LOS ANGELES — In Sept. 1939, Nazi Germany invades Poland, kicking off the Second World War. The horrors that followed have been documented, and now Apple TV+ has adapted Donald L. Miller’s book “Masters of the Air” to recount the bravery of the men of the U.S. Air Force's 100th Bomb Group.

The men conducted bombing raids over Nazi Germany to devastate Hitler's military forces, flying beyond enemy lines to attack airfields, naval facilities and industrial plants.

The new Apple TV+ series sheds a light on the heroes who grappled with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air.  

Callum Turner says he knows a lot about World War II, but was not familiar with the story of the 100th Bomb Group, also known as the “Bloody Hundredth.”

“I think it is important to shine a light on their legacy. It is incredible what these guys did, the 100th and the 8th Air Force. They put themselves in some of the most volatile positions ever known to man. In terms of warfare, this was the most violent place someone could set foot in, and they did it continuously. They did it for us,” he told Spectrum News.

Nate Mann in "Masters of the Air." (Apple TV+)

“Masters of the Air” also looks at the psychological and emotional effects of war toward those on the front line. It is one of the themes Anthony Boyle, who plays Maj. Harry Crosby, hopes resonates with the audience.

“What we dive into in this series is the mental health aspect of the boys. These lads were going up there in these tin cans, thousands of feet up in the air, and 70 to 77 percent of them did not come back. We really go into their personal lives and relationships. I hope people really respond to it,” he said.

Rafferty Law in "Masters of the Air." (Apple TV+)

Raff Law, who plays Sgt. Ken Lemmons, told Spectrum News he was able to meet his character’s real-life family.

“It was incredible. It was a surreal moment to have that joy to be able to see their father’s story being retold," he said. "It was really, really special."

“Masters of the Air” is now streaming on Apple TV+. Its executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, who also teamed up on “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific.”

The series stars Academy Award nominee Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook and Ncuti Gatwa. 

Click the arrow above to watch the full interview with the cast.

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