Masters of the Air Episode 1

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the initial episode of the recently-released Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air, which tells the story of the 100th Bomb Group, part of the Eighth Air Force that bombed Germany during World War II. In June 1943, the 100th, comprising four squadrons of B-17s from RAF base Thorpe Abbots, is sent on a daytime bombing mission to destroy targets in Bremen, Germany. Despite the use of the advanced Norden Bombsight the bombardiers are unable to confirm the targets due to heavy cloud cover, and the mission is aborted. The 100th is forced to fly through heavy anti-aircraft fire, and is then attacked by German fighter pilots. The failed mission results in the loss of three B-17s and thirty men, while the 100th commanding officer is relieved of command due to illness.