Fly over Nazi Germany with BALL TURRET GUNNERS, perilously suspended beneath the fuselage of B-17 bombers, exposed to the fire of enemy fighters. In war, certain missions demand the most and constitute much of the legends of bravery. Journey back to the Second World War when fearless airmen manned the B-17's belly guns--glass bubbles that at any moment could become their coffin. The ball turret gunners called their work "flying the ball", others called it crazy!
Take aim at a vital target hundreds of yards away in SNIPERS. They are the most feared and hated men on the battlefield, silent assassins who can kill with a single shot from miles away. Creep along undetected as these brave men surgically deliver swift death without warning, and learn why snipers are hunted mercilessly by the enemy in every conflict.
Come in low and hot with the WILD WEASELS of Vietnam as they try to take out enemy radar installations. During the Vietnam War, the most dangerous flying missions belonged to the Wild Weasels--a group of fighter pilots assigned the task of destroying enemy radar and missile sites. Ride in the cockpit with these brave flyers, the first in and last out, as they decide in a split second to fire their missiles before the enemy can fire back.
Duck and cover along with COMBAT MEDICS as they valiantly try to save the fallen while the battle rages around them. They have one of the most dangerous jobs in war - going into harm's way when others need help. "They" are the battlefield's soldiers of mercy: combat medics. Here is the complete history behind the dangerous trade of helping wounded soldiers in the midst of battle, from the Civil War through the Gulf War.
The glidermen of World War II went to war in canvas-covered engineless aircraft.
Examining the Studies and Observations Group (SOG), special-forces soldiers in Vietnam made up of volunteers from all branches of the armed forces. Included: comments from SOG veterans.
During the Vietnam War, Air Force and Marine pilots flew "low and slow" over jungles in antiquated propeller planes--often unarmed--to direct jet bombers toward target. FACs often became victims of enemy ground fire as they carried out their dangerous missions. Meet some of the brave pilots, including the man who saved BAT-21.
