The Special Mission of the Lightest B-17s of WW2 - Operation Revival

Once Germany’s defeat became inevitable during World War 2, the thin threads that held the alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union began to snap as both factions contemplated the ominous future ahead. The situation was especially tense for the former American prisoners of war in the Stalag Luft I camp near the town of Barth, Germany; they were now free men, but they were stranded on the Eastern Front at the mercy of the Red Army. Making the long trip to the Western Front was not an option, as Eastern Europe was still ravaged by war and pockets of committed German soldiers. However, staying with the Soviets was no guarantee of safety either, as the American soldiers feared they could be taken to Siberia and used for forced labor or worse. When the US commanders learned of the former POWs’ plight in Germany, they swiftly orchestrated a massive and risky rescue plan, one where they would strip down hundreds of B-17s to their bare bones to become lighter and fit more people. Also, the reliable Flying Fortresses would need to make the unprecedented long trip from France to Barth without refueling, a challenge that also required careful planning. Soon, the largest airborne rescue mission of World War 2 was about to begin… --- Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between. As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.