Masters of the Air
This article contains spoilers for Masters of the Air .
Summary
In the 8th episode ofMasters of the Air , a new colonel of the 100th Bomb Group is introduced , Colonel T.S. Jeffrey , however , his newfound role in the show is sort of strange since his right World War II fib happened month before and was completely skip over by the war drama . play by Christopher Lakewood , Colonel Jeffrey steps in as the 100th ’s commander during D - Day ’s invasion of Normandy . Not only does he lay down the plan for that historic day , but he also advisesMaster of the Air’sMajor Crosbyto take a leave after overworking himself .
Episode eight is the first time audiences have seen Colonel T.S. Jeffrey , but as it turn out , the real - life man was quitepopular within the U.S. Army Air Forces . consort to the100th Bomb Group Foundation , Jeffrey may have been the divine guidance for Gregory Peck ’s character in the 1949 filmTwelve O’Clock High . Along with serving as the 100th ’s commandant for a time , Jeffrey was know for his flight acquirement . alike to how the centesimal viewedLieutenant Colonel Robert ' Rosie ' Rosenthal , Jeffrey impressed his fellow with his clean record , flying several dangerous yet successful missionswith the 390th .
Masters of the Air episode 8 offer a sneak peek into D - mean solar day and the 100th Bomb Group ’s efforts , however the episode skipped much about June 6 , 1944 .
Col. Jeffrey’s Schweinfurt Raid Story That Masters Of The Air Missed Out
One flight in particular that turn over Colonel Jeffrey his reputation wasthe Schweinfurt Raid on October 14 , 1943 . This flight came at a meter when the Eighth Air Force was flying various deadly deputation consecutively over Germany , called the Big Three , including the Muster Raid , which turned many of the 100th into POWs . During the Schweinfurt Raid , Jeffrey and his crew try their valor and skill by successfullybombing a German musket ball - bearing factory under intense Luftwaffe attack and survive to tell apart the narrative . Jeffrey was award a Silver Star and the group received their second Presidential Unit Citation .
Despite the fact that Schweinfurt was a huge step for Colonel Jeffrey , Masters of the Airnever limn it , or even mentions the event .
The Schweinfurt Raid , otherwise known as Black Thursday , was skip over by the war play , despite the fact that it was yet anotherhuge and pestilent struggle for the 100th . AlthoughMasters of the Airlikely skipped Black Thursdayfor pace purposes , it is still a ignominy that audience will only bonk Jeffrey as a blow over commandant rather than the hero he proved himself to be . Schweinfurt was both ruinous and imperative for the Eighth Air Force .
60 B-17 planes were fall behind during the Schweinfurt Raid , conduct to the deaths of some 600 airmen .
What Happened to Col. T.S. Jeffrey
After the war , Colonel T.S. Jeffrey worked as director of operation of U.S. Air Forces in Europe before render to the States in 1946 . For eight years , he worked at aviation force field as managing director and lieutenant theatre director . In the mid-1950s , Jeffreyworked at the Pentagon , and later on , became the director of Task Force-7 . His career leaned toward atomic tests and weapons , and during that time , he received the Legion of Merit . By 1967 , years afterMasters of the Air , he becamedirector of production and programming , Deputy Chief of Staff , Systems and Logistics , Headquarters U.S. Air Force .
