11 Tokyo Firebombing claims The History Channel got wrong, some really wrong

The history channel claims they are “The most trustworthy source of information entertainment in media.” The video will check the claims made by the channel’s website, ““This day in history” for the date of March 9. On March 9th 1945, 21st bomber command firebombed Tokyo. The history channel‘s article describing this bombing was written and edited by 4 employees. In the course of the review, 11 of the claims will be refuted with evidence and justification provided.

[jackpinesavage]

Odd, you'd think a channel that studies Bigfoot and aliens would be the 'go to' truth source. Good work!

[luvr]

Sad, there used to be a time when Discovery, History, and Science channels were legit, long ago. This is exactly why I keep recommending this channel to friends who are interested in history.

[Compulsive_LARPer]

Rigorous historical research at its finest. That's why I love this channel.

[brucermarino]

Thank you. An excellent and necessary critique. The History Channel is more political history than real history. You are appreciated, my friend. Thanks again!

[bruceday]

Kick 'em right in the facts! Keep doing what you're doing.

[jupiterjunk]

Awesome job.
The HISTORY channel WAS good at one time, before they had to become more "marketing friendly".

[mattwilliams]

You're providing a stellar example for other historians to handle issues like this.

[memonk]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. Even books these days are equally poorly edited and fact checked.

[djackmanson]

The fact check alert buzzer goes off as soon as they say "The History Channel", honestly.

[nyssfairchild]

I usually feel the need to take everything I hear on YouTube with a grain of salt, but this channel is an exception. The channel doesn't just cite their source, but it will make a point to integrate the primary sources into the video itself and highlight where exactly the data is coming from. Outstanding job and unfortunate that it takes this much effort to get the truth out there.

[TimNelson]

We love and respect this wonderfully detailed fact checking effort. The closer we look at ‘facts’, the more we’re reminded that we live in the disinformation age.

[David-icby]

Stellar analysis. I have to say, as a research professional in another field, not only is your work spot on in methodology, it’s absolutely the nature of scholarship in general. It’s the job of a research scholar to go behind what previous researchers and so-called authorities have done and clean it up.

[steveball]

It's important to set out the actual facts of these tremendously important events and leave us to draw our own conclusions. Thank you.

[stevenhundley]

Kudos, you consistently provide receipts. Something the “History” channel can’t seem to be bothered with.

[psikogeek]

I'd expect The History Channel to mention ancient aliens.

[Perfusionist]

It has been many years since the History Channel cared about any historical accuracy, especially about WW2 battles, personalities, or equipment. They are strictly an "entertainment" channel, more interested in getting ratings with weird and spurious UFO and hidden treasure shows. They got out of the history game because there was so little money in it.

[philiphumphrey]

500 feet not feasible for a number of reasons - like flying into something solid? The dambusters raid was flown at that height but that was in bright moonlight.

[peewee]

Thank you for calling them out on their shoddy facts.

[B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

History Channel "Trustworthy": something that may have been true in the 1990s when they first started, but not since they went the route of "Ancient Aliens".

It would seem that they may have been confused by some of the facts concerning the Atomic Missions, and Col. Tibbetts and others felt the removal of all armament except the tailguns would aid aircraft performance. I don't know this, but I assume they also removed the gunner's stations and all of the high-tech sighting and coordinated firing equipment as well.

I suppose we should be happy they mentioned the raids and I hope didn't get judgmental about them.

[jayshaw]

I really enjoy these videos. You document all the information presented. Thanks. 😊