Masters of the Air HISTORY and STORY and Storytelling.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 มี.ค. 2024
- My thoughts on the Apple TV series Masters of the Air, which looks at the 100th Bomb Group of the US 8th Air Force during the Second World War. What is the balance between telling a story and making it exciting and intelligible, and dealing with the complicated history of a bomber offensive? How well does the series represent the 8th and its attempt at massed, daylight, precision bombing?
OK, so I know most of the folk here are more interested in the Ancient World, but now and again I will branch out - not least because in May my own WWII novel will be released - Hill 112. As a professional historian part of the year and a novelist the rest, I can come at this sort of material in several ways. Whenever there is a new release of a film or series that deals with military history, then I may well talk about it.
Don't worry, there will be a video about Hill 112 later in the week, but next week we are back to the Romans!
Vidcaps taken from YouTibe videos by Apple and others with clips from the series, and also from The Memphis Belle (1944), 12 O'Clock High (1949), The World at War episode Whirlwind, The Battle of Britain (1969), Waterloo (1970), Napoleon (2023). Other pictures from Duxford Museum and the Airbourne Show.
PS This was supposed to last ten minutes or so!
This is a great review! Thanks for explaining the strategic side of the campaign, which is so important for understanding its intended purpose. It's a shame this seems to have been largely ignored in the show.
As a former member of the 1. Gebirgsdivision of the Bundeswehr (pen pusher, never been to the actual mountains while serving), the Edelweiss is a specific badge of the mountain units. In BoB, it was worn by a paratrooper, who would have gotten his ass kicked as much as a regular GI wearing jumping boots. It’s just not done. But yes, they are hard to come by and if worn as an actual plant, it means the guy knows his way around the mountings, but again, can’t be a paratrooper.
Excellent review. Very true! Thank You!
Thanks 😊 Adrian! Excellent video as always! Keep up the good work and keep em coming!
All your criticisms are warranted. I thought the show started very strong, and just became very un-engaging towards the latter half for many of the reasons brought up here. Still like it more than "The Pacific", but "Band of Brothers" towers above them both.
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Great review!
Haven't had an opportunity to watch this series. Aware of the history of the "Bloody" 100th, and that of the rest of the USAAF,.and RAF Bomber Command's night bomber efforts.
Brits had the temerity to suggest the USAAF might consider avoiding repeating the same mistakes they had made. Unforgivable!
I don't understand you. What is unforgivable ?
@@AnhNguyen-hr6wh the American's were convinced they knew everything about strategic bombing, and were annoyed by the British warnings about how USAAF's strategy of daylight bombing without a fighter escort was suicide, as the American discovered, to their sorrow. No one ever forgives someone else for making them look like idiots (especially after ignoring their more experienced allies good advice). And no good deed goes unpunished .
@@PeterOConnell-pq6io i do understand what your saying but i can't help but think there is a lot more to it than not just taking advice. WW2 the Americans had a very agressive posture and were prepared to take heavy losses to achieve their aims. Good or bad who knows but very very agressive. Look at their losses attacking the refinaries in Rumainia...bloody hell but didn't stop them. Greetings from NhaTrang.
@@AnhNguyen-hr6wh USAAF was obsessed with the concept of daytime precision bombing, and convinced the formation and armament of their B17 would be sufficient to protect them even when flying without fighter escort. It took them to 1943 to realize their approach was unsustainable .They adjusted thereafter, developed long range fighter escorts, and ultimately became quite successful.
12:30 I appreciate WW2 fighter nostalgia ,, but jets like F16
do have a sleek modern elegance all of their own ..plus they provide a much higher morale boost to friendly ground troops
than any piston engine could ever offer.
th-cam.com/video/vSKIP5DcfKU/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
There's a terrible downturn in recent years regarding story structure, character development and pacing....what are they teaching in film/media schools now besides diversity and inclusion ?
I was so excited for Masters of the Air, but about halfway through the Air part of the show seemed to disappear. Underwhelmed.
Edit: I have previously read Masters of the Air, Wing and a Prayer and Luck of the Draw.