twobone Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Wow, I just finished watching a 2 hour HD special on the USAF bombers and fighters in WW2 leading up to D-day. 26000 airmen died, more than all the marines in WW2. Incredible bravery of those bomber crews heading out on daylight missions. Towards the end being used to draw out the Luftwaffe so the P-51s could neutralize them before the big invasion. WW2 really is a fascinating and terrible time in our recent history. I wish it was more of a focus in our current culture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 honestly, i'd be happy (settle for) if the current wars were more of a focus. The general public (including me) can't tell you a single battle in any of the recent wars... It's just not covered. Every once in a while you hear a few soldiers were killed... no explanation of what they were trying to accomplish, etc... But everyone knows the up to the minute stat of what's going on with Charlie Sheen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW RACER Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 My dad flew Lancasters for the RAF in WW2. I can't get my head around how it must of felt to him. 18 years old, the excitement of piloting this plane vs the knowledge that there's a 50-50 chance of coming back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 My father-in-laws biological father was killed in an RAF B-25 Mitchell in a mid air collision over Burma in WW2. What I find incredible also is the true "world" nature of WW2. It really was a struggle against fascist tyranny on a global scale. At least then it was easier to understand and recognize the enemy. I think its harder today as the fight is not against "a people" or a gov't, but a radical belief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 honestly, i'd be happy (settle for) if the current wars were more of a focus. The general public (including me) can't tell you a single battle in any of the recent wars... It's just not covered. Every once in a while you hear a few soldiers were killed... no explanation of what they were trying to accomplish, etc... But everyone knows the up to the minute stat of what's going on with Charlie Sheen. Have to agree Mazda. I believe our society as a whole really has no clue as to what is really going on in conflict zones around the world because our News Media is incapable of telling it like it really happens or if they do they just put out the sensational parts of the news because that sells and they need the ratings or they will not be around very long. I also believe our society has forgotten the overall reason is that our soldiers are doing the job they are doing which is providing security to our country and the people of the world. The fact that most of our soldiers are doing more for the people of the regions that they are deployed to (such as providing security patrols, opening up schools, rebuilding infrastructure and such in areas were without the patrols there would be just lawlessness) just does not sell or make for good ratings as that is not very sensational. I also believe our Government has not made it very easy for the News Media to get first hand information for security reasons which I also think is a smart thing for our soldiers safety and the well being of our population. My brother has told me that he can remember watching the Evening News with my parents during the Vietnam Conflict to see if they could catch a glimpse of me in the news footage as letters were far a few mainly due to me and it not being a priority for me at the time. During WW2 most major battle fronts had reporters and photographers within the units to document just what was happening. They did not have the instant news ability that our news media has today so things were even screened and even censored back then which most people never considered during that time as people were more trusting of what they were told. In Desert Storm there were a few News Personal that were entrenched with the Military units during those campaigns but that was stopped due to the fear that our News Media was being used by the opposition to figure out where our Military Troops where and what they were going after and where they were located. I also think most Americans and people of the world have no clue or appreciation for what our US Military really dose for the American public and the worlds public when they are deployed anywhere in the world but then I have been there as a carrier service person so I am a bit bass I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 This link provides an interesting look at Iwo Jima during WWII. It focuses primarily on B-29s and P-51s but it reports on human loss as well. Some pictures repeat a few times, take it to the end. http://picasaweb.google.com/7thfighter/IwoJima?authkey=Gv1sRgCIW06db_6oth&feat=email#slideshow/5435676534203604290 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 WWII was the last war that was supported by all. My hat is off to all that served there. The horror for all of those involved in wars. My heart is also open to all of those that served from then till now. I also feel for the suffering the families of then and now that still endure the pain as they send their loved ones to war. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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