortress, on bombing runs across Europe. The unit was famously accomplished and famously brutalized, nicknamed “the Bloody Hundredth” for its exceptional losses

One of those pilots was Major John "Lucky" Luckadoo. Lucky would serve as pilot and copilot aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress and fly 25 death-defying combat missions over France and Germany from June to October, 1943. He was among the first of the American bomber boys to survive 25 missions.

#mastersoftheair #ww2 #history

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[vivianbenge]

Literally freezing your fingers off is the kind of detail that the traditional news reels and movies never seem to mention. These guys were fighting a war on the edge of the technology they had. They are a truly exceptional generation who paved the way for us to face the next set of human challenges. Blessed be.

[starjunkie]

My grandfather flew those bombers. When we had our annual WWII bombers fly in for Memorial and Labor day weekend for public viewing, as soon as he heard them he would go immediately inside (if outside), and put earplugs in his ears; even in the house he did this. It was a lifelong trauma for him. I'm glad he does not have to hear them anymore, but I can appreciate the public education on those weekends. Hell, they sound scary to me, and I never served. You fellows are still the true American Heroes. Nobody challenging you as of yet.

[margaretspurling]

Thank you for revealing how war is. Many military people would not talk about it.

[smokeykitty]

They truly were the greatest generation...

[tkso.philly-]

This man has SEEN HELL ON EARTH AND ABOVE IT.

[kennychaplin]

Veterans will always be my heroes. Thank you for your service, Sir. Semper Fi 🫡 ❤

[MiaMooreA]

My late great Grandfather was the tail gunner in a Lancaster, after the war he aside from one time never flew on an airplane again.

[jeffreyhanshawsr]

They weren't called The Greatest
Generation For Nothing!!

[franflan]

Thank you Sir for your heroism and service.

[juanmallqui]

Unbelievable what these men went through.

[albertbeard]

The greatest generation in American history.

[BellesDreams]

Greatest generation of all times! God Bless our veterans 🇺🇸❤️ thank you for your service sir !

[Bunchquitter]

I have never ever seen nor heard of such courage in battle. Ranks with “nam” helicopter pilots or those storming the beaches of Normandy. This man is humble not boastful. I know there are many like him today who fought in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria etc…….

[jimward]

In late 1944-early 1945, my late Dad was a nose-gunner in a B-24 heavy bomber flying out of a base in Italy. He told me the exact same things as John Luckadoo, except he didn't have enemy fighters to worry about because they were all allocated to the Eastern and European Fronts to protect the German cities and industries. Dad told me the flak was so thick he thought he could have gotten out and walked on it! Plus, pieces of the flak would bounce off or fly through the fuselage. And the cold was very intense! He saw a lot of his friends get shot down. Yes, scary and traumatic! Hats off to Mr. Luckadoo!

[leavyriddlespur]

Thank you for your service, and sacrifices. God Bless.

[theway]

This was a great interview. And the show that came out on iTunes yesterday looks amazing. They truly are the Greatest Generation.

[terrylawson]

I had an AFJROTC instructor, Murray J. Rupe . He had been a B-17 crew member. He told such amazing stories. R.I.P. Sgt. Rupe.

[MrJJuK]

From a Brit to all those American pilots, thank you 🫡🙏❤️

[sacha]

Blessed Heroes called for such a time... Glorious ❤

[patricktackett]

God bless these guys. Whenever they survive, they got back up and do it again.