As a German thank you for your work. When we try to ask our grandparents about this topic, there´s silence most of the time. Not because they lost the war but because it was such a cruel time. Even my great grandmother who had polio and under (during this time) normal circumstances was supposed to be killed didn´t say a word except "There are things you don´t want to know."
As I was scanning the stories and this came up.....and the tears flowed. Greetings from Canada. This is my Uncle Dick who was married to my Dad's oldest sister my Aunt Rita. He died in Aug of 2022 at the age of 100 and 9 months. I always thanked two people on the Anniversary of D Day and Remembrance Day....my Dad who landed in Juno Beach and Normandy and my Uncle Duck. This Nov 11 for the first time in decades I couldn't pick up that phone and say Hi Uncle Dick it's Donna. Rough day. Please don't ever forget these men who took such chances to give us our freedom. So glad You were my Uncle my entire life. 😘
Here, here! My father was US Army infantry. 5 countries in the European theatre. He and his four other siblings (three brothers and and one sister) were in the war. They all returned home safely. Thank God!
Its crazy to think that as time goes the greatest generation is forgotten! Schools need to make it a priority to teach what these men and women went through!
Many years ago I was secretary to an ex-RAF pilot. He told me, please don't ask me about the War as I lost my family in the Bombing of Britain. R.I.P Sir, God bless you and all the brave pilots who helped to win World War II. We owe you all a deep debt of gratitude.
Man, we owe our lives to the brave young men and women who sacrificed their lives to fight Nazism. Everytime I watch one of these interviews im filled with so much patriotic pride its insane. Thanks for all your hard work MOWW2.
My mums Mum was a child at that time she would tell us stories how they would be woken up in the night and have to go to the bombing shelters, she met one of her life long friends in there. But when ever we were visiting and a Thunderstorm would happen, My grandma would lay on the sofa with a pillow over her head and let out a gasp/yelp whenever the thunder would clap..... I didnt understand it when I was little...but now I know its because of the horrors that she endured as a child. Thank you for your service, sir.
Thanks for showing a pilot from the RAF. My Grandmother was an RAF nurse. She died in 2012 at the age of 88. She would have been an interesting interview. She would talk about her experiences as a nurse at Ipswich. She would tell us about the different soldiers and airmen who came through. She also went out to the runway as the planes came back. Some made it back, only to crash on the runway. Wish she was here to tell the stories for your channel. Thanks again for your channel.
I feel humbled by hearing what young men achieved during WW II. Their unassuming bravery will never be forgotten and your series will ensure this. Well done and keep up the excellent work!
I've said it before on another video and I'll say it again. These videos NEED to be shown in classrooms all across the world, you can't get this type of learning experience from history books. These men who were there and lived through it, telling their stories is as real as it gets for us back home.
My great uncle William Bishop, whom I'm named after, was a navigator in Short Sterling's then Lancasters he was in the famous dambusters squadron however was killed before the famous use of bouncing bombs, he had actually completed his missions but volunteered to follow his friend group captain Wier and on their final mission the only survivor of the aircraft was the group captain who only survived due to the Lancaster armoured seat saving his life, the paperwork and medals are a reminder that my name is one to be proud of and to hopefully one day make it worthy of my use, the guys of bomber command and indeed all portions of the armed services are heroes and worthy of remembrance so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video it means alot
my grandfather was a tailgunner in a lancaster. he passed away when i was still too young to ask questions about his experiences. thanks for these videos.
I was relocated for few days during a bushfire... I was walking down the street and at the fence line of a property was an old man. Well dressed and with a tie. He simply invited me inside for a cup of tea as if he had known me for years. I sat and talked with him and his wife.... He also was a tail gunner on a Lancaster. He talked like you'd talk with somebody about doing some work around the home. As if it was perfectly natural and every day and that it was only a job he did, yet he appreciated that he was lucky to be alive. He talked of his tactics and those of the German pilots who came up behind in their attacks. I listened to him just as I might have sat and listened to my own Father..... An irony is that my own Father was actually in the Luftwaffe.... I never heard him speak of his experiences though but once he exploded for a few moments in absolute anger and hatred towards only one group... The Nazis. Another irony is that my best friend in my school years was the son of an Australian Italian who flew in Britain with the RAF and then returned to live in Australia and to raise a family. A wonderful story to read is that of an American pilot of a B17, Charlie Brown and a German pilot, Franz Stigler, who refused to shoot down his crippled plane as it made its way back across the English Channel after a bombing raid. They became very close friends as old men.
Not a single crew of his bomber got injured after so many runs into the heart of germany... skill most probably played part but also an immense amount of luck... truly a blessed one
Respect to you and your men sir. I later joined the RAF as an aircraft engineer, I was directly influenced by seeing the brave crews of WW2. Thanks yo all of you our country remained free. I went on to serve through the 'cold war'. I now fly myself doing pilot training.
Ive literally been watching all these without stopping since 2 AM its now 11 Am lol 😂. My grandfather fought in this war and I miss him so much everyday. Forever respect the WW2 vets. Strongest generation of humans to ever exist and we will never have another generation like theirs. Thank you to anybody here that had a relative serve for us. Much love to all n bless us all.🥺💯
Over 55,000 men in Bomber Command lost their lives doing their duty for this country. There service definitely shortened the war and saved lives both military and civilian. Heroes all, we must never forget their sacrifice!
I was literally just watching one of your previous videos, and clicked on this as soon as I saw it. Keep up the work, these are incredible videos, and very important for all future generations, thank you so much.
Thank you for your selfless heroism in the air and the eagerness to do the riskiest job and dedication to insist to extend your abilities within the extents of your god gifted capabilities. Our sovereignty and culture has relied on us all. You answered your calls. In the most british way possible. We salute you Boys. You Mad Lads you
I don't know but I would guess that you have a better chance of winning the lottery than doing what Richard did. To fly that many missions and not loose a single man is incredible. What a hero. Thank you sir.
Thank you Richard, your crew, and all members of the RAF, for your service, sacrifice, and for being a wonderful friend of the U.S.A. May God bless you all
From a yank…. I absolutely love the British. They are so respectful and fearless. It’s amazing that after the USA broke away, we’ve become such tight allies. Long live Britain. May their citizens live in peace.
My dad is 97 years old and among the last of the WWII veterans. In a very few years none of the men who served in the war will be alive. Thank you for capturing this story.
Get as much information from your Dad about his experience in the war as possible. I know very little about what my Dad experienced and now he is gone. He passed away 6 years ago at 92. So much history is lost.
I’m not sure who the creator of these are but thank you. I lost my great grandfather in 2002 he served on the USS Nevada and was 16 when Pearl Harbor took place. They truly were the greatest generation.
I wish the Internet was as complex now I would have filmed my Father in law( pre 2000's) . He served 39-45 in the Navy sailing all theatres in something like 6 ships . Malta , Egypt and the mediterranean , Artic Convoys , Anzio , Normandy . He had some luck in his first week at sea , some sad stories, some horrors , a bit of adventure but got through it all
My Mother was a war bride. She lived in London during the war. She met my Father a B17 mechanic at the VE celebration at Trafalgar Square. Brought her from London to a small farm in NW Ohio. Imagine the contrast in lifestyle. Our Sunday dinners of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding would almost always end with stories of the war from both of their experiences. My sisters and I hung on every word and passed those stories on to our children. Didn't realize it at the time because there was no diagnosis, but my mother dealt with PTSD, nothing serious but I remember long stares like she was somewhere else. I know now where she was. Her cousin was a bomber pilot and mentioned that he felt safer in the air as he could see the destruction below and felt for the civilians on the ground.
Wow! What an amazing story from another unsung hero of World War II. I realize he was a British bomber plot during the war, but I wonder if he moved to the U. S. after the war. His used the American term "soccer" rather the more common British term "football." His accent also sounded very American influenced. Either way, his story was amazing and I'm glad it was recorded for us all to enjoy.
Australian here! I wonder if he knew many of the famous G for George crew. I’ve heard many of Australians loved working with the British. Thank you for service fella
I contribute my interest in WWII to my grandfather who grew up during the Battle of Britain. His stories of narrowly surviving German air attacks and watching dogfights from the roof of his bomb shelter captivated me as a child. I now live in Japan and have befriended a man who grew up during the US bombing raids on Japan. His stories sound so similar to my grandfather’s despite being from two separate nations that were at war with each other. I wish I could sit them down together and just let them talk. Thank you for all that you do. You have such an important mission and I wish more people knew about you.
My grandad served in the Royal Artillery, he was a die hard fan of Dulwich Hamlet FC as it was his local team. He more than likely watched Mr Boyd play. It's a small world...
I've had two father-in-laws, and both were in the Army Air Corps of WWII, Both were men I looked up to and admired. God bless both of them and rest in peace sirs.
@@BoldLion It’s a picture of Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier in 1948. I looked up to him from a young age. It was sad he passed away last year in December. Thank you and I wish the same for you too!!
The Lancaster bombers were also seen in service after the World War Two in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency 1948-1960. There's also a Lancaster bomber wreckage deep in the Malayan jungle probably crashed due to technical failure issue.
My hat's off to them too. The Luftwaffe gave them absolute hell, they suffered a bunch of early setbacks, and yet they still endured and helped free western Europe from tyranny. The Brits of World War II are some of the toughest, strongest people I've ever heard of.
@@ballard2212 Difficult to say, they had Canada, the other Commonwealth nations and the whole empire on their side. I personally think the British could have survived, but I don't know if they and Canada could have liberated Europe on their own. And Khrushchev said that if not for American Lend-Lease, the Soviets would likely have collapsed in 1942. Apart from maybe Sweden, Britain would have been a lone island of freedom in a European sea of tyranny and evil. America enabled Europe to win back its freedom.
I served in the Royal Navy but during peace time. So much respect for this generation, from many nations, who were stalwart and brave beyond belief. WW2 could easily have turned out so very badly without them. Respect and a huge Thank You.
Superb again Josh and the team. Glad you included our British hero’s as well as the American lads who fought side by side against evil. The greatest generation indeed.
People really should talk about the British role in the Korean War as well. Even as an American, I'm bewildered how little your guys are talked about there, there were some incredibly courageous fellows in that bunch (both in the army units and the Royal Navy). Too bad we couldn't liberate the whole peninsula, but at least we saved South Korea and stopped the Communist aggression.
My father crossed the Rhine that day. Thank you for your service and for understanding what it meant to stop a bombing run. So many things had to happen right for the whole effort to work to win the war. God was watching over all of you.
Wow he is sharp for his age! It was interesting listening to a Lancaster pilot and his stories. He was a damn good pilot from what I saw here. He brought his crews home, that was what was important. Good man!
I have to applaud Richards crew for their ingenuity in going to him when it was time to pick your crew. Actually looking up who's the most experienced pilot shows intelligence and Richard would want them because they're obviously smart. When you're facing war it's only natural to limit your chance of dying as much as you possibly can
Britain's greatest generation They're likes will..never come again . My heroes everyone of them. Lest we forget.. None but the brave.. Rest in peace.. Fly high in the sky..❤
I was privileged when I was a kid to have some family members who have fought in both World War 1 and World War 2. I never met either of my grandfather's, one of whom did serve in the military during the tail end of World War 1, however, I did meet a brother his and cousins who had fought in that war. The irony is, there was one cousin who was a gas specialist, loading artillery shells. Another one, in the same sector of France, was someone who fired off the artillery, a sergeant. That puts a rather comical image in my mind of one pulling the shells off the truck and handing it to the other so that he could push him in the barrel and poof them off at the Germans. I have talked with men who survived the Bataan Death March, being pows, fighting behind the lines in Normandy, and a variety of other places during the war. One of my mother's Brothers was a pilots in the Pacific during WWII, another was a medical orderly in the units that first took casualties from Normandy and the continent during The Invasion. Another one died in the war, winning the SilverStar while saving his unit and killing a full truckload of Germans. The beauty part is, those Germans were all SS, so bully!
This channel is the most important on TH-cam. Thank you for preserving history and sharing story's that'll stick with us forever. My great uncle Walter Yaholnitsky Warrant Officer II RAF 249th Squadron was K.I.A. April 9th 1943 when he reportedly bailed out at 800 feet during an offensive sweep. His body washed ashore 11 days later his Spitfire BR131 T-O was never recovered.
I say this everytime this clip appears out of the blue. So happy to hear his voice once again. He lived to be 100. That is my dear Uncle Dick I miss talking to him but I can hear his voice in the long distance calls. 😘🇨🇦
My great uncle was a Lancaster bomber pilot during world war 2. He was shot down and died at 21, younger than my younger brother is now. Thank you for this series of videos, sharing memories and important stories which we should be very grateful for.
The bombing of dresden was the worst. But there is cost for everything. Even victory. I can't believe we are the last generation to see them. Please make a video on col. Edward shames of 101st airborne div. He is a last member of the band of brothers fame. A veteran of ww2 from d day till berchesgaden
Well... Dresden WAS a justified target, it was the key junction of the German railway system and one of the final supply lines for the Eastern Front, so the bombing was VERY important for the Soviets in the East. As well as, the death toll has been HIGHLY exaggerated, mainly by German propoganda at the time (like Joseph Geobbels) and incorrect assumptions in the present (like David Irving), who put the number at anywhere from 100,000 - 300,000. When in reality, the death toll was between 20,000 - 25,000 (80% from suffocation) as discovered by historians working for Dresden to determine the true numbers, which is still alot, but not this genocidal revenge mission some people try to make it out to be. It was a strategic and justified bombing target, which sadly resulted in heavy civilian casualties, but DID contribute to Allied victory in Europe.
People remember Dresden but forget Coventry where the Nazis wanted to completely destroy a city. The Luftwaffe dropped 500 tons of high explosive, 30,000 incendiaries and 50 landmines as well as experimental explosive incendiaries. London was systematically bombed by the Luftwaffe for 56 days and nights. All across Britain, places like Hull, Swansea and Birgmingham were obliterated. No one remembers the grotesque chapter of the war when the Luftwaft dropped butterfly bombs in towns across the UK these small bombs were purely 'anti personnel' bombs designed to kill and maim people, the Nazi's used them on British civilians; to ensure chaos and terror they mixed the fuses so those trying to disarm them would be killed or they would land in a gutter or in a tree detonating hours later, they looked like a child's toy, so many curious children were blown to bits picking up the bombs. 20-25,000 died in Dresden. But 150,000 people were killed at Babi Yar alone, men, women and children marched into a ravine, forced to strip naked before being murdered. It's a hard truth that if Drezden being razed shortened the war by a day it probably saved more lives than it cost, it bought hundreds of thousands of brutalised, starved, sick and tortured people in the camps precious hours that undoubtedly meant the difference between life and death.
This made me tear up. So thankful for these gentlemen and their upmost determination to protect their country. This makes me so proud to be a Brit. I knew a gentleman named John Pascoe Watson, he was a spitfire pilot during WW2, he fought in Africa and survived being shot down there. He passed in 2011, but I will forever be grateful I had the chance to know him.
"Grim Determination" yes! This incredible man explained everything in a way better than any teacher or tv show, movie I've watched!!! What a smart, amazing man & his crew! Thank you for all your hard work!!!
we agree that a Canadian Vet would be a great interview. If you know of a lead please fill out a veteran form on our website www.memoirsofwwii.com thanks for watching! www.memoirsofwwii.com/veteran-form
This episode makes me so proud of our Royal Air Force and the rest of our armed forces. I’ve said before and I’ve said it again - people of my grandparents’ age really were the greatest generation and I struggle to comprehend how their grandchildren (I.e. my generation) would have dealt with what they went through. Also, us British will forever be grateful for the help you Americans gave us when we most needed it, so we could work together to defeat the axis. We came so close to losing it all and only your support after the Battle of Britain - coupled with the Russians tying his forces down in the East- ensured conclusively that Hitler couldn’t eventually invade.
What an interesting and full life this man has led. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like to witness World War II from the sky as you flew over it countless times and never knew when you'd encounter fighters and anti aircraft fire. Truly remarkable
My Grandma's elementary school was bombed by the Nazis, that was the final straw for her and she immigrated to the US and became a US citizen. She had a pin pal from the US that she stayed in touch with throughout school and met up with him after she got into the US. She later married one of his friends and started a family, which I'm very thankful for! Haha
@@terminallumbago6465 just south of the Scotland border but I don't remember the exact name of the town. I want to travel there someday and meet some distant cousins, I always wanted to take my grandma back there but by the time I could afford that kinda trip she sadly passed away. My dad and I still want to do it, we've talked about taking some of her ashes back home. Once things get back to normal it's a trip we need to do!
How does this channel not have 1,000,000 subscribers yet? Man...the content is incredible. Thanks team for letting these incredible veterans share their story with the world.
My father served in the RAF from 1941 to 1947. In 1947 he joined BOAC in ground operations. Five countries and two airlines later, he retired in 1986 as the Operations and Maintenance Manager, North America for Swissair. Thank you for your kind words.
Excellent episode and it's great to hear the perspective from some of the American allies. He's a true hero in my book. Thank you for bringing us another important story to remember and person we should honor.
I grew up with a family friend who’s Dad was a navigator/pilot. He told me about dropping special operations executive supplies and operatives into France. They would fly by themselves across the channel in a Lancaster about 30-50ft off the water. When they got to France they were so low the tops of trees would sometimes brush the bottom of the plane. When it was time to drop whatever they were carrying they would go up to drop height kick whatever it was out and then drop back under the radar. All this was done at night without night vision.
We owe our lives to these brave people 🙏 every time I watch about ww2 or talk l am full of emotions, mostly sadness 😢for all people and animals that died in ww2😢
Absolutely excellent job, the editing, the score and the commentary are all amazing. But, most importantly these guys stories. They must be told they are a pivotal part of our history and in telling these stories it helps new generations understand what these people went through and did to fight tyranny and oppression. Both of my grandfathers fought in WWII and both are in Arlington Cemetery, ironically not far from one another. I truly respect and honor what your doing. Keep up the amazing work.
Mr Boyd and his crew had guardian angels watching over them! It was a rare thing for an entire crew to survive the war - especially to survive as many sorties as they took part in!
Fantastic video. Thank you. My uncle was a Lancaster navigator . I think he flew some pathfinder missions. I wish I had found out more. He would never talk about it.
As a German thank you for your work. When we try to ask our grandparents about this topic, there´s silence most of the time. Not because they lost the war but because it was such a cruel time. Even my great grandmother who had polio and under (during this time) normal circumstances was supposed to be killed didn´t say a word except "There are things you don´t want to know."
My Opa used to say "you remember. I'm trying to forget."
As I was scanning the stories and this came up.....and the tears flowed.
Greetings from Canada. This is my Uncle Dick who was married to my Dad's oldest sister my Aunt Rita. He died in Aug of 2022 at the age of 100 and 9 months.
I always thanked two people on the Anniversary of D Day and Remembrance Day....my Dad who landed in Juno Beach and Normandy and my Uncle Duck.
This Nov 11 for the first time in decades I couldn't pick up that phone and say Hi Uncle Dick it's Donna. Rough day. Please don't ever forget these men who took such chances to give us our freedom.
So glad You were my Uncle my entire life.
😘
Beautiful story, hopefully he's with our father in heaven. Greetings from Rimbey Alberta.
Here, here! My father was US Army infantry. 5 countries in the European theatre. He and his four other siblings (three brothers and and one sister) were in the war. They all returned home safely. Thank God!
What a great man. I really wish my grandfather was still alive to give his story. He was a B-17 pilot. His name was John Russ. He died in 1981.
Much respect to this team for talking to these men before we lose them forever, And also to the armed forces who fought for freedom.
"Fought for freedom" - Gotta love this trope. White people can't conceptualize about fighting for anything other than some vague idea of freedom lol.
@@DontDrinkthatstuff Assuming im white are we? Thats not very cash money of you captian SJW.
Amen
Its crazy to think that as time goes the greatest generation is forgotten! Schools need to make it a priority to teach what these men and women went through!
What an incredible man from a wonderful generation.
Many years ago I was secretary to an ex-RAF pilot. He told me, please don't ask me about the War as I lost my family in the Bombing of Britain. R.I.P Sir, God bless you and all the brave pilots who helped to win World War II. We owe you all a deep debt of gratitude.
Man, we owe our lives to the brave young men and women who sacrificed their lives to fight Nazism. Everytime I watch one of these interviews im filled with so much patriotic pride its insane. Thanks for all your hard work MOWW2.
@@TruthSeeker. Of course you don’t, but Americans do!
Patriotic pride lol. WW2 ruined Europe you dunce.
You sound like a clown its hilarious.enjoy your new world order and the death of your culture and race :)
@@DontDrinkthatstuff i know right! Can you believe some people
@@WatchmyPlaylist. Yeah it's sad king
My mums Mum was a child at that time
she would tell us stories how they would be woken up in the night and have to go to the bombing shelters, she met one of her life long friends in there.
But when ever we were visiting and a Thunderstorm would happen, My grandma would lay on the sofa with a pillow over her head and let out a gasp/yelp whenever the thunder would clap..... I didnt understand it when I was little...but now I know its because of the horrors that she endured as a child.
Thank you for your service, sir.
Thanks for showing a pilot from the RAF. My Grandmother was an RAF nurse. She died in 2012 at the age of 88. She would have been an interesting interview. She would talk about her experiences as a nurse at Ipswich. She would tell us about the different soldiers and airmen who came through. She also went out to the runway as the planes came back. Some made it back, only to crash on the runway. Wish she was here to tell the stories for your channel. Thanks again for your channel.
Thanks for sharing a bit of her story!
I feel humbled by hearing what young men achieved during WW II. Their unassuming bravery will never be forgotten and your series will ensure this. Well done and keep up the excellent work!
I've said it before on another video and I'll say it again. These videos NEED to be shown in classrooms all across the world, you can't get this type of learning experience from history books. These men who were there and lived through it, telling their stories is as real as it gets for us back home.
@@Cervi65 that's awesome
Agreed!!! Everywhere and to every child!!
My great uncle William Bishop, whom I'm named after, was a navigator in Short Sterling's then Lancasters he was in the famous dambusters squadron however was killed before the famous use of bouncing bombs, he had actually completed his missions but volunteered to follow his friend group captain Wier and on their final mission the only survivor of the aircraft was the group captain who only survived due to the Lancaster armoured seat saving his life, the paperwork and medals are a reminder that my name is one to be proud of and to hopefully one day make it worthy of my use, the guys of bomber command and indeed all portions of the armed services are heroes and worthy of remembrance so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video it means alot
my grandfather was a tailgunner in a lancaster. he passed away when i was still too young to ask questions about his experiences. thanks for these videos.
I was relocated for few days during a bushfire... I was walking down the street and at the fence line of a property was an old man. Well dressed and with a tie. He simply invited me inside for a cup of tea as if he had known me for years. I sat and talked with him and his wife.... He also was a tail gunner on a Lancaster. He talked like you'd talk with somebody about doing some work around the home. As if it was perfectly natural and every day and that it was only a job he did, yet he appreciated that he was lucky to be alive. He talked of his tactics and those of the German pilots who came up behind in their attacks. I listened to him just as I might have sat and listened to my own Father..... An irony is that my own Father was actually in the Luftwaffe.... I never heard him speak of his experiences though but once he exploded for a few moments in absolute anger and hatred towards only one group... The Nazis. Another irony is that my best friend in my school years was the son of an Australian Italian who flew in Britain with the RAF and then returned to live in Australia and to raise a family. A wonderful story to read is that of an American pilot of a B17, Charlie Brown and a German pilot, Franz Stigler, who refused to shoot down his crippled plane as it made its way back across the English Channel after a bombing raid. They became very close friends as old men.
Not a single crew of his bomber got injured after so many runs into the heart of germany... skill most probably played part but also an immense amount of luck... truly a blessed one
His crew all chose him before he chose them, and he returned the compliment by bringing them all home safe and sound. 🇬🇧 😊
They did theie homework, and it paid off too!
Respect to you and your men sir. I later joined the RAF as an aircraft engineer, I was directly influenced by seeing the brave crews of WW2. Thanks yo all of you our country remained free. I went on to serve through the 'cold war'. I now fly myself doing pilot training.
These are brave men. They speak so well for being so old.
yep there gonna be a good narrator ngl
For being so old? WTH?
Ive literally been watching all these without stopping since 2 AM its now 11 Am lol 😂. My grandfather fought in this war and I miss him so much everyday. Forever respect the WW2 vets. Strongest generation of humans to ever exist and we will never have another generation like theirs. Thank you to anybody here that had a relative serve for us. Much love to all n bless us all.🥺💯
Over 55,000 men in Bomber Command lost their lives doing their duty for this country. There service definitely shortened the war and saved lives both military and civilian. Heroes all, we must never forget their sacrifice!
I was literally just watching one of your previous videos, and clicked on this as soon as I saw it. Keep up the work, these are incredible videos, and very important for all future generations, thank you so much.
Thank you for your selfless heroism in the air and the eagerness to do the riskiest job and dedication to insist to extend your abilities within the extents of your god gifted capabilities. Our sovereignty and culture has relied on us all. You answered your calls. In the most british way possible. We salute you Boys. You Mad Lads you
This is how I ended up here.
It's our responsibility & it's imperative that we don't ever forget the courageous men & women & their stories.
It’s unbelievable what this generation did.
Yes indeed it is I pray if the time ever comes for people to stand up we would have the courage that they have
Warrior's...
Everyone fought for freedom. Look what Hitler did. 6 million people gone!!
It’s our turns now boys. Gear up it’s going to get ugly
Compared to now youngsters fighting over vape pens
"We managed to stay human after all..." - Wow. This is fantastic. Thank you.
Half the world was handed over to communism after the war.
I don't know but I would guess that you have a better chance of winning the lottery than doing what Richard did. To fly that many missions and not loose a single man is incredible. What a hero. Thank you sir.
Richard Boyd was a true gentleman and free world hero. I salute you Sir.
Humble. Gracious. Loyal to The Queen and his crew. Richard is the type of hero we all need to hear more about.
"we all came back in one piece" that honestly brought a tear to my eye
Every CO wants that. It IS the greatest reward, better than promotions or commendation…
Thank you Richard, your crew, and all members of the RAF, for your service, sacrifice, and for being a wonderful friend of the U.S.A. May God bless you all
An RAF Veteran wow! I enjoyed his perspective of the war from the Blitz to his service. Well done video.
Thank you for your service, Richard 🇬🇧
From a yank…. I absolutely love the British. They are so respectful and fearless. It’s amazing that after the USA broke away, we’ve become such tight allies. Long live Britain. May their citizens live in peace.
My dad is 97 years old and among the last of the WWII veterans. In a very few years none of the men who served in the war will be alive. Thank you for capturing this story.
Get as much information from your Dad about his experience in the war as possible. I know very little about what my Dad experienced and now he is gone. He passed away 6 years ago at 92. So much history is lost.
Greatest generation of all times... Much respect indeed.
if i was a crewman i would want him as my captain.
@@TruthSeeker. Something I’m sure you’re all too familiar with! lol
@@TruthSeeker. Ever thought of a 3rd grade refresher course in English grammar?
I’m not sure who the creator of these are but thank you. I lost my great grandfather in 2002 he served on the USS Nevada and was 16 when Pearl Harbor took place. They truly were the greatest generation.
I wish the Internet was as complex now I would have filmed my Father in law( pre 2000's) . He served 39-45 in the Navy sailing all theatres in something like 6 ships . Malta , Egypt and the mediterranean , Artic Convoys , Anzio , Normandy . He had some luck in his first week at sea , some sad stories, some horrors , a bit of adventure but got through it all
My Mother was a war bride. She lived in London during the war. She met my Father a B17 mechanic at the VE celebration at Trafalgar Square. Brought her from London to a small farm in NW Ohio. Imagine the contrast in lifestyle. Our Sunday dinners of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding would almost always end with stories of the war from both of their experiences. My sisters and I hung on every word and passed those stories on to our children. Didn't realize it at the time because there was no diagnosis, but my mother dealt with PTSD, nothing serious but I remember long stares like she was somewhere else. I know now where she was. Her cousin was a bomber pilot and mentioned that he felt safer in the air as he could see the destruction below and felt for the civilians on the ground.
Hard to imagine the strength of the bond between this man and his crew. No doubt a bond that lasted for the rest of their lives
finally we got a fellow brit on here!! I love the RAF
Wow! What an amazing story from another unsung hero of World War II. I realize he was a British bomber plot during the war, but I wonder if he moved to the U. S. after the war. His used the American term "soccer" rather the more common British term "football." His accent also sounded very American influenced. Either way, his story was amazing and I'm glad it was recorded for us all to enjoy.
Yes, he has lived in the US for some time now, Thanks for watching!
@@MemoirsofWWII I'm just curious. Can you tell us what U. S. state he has lived in? Thanks again for sharing his story!
Australian here! I wonder if he knew many of the famous G for George crew. I’ve heard many of Australians loved working with the British. Thank you for service fella
I contribute my interest in WWII to my grandfather who grew up during the Battle of Britain. His stories of narrowly surviving German air attacks and watching dogfights from the roof of his bomb shelter captivated me as a child. I now live in Japan and have befriended a man who grew up during the US bombing raids on Japan. His stories sound so similar to my grandfather’s despite being from two separate nations that were at war with each other. I wish I could sit them down together and just let them talk. Thank you for all that you do. You have such an important mission and I wish more people knew about you.
My grandad served in the Royal Artillery, he was a die hard fan of Dulwich Hamlet FC as it was his local team. He more than likely watched Mr Boyd play. It's a small world...
wow what a coincidence
I've had two father-in-laws, and both were in the Army Air Corps of WWII, Both were men I looked up to and admired.
God bless both of them and rest in peace sirs.
Honestly so glad you guys talked to an RAF pilot.
May they all be remembered forever. Respects from 🇨🇦. My god the war was so horrific.
I had goosebumps listening to his story. It’s so exciting to see the war from a British pilot. Can’t wait to hear more veterans stories in the future!
If I may ask are you a VET sir?!
@@BoldLion no
@@Historybuffm8 Your profile picture looks military to me. That is the reason why I asked. I wish you and your family an amazing weekend sir!
@@BoldLion It’s a picture of Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier in 1948. I looked up to him from a young age. It was sad he passed away last year in December. Thank you and I wish the same for you too!!
@@Historybuffm8 Thank you!
Clicked straight away ! It's so important to keep those stories alive for next generations
Gotta keep that post WW2 mythology alive!
The Lancaster bombers were also seen in service after the World War Two in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency 1948-1960. There's also a Lancaster bomber wreckage deep in the Malayan jungle probably crashed due to technical failure issue.
As a Yank, To all British Veterans of the Second World War I say “God Speed Lads! God Save the King/Queen”.
@Harry Bawles yes lmao theres still the royal family over here
My hat's off to them too. The Luftwaffe gave them absolute hell, they suffered a bunch of early setbacks, and yet they still endured and helped free western Europe from tyranny. The Brits of World War II are some of the toughest, strongest people I've ever heard of.
@Harry Bawles at the moment we ba r Queen Elizabeth who's the longest ruling royal ever.
@@thunderbird1921 if it wasn't for America saving them they honestly wouldnt of made it.. no hate intended
@@ballard2212 Difficult to say, they had Canada, the other Commonwealth nations and the whole empire on their side. I personally think the British could have survived, but I don't know if they and Canada could have liberated Europe on their own. And Khrushchev said that if not for American Lend-Lease, the Soviets would likely have collapsed in 1942. Apart from maybe Sweden, Britain would have been a lone island of freedom in a European sea of tyranny and evil. America enabled Europe to win back its freedom.
His story makes a good plot for a film.
GOAT bomber pilot, solid crew members, all survived uninjured.
what a gentleman , a wonderful man too. may the good lord bless him
@@PepRex hes attractive and confident :)
Thank you sir for your service! We love you! From across the pond in the USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
much props from an american brother my dad was a waist gunner on a b17 your both heros to me may we always be brothers in arms
I served in the Royal Navy but during peace time. So much respect for this generation, from many nations, who were stalwart and brave beyond belief. WW2 could easily have turned out so very badly without them. Respect and a huge Thank You.
Thank you for your service,Your family can all stand proud.Again thank you
We should be so thankful for these peoples sacrifices and work as they are the reason we are safe and free
Superb again Josh and the team. Glad you included our British hero’s as well as the American lads who fought side by side against evil. The greatest generation indeed.
People really should talk about the British role in the Korean War as well. Even as an American, I'm bewildered how little your guys are talked about there, there were some incredibly courageous fellows in that bunch (both in the army units and the Royal Navy). Too bad we couldn't liberate the whole peninsula, but at least we saved South Korea and stopped the Communist aggression.
My father crossed the Rhine that day. Thank you for your service and for understanding what it meant to stop a bombing run. So many things had to happen right for the whole effort to work to win the war. God was watching over all of you.
Wow he is sharp for his age! It was interesting listening to a Lancaster pilot and his stories. He was a damn good pilot from what I saw here. He brought his crews home, that was what was important. Good man!
I have to applaud Richards crew for their ingenuity in going to him when it was time to pick your crew.
Actually looking up who's the most experienced pilot shows intelligence and Richard would want them because they're obviously smart.
When you're facing war it's only natural to limit your chance of dying as much as you possibly can
They all survived the war...Incredible
Britain's greatest generation
They're likes will..never come again .
My heroes everyone of them.
Lest we forget..
None but the brave..
Rest in peace..
Fly high in the sky..❤
I was privileged when I was a kid to have some family members who have fought in both World War 1 and World War 2. I never met either of my grandfather's, one of whom did serve in the military during the tail end of World War 1, however, I did meet a brother his and cousins who had fought in that war. The irony is, there was one cousin who was a gas specialist, loading artillery shells. Another one, in the same sector of France, was someone who fired off the artillery, a sergeant. That puts a rather comical image in my mind of one pulling the shells off the truck and handing it to the other so that he could push him in the barrel and poof them off at the Germans.
I have talked with men who survived the Bataan Death March, being pows, fighting behind the lines in Normandy, and a variety of other places during the war. One of my mother's Brothers was a pilots in the Pacific during WWII, another was a medical orderly in the units that first took casualties from Normandy and the continent during The Invasion. Another one died in the war, winning the SilverStar while saving his unit and killing a full truckload of Germans. The beauty part is, those Germans were all SS, so bully!
RIP Mr. Boyd you are a true hero! Richard Edwin Boyd
November 17, 1921 - August 17, 2022
Highest respect to a fellow Brit, don’t make them like they used too! Another great episode
God bless all who served and will serve.
This channel is the most important on TH-cam. Thank you for preserving history and sharing story's that'll stick with us forever. My great uncle Walter Yaholnitsky Warrant Officer II RAF 249th Squadron was K.I.A. April 9th 1943 when he reportedly bailed out at 800 feet during an offensive sweep. His body washed ashore 11 days later his Spitfire BR131 T-O was never recovered.
I say this everytime this clip appears out of the blue.
So happy to hear his voice once again. He lived to be 100.
That is my dear Uncle Dick
I miss talking to him but I can hear his voice in the long distance calls.
😘🇨🇦
My great grandfather completed his 25 mission as a tail gunner and refused to go home… he ended up doing 64 missions and survived…
US, RAF, RAAF, RCAF ?
@@georgielancaster1356 RCAF
Hearing our history for our future generations is such a gift 🥰👏👏
My great grandfather (RFC WW1) and grandfather (RAF ww2) are my heroes. They fought for all of us
My great uncle was a Lancaster bomber pilot during world war 2. He was shot down and died at 21, younger than my younger brother is now. Thank you for this series of videos, sharing memories and important stories which we should be very grateful for.
Bad to the Bone, I Thank God for such Men to have lived during those days.
Tack!
The bombing of dresden was the worst. But there is cost for everything. Even victory. I can't believe we are the last generation to see them. Please make a video on col. Edward shames of 101st airborne div. He is a last member of the band of brothers fame. A veteran of ww2 from d day till berchesgaden
Well... Dresden WAS a justified target, it was the key junction of the German railway system and one of the final supply lines for the Eastern Front, so the bombing was VERY important for the Soviets in the East.
As well as, the death toll has been HIGHLY exaggerated, mainly by German propoganda at the time (like Joseph Geobbels) and incorrect assumptions in the present (like David Irving), who put the number at anywhere from 100,000 - 300,000.
When in reality, the death toll was between 20,000 - 25,000 (80% from suffocation) as discovered by historians working for Dresden to determine the true numbers, which is still alot, but not this genocidal revenge mission some people try to make it out to be.
It was a strategic and justified bombing target, which sadly resulted in heavy civilian casualties, but DID contribute to Allied victory in Europe.
@@dilloncrowe1018 yeah, the only thing I found absolutely repulsive from Dresden, is the litera pile of molten goo that was once human
Col. Edward Shames Is Not The Last Member Of The Band Of Brothers Fame. PFC Bradford Freeman Is Still Alive
@@Anonymous_Anonyme no sir. I respectfully disagree
People remember Dresden but forget Coventry where the Nazis wanted to completely destroy a city. The Luftwaffe dropped 500 tons of high explosive, 30,000 incendiaries and 50 landmines as well as experimental explosive incendiaries.
London was systematically bombed by the Luftwaffe for 56 days and nights. All across Britain, places like Hull, Swansea and Birgmingham were obliterated.
No one remembers the grotesque chapter of the war when the Luftwaft dropped butterfly bombs in towns across the UK these small bombs were purely 'anti personnel' bombs designed to kill and maim people, the Nazi's used them on British civilians; to ensure chaos and terror they mixed the fuses so those trying to disarm them would be killed or they would land in a gutter or in a tree detonating hours later, they looked like a child's toy, so many curious children were blown to bits picking up the bombs.
20-25,000 died in Dresden. But 150,000 people were killed at Babi Yar alone, men, women and children marched into a ravine, forced to strip naked before being murdered.
It's a hard truth that if Drezden being razed shortened the war by a day it probably saved more lives than it cost, it bought hundreds of thousands of brutalised, starved, sick and tortured people in the camps precious hours that undoubtedly meant the difference between life and death.
Thank you for all who taught for freedom every where.!!!!😢
This made me tear up. So thankful for these gentlemen and their upmost determination to protect their country. This makes me so proud to be a Brit. I knew a gentleman named John Pascoe Watson, he was a spitfire pilot during WW2, he fought in Africa and survived being shot down there. He passed in 2011, but I will forever be grateful I had the chance to know him.
"Grim Determination" yes! This incredible man explained everything in a way better than any teacher or tv show, movie I've watched!!! What a smart, amazing man & his crew! Thank you for all your hard work!!!
An amazing episode! I'd love to see a Canadian vets story if you ever find one.
we agree that a Canadian Vet would be a great interview. If you know of a lead please fill out a veteran form on our website www.memoirsofwwii.com thanks for watching! www.memoirsofwwii.com/veteran-form
I do not know this man personally. But we have a 102 year old Ernest E World War two VET in Marshall TX. Just so you guys can look him up
@@BoldLion would love to see an East Texan on the channel
@@jerredwayne8401 Are you a East Texan?
@@BoldLion yes
This episode makes me so proud of our Royal Air Force and the rest of our armed forces. I’ve said before and I’ve said it again - people of my grandparents’ age really were the greatest generation and I struggle to comprehend how their grandchildren (I.e. my generation) would have dealt with what they went through.
Also, us British will forever be grateful for the help you Americans gave us when we most needed it, so we could work together to defeat the axis. We came so close to losing it all and only your support after the Battle of Britain - coupled with the Russians tying his forces down in the East- ensured conclusively that Hitler couldn’t eventually invade.
What an interesting and full life this man has led. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like to witness World War II from the sky as you flew over it countless times and never knew when you'd encounter fighters and anti aircraft fire. Truly remarkable
My Grandma's elementary school was bombed by the Nazis, that was the final straw for her and she immigrated to the US and became a US citizen. She had a pin pal from the US that she stayed in touch with throughout school and met up with him after she got into the US. She later married one of his friends and started a family, which I'm very thankful for! Haha
Lol poor guy his friend got his pen pal girlfriend 😂
@@fredthegamerschrarder7716 I know I always thought the same thing, pin pal must not have been as attractive as my grandpa 🤣
@@OneNationUnderGod. 😂
Where was she from?
@@terminallumbago6465 just south of the Scotland border but I don't remember the exact name of the town. I want to travel there someday and meet some distant cousins, I always wanted to take my grandma back there but by the time I could afford that kinda trip she sadly passed away. My dad and I still want to do it, we've talked about taking some of her ashes back home. Once things get back to normal it's a trip we need to do!
Thank you for your service, sir.
Thank you for sharing this amazing piece of our history
How does this channel not have 1,000,000 subscribers yet? Man...the content is incredible. Thanks team for letting these incredible veterans share their story with the world.
What a wonderful, humble man. I wonder what he did after the War. Thank You for bringing his story to us.
My father served in the RAF from 1941 to 1947. In 1947 he joined BOAC in ground operations. Five countries and two airlines later, he retired in 1986 as the Operations and Maintenance Manager, North America for Swissair. Thank you for your kind words.
Excellent episode and it's great to hear the perspective from some of the American allies. He's a true hero in my book. Thank you for bringing us another important story to remember and person we should honor.
Yeah amazing. The West is in phenomenal shape now!
Utmost respect to this man and thanks to this channel for bringing him here.
YES!!! Best way to start a morning!
I grew up with a family friend who’s Dad was a navigator/pilot. He told me about dropping special operations executive supplies and operatives into France. They would fly by themselves across the channel in a Lancaster about 30-50ft off the water. When they got to France they were so low the tops of trees would sometimes brush the bottom of the plane. When it was time to drop whatever they were carrying they would go up to drop height kick whatever it was out and then drop back under the radar. All this was done at night without night vision.
What a classy fellow. Grade A top class excellence.
Bless all these Heroes.
with heartfelt gratitude.
the bravest generation, thank you all for your service.
What a man!!
God bless you and yours, Mr. Boyd. Thank you from this little ridge in Tennessee!
Thirty-three combat missions. Respect, sir.
We owe our lives to these brave people 🙏 every time I watch about ww2 or talk l am full of emotions, mostly sadness 😢for all people and animals that died in ww2😢
Absolutely excellent job, the editing, the score and the commentary are all amazing. But, most importantly these guys stories. They must be told they are a pivotal part of our history and in telling these stories it helps new generations understand what these people went through and did to fight tyranny and oppression. Both of my grandfathers fought in WWII and both are in Arlington Cemetery, ironically not far from one another. I truly respect and honor what your doing. Keep up the amazing work.
This has to be one of the best TH-cam channels out there.
Mr Boyd and his crew had guardian angels watching over them! It was a rare thing for an entire crew to survive the war - especially to survive as many sorties as they took part in!
Thank you for including my countries hero’s. I know from my own grandparents experience & what they told me. We really had our back to the wall.
Fantastic video. Thank you. My uncle was a Lancaster navigator . I think he flew some pathfinder missions. I wish I had found out more. He would never talk about it.
The priceless value of the stories of truly the greatest generation. Never forget these brave people