Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’ - 5/24/2019 1:27:11 PM

Big B

Posts: 4870
Joined: 6/1/2005
From: Old Los Angeles pre-1960
Status: offline

I just saw this at the local theater last night.
It is along the lines of They Shall Not Grow Old.

It was a fascinating and moving film about the 8th Air Force in WW2.
One of the facts I was never aware of is that the 8th AF lost more men KIA over Europe, than did the entire USMC in all of the second world war.

See it if you get a chance...

_____________________________

Big B's Shipyard

Post #: 1

RE: Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’ - 5/24/2019 1:48:18 PM

Lecivius

Posts: 4845
Joined: 8/5/2007
From: Denver
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Big B

One of the facts I was never aware of is that the 8th AF lost more men KIA over Europe, than did the entire USMC in all of the second world war.

It was decided sometime in 1943 once long range fighters started becoming available to use strategic bombing to force the Luftwaffe to defend, thereby fighting a war of attrition to gain air superiority prior to the invasion of Europe. It was becoming known that bombing, while impacting industrial production, would not eliminate it.

I pause every time I think of that idea. I understand the reasoning, but I still pause.

_____________________________

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

(in reply to Big B)

Post #: 2

RE: Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’ - 5/24/2019 1:50:00 PM

Korvar

Posts: 813
Joined: 9/3/2014
Status: offline

Thank you for the tip - it appears it was only a one-night showing in theaters, so hopefully it will make its way to a streaming service soon.

Here's an interview which describes one of the dangers those guys faced, besides enemy fighters and flak:

Interview with Ball Turret Gunner Wilbur Richardson

FYI, I had the honor to speak to Wilbur, and believe it or not, the ball turret was the safest place on the aircraft. "Safe" being a relative term.

_____________________________

WitP:AE Install & Configuration App - Get SeaBee Here
Allied Ship Insignia Art

(in reply to Big B)

Post #: 3

RE: Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’ - 5/24/2019 1:59:25 PM

btd64

Posts: 9973
Joined: 1/23/2010
From: Mass. USA. now in Lancaster, OHIO
Status: offline

Yup, I met a guy who was a ball gunner . The only good thing about that position was the view. That's what he said all right....GP

< Message edited by btd64 -- 5/24/2019 2:00:09 PM >

_____________________________

Intel i7 4.3GHz 10th Gen,16GB Ram,Nvidia GeForce MX330

AKA General Patton

WPO,WITP,WITPAE-Mod Designer/Tester
DWU-Beta Tester
TOAW4-Alpha/Beta Tester

"Do everything you ask of those you command"....Gen. George S. Patton

(in reply to Korvar)

Post #: 4

RE: Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’ - 5/24/2019 3:58:23 PM

GetAssista

Posts: 2732
Joined: 9/19/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Big B
One of the facts I was never aware of is that the 8th AF lost more men KIA over Europe, than did the entire USMC in all of the second world war.

The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner
Randall Jarrell (1914-1965)

From my mother's sleep I fell into the State,
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,
I woke to black flak and the nightmare of fighters.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.

That piece hit me deep back then when I first heard it

(in reply to Big B)

Post #: 5

RE: Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’ - 5/24/2019 4:08:29 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the link.

The 8th Army Air Force Museum is just outside of Savannah. I've never been, but I've heard glowing reports.

Regarding "Death of a Ball Turret Gunner," that is one of the few WWII-type poems found in modern literature anthologies used in college classrooms. There were a lot of poets in the various armies in WWI and WWII, and a lot of good poetry, but not much of it sees the light of day. Atkinson and Ambrose quote them, from time to time, which I think is particularly suitable in describing the hell of combat.

(in reply to GetAssista)

Post #: 6

RE: Documentary ‘The Cold Blue’ - 5/24/2019 9:01:14 PM

RangerJoe

Posts: 13450
Joined: 11/16/2015
From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part.
Status: offline

Here is a link to an interview of someone who went from Private to Colonel in four years:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoY8Cj1larg

If you expand the notes, it will tell more about him.

_____________________________

Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7