Cyril McGowan WWII B17 Bombardier
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Cyril McGowan flew 35 missions as a bombardier on a B17 in World War II. He describes his childhood in Brooklyn in the 1920s and 30s including watching Babe Ruth play at Ebbets Field. He observes that when he joined up to go to war, "We didn't know what we were getting into". He is modest, self effacing and funny - he describes his parachute training AFTER his combat missions were completed. You can watch his brother's "Battle of the Bulge" interview at • Battle of the Bulge
It's a privilege to hear these modest men and women tell the stories of their youth and the war. Truly amazing what was mostly a military force of 18-25 year olds accomplished to save the world. A lifelong debt is owed to them; live your best life possible, and thank them.
enjoyed the interview. it's great these guys are getting their history out to the public. what they remember is so different then what the movies can project. thanks for doing this Ray.
You're welcome Joe.
My uncle Kenny Knnack was a Bombardier on a Flying Fortress as well and 60 missions many out of Foggia, Italy a s well. The last mission, the plane exploded in a crash at take off. He and navigator were the only survivors. The flexiglass nose cone ejected into the woods and shielded the explosion. All the bombs were loaded. It blew the base.
Here’s to you Cyril! What a great interview.
Great channel, seriously preserving history and the stories of these incredible men. Thank you
Glad you like them and thanks for watching. Raymond
Great content thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
Raymond Mcfalone, are you the interviewer of all of these documentaries of these 🇺🇸❤ hero's.? Because they are amazing.
John, yes, I interviewed all the veterans on our channel. It was an amazing experience. Thanks for watching.
@@raymondmcfalone26 thank you again. 👍🇺🇸 Do you have any new ones? I've watched every one you have so far. Quite a few many times. They are that good. When the hairs on your arms stand up? It means something. 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Raymond, correct me if I am wrong. Was Cyril a Bombardier? Thank you, great interview.
Aack! You're right. Thanks for the correction and thanks for watching....very closely.
@@raymondmcfalone26 I love your interviews!
I just can't conceive of the balls that these young men had how did they get the damn plane off the ground put the big balls Eastman had I am a baby boomer and I am the direct reciprocate of the benefits and gifts that that generation fought to pass on the blessings of liberty freedom and all that our constitution promises to every American citizen generation after generation could never ever come even come close Tio repaying the huge debt that we owe these Valiant men and yes even the rainbow hair lgbtq whatever
Lots of gays were doing their bit, just kept quiet - or the people around them never cared and kept their secret, because for so long, it was something to hide. So many people have no idea how many gay, etc people were quietly working with them.
One chap now well known, is Ian Gleed, DSO, DFC. Croix de Guerre, etc.
Small in build and stature, Battle of France, Battle of Britain hero. Adored by his men, fairly open about being gay and nobody ever gave him away. Didn't survive the war.
Was very protective of his young men. Taught them all the tricks he learnt in the Battle of Britain, etc.
Nobody knew until one chap just carelessly mentioned they had an affair, about 50 years later, 1997, and then more info came out, as now there was no reason to hide his sexuality.
Ian wrote his auto biography, and publisher gently suggested it was too obvious he was gay, so they invented a fiance called Pam. His family read the book and said, WHO'S PAM???
When he was killed, the publisher received so many letters for Pam, hoping she was coping. In the extreme sadness, there were gentle, sad smiles.
Irene Joy Ferguson, one of the ATA girls, later changed sex and became Jonathon.
One of the most famous plastic surgeons, alongside Archie MacIndoe, was Harold Gillies, from New Zealand. He also was one of the early sex change doctors. One of his patients was a RAF Spitfire pilot, was Bob Cowell, became Roberta Cowell, who became a famous male to female sex change.
There were SO MANY gay men serving. Oddly, so many people seem unaware.
The greatest generation