SNAFU
It's March 1944, and the world remains engulfed in war. The United States is locked in a fierce battle to establish air superiority over Europe. Over the past year and a half, the Eighth Air Force has conducted bombing missions primarily targeting coastal cities. However, the focus is now shifting deeper into Nazi-occupied Europe.
The death toll among the Eighth Air Force continues to rise, with most bomber crews failing to complete even half of their 25-mission tour. Flak fields have become denser and more accurate, posing a grave threat to any plane that dares to fly through them. Nazi fighter pilots, growing in skill, relentlessly pursue American bombers, despite the defensive measures onboard.
Unknown to the American bomber crews, a significant change has occurred in their mission objectives. Under the leadership of Jimmy Doolittle, the Eighth Air Force now employs a risky strategy. Bombers are used as bait to lure Nazi fighters into combat, allowing escort fighters to pick them off one by one. This shift means the lives of bomber crews are no longer considered sacrosanct but rather as expendable casualties in the pursuit of victory.
By this time next year, the death toll of the Eighth Air Force will reach a staggering 26,000, surpassing the losses of Marines throughout the entirety of World War II. This podcast chronicles the experiences of one such bomber crew during the early months of 1944.
Lieutenant Bakas, a 24-year-old pilot from Youngstown, Ohio, leads a B-17G named "Load of Bull" and commands a 10-man crew with a singular goal: survival. With daunting odds stacked against them, Lieutenant Miller, a 23-year-old co-pilot, must navigate the challenges of leadership, perseverance, and duty.
Tasked with motivating a crew comprised mostly of young men fresh out of high school, Bakas and Miller grapple with the weight of their responsibilities. As they confront the harsh realities of their suicidal missions and the uncertain impact on the war effort, they must find the strength to inspire their men to keep fighting.
Starting in July 2021, SNAFU, a historical fiction podcast, will begin to tell the story of a group of men, as their families never knew them.
- Update frequency
- every 20 days
- Average duration
- 51 minutes
- Episodes
- 51
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
S2, E23: Fox-Uncle-Easy
Jack and the rest of Load of Bull fight to bring their battered bomber back to England, each mile a brutal test of endurance, as they face some of the most harrowing circumstances of their lives.
Plea…
S2, E22: Into the Fray
Jack and his crew are tasked with a critical mission to bomb the synthetic chemical plant in Leuna, Germany. The operation quickly becomes their most treacherous yet, pushing them to their limits as …
S2, E21: A Change in the Air
The men of the 300th Bombardment Group, including Jack, are uplifted by some long-awaited good news. This positive development sparks a wave of jubilation among them, lifting their morale to new heig…
S2, E20: Girl Crazy
Tommy faces a pivotal life choice with conflicting implications, while Jack grapples with the challenges of healing and recovering from his recent loss. Meanwhile, The Boss receives a wake-up call th…
S2, E19: The Reason
Jack and the "Load of Bull" crew found themselves grappling with an onslaught of loss as the day unfolded into a tumultuous mix of stress, horror, fierce battles, and heart-wrenching tears.
Please fee…
S2, E18: The Bomb Run
Jack and the rest of the "Load of Bull" crew are selected to fly a long-range mission that pushes them to their limits.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or constructive cr…
S2, E17: The Party
Jack, and the rest of Load of Bull attend a party on base, and old flames get rekindled.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism by privately messaging …
S2, E16: The Dilemma
Jack, for the first time, leads Load of Bull on a Mission to Homberg, Germany, where his leadership capabilities are gravely challenged.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or…
S2, E15: Under
Jack returns to Thurlow and faces many difficult, and emotional struggles that all lead to him entertaining something that makes Parnell sickened with disappointment.
Please feel free to reach out wi…
S2, E14: The Broken Reed
The Boss, along with the remaining members of "Load of Bull" watch as the formation returns from the "milk run" mission to Cherbourg, France. Unfortunately, none of the men realize that for one of th…
S2, E13: FUBAR
Jack is selected to fly a milk run mission as the Co-Pilot of "Bad Penny" while The Boss further makes personal progress in overcoming his issues.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, c…
S2, E12: A Bitter Taste of Home
Jack and a few of his friends are on letter duty as punishment for a long night of reckless partying. The Boss starts to realize that he needs to make a change, and Tommy begins to realize that his m…
S2, E11: The Cold Blue
Timothy and the rest of "Load of Bull" are sent on a mission to bomb a rail junction in France. However, on this mission, the fighters, flak and the harsh below zero temperatures aren't the only thin…
S2, E10: Ivan's Struggle
In the aftermath of losing yet another beloved crew, the men of "Load of Bull" try to cling to whatever they can to help them cope with the bleak reality that is their future. Meanwhile, The Boss hat…
S2, E9: Trapped
The men of the 300th are sent to bomb Bremen with Jack and "Load of Bull" selected to lead the entire formation. The mission is everything but normal and it results in the loss of a beloved friend.
P…
S2, E8: 48 Hours
The men of the 300th are given 48 hours passes to London in order to boost morale. For some it's a night in heaven, and for others, it's a night from hell.
Please feel free to reach out with any quest…
S2, E7: "Kill Me, Please"
Jack finds himself in quite the predicament and is left with no other choice but to let go of another piece of his innocence in order to protect himself and his crew.
Please feel free to reach out wit…
S2, E6: Tommy
Willy pulls some strings to get him and Tommy off base just for him to meet a girl, Muth tries to convince himself that has what it takes to be a good soldier, and Col. Poole pays The Boss a visit.
P…
S2, E5: "For Mother and Country"
Jack ends up leading his crew to bomb a mission in Nates, France and things don't go according to plan. Willy becomes a legend and Muth realizes just how slim of a chance he has at getting through hi…
S2, E4: Amen
The Boss puts Timothy and Sal through the ringer to see if they're worth bring apart of "Load of Bull". Jack faces his inner struggles when he comes in contact with two very unlikely people and their…