The Greatest Generation Live Podcast

The Ninth Air Force in World War II

We turn our attention to the Eighth Air Force’s little brother, the Ninth Air Force which, among other things, played a crucial role in supporting the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. 
Thomas Hughes, author of "Overlord: General Pete Quesada and the Triumph of Tactical Air Power in World War II" and our own P-47 pilot, Ed Cottrell, who turned 102 years old in January, will be special guests for the conversation.
The Ninth Air Force was born in North Africa toward the end of 1942, after the US invasion.  The Ninth provided air support during the decisive Battle of El Alamein. Using B-24 Liberators, it also targeted Axis shipping and installations along the North African coast.
By January 1943, the Ninth Air Force had expanded its capabilities with the arrival of additional fighter and troop carrier groups in the Mediterranean. Equipped with P-40s, the fighter groups operated alongside British forces, while the troop carriers supported ground forces and facilitated air evacuation of casualties.
With the success in Tunisia, the Ninth Air Force turned its focus to the upcoming invasion of Sicily. B-24 groups joined Twelfth Air Force B-17s in attacks on Italian targets and airfields in Sicily. The stage was set for the Sicily campaign, with additional B-24 groups from the Eighth Air Force reinforcing IX Bomber Command. The joint effort aimed at disrupting Axis transportation centers and reducing defenses in preparation for the invasion.
In August 1943, the Ninth Air Force undertook an ambitious low-level attack on the Ploesti oil fields, facing intense enemy fire. Despite navigational errors and casualties, the mission partially succeeded. This marked a turning point as the combined force later struck aircraft factories in Austria, showcasing the Ninth Air Force’s adaptability and expanding role in strategic operations.
The Casablanca Conference in early 1943 laid the groundwork for a “combined bomber offensive” against Germany. Ninth Air Force, initially conceived for tactical support, transitioned to England to become the American tactical air force for the Normandy landings. This shift involved the transfer of assets and the establishment of the IX Bomber, Fighter, and Service commands in England.
Operational challenges arose as the Ninth Air Force initially operated under the Eighth Air Force’s control. General Spaatz’s influence created tensions, as he sought control over all U.S. air units in England, including the Ninth. Despite initial plans for an independent tactical air force, Spaatz’s authority prevailed, and the Ninth Air Force operated under the Eighth’s command.
As D-Day approached, the Ninth Air Force took center stage in supporting ground forces. Fighter and bomber groups covered the beaches, providing essential air support during the Normandy landings. General Patton relied heavily on the fighter-bombers for flank protection, solidifying the Ninth Air Force’s crucial role in ground operations.
After securing the Normandy beachhead, the Ninth Air Force, under General Vandenberg, continued supporting ground forces during breakouts. Fighter-bombers played a pivotal role in countering German counterattacks, notably during the Battle of the Bulge. The IX Troop Carrier Command also assumed an unprecedented role, providing aerial supply and reinforcement support.
The Ninth Air Force’s contributions in World War II were instrumental in shaping modern warfare. While the Eighth Air Force became obsolete, the fighter-bomber concept introduced by the Ninth endured, influencing military strategies into the Jet Age. The Ninth Air Force’s evolution from the Mediterranean to Normandy showcased its adaptability, resilience, and pivotal role in Allied victory in Europe.
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The POW Experience at Stalag Luft III in World War II

Historian and technical advisor on the TV series Masters of the Air, Colin Heaton returns to the program to talk about the WWII POW experience in Europe. Joining him is fellow technical advisor, Marilyn Walton, an expert on the treatment and lives of American prisoners in Germany.
We also welcome Anita Sybesma, historian and President of the 96th Bomb Group Association. Anita’s father was navigator Danny Martin Crist, who began flying missions in 1942.  He flew 25 missions with at least six different crews, was wounded, shot down, and held as a POW at Luft Stalag III.
Colin Heaton served in the US Army and US Marines and was a professor of history at American Military University. He is currently developing historical documentaries, feature film and series projects. His last major project was working with Dale Dye and Marilyn Walton as a technical consultant on the WWII limited series Masters of the Air for Kirk Saduksi, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
Heaton has co-authored several books with prominent military figures, including historians and veterans. 
One of his notable works is The German Aces Speak: World War II Through the Eyes of Four of the Luftwaffe’s Most Important Commanders, co-written with Anne-Marie Lewis. This book provides insights into the experiences of German fighter pilots during World War II, offering a perspective from those who were directly involved in aerial combat.
Marilyn Walton has become one of the greatest experts on  the POW experience in World War II. One of her books is Rhapsody in Junk: A Daughter’s Return to Germany to Finish Her Father’s Story which delves into archives across England, Germany, Poland, and the United States to reconstruct the final mission of her father and his crew during World War II. 
The narrative unfolds through her journey to locate the German cemetery where one crewmate was buried and to reunite the remaining crew members after a span of sixty years.
Through interviews with the crew and fellow prisoners of war, Walton gathers essential pieces of the puzzle, gradually uncovering details about their capture and interrogation. She explores old records, letters, diaries, and mission documents, eventually leading her to return to Germany. 
Astonishingly, she discovers the crash site of her father’s B-24, where remnants of the plane still linger. During this return, she connects emotionally with the people of Wagersrott, the peaceful farm community where her father was taken prisoner decades ago.
Walton goes beyond her father’s individual story, presenting the experiences of both British and German civilians who suffered during the war. The narrative reveals a first-hand account of the bombing of Dresden from a surviving German couple. 
Throughout her European odyssey, Walton weaves together the rich tapestry of people who endured and survived World War II. The book becomes a multi-faceted mosaic, reflecting the personal stories of those caught up in the dictates of a madman.
Another of Marilyn’s books is From Interrogation to Liberation: A Photographic Journey Stalag Luft III: The Road to Freedom, a compelling exploration of the experiences of airmen who found themselves prisoners at Stalag Luft III, the infamous camp known for the Great Escape.
The book details the airmen’s experiences, including deprivation, loneliness, and the perils of being held captive. It recounts a 52-mile force march in the dead of winter from Stalag Luft III to Spremberg, Germany, and their subsequent transportation to overcrowded, filthy boxcars destined for other POW camps. 
The Americans were either taken to Stalag VIIA in Moosburg, Germany, or Stalag XIII-D in Nürnberg. The authors vividly describe the harsh conditions and the witness of the death throes of the Third Reich.
The narrative not only serves as a personal account but also provides crucial information and insight into the broader World War II POW experience in Europe. It highlights the co-existence and tenuous relationship between the prisoners and their German captors. 
The book unveils previously untold stories and features numerous unseen photographs, offering readers a documented and riveting history of the war. Through the voices of those who lived it, the authors bring to life the sacrifices made by these airmen to ensure precious freedom, emphasizing that their stories should never be forgotten.
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8th Air Force Expert Steve Snyder and B-17 Pilot “Lucky” Luckadoo on “Masters of the Air”

Steve Snyder is author of "Shot Down: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth," a poignant and meticulously researched account that delves into the untold stories of the B-17 Flying Fortress Susan Ruth and its crew during World War II. 
At the heart of the narrative is Lieutenant Howard Snyder, the author’s father, whose experiences as a pilot provide a unique and personal perspective on the challenges faced by those who flew in the war.
Also, we’ll check in with John “Lucky” Luckadoo to hear his thoughts on the latest episodes of “Masters of the Air.”
Steve's book begins by exploring the broader context of World War II, touching on the emotional toll of separation as young families were torn apart when men like Lt. Snyder went off to war. Snyder skillfully navigates through various aspects of the conflict, including the intense training before deployment to foreign soil, military combat operations, and the harrowing ordeals faced by those shot down behind enemy lines.
One of the notable aspects of “Shot Down” is its focus on the underground resistance and the author’s account of Lt. Snyder’s involvement in it. The book sheds light on the bravery and sacrifices of both aircrews and civilians who risked their lives to save downed American flyers, illustrating the interconnectedness of their fates during this tumultuous time.
Snyder draws on a wealth of primary sources, including letters, journals, and diaries from his father and other key figures involved in the events. The narrative skillfully weaves these personal accounts with historical records and declassified files, creating a comprehensive and vivid portrayal of the Susan Ruth crew’s experiences.
The author’s modern-day detective work is evident as he tracks down the relatives of crewmembers, interacts with former Luftwaffe fighter pilots, and connects with the families of Belgian and French resistance fighters. This not only adds depth to the narrative but also underscores Snyder’s dedication to presenting a well-rounded and authentic account.
“Shot Down” extends beyond the aerial battles, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Belgian civilians who risked everything to aid American flyers. The book highlights instances of German atrocities toward captured crew and civilians, offering a sobering glimpse into the harsh realities faced by those entangled in the war.
The creation and dedication of the monument to the Susan Ruth and its crew in Macquenoise, Belgium, in 1989 serve as a fitting tribute to the enduring impact of the events chronicled in the book. Snyder successfully moves history from the footnotes into reality, ensuring that the stories of real people and their experiences during World War II remain alive and relevant.
“Shot Down” is more than a historical account; it is a testament to the author’s care, respect for his subjects, and his meticulous research. The engaging narrative, coupled with over 200 photographs and graphics, brings to life the everyday experiences of the men who flew these perilous missions. With its well-deserved recognition, including 15 national book awards, “Shot Down” stands as a captivating and highly recommended contribution to the understanding of World War II history and the unsung heroes who played crucial roles in it.
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Author Robert Matzen on “Masters of the Air” with Glenn Flickinger

What Does Author Robert Matzen Think of “Masters of the Air”?
Robert Matzen is author of "Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe," a full account of the Hollywood star’s experiences and an 8th Air Force pilot and commander.
In March 1941, a few months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Stewart enlisted as a private in the United States Army Air Corps. His decision to serve was not merely symbolic; Stewart was genuinely committed to contributing to the war effort. His background as a pilot, even before his acting career took off, made him a natural fit for the Air Corps. Stewart’s commitment to serving his country was clear, as he turned down offers to avoid combat and even attempted to resign his commission to enter the battle sooner.
In 1943, he was assigned to the 445th Bombardment Group, part of the Eighth Air Force, and flew numerous combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Stewart piloted B-24 Liberator bombers, facing the dangers and challenges of aerial warfare with courage.
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Historian and USAF Veteran Robert Ehlers on Air Intelligence in World War II on Masters of the Air

Robert Ehlers on Air Intelligence in the Air War Over Europe
Glenn welcomes Dr. Robert Ehlers, who draws on his own experiences as an Air Force Intelligence officer in writing "Targeting the Third Reich: Air Intelligence and the Allied Bombing Campaigns. "
"Targeting the Third Reich"examines the pivotal role of air intelligence in the Allied bombing campaigns during World War II, specifically focusing on the Combined Bomber Offensive from 1943 to 1945. The book explores the symbiotic relationship between air intelligence and operational planning, shedding light on how intelligence contributed to the success of strategic bombing missions against Germany.
Ehlers emphasizes the collaboration between the Royal Air Force's (RAF) "precision intelligence" and the U.S. Army Air Force's (AAF) "precision bombardment" forces. The RAF's expertise in photographic reconnaissance and signals intelligence played a crucial role in guiding both British and American bombers to strategically significant targets with precise timing and munitions. This partnership was effective in orchestrating damage assessment within a well-organized structure.
Ehlers focuses on three key offensives in 1944 that had a profound impact on the Nazi war effort: attacks on French and Belgian rail supply lines to Normandy, strikes against German oil refineries, and bombings of German railroads and waterways. The book underscores the effectiveness of bombers as part of a combined-arms force, providing crucial advantages to Allied armies on the battlefield.
The heart of the narrative lies in the examination of how air intelligence influenced the decision-making process of senior air commanders, such as the RAF's Arthur "Bomber" Harris and the AAF's Carl "Tooey" Spaatz. By 1944, these commanders could assess the accuracy and effects of bombing with precision, analyze its impact on the German war effort, and determine its effectiveness in achieving strategic objectives.
Ehlers utilizes a wealth of bomb-damage assessment photographs and archival sources to demonstrate the success of air intelligence in the Allied victory. The book argues that the devastating impact of over 1.4 million bombing missions and nearly 2.7 million tons of bombs on Axis powers was, in large part, due to the strategic use of intelligence operations.
The narrative also addresses the misuses of intelligence by political and military leaders during the conflict. Ehlers highlights operational errors resulting from misused intelligence, such as attacks on non-lucrative targets or insufficient persistence in attacking vital objectives. The analysis reveals instances where political and military preferences affected the efficient use of intelligence.
Listen to Glenn's conversation with Ehlers for a deeper understanding of the role of air intelligence in the defeat of the Third Reich. 
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B-17 Co-Pilot John "Lucky" Luckadoo Discusses "Masters of the Air"

Glenn welcomes WWII veteran John “Lucky” Luckadoo, who survived 25 missions as a B-17 co-pilot in the 100th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in World War II. Joining Lucky is his bestselling author biographer Kevin Maurer to talk about the Air War and the “Bloody Hundredth.”  
P-51 pilot Joe Peterburs and P-47 pilot Ed Cottrell join the conversation. A rare gathering of three WWII pilots.
Regardless of skills or circumstances, Lucky says, survival was ultimately a matter of luck. His motivation throughout the war remained grounded in the belief that they were serving a cause to defend their values and freedom, considering it their patriotic duty to answer the call to arms.
As a B-17 co-pilot, Luckadoo describes the grim realities faced during missions, including witnessing bloodshed and the loss of comrades. Flying in extreme conditions took a psychological toll, with temperatures plummeting to -50 to -60 degrees Celsius at high altitudes in unpressurized cabins. Not to mention the constant threat from enemy fighters and flak.
Lucky candidly talks about combat fatigue and how it affected some of his comrades. The sheer terror, horror, and chaos of combat took a toll on individuals, leading to psychological breakdowns. As the operations officer, he evaluated the capability of squadron members to identify signs of combat fatigue. Unlike the British, who punished those refusing to fly, the Eighth Air Force took a more philosophical approach, recognizing the mental strain of combat.
Reflecting on his mentality before his first combat mission, Luckadoo emphasized the sense of duty and patriotism that motivated him. The belief that they were serving a cause greater than themselves, defending their country and principles, kept him focused on the job despite the challenges.
One remarkable and harrowing mission Luckadoo recounted was the planned raid on Berlin led by General Curtis LeMay. The mission, intended to be the first daylight raid on Berlin, was of utmost importance. However, it got scrubbed due to cloud cover dispersing over the target, losing the element of surprise. Despite the cancellation, Luckadoo revealed the gravity of the situation and how it symbolized the intense nature of their missions.
Luckadoo also shared his experiences as a tail gunner, a position he reluctantly took during a lead crew designation. The challenges of communication and the impracticality of the role led him to refuse further assignments in the tail, grounding himself for a period.
Another critical moment in Luckadoo’s wartime journey was his toughest mission over Bremen. Flying with a new crew after his original crew completed their tour, he faced intense flak and witnessed a fellow squadron member’s plane being rammed by a German fighter. The mission tested his resolve, and surviving it left a lasting impact on him.
“We were young citizen-soldiers, terribly naive and gullible about what we would be confronted with in the air war over Europe and the profound effect it would have upon every fiber of our being for the rest of our lives. We were all afraid, but it was beyond our power to quit. We volunteered for the service and, once trained and overseas, felt we had no choice but to fulfill the mission assigned. My hope is that this book honors the men with whom I served by telling the truth about what it took to climb into the cold blue and fight for our lives over and over again.”–John “Lucky” Luckadoo, Major, USAF (Ret.) 100th Bomb Group (H)
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was a world away from John Luckadoo’s hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. But when the Japanese attacked the American naval base on December 7, 1941, he didn’t hesitate to join the military. Trained as a pilot with the United States Air Force, Second Lieutenant Luckadoo was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group stationed in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Between June and October 1943, he flew B-17 Flying Fortresses over France and Germany on bombing runs devised to destroy the Nazi war machine.
With a shrapnel torn Bible in his flight jacket pocket and his girlfriend’s silk stocking around his neck like a scarf as talismans, Luckadoo piloted through Luftwaffe machine-gun fire and antiaircraft flak while enduring subzero temperatures to complete twenty-five missions and his combat service. The average bomber crew rarely survived after eight to twelve missions. Knowing far too many airmen who wouldn’t be returning home, Luckadoo closed off his emotions and focused on his tasks to finish his tour of duty one moment at a time, realizing his success was more about being lucky than being skilled.
 
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Five Historians Discuss "Masters of the Air"

In conjunction with the release of the highly-anticipated Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air, VBC historian host Glenn Flickinger has created a 10-part livestream series that will recap and provide history discussion around each episode. Each week, Glenn will cover the action and background of the series in conversation with show producers and creators, air war historians, and family members of the real-life characters depicted in the series.
Masters of the Air is a streaming television miniseries by Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks based on the 2007 book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller about the 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force.
Glenn welcomes Steve Snyder, author of "Shot Down" and Colin Heaton, author of Above the Reich, Robert Ehlers, author of Targeting the Third Reich, and David and Margaret White, authors of Wings of War.
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Chloe Melas on Masters of the Air with Glenn Flickinger

One of the major characters in Masters of the Air is B-17 navigator Frank Murphy whose granddaughter, Chloe Melas, republished his memoir, The Luck of the Draw.
As a navigator on a B-17, Murphy played a crucial role in guiding the aircraft through the treacherous skies over Europe. Navigators were tasked with plotting courses, ensuring precise locations, and navigating through enemy territory. This demanding role required a deep understanding of both the aircraft's instruments and the ever-changing conditions of aerial combat.
The turning point in Murphy's wartime experience came when his B-17 was shot down. Murphy found himself in the hands of the enemy and became a prisoner of war.
Being a POW during World War II meant enduring the hardships of captivity, including limited rations, harsh living conditions, and the constant uncertainty about the future. The mental and emotional toll of captivity was immense, and the resilience displayed by individuals like Murphy in the face of adversity is a testament to their strength and determination.
In conjunction with the release of the highly-anticipated Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air, VBC historian host Glenn Flickinger has created a 10-part livestream series Thursdays beginning January 18 at 7:00pm that will recap and provide history discussion around each episode. Each week, Glenn will cover the action and background of the series in conversation with show producers and creators, air war historians, and family members of the real-life characters depicted in the series.
Masters of the Air is a streaming television miniseries by Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks based on the 2007 book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller about the 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force.

German World War II Veteran Wolfram Forster

German World War II Wehrmacht veteran and US Army veteran Dr. Wolfram Forster joins VBC Happy Hour to tell us about his harrowing route from Hitler’s Germany to the United States. Wolfram shares his story in his memoir, Farewell, Berlin: My World War II Story of Surviving Hitler’s Germany and Embracing Life in America.
Wolfram grew up in Berlin during the reign of Hitler. It was a time when German citizens were so deprived of freedom that a dentist was executed simply for confiding in a patient that he held a shadow of doubt about the fate of Hitler’s war.
While Wolfram and his family struggled to live any kind of normal life during the height of World War II, he clung to two dreams for his future: to someday live in America and to become a doctor.
To have any hope of realizing those dreams, however, he would need to navigate an endless trail of fear, terror, heartbreak, confusion, injustice and the constant threat of annihilation while living in Europe at a time when life was turned upside down.
First, he had to survive the relentless Allied bombing of Berlin. One day he discovered his neighborhood movie theater blown to pieces just hours after sirens blared as a signal for him and his mother to get out, and a factory where he was assigned to work was destroyed on the day he was forced to stay home with an illness.
Still, he marveled at the American B-17s and B-24s soaring in formation over his city and vowed that one day he would fly in one. Called to serve as a German soldier in the final months of the war, he was captured by the Allies and held as a POW by three different national militaries: the Americans, the French, and the Russians.
Finally, almost two years after the end of the war, he gained his freedom. Over time, and overcoming many new obstacles, he found his way to fulfill those two childhood goals, becoming a noted radiologist treating patients from inside the power circles of Washington, DC and going on to serve as a Colonel in the U.S. Army. Farewell, Berlin tells the almost unimaginable story of Wolfram Forster. With honesty, warmth and vivid detail, it provides a close-up look inside a world rarely glimpsed by anyone who has ever been curious about the long years of bloodshed and turmoil of World War II.
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"Masters of the Air" Author Donald L. Miller

We are proud to welcome author Donald L. Miller to VBC Greatest Generation Live with Glenn Flickinger hosting. Donald’s book, Masters of the Air, is the inspiration for the major Apple TV+ series which premiered in January 2024!
The riveting history of the American Eighth Air Force in World War II and the young men who flew the bombers that helped beat the Nazis and liberate Europe, brilliantly told by historian and World War II expert Donald L. Miller. The Masters of the Air streaming series stars Austin Butler and Callum Turner, and is produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, the legendary duo behind Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
Masters of the Air is the deeply personal story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler’s doorstep. With the narrative power of fiction, Donald Miller takes you on a harrowing ride through the fire-filled skies over Berlin, Hanover, and Dresden and describes the terrible cost of bombing for the German people.
Fighting at 25,000 feet in thin, freezing air that no warriors had ever encountered before, bomber crews battled new kinds of assaults on body and mind. Air combat was deadly but intermittent: periods of inactivity and anxiety were followed by short bursts of fire and fear. Unlike infantrymen, bomber boys slept on clean sheets, drank beer in local pubs, and danced to the swing music of Glenn Miller’s Air Force band, which toured US air bases in England. But they had a much greater chance of dying than ground soldiers.
The bomber crews were an elite group of warriors who were a microcosm of America—white America, anyway. The actor Jimmy Stewart was a bomber boy, and so was the “King of Hollywood,” Clark Gable. And the air war was filmed by Oscar-winning director William Wyler and covered by reporters like Andy Rooney and Walter Cronkite, all of whom flew combat missions with the men. The Anglo-American bombing campaign against Nazi Germany was the longest military campaign of World War II, a war within a war. Until Allied soldiers crossed into Germany in the final months of the war, it was the only battle fought inside the German homeland.
Masters of the Air is a story of life in wartime England and in the German prison camps, where tens of thousands of airmen spent part of the war. It ends with a vivid description of the grisly hunger marches captured airmen were forced to make near the end of the war through the country their bombs destroyed.
Drawn from recent interviews, oral histories, and American, British, German, and other archives, Masters of the Air is an authoritative, deeply moving account of the world’s first and only bomber war.
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