How a B-17 Gunner Did the Impossible

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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[texasrex]

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.

[vpscttm]

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.

[arthurhouston]

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.

[Ps]

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.

[alkitzman]

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

[briansteffmagnussen]

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

[gregc.]

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.

[rambladesmanmoe]

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

[bigblue]

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.

[goldminer]

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.

[drone]

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

[bulletsunderpressure]

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.

[DavidKutzler]

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."

[samuelschick]

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

[Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

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

[jbman]

It never ceases to amaze me that our forefathers flew around the world using a wet compass. I stand in awe of thier achievements.

[LancelotChan]

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.

[joesc]

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.

[jackka]

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.

[nigeldepledge]

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