A Lancaster Pilot’s War: The Story of Sidney “Steve” Stevens DFC, AE*
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- WW2 Bomber Command Veteran Sidney Stevie Stevens recalls his time flying bombing missions over Germany whilst flying Lancasters. A unique recording he made after a bombing mission on the city of Essen is one of a kind.
For the Fallen - dedicated to preserving the memory of WW2 veterans.
Facebook: bit.ly/2W9mwLi
Written and filmed by Shaun Johnson
No copyright infringement is intended. This film was made for educational purposes only and no profit is made.
My aim is to produce free material of this remarkable generation for all to see.
If you would like to support Stevies memorial please see the link below.
bit.ly/2zhrAUE
Archive Footage Sources:
www.britishpat...
www.archives.gov/
'The Lancaster at War'
• How The Lancaster Bomb...
Music:
"Beyond the horizon" by Borrtex
"Our home" by Borrtex
"Cruising down the river" by Paul Rich
“Grey” by Kyle Preston
"Moments in time" by Tristan Barton
"Impavid" by Charlie Ryan
"Revelations" by Tristan Barton
Introduction (0:00)
The Blitz (2:40)
Elementary flight training (6:02)
Twin engine flight training (9:00)
Flying the Lancaster (11:35)
Operations (15:53)
Tape recording (18:26)
Attacked by night fighter (21:56)
Hit by flak (22:22)
Meeting Maud (23:20)
Fond memories (25:20)
Outro (26:13)
Hi Shaun, I just wanted to say thank you for creating this wonderful documentary. I met Stevie when he lived in Norwich and spent some time with him discussing his WW2 experiences. Watching your documentary was like being back in his lounge, talking to him in person. Its fair to say, anyone we met Stevie in person will always remember this wonderful man 😥
Hi Tom, thanks for the comment really great to have such positive feedback. I unfortunately could only spend a few hours with him but felt privileged to have that amount of time with him. He was certainly becoming very tired towards the end of the interview but made no complaints and kept talking which is an absolute testament to his character. I'll be raising a glass to him today during VE celebrations
My partner is jack curries daughter a pilot of a Lancaster bomber . Steve is legend . Like so many brave young men will never be forgotten.
This gentleman was my maths teacher and i can remember him telling us about his wartime experiences. I was so pleased and surprised to see this film
I bet he had some great stories to tell the class! Thanks for commenting
It was an honour to know and care for you stevie, miss your smile and our sing alongs together. Amazing documentary. RIP x
What a beautifully made film to honour Steve and those who served with bomber command.
We must never forget.
Brilliant.
My dad lived directly opposite Croydon Aerodrome in 1940..
On coming home from school he saw his elder brother, my old man , and said "Hello Ron , have you had a good day?"
"Yes , I've joined the RAF and volunteered for Bomber Command ".
"What the bloody he'll did you do that for? ".
The reply was poignant," Because I'm fed up with the Bastards bombing me so I'm going to bomb the Bastards back!".
He was trained as a Wireless Operator/ Mid Upper Gunner.
Luckily (?);he was so good on the sets and morse he was plucked out of training and went to SOE.....
He told me that the day he died in 2005...
He had kept the secret all those years and I was left with a thousand unanswered questions...
I did find out he had been landed by submarine once and had been in a Lysander...
I joined the RAF in 77 and did my time....
Bless you dad....
Just had a look in Dad’s old log book and he flew with F/Sgt Stevens on 23rd August 1943 - They flew in a Lancaster (Mk 3) on an operation to Berlin (flight time 7hrs 20 mins).
The entry says: Defences intense. Numerous searchlights around target and heavy flak en route. Night fighters plenteous and many seen . . . 1,700 tons of bombs dropped on centre of city, target well alight. 58 bombers missing (713 total effort).
After his second ‘Tour’ (August 1944) my father was persuaded not to sign up for a third and became a trainer gunnery - Before he passed away in 2003, he told me that a third Tour just seemed the natural thing to do but the lure of the unofficial part-time use of a car to go to Lincoln dancing helped make the decision!
David that is amazing! Thank you so much for commenting how interesting. Does the log book say what serial number the aircraft was? I bet you have incredible stories from your father. Two tours?! Incredible. Stevie opted for a second tour but was convinced to convert into a training unit as they needed good pilots to train new recruits on Wellingtons. He resigned in 1947 but this was only granted on the condition he would remain within the RAFVR for 10 years. Thanks for commenting and happy VE day
Yes, some fascinating stories although he didn't like to talk about it - In the latter years, attending the Woodhall Spa reunion events was a great help and I felt privileged to attend a few and talk all night with other members. They really don't make them like that any more!
Re. Serial number - All I have is: ED 946 "E" Lancaster III.
All the best
Hi David - I’d love to get in touch. I’m mid-writing Stevie’s biography & in which your father and Bill McCrea feature (Stevie remained good friends with Bill) and Stevie had a handwritten note of the time your father flew with him as MUG to Berlin with the same report. I’ve also read Bill’s excellent book and have recently read another by Ronald Hammersley in which your father also features. Whilst telling Stevie’s story it’s also a tribute to 57 Sqn and the personnel he flew with and alongside, so would love to see if you have anything to compliment or possibly include. Best wishes, Jonny
David Allen - didn’t tag you in the response, apologies
@@CRACKO82 Hi Jonny, sorry, just saw your note - Yes, no problem . What's the best way to establish contact?
Wonderful man, wonderful story, wonderful and never to be repeated generation. Very moving! Thank you!
My father was a mid upper gunner in Bomber Command in 57 Squadron. His pilot was the late Bill McCrea. This is a very good and lovely film 😍
Such brave men Corinna, you must be very proud! Thank you for the comment
I flew in several 57 squadrons Lancs from East Kirkby as an ATC cadet, mostly night cross-country training for Tiger force, a very enjoyable experience.
Thank you for producing this moving film ... RIP Stevie ... High Flight ... my late father Carson Dawdy served with RCAF 431 Squadron Croft UK ... MUG in a Lancaster crew ... SE-H KB810 aka Horsey Harry ... we owe so much to our brave Bomber Boys ... Lest We Ever Forget ... 🇨🇦🇬🇧
Hi Cheryl, the Canadians made up a large proportion of the losses within Bomber Command (around 10,000 of the 55,573 I believe). Many thanks to your late father and thank you for commenting on this video
Thank you for this documentary. My mum , Joan, was in the WAAF on Bomber Command stations in the UK and then went to Egypt.
I would sit and listen to this brave man all day long ,my grandad served in the navy and because I was such a young age I never understood the war, now at the age of 34 I can't stop watching and learning about ww1 ww2 brave brave people thought out Britain, make me proud to be British god bless you all
That was really moving and an appropriate memorial to Stevie and his colleagues.
What a wonderful story. I’m so sorry you and your dead fellow crews efforts have not been appreciated By politicians and the pathetic youth of today. You would not believe what our government’s over the years have done to destroy the country you loved and were prepared to die for. The wonderful Mono culture you new is gone forever. God bless and thank you.
Thanks for your comment. I created this video when I was 29 so not sure the pathetic youth comment is fair but appreciate your opinion.
Without the people of the rest of Europe &Asia, Britain would have less than half the doctors and nurses it desperately needs.
Most of the old lads had nurses, doctors and carers from Asia, looking after them, in their last days.
If there is no 'Us and Them' there is no reason to go to war.
Mono cultures are the reason war happens. The horrendous views of the second rate and uneducated, of mono cultures, that they are superior! THAT is the reason for war.
I see Bristol University has just banned playing the National Anthem for fear of upsetting newcomers - seems to confirm the truth of "MySkyranger's" comment. What were these sacrifices for, again?
Met Stevie at the 57 squadron reunions and have to say it was an honor to meet with him. My father also served in the same squadron and was lost late in 1944. This tribute to Stevie is a wonderful look at life in those dark days! My thanks to Stevie and all the others that served in those dark days!' THANK YOU STEVIE! May you rest in peace! You will be remembered always!
A special thanks to the producer who compiled this footage!
Such a shame your father did not return Roger, so many were unfortunately lost. Stevie mentions Squadron leader Smith in this film and I have recently discovered that he also didn't survive the war and was lost when his son was only 2. To hear Stevie speaking about him after such a long time really meant a lot to Smith's son who did not know his father, and that just means the world to me and reinforces why I would like to continue interviewing veterans if I can. Thanks for your comment.
@@forthefallen6707 Thank you, Yes I was just one month old when dad was lost but luckily he did get to see me on a 24 hr pass! He was shot down the night after returning to his Squadron.
@@rogerbayford8323 Here's to your dad - the country owes people like him a huge debt.
Thank you for your bravery . Rest in peace, your duty done❤❤❤
What a wonderful tribute to a very brave couple.
It's these brave men's humility, I find so moving.
When a lovely old chap. Thanks for allowing me to hear his story
Just knocked out by this, a gentleman , a generation apart, i was born too soon, oh to be part of that, people talk about having mental issues, live life in steves shoes at that time you will know stress , where is perspective these days.
Thanks for Steve’s story what a generation RIP
Absolutely fantastic Shaun thank you so much for such a great tribute to an amazing couple, I meet Stevie & Maureen 20 years ago he personally told me many stories of his missions and I have sighned ww2 memoribler from them that I'll treasure for ever. RIP 🙏 both of you.
What a generation!!!
First 10 seconds he had a character that grabbed my attention ,I salute you Sidney
Humbling.
Thank you ❤
Respect.. just awesome respect 👍
Thank You
Amazing story and very humbling.
Thank you.
Nice program !
What a fantastic documentary. Great job. 👍
bless you sir, r.i.p
courages man, god love him.
One of many who put their country's future ahead of their own. We are still dealing with tyrants, and must be vigilant and persistent in maintaining our civilization.
This should be shown to all schoolchildren in compulsory History lessons. Never mind the Nanny brigade interfering. Every Governrment should realise TRUTH must be told forever not covered up. My father was a Lanc tail-end gunner 43/44 and survived, one of the lucky half.
love this - i hope you get to make many more videos like this one.
Thanks for watching, you can help by sharing it to as many people as you can :)
It’ still happening today.
🧚🏻♂️❣️🌌🕵️
My partner is jack curries daughter a pilot of a Lancaster bomber . Steve is legend . Like so many brave young men will never be forgotten.