How The Allies Became Masters of the Air

How the Allies Became “Masters of the Air”: 10 Things You Need to Know about the Air War in Europe

In conjunction with the release of the highly-anticipated Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air, historian Glenn Flickinger tells the harrowing story of the WWII Air War in Europe. The Allies became “Masters of the Air” only after many hard lessons and changes in leadership and strategy. Glenn will talk about the 8th Air Force bombers, as well as fighters, tactical ground support, and the oft-forgotten 15th Air Force based in Italy. The turnaround the US Army Air Force achieved by D-Day stunned the enemy and helped win the war in Europe. 

In this in-person presentation, Glenn discusses the history of the air war over Europe from the perspective of the US Army Air Force. Besides the 8th Air Force heavy bombers, he discusses the role of fighters and the tactical air forces supporting the ground forces, the role of the 15th Air Force based in Italy. He also reviews the strategies involved, their initial flaws, the turnaround achieved to gain air superiority before the Normandy invasion, and finally the effectiveness of the overall air war strategy in winning the war. 

Glenn Flickinger is a historian, speaker, and host of the Veterans Breakfast Club's Greatest Generation Live, a livestreamed talk show about all things WWII. Retired from a long career as banker, business owner, and executive coach, Glenn now devotes himself full-time to his lifelong history obsession, lecturing widely and interviewing experts, authors, and veterans with stories to tell. In 2024, he launches a new weekly program, Masters of the Air Live, covering the history behind the Apple TV+ series. He will also lead a "Masters of the Air Tour" of Great Britain visiting museums, airfields, and other sites associated with the Air War over Europe. He is currently working on a biography of WWII Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox.