The Aerospace Advantage Tidal Wave: Understanding the Ploiești Raid — Ep. 312
Oct 17, 2026
Doug Birkey, aerospace strategist and Mitchell Institute executive director, joins military historian and author Adam Makos. They explore the daring 1943 Ploiești raid, Romania’s complex wartime role, and the crew of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Makos shares his immersive research process, the humanity behind combat stories, and the challenge of preserving forgotten airmen’s legacies.
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A Childhood Magazine Became A Life’s Work
- Adam Makos began documenting military history after his grandfathers shared World War II stories and photographs with him.
- As a teenager, he skipped prom to interview Vietnam pilots and veterans for his homemade magazine.
The Human Moments Hidden Inside War
- Makos looks beyond victory totals and casualty figures for moments when humanity appears between supposed enemies.
- Charlie Brown’s friendship with German pilot Franz Stiegler revealed how different circumstances might have placed them on the same side.
Research History Through Immersion
- Immerse yourself in both the people and places before attempting to explain a historical event.
- Makos visited battlefields and lived alongside subjects, including riding Franz Stiegler’s minivan to understand him beyond his wartime legend.
