To be honest, I am at a loss for words. With the episode’s conclusion, Masters of the Air has reached its most poignant point to date. What happened to the real people depicted on film after the war was finally revealed, allowing us to put a face to the names. The band of brothers or the Pacific-style interviews that came before the episode would have been available if this had been broadcast even a decade or two ago; it’s a shame that no one from the 100th OMG group is still alive now.
This last episode covered the final months of the war, beginning on February 3, 1945, and ending on May 1, 1945. As the Allies drew near on all fronts, there were joyous celebrations and somber contemplation of the lives lost. Alright, then, let’s dive into this last episode and analyze it thoroughly.
The conclusion of Episode 9 of Masters of the Air is detailed here.
Spoilers Alert!
Rosie’s Final Combat Mission
Spoilers are ahead, I should warn you. In the last episode, which aired on February 3, 1945, Rosie was seen soaring above Berlin in her final combat mission. An excellent part of Crodd’s narration occurred when he described the 8th Air Force as the undisputed air superiority.
Being able to listen to this was really motivating. You can tell they’ve come a long way from the previous episodes when similar shots were common and death and peril were constant threats when compared to now, where they were essentially flying solo.
As we would later witness, the threat of death and harm persisted, albeit in a new form. From a visual standpoint, there were some amazing moments during this flight. The part where we followed the plane as it dropped bombs was my favorite. It was a fantastic shot since the camera followed them so closely that we were practically falling with them as they approached the target.
The photo is very stunning. We learned that two members of Rosie’s crew perished after the plane took repeated hits after they were airborne. He attempted to steer the plane away from Berlin so that it wouldn’t land there, all in an effort to make sure that the survivors were okay.
To ensure that the other crew might escape, he additionally maintained the plane’s level flight. After they were out, Rosie jumped and went down to the floor. After touching down, he became aware that he had landed in No Man’s Land, situated east of the former river between the lines. From Rosie’s demeanor, it appeared as though he was unable to raise his arm to seize his firearm in defense.
But when the approaching soldiers drew near, he revealed his nationality: America. Surprisingly, it was Red Army soldiers, not Germans, who were approaching him. His confirmation of American citizenship made him an instant comrade in their eyes. Everything that happened on this flight matched up with what transpired in reality.
The aerial image showed a plethora of planes because Rosie’s last mission was a part of a thousand plane raid. As the plane went up in smoke, Rosie stayed with it until the payload was dropped on the target and then the rest of the crew bailed. It was only when the plane was at an altitude of 300 meters that he climbed out before it went boom, demonstrating that he prioritized his crew’s lives above his own at that moment and was willing to do whatever it took to get them to a safe place. Two of his crew members died in the direct hit from flak.
The Red Army located him after he touched down, and he promptly went back to work. Rosenthal was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest military decoration in the US Army, for this mission. So, I thought the first part of this episode was fantastic in its adherence to reality and its utterly captivating storytelling.
The Evacuation Of Stalag Luft 3
That Rosie was a genuine hero was beautifully conveyed in this scene. Upon returning from the title scene, viewers witnessed the men at the Stalag Luft 3 camp being informed that they would have thirty minutes to prepare for the impending march. They were unsure of the duration and destination.
It is now abundantly clear that their destination was Spremberg, from which they were subsequently transferred to Nuremberg. At this period, the Germans were clearing the area of any trace of their presence and destroying anything in their path. From that vantage point, we witnessed the men trudging through snow and icy temperatures in what could only be described as a cruel, merciless, and unforgiving environment.
They still had 20 kilometers to go before reaching Stalag Luft 3, and that was just half of their journey. The Germans wanted everyone in the camp to get out of there, including the captives, because they knew the Allies were almost there. The fact that not only did we witness the inmates enduring the chill, but also the camp commander and guards, highlighting their intense reluctance to be captured and subjected to confrontation, was what captivated me about this scene.
They were so terrified of what was ahead that they were prepared to endure the extreme cold if it meant they had any chance of survival. While the guys were making their way there, lifeless bodies lay along the roadside. In actuality, this was also the situation.
On day one of the actual evacuation, the Americans lost their first man, and many more were either missing or fleeing. Laying down in the snow was the final resort for some. An emotionally charged incident occurred when a Jewish man named Solomon—whose dread was understandably heightened—assisted a German officer who had fallen victim to the camp’s harsh conditions.
There was an air of his realizing that he was Jewish when this same guard mentioned in an earlier episode that Solomon was a Jewish name. On the other hand, the Jewish Solomon was now assisting the anti-Semitic German guard. While we did see some Germans on this march who still had fight in them and believed they would win, we also noted that morale had dropped among many of the men.
The fact that not even the returning injured responded when the guard spoke to them indicated that morale was likely at an all-time low and hope was fading. After reaching Bad Muscow, the men were able to take a first break in a German labor industry.
Here, Bucky and Buck reflected on their friendship and also on their experiences in the war, saying that they would have done things differently if given the chance. However, it does prompt contemplation, doesn’t it? They might have gone up again and met their demise in the air if they hadn’t been shot down as they did and made it to Stalag Luft 3.
This period of rest is based on genuine events. The conditions were so poor that the straw beds were infested with bugs to the point that they could have moved themselves; they rested there for 30 hours. The following day, the bodies were brought to Nuremberg, where the men were led on a tour of a devastated German town that revealed the extent of the devastation as they walked into its heart.
Seeing a mother fishing under the wreckage and children running up to ask for food highlighted the impact on the civilians who lived there at the time. The next stop for the lads was Starlag 13, when Buck ran into an old acquaintance. For Buck and Bucky, getting away was always a possibility.
It had been on Bucky’s mind for quite some time prior to the evacuation. However, they decided against trying one when they first started the march because of how difficult the conditions would be. On April 2, 1945, however, Buck and two men were able to escape from Stalag 13 while trekking through the route to Bavaria.
Unfortunately, the German guard caught sight of Bucky, so they were separated for the first time in a long time and had no idea what happened to each other. The general anarchy made it simpler to slip away, which allowed for the escape to take place.
During this period, we also witnessed Allied planes flying overhead and attacking them as they marched at night. The reason behind this was that the enemy planes were unaware that the prisoners of war were among them. Being out in the open at night posed a threat because all they could see were the lights from the smokes and torches, leading them to believe that these were simply German soldiers.
During Buck’s escape, there was a point when he paused to examine a white horse that was injured and wandering about freely. According to popular belief, white horses represent liberty, and I take Buck’s sight of one at that point as a sign that not only was he about to be set free, but all of Europe was on the verge of escaping Germany’s control.
On the verge of liberation while resting, George, Bill, and Buck experienced a scene similar to that depicted in All Quiet on the Western Front. Not to give anything away, but if you’ve watched the movie, you’ll understand. Yet, within the framework of this program, a group of children murdered George just as he was about to be liberated.
Rosie’s Journey Home
Armed with unloaded firearms, these inexperienced youths had no idea what they were doing. Because of how near he was, this was a tragic moment. They were about to return home when he passed away in the wilderness. Later in the episode, American forces stationed in the town tracked down Buck in the Bavarian countryside. He was subsequently returned to Thorpe Abbots, where he was reunited with Crosby and Rosenthal.
A moment that did nothing more than make me happy than to witness because it was so joyful. The joy and anticipation they had for one another was contagious and appeared on film every time. It was incredible to witness Buck’s newfound sense of safety, which he hadn’t experienced in months.
After being away for so long, Buck felt a sense of comfort when he took out a dollar bill from his box and placed it in his pocket. We will discuss the emancipation of the camp and Bucky’s situation with the remaining prisoners later on.
Rosie’s Return Home After Rosenthal’s evacuation over Berlin, he needed a secure means to return to England, which the troops who rescued him helped him find. One of the episode’s most moving scenes occurred when Rosie passed Zabikowo on his way back.
People who were taken into custody would be kept in this camp while they were interrogated and investigated. If they were found guilty and were awaiting punishment or execution, they would also be executed there. From Zabikowo, people were frequently taken to concentration camps, from which it was extremely rare for someone to ever be liberated.
Many of the men were covering their faces with cloths to avoid being seen as the car drew near, so the air truly smelled of death. Upon entering the camp, Rosie beheld lifeless bodies preserved in appalling circumstances. The Germans had destroyed several of them before they left, so they looked even worse.
Slaying civilians and making off with what little they could find. It’s really terrible. Rosie saw that a large portion of the attendees were Jewish as he strolled around. I don’t think the fact that Rosenthal being Jewish was ever brought up in the show. His Yiddish conversation with the individual in this episode was the sole indication that he might be Jewish.
I got somewhat choked up by this scene with the man since it was so powerful. What we learned is that this old man had to bury his wife, daughter, and grandchildren in a grave after witnessing the massacre of his whole community. It was something he despised doing, but he had to do it since he knew his life was in danger otherwise.
“Not even the earth that covers our bones will remember us,” he remarked in a single statement. Among the most impactful lines delivered during the entire concert, this one was absolutely devastating. For the simple reason that I can’t help but wonder if the idea of being forgotten—along with the terrible treatment of these actual people and the loss of loved ones—ran through their minds during that period.
This bit of conversation really hit home for me because even after all these years, we can’t help but reflect on the events and the innocent lives lost. I believe that memory will remain with us forever. Once Rosie departed from the camp, we witnessed his return to Thorpe Abbots, where he was once again warmly welcomed by everyone.
However, he had a reflective moment in his mind as he drove back. In my opinion, this was the lasting mental image of the camp that he was unable to escape. Being aware of what had transpired and the sheer evilness of the enemy informed his discourse with Harry. Nietzsche, a German philosopher, once observed that those who battle monsters should be careful not to become monsters themselves, for looking into the abyss only draws attention to themselves. Cross cited this quote from Nietzsche.
This was Harry thinking back on all the murders he had committed and how he felt he no longer recognized himself standing before the mirror. Rosie avoided immediately answering the question about what he witnessed at this point. However, his statement about how he thought they were monsters and deserved what was coming to them gave you the impression that he was considering it.
The Liberation Of Stalag 7
Stalag 7 A, the biggest prisoner of war camp in Germany at the time, was the destination of the remaining captives following Buck’s escape from the march. Moosburg in southern Bavaria was where this was situated. The guards and prisoners’ dynamic was evolving subtly throughout the episodes, mostly as a result of the war’s changing tides.
The men weren’t even processed correctly when they arrived at the camp, for example. While this was going on, a P 51 began bombing the camp’s towers—where the guards were stationed—setting off a domino effect that led the guards to open fire on the detainees. Their monstrous nature was on full display.
The inmates’ jubilant cheers whenever the P 51 smashed into the camp were the root cause of this. Since the guards had betrayed the inmates, the inmates had turned against the guards as well, leaving the guards drastically outnumbered. According to legend, 75 were aboard Starlag 7 in January of that year.
And as they began to fight back, the inmates’ mindsets shifted, anticipating their eventual release. During the cheering, an American flag was hoisted into place, and Buck, who had been searching for one to replace the one in the center of the camp, pondered on the event and viewed it as a sign that he was finally free to return to England, safe and secure.
The Ending
During the actual camp breakout, a brief skirmish broke out between withdrawing German soldiers and American tanks. The 240 guards stationed at the camp also surrendered along with several men. That is why the scene in question occurred during that particular episode. At the episode’s conclusion, we learned that the Dutch were receiving aid, but that they were not completely safe because they had no idea whether the German troops would respect the truce.
It seemed like a great full circle moment when Rosie and Buck went up with Kroes. Rosie remarked that flying with Buck was a privilege. I believe the honor was shared between the two of them, though, because Rosie had finished more missions than Buck had by that point. When they returned, Bucky was chatting on the radio as they drew near the landing, and we could see that all four of them were getting back together.
At one point, Bucky even asked Cross, “Are you still being sick?” and I needed to chuckle. Then we heard Churchill announce that the war had ended and the Germans had capitulated; after that, there were wild celebrations. Even though it was a moment for celebration, I had the impression that the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of loss and death.
It wasn’t inappropriate to celebrate, but there was an underlying sense of melancholy since many of the original men were no longer involved. You could feel the bittersweetness of Buck and Bucky’s alone, I suppose; that’s what bittersweet is. Getting ready to return home was the last scene we witnessed in the episode.
I can only imagine how bizarre it was to leave the location you’ve called home for the previous few years, a place where you could have literally soared into the sky and never come back. All of the men were heading home; Buck to Marge, Cross to Gene and their newborn boy, and everyone else. Before we lost sight of them, there was a glimpse of all the planes in the sky, which showed that these men were finally safe to return home.
It was the ideal way to round out the show. Returning to the heights, but this time in a totally new setting. They were familiar with their landing spot and knew they were returning home. In conclusion, I enjoyed this last episode very much. All the feels were there, and I was amazed by the real-life characters that inspired the show.
Just as in Band of Brothers and The Pacific, you can’t help but admire these individuals as heroes and wonder how they pulled it off. The finale didn’t really have anything going on, but that was fine with me. We had a fantastically structured and visually stunning opening piece that centered on the air.
Instead, we got to see the protagonists’ fight for liberation as they endured hardship after hardship. It wasn’t necessary for the show to focus solely on flying, even if it was dubbed Masters of the Air. The story revolved around the individuals known as the Masters of the Air. In comparison to Band of Brothers, this show successfully handled the temporal transition that the Pacific failed to do.
Masters Of The Air Episode 9 Review
In my opinion, it was somewhat counterproductive because of how strongly it was felt in the Pacific. Even while it was noticeable in both this and the last episode, it wasn’t as abrupt or out of place as in the pilot. It was expertly handled by Band of Brothers and ran like clockwork. Neither of the other two shows came close to matching it.
With their unique connections to each character, Buck, Bucky, Rosenthal, and Crosby truly stole the show. The casting was impeccable, and every single one of them gave fantastic performances. If another Spielberg war film is in the works, I would love to see it. To be fair, I can see how a trilogy may provide that sense of completion.
What a fantastic way for the program to end with the last few moments showcasing the images and stories of the real individuals who created the characters. Their experiences and subsequent actions after the war gave it a genuine sense of closure.
I’ll leave you with this: what a spectacular performance. Finally, the conclusion of Episode 9 of Masters of the Air has been explained. Please know how much I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my Masters of the Air reviews. It has been an incredible experience to learn about these real-life heroes and watch them portrayed so brilliantly on television; covering this event has been an absolute pleasure.
Such a program has the power to remind us of the sacrifices made by the real people who battled for our freedom and to fill us with wonder at what they accomplished. Watching Band of Brothers and Masters of the Air again and learning about these genuine people has given me a new respect and admiration for what they accomplished, and I’ve always been grateful for it.
Additionally, I wanted to inform you all that I have been covering Band of Brothers. If you are interested in seeing my analysis of the program, you can find them on my channel. I have already posted the first three episodes, and I will be releasing episode four in the next days. It has been my pleasure, and I will see you on the next show that you are watching that I cover.
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