The HORRIFYING Life of a WWII B-17 Tail Gunner

Get early episodes & ad-free audio on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian

The life of a WWII tail gunner was not glory, but cold, noise, and isolation inside a glass bubble at the back of a Flying Fortress. Chosen for being small enough to fit, tail gunners endured -40°C temperatures, oxygen masks freezing to their faces, and the constant roar of engines and guns rattling their bones. They were the first target for enemy fighters, the last to be reached if wounded, and most never survived the 25 missions that promised a ticket home.

This is not the story of fearless heroes, but of expendable men locked in coffins of glass and steel — forgotten as soon as replacements arrived.

🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools

Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend:

• Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4nkFuZD

• Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f

• Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE

• Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn

• Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu

• White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw

These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.

#History #WWII #Tailgunner #DrowsyHistorian #WWIIHistory #B17 #FlyingFortress #WarStories