Following the massive popularity of “Band of Brothers,” “The Pacific,” and “Saving Private Ryan,” Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have reunited to release “Masters of the Air.” The upcoming drama documents the efforts by the 8th Air Force that made unimaginable sacrifices to help defeat Nazi Germany in World War II.
In what has been a work in progress for a decade, the long-awaited “Masters of the Air” finally has a premiere date. Originally confirmed by HBO in January 2013, “Masters of the Air” will premiere on Apple TV+ on Jan. 26, 2024.
The upcoming World War II drama series is being produced by Hanks, Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman.
“Masters of the Air” stars Austin Butler – who was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 2022 movie “Elvis.” The series also features Academy Award-nominated Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, and Ncuti Gatwa.
The nine-episode streaming series is based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name.
“‘Masters of the Air’ is a salute to the brave men of the 8th Air Force, who, through their courage and brotherhood, helped defeat Nazi Germany in World War II,” executive producer Goetzman said in a press release. “Tom and Steven have always wanted to visualize cinematically what our author Don Miller has called, this ‘singular event in the history of warfare.’ We’re thrilled that Apple TV+ has given us the opportunity to combine the efforts of so many talented people, on-screen and behind the camera, to tell this important story.”
The official synopsis of the series:
“Masters of the Air” follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of “Masters of the Air.” Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.
The 8th Air Force ventured deep into Nazi territory in an attempt to handicap Germany’s war machine. However, the daylight bombing campaign proved to be extremely dangerous.
During a mission to bomb German ball bearing factories on Oct. 14, 1943, the 8th Air Force suffered so many casualties that the day was known as “Black Thursday.” U.S. B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers flew over Nazi Germany without any fighter protection because the smaller planes didn’t have the extensive range like the massive four-engine bombers. The gamble proved to be tragic.
Fighter planes of the Luftwaffe induced devastating losses on the 8th Air Force – also known as the “Bloody Hundredth.”
According to the National WWII Museum, “By the time the Americans returned home, they had lost 60 B-17s, another 17 were no longer airworthy, and an additional 121 received minor damage. That was only the material loss. The number of aircrew killed, wounded, or missing in action was more than 600, totaling almost 20 percent of the men sortied.”
Despite the soul-crushing losses, the 8th Air Force adopted new tactics and America soon produced fighter planes with extended range to escort the Flying Fortresses.
The “Mighty Eighth” would continue to batter Germany’s industrial centers to help cripple the Nazi’s military production – unleashing 697,000 tons of bombs over 440,000 bomber sorties.
The destruction of Germany’s infrastructure came at a steep price – 47,000 of the 115,000 U.S. Army Air Force casualties were from the Mighty Eighth.
The Mighty Eighth’s brave men earned 17 Medals of Honor, 220 Distinguished Service Crosses, and 442,000 Air Medals.
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