Stationed at Thorpe Abbotts in England, the group flew the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress as part of the 8th Air Force, conducting strategic bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Their nickname stemmed from the extraordinarily high casualties they sustained during some of the war’s most dangerous missions. Despite these losses, the 100th Bomb Group played a crucial role in the air campaign to cripple Germany’s war machine.

The group began combat operations in June 1943, targeting key industrial and military sites in France and Germany. Early missions revealed the dangers of daylight precision bombing, and the 100th often faced fierce resistance from German Luftwaffe fighters and anti-aircraft defenses. The group suffered especially heavy losses during missions to Bremen, Münster, and Schweinfurt, where entire formations were sometimes annihilated. These sacrifices cemented their reputation as one of the most daring but ill-fated bomber units, giving rise to their enduring moniker.

Among the group’s notable members was Harry Crosby, a lead navigator whose experiences offer a deeply personal perspective on the air war. In his memoir, A Wing and a Prayer: The “Bloody 100th” Bomb Group of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in Action over Europe in World War II, Crosby recounts the harrowing missions and extraordinary courage of his comrades. His vivid descriptions capture the chaos of combat, the constant threat of death, and the camaraderie that sustained the men during their darkest hours. Crosby’s navigation skills were critical to the group’s success, helping to guide bombers through perilous skies to their targets and safely back to base.

Despite the staggering losses, the 100th Bomb Group’s resilience never wavered. They participated in pivotal operations such as the bombing campaign during D-Day and attacks on German oil refineries, transportation hubs, and other strategic targets. By the end of the war, their contributions had significantly undermined Germany’s industrial capacity and military infrastructure.

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John Quintrell served in Vietnam as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Wolfhounds,” part of the 25th Infantry Division. His service spanned a full year of intense combat in 1968, during the Vietnam War. This was a period of high conflict, marked by the Tet Offensive and fierce engagements against the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong forces.

In his memoir, My 365 Days with the Wolfhounds, Quintrell provides a detailed, firsthand account of his experiences during that year. The book captures the daily realities of a combat soldier in Vietnam, including the challenges of jungle warfare, camaraderie among troops, moments of fear and resilience, and the psychological toll of war. His narrative combines personal anecdotes, vivid descriptions of firefights, and reflections on the broader impact of the conflict on soldiers and civilians.

The memoir serves as a tribute to his fellow soldiers and offers readers a raw and authentic perspective on the Vietnam War from someone who lived through its harrowing realities.

The podcast series Someone Is Killing the Wolfhounds is a dramatic adaptation My 365 Days With The Wolfhounds. It chronicles the intense, true story of a group of soldiers in Vietnam grappling with the horrors of war and their volatile, dangerous lieutenant, Ritter. The series captures their decision to take extreme measures to survive, combining the tension of Training Day with the gritty realism of Platoon.

The podcast is produced by Voyage Media and features vivid storytelling with professional sound design, original music, and a compelling cast. It spans ten episodes, exploring themes of camaraderie, survival, and moral conflict amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War. Quintrell himself served as an executive producer, ensuring authenticity in the portrayal of events from his memoir​

You can listen to the podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

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Glenn Flickinger welcomes three leading experts on the finest medium range bomber in history, the B-26 Marauder that fought in World War II and was adopted by Allied forces the world over. Josh Muri, Nick Cressy, and Ron Bolesta from the B-26 Marauder Historical Society join us to talk about the history of an aircraft renowned for its speed, versatility, and resilience.

Designed and built by the Glenn L. Martin Company, the B-26 made its maiden flight on November 25, 1940, and quickly became an essential tool in the Allied air arsenal. Its development, operational history, and contributions to the war effort offer a fascinating glimpse into the technological and strategic advancements of the time.

The B-26 was developed in response to a 1939 Army Air Corps specification for a high-speed medium bomber capable of delivering a significant payload over a long range. The Martin Company responded with an innovative design featuring a sleek, streamlined fuselage, tricycle landing gear, and powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines. These engines gave the aircraft a top speed of over 300 mph, which was exceptionally fast for a bomber at the time. The Marauder’s speed, combined with its ability to carry up to 4,000 pounds of bombs, made it an attractive option for the Army Air Corps, which awarded Martin the contract before the prototype had even flown.

The B-26’s innovative design, however, came with challenges. Its short, high-wing configuration and high wing loading—a result of its relatively small wingspan and powerful engines—gave the aircraft demanding flight characteristics. Early models required higher takeoff and landing speeds than many pilots were accustomed to, leading to a spate of accidents during training. This earned the B-26 the nicknames “Widowmaker” and “Flying Prostitute” (the latter a sardonic reference to the fact that it supposedly had no visible means of support). However, modifications to the aircraft, such as lengthening the wings and increasing the size of the tailplane, improved its handling.

The B-26 first entered combat in early 1942 during the Pacific campaign. Operating out of bases in Australia and New Guinea, Marauders conducted raids on Japanese shipping and island installations, proving their effectiveness in precision bombing and maritime interdiction. By mid-1942, the aircraft was deployed to the European theater, where it became a workhorse for the U.S. Army Air Forces’ Ninth Air Force. In Europe, the B-26 excelled in tactical bombing missions, attacking enemy rail yards, bridges, supply depots, and other infrastructure critical to the German war effort.

One of the Marauder’s most significant contributions to the war came during the lead-up to D-Day. From early 1944 onward, B-26 crews flew countless sorties as part of the Allied campaign to cripple German defenses in France. They targeted bridges, rail networks, and fortifications with remarkable precision, thanks to improved Norden bomb sights and a growing cadre of experienced pilots. On D-Day itself, B-26 squadrons provided close air support for the Allied landings, striking German positions near the beaches to soften resistance for the advancing troops.

Despite its rocky start, the B-26 developed a reputation for durability and survivability. By the end of the war, it had the lowest loss rate of any Allied bomber, a testament to its robust construction and the skill of its crews. The aircraft was heavily armed for its size, typically featuring up to 13 .50 caliber machine guns for defense, making it a tough target for enemy fighters.

In addition to its service with the U.S. Army Air Forces, the B-26 saw use by other Allied nations. The Royal Air Force (RAF) received a limited number of Marauders, which were used primarily for reconnaissance and coastal patrols. The Free French Air Force also operated B-26s, employing them effectively in Europe and North Africa. These international deployments underscored the aircraft’s versatility and adaptability to various operational needs.

The B-26 continued to see action in the Mediterranean theater, where it played a key role in supporting Allied advances in Italy and Southern France. Operating from bases in North Africa, Sardinia, and Corsica, Marauder crews conducted precision strikes against Axis supply lines and troop concentrations. The aircraft’s ability to deliver accurate bombing runs at medium altitudes made it particularly effective in the mountainous terrain of the Italian campaign.

By the end of World War II, over 5,200 B-26 Marauders had been produced. Although the aircraft was retired from front-line service soon after the war, its legacy endured. The lessons learned from its design and operation influenced subsequent generations of medium bombers, including the North American B-25 Mitchell and later jet-powered aircraft.

The B-26 Marauder stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of those who designed, built, and flew it. Despite its early difficulties, it became one of the most effective medium bombers of the war, contributing significantly to the Allied victory. Its speed, precision, and survivability set it apart from its contemporaries and earned it a lasting place in aviation history.

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John Yuill, a highly skilled Air Force pilot, experienced a distinguished career that was profoundly shaped by his harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War. His story is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination, embodying the sacrifices made by countless servicemen during one of America’s most tumultuous conflicts.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Yuill demonstrated an early interest in aviation and an aptitude for leadership. After completing his education, he joined the United States Air Force, where he quickly proved himself as a capable and disciplined officer. His initial assignments involved flying a variety of aircraft, allowing him to gain extensive experience and develop a reputation for professionalism and dedication. By the mid-1960s, as the Vietnam War escalated, Yuill found himself deployed to Southeast Asia, where he piloted the B-52 Stratofortress, the backbone of the Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign.

Yuill’s primary role involved participating in Operation Rolling Thunder and later in Operation Linebacker II, missions designed to weaken North Vietnam’s industrial and military infrastructure. These bombing campaigns were fraught with danger, as B-52 crews faced intense anti-aircraft fire and the growing threat of advanced surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) supplied by the Soviet Union. Despite these risks, Yuill and his crew completed numerous sorties, displaying exceptional skill and composure under fire.

On December 22, 1972, during Operation Linebacker II, Yuill’s aircraft was hit by a North Vietnamese SAM while on a bombing run over Hanoi. The missile struck with devastating force, crippling the B-52 and forcing the crew to eject. Yuill parachuted into enemy territory, where he was quickly captured by North Vietnamese forces. Along with other captured airmen, he was transported to the notorious Hoa Lo Prison, more commonly known as the “Hanoi Hilton.”

Yuill’s captivity was marked by physical and psychological hardship. The conditions at Hoa Lo Prison were harsh, with overcrowded cells, inadequate food, and limited medical care. Prisoners endured frequent interrogations, often accompanied by physical abuse, as their captors sought intelligence or propaganda material. Yuill, like many POWs, resisted these efforts, adhering to the Code of Conduct that emphasized duty, honor, and loyalty to fellow servicemen.

Despite the brutal environment, Yuill demonstrated remarkable resilience. He maintained a steadfast determination to survive and a deep sense of camaraderie with his fellow POWs. This mutual support became a lifeline for many prisoners, fostering a sense of solidarity that helped them endure the ordeal. Communication between prisoners, often done covertly through tapping codes or whispered messages, was a crucial aspect of their resistance and a means of preserving their humanity.

After months of captivity, the situation for American POWs began to change as diplomatic efforts to end the war gained momentum. In January 1973, the signing of the Paris Peace Accords paved the way for the release of American prisoners. Yuill was among those freed during Operation Homecoming, a coordinated effort to repatriate POWs. On his return to the United States, Yuill received a hero’s welcome, though the adjustment to life after captivity presented its own set of challenges.

Following his release, Yuill continued to serve in the Air Force, bringing the same dedication and leadership that had defined his earlier career. He became an advocate for his fellow veterans, working to raise awareness about the challenges faced by returning POWs and Vietnam War veterans more broadly. His experiences highlighted the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring bonds forged under the most trying circumstances.

John Yuill’s career and captivity are emblematic of the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces during the Vietnam War. His story serves as a testament to courage in the face of adversity and a reminder of the enduring strength of those who serve.

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