As an American who's read and watched so much about the war for the last 50-odd years it's great to hear one of the best of the British, as well as see this awesome footage. Never had these kinds of things back when I was a kid, so it's really something of a blessing to be able to watch and hear from those who formed not only British history but world history. I've seen probably 90% of the WWII movies but of course movies are someone's fantasy and not normally historically accurate. These kinds of documentaries are what I search for now.
Well said. These video interviews are critical to keeping history from digressing into hollywood myths. I grew up surrounded by WWII pilots and their testimony, then learned real details once I was in uniform and sat with vet pilots at mess dinners. Port tends to bring out all the truths when the right questions are asked.
What a wonderful video and interview ! My late father was a flight engineer on Lancasters and often spoke about Ginger and other RAF personnel he admired from that era. Apparently Ginger lived in Flamborough Head on the Yorkshire coast and the local fishermen often left fresh fish on his doorstep for him as a means of showing their gratitude.
Glad you enjoyed it John, please subscribe to my channel I have made a couple of films about Lancaster's. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
When I was small I met Ginger Lacey and got his autograph, it would have been in the early 70s. Living locally, he was opening a fete in Sewerby, I think. I remember being impressed by his courtesy and by his beautiful writing.
How interesting many thanks for taking the time to post up your experience. Please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
thank you so much for the post absolutely stunning. their names should never be forgotten Thank you all for sacrifice 🙏❤️ royal navy veteran in Suffolk XX
Thanks Geoff appreciate your kind feedback. Please have a subscribe to my channel and check out some more wartime history. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Danke für das super Filmmaterial,und das tolle Interview,sehr interessant 👌 Schade daß wir uns bekriegt haben! Im Gedenken an alle Piloten beider Seiten!
Vielen Dank. Ich fühle mich jetzt viel besser, ich habe in Hamburg und Berlin gearbeitet, es war eine tolle Zeit, es waren die 1980er Jahre. Bitte abonnieren Sie meinen Kanal. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
What a marvelous footage of Czechoslovak squadrons getting ready for action. It was a pleasure to watch,keep up your work. My neighbor,back in 1973, was a navigator in 307 squadron(Polish),flying Mosquitos over Germany,as a bombing campaign went on. Thank you
Many thanks Piotr I have other films on my you tube, the Czech crew who lost their lives in a crash in a B24 near Salcombe and another on the Czech pilots at Exeter, please subscribe. Chris.
Absolutely wonderful thank you! My Mum was civilian ground crew (first line servicing) in The RAF during The Battle of Britain and the remainder of the 2nd World War. She served on a Hurricane Squadron, refuelling, rearming etc. similar to what was shown in the video. As an aside, my Dad served at Bletchley Park during the War. He was a Radio Technician.
Oh! To me,that is more exciting than a relative with a title, a rock star, a movie star! Bletchley Park AND servicing hurricanes during the BoB! Did you know that Bletchley Park was part of the divorce settlement of Anne of Cleves, the luckiest, most wise, of Henry's wives. She outlived them all, pleased herself, did not risk her life, giving birth - kept Henry happy, had a good relationship with all the children.
Fascinating. I have had the book, Ginger Lacey - Fighter Pilot, for close to sixty years, but your video is the first time I have ever heard him speak. So revealing. Quite calm, quite matter-of-fact about it all and incredibly impressive.
Let History not be forgotten! they fought for our freedom and ideals , this should be in all education : honesty, clear speech and defending what you stand for. Thank you so much for this impressive presentation, inspiring and as actual as ever!
Many thanks for your kind comments Ray. Do please check out some other films on my channel just click the link. Cheers Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Absolutely bloody marvellous. The stunning thing is Squadron Leader Lacey wouldn't see himself as a hero but a bloke doing his bit for Great Britain .Thanks to him and thanks to you and god bless the pair of you ,happily subscribed .
Thanks for this film . My grandad was in the RAF and like so many people in the war never spoke about it . I use to ask him what he did but he always changed the subject , even my mum never knew. Would love to find out his part in it all but never will as he died in '91 still keeping quiet. Thanks Jim
Thank You Jim, my father served in the 13/18th Hussars in Sherman tanks and went right the way across Northern Europe to liberate the town of Bremen. I can understand why they didn't speak of the horrors they experienced how would anybody back home even begin to understand and many did not want to remember the horrible time by talking about it they just wanted to try and forget it all but I guess that would be impossible. Best Regards Chris.
You should be abled to find out from his service records if you know what regiment he was in , I have my fathers records , but many peoples got lost or whatever , but records will or should with his regiment , good luck .
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Amazing! My uncle was in the 15/19th Hussars... killed Winsen, April 14th, 1945, south of Hamburg by panzerfaust. My dad had landed the day before to join his brother's regiment. Dad ended up in churchill crocodiles, and only spoke of it's horrific effect on the enemy on his deathbed......... I'm 66 now, and even though I understand why that generation did not shout about it, we should have been taught this history at school.... So grateful for your recognition of an unforgettable time, that has been forgotten by too many!!! Just look at the mess the world is in again!!!! (sorry that I haven't seen your posts before now.....)
Man, you gotta love the Brits! They went toe to toe with the Luftwaffe and kicked their asses. Never has there been an organization like the RAF during the Battle of Britain. They used what they had to the fullest. The Spitfire and in particular, the Merlin engine helped win the war in Europe. It's amazing how Mr. Churchill was able to rally his people and his fighters. Of course there were some rubbings like the nonsense between Patton and Monty or the failed Operation Market Garden. We all took those hits as Allies and we all took the glory and joy of VE Day. If it were not for the amazing people of the RAF and the British in general, Hitler could have invaded the UK. The RAF and the Radar screen decimated the enemy and forced Hitler to back away from a cross channel invasion. I'll always keep a spot in my heart for the British. Hell, I went to Radar school with some Limeys and those people we tops. We always had a great time with our Mates as we slugged back some pints!
A superbly interesting video, so many thanks! Great to hear the words of one of our greatest fighter aces, and so down to earth, as one would expect from a Yorkshireman. Generations come and generations go. I am one of the "boomers" but Mr. Lacey was one of the rightly named, "Greatest Generation". We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
Churchill mentioned one thousand years in his finest hour speach, the way things are going in our modern Britain the second world war is almost forgotten in less than one hundred. Great post and channel, liked and subscribed.
Tremendous, Chris. Both the archive footage which is magical and the interview. I spent nearly 30 years in yorkshire and you can certainly hear the accent coming through and the matter-of-factness of the description of events. I haven't heard before this sort of detailed first hand account of what it was like to be a pilot No attempt at all to glorify it and no attempt to elaborate on chivalry. Look forward to RAF Portreath. I spend holidays every year close to Portreath and wondered what sort of top secret installation was at the top of the hill on the north/east side. It's now clearer.
What a quote: 'I don't know what you mean by chivalry, if it meant 'give a man an even break' the answer was there was no chivalry at all. I much preferred to kill someone without him even knowing I was there. His first indication that he was being shot at would be when bullets started coming out of his chest.'
The top aces were hit and run merchants. They came in high from the Sun, with their wing man, clatter the enemy and use their dive velocity to get away.
@@am4793, I know, my comment was merely a reference to the brutality of the quote. People often think of air fighting as a gentlemanly way of waging war when it was anything but, it was every bit as ruthless as infantry or mechanised combat, dog eat dog, kill or be killed.
@@Pete-tq6in Of course. War is Hell and what people do is unspeakable even when no war crime is committed. Young people don't get it until they experience war or live long enough to understand the implications.
I joined the Royal Air Force in 1971 - posted to RAF Chivenor in N.Devon. We knew of the "WWII 2 Aces" and athough it was 30 years later, these fine men were highly revered and still appreciated, it was our heritage. I cant help thinking that while I was only 17 when I joined up, becoming an independent and conciensious adult as time went on, it must have been a very similar situation for the lads of WWII though I am sure there was an aire of urgency in their induction to adulthood, Great documentary, thanks. I have subscribed.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Yes indeed Chris, Hunters Mks 6, 7, 9,and 10. A couple of Meteors and a couple of Jet Provosts, Chivenor was great .... then we moved to Brawdy S.Wales.
Thank you very much for posting this! A true marvel and great joy to watch! For those interested, I'd like to point out that this short film (much too short if you ask me) offers a very good chance to observe the various stages of the Spitfire camouflage colour schemes. The Gravesend Spitfires showed some machines with a very pale or faded Ocean Grey (Upper surface Grey) colours and thus a high contrast against the Dark Green pattern (and some serious wear n' tear), and others with more fresh paint job and a lower contrast between the two upper surface colours. This you don't really see that well from photographs which usually depicts a single aircraft and from different time periods. Again, thanks for sharing!
Thyank you for this footage. I particularly loved the sequence at 14:50 of "Bods for a two-six" which my Dad used to always laugh about, from his years with 66Sqdn.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Many thanks. I do love your vids, as they often spark up memories of the things my Dad used to tell me about. He met Ginger Lacey a couple of times, also Douglas Bader, but it was the everyday things made him, laugh. Like when a call went up for a Two Six, he knew where some of the "Bods" or "oiks" would hide to avoid being "chosen", and how early days, one or two pilots would try to rev the Spit up hard enough to blow one of them off in the slipstream. Never did, but my Dad said he could see the pilots laugh about it afterwards. Later in the Battle if runways had been cratered and quickly filled, one of them would ride on the wing to spot ahead for the pilot when on the taxiways. At Coltishall, my Dad had one Spit coming in to land actually aim the kite low at him as he was on perimeter guard duty, and my Dad had to dive to the ground. Always made my Dad laugh in his later years. Thanks for your vids, sir
Thank you for posting the video. Somewhat puts the actual 'dog fight' time-frame into perspective when Ginger Lacey said it was one to one and a half minutes. ... Life, injury or death for some and all part of the 'day job' for the fighter pilots participating on both sides during the actual time. What I thought the video also shows well, is all the other work going on at the airfield, the intrinsic participation of others, the maintenance, etc., all comprising a contributing factor towards the 'sum of the parts'.
Wonderfully put together. Colour film was still very new. It was fascinating to see the aircraft were not pristine, as we see them now. The exhausts were showing signs of rustings, and the panels 'sort of' fitting. I loved the shot of the pet dog watching his 'master' being strapped in, then being blown off the wing as the Merlin revved up. Living in Kent, I must take a trip to Gravesend and see if anything survives! Thanks again for your superb productions.
Yes the RAF VR pin, the same reason VR naval officers had wavy rank insignia on their sleeves during WW2. I found that out after being curious watching the film Operation Mincemeat! Pity we never see our military wearing their uniforms in public anymore other than on ceremonial occasions. I used to see loads as a kid in the 1950's.
GREAT VIDEO - THANK YOU! Hearing the interview along with actual footage of Ginger and his fellow airman/warriors reminds one of such a Beautiful Generation gone by. No one Ever wishes to be at war with anyone, however, it truly was a golden time of People Uniting against all that is evil in this world. My mother was born the year the war actually started and passed away a few years ago. I/WE long for generations such as Yours and My Mothers. A crying shame those people are mostly gone:(:(:(:( Again Thank You for a Wonderful video of Beautiful times, Not the war but of the people who fought to preserve a Free Society! I Love them All! Good Day and I Truly Hope All is Well!
Totally absorbed from start to finish , Thanks muchly for the upload , i live near several airfields , one of which is very famous here in the south west .
As a secondary modern student in the early 1960s in Wallasey, Cheshire our headmaster was Ginger Lacy. He was recognisable from the flying gear image, although in his 40s at the time. We were aware of his war-time role at the time.
It's been quite a few years now, but I'm fairly sure I read his autobiography where he mentioned he would feel nautious whenever the 'tannoy' sounded a 'scramble'.
That is quite correct James I am currently reading his book. Please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
@@GULLPERCHFLYER I jumped at Grindale Parachute Centre (Near Flamborough where Ginger lived) a few times and Ginger was the pilot of the yellow C206 on a couple of occasions in 1976. He told us to keep still as we were disturbing the trim of the aircraft.
A fascinating video, a great interview and really interesting questions and probing really important issues day to day for the pilots and squadron staff during the war. Thank you for putting this on YT.
Absolutely wonderful post. Fabulous interview too, all relevant questions. Good footage, of MkVB Spitfires, not around in the Battle, but there’d have been no time nor safety to film during it. Listening to the click of lighters and the exhalations of them smoking was surprisingly nostalgic even though I’ve always detested it. In 1982 I met Ginger Lacey, I was starstruck, he was a jolly avuncular character and he was still flying! He described himself as “the lift attendant in a Lunatic Asylum.” He flew the Cessna at the free fall parachute 🪂 club in Bridlington.
Hello Chris. Very interesting . Ginger was very matter of fact and at times reluctant to speak. Interesting about his views on the then "young generation!" Many Thanks .
How calming Mr. Lacey's voice is. No exagerrating just going back through the mist of time and explaining what he remembers. I heard an interview with the top ace of all Erich Hartmann,and he was the same, no hate you was stopping a weapon from being used against you, that's all. Great video.
Brilliant stuff!! How astounding to think what life was like for EVERYONE at that time!!! My dad lost his hero big brother in tanks, April 14th 1945... and I have always surmised that terrible event led to my dad taking a different path? ....and why I'm here? ....that's what fate is all about... So many unsung heroes in history!!!
Really appreciate your taking a look from New Zealand, do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Thanks for this fascinating video. My only suggestion would be fewer questions about emotional/philosophical matters and more about what the encounters with the enemy were like.
Thanks Rick that interview was back in 1978 I did cringe at some of the questions, please take a look at my next upload and consider a subscribe. Chris.
We can only be thankful for Squadron Leader Lacey and all the men and women of that generation. WIthout them where might we be now? Something I don't like to think about
Thankyou for the video, so rare to see and better still here how a real hero fought during the battle. So sad that Ginger Lacey is not better known for the true blue hero he was.
Just done a bit of research.....Where he was born in Wetherby, Nr Leeds, he has a Blue Plaque on the steps leading into the ALDI store (rather ironic) ....The steps are the site of the house where he was born in 1917. (Link...if allowed? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harry_Lacey#/media/File:Plaque_unveiling_for_James_Harry_Lacey,_Aldi,_Wetherby_(23rd_July_2017)_005.jpg) You can google earth "ALDI Wetherby"..... and see it for yourself..... The Camera car circulated the ALDI car park. Which in itself is pretty rare, as I guess it is private property.
I'm so glad your channel popped up in my feed, brilliant colour footage. Subscribed straight away, and now going through your back catalogue - thank you!!
A most interesting interview as I had long wanted to know more about Ginger Lacey. I spoke at length tto a Hurricane BoB pilot who deplored being seen as a 'hero'; he and some who wrote expressed nuanced views on war and killing.
Glad you enjoyed it please support my channel by subscribing, I have over 200 films on my channel. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Great video. Nice footage of RAF Hornchurch featuring wing Commander Wilfred Duncan Smith wearing his captured Schwim.vest and featuring his black spaniel (CO of 64 Squadron, Spitfire SH - Z), father of Sir Iain Duncan Smith, our president at the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre.
Andy...done some research... Yes... "Nether" is the correct old English for the "lower" .... below normal level. Hence, we get: The Netherlands.... The Low Countries etc So... Nether Wallop was a place below the main part of the village of Wallop... (I've no idea where that Village of Wallop is..... Care to enlighten us.?..Please.)
Wonderful footage indeed. I am an Irish man and pilot many Irish served in the defense of the British Isles against the aggressor of WW II. Self-defense in international law refers to the inherent right of a State to use of force in response to an armed attack. I think Squadron Leader Lacey makes the point that is sadly missing in mainstream society; disrespect for authority, appreciation for ones parents, respect for the elderly and one another in living in family and community.
Thanks Victor you pick up some very good points there and I appreciate you watching along. Please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris. th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
@@GULLPERCHFLYERThank you. I shall indeed subscribe to your channel. On another note, there was one Irish pilot that in WW 2 that Irish aviators (commercial, Military and Private pilots) consider to have made his contribution in the RAF in WW2 - BRENDAN FINUCANE, the Dublin native who is considered to have been one such hero (as all the those fellows were) of the Second World War. Born in Rathmines, Co Dublin in 1920, Brendan Finucane spent his formative years in the capital. However at 16 years of age, his parents decided to move the family to England. In my reading of his history, his Mum was English and Dad Irish. They lived in Dublin where Brendan was born. His father was part of the Irish rebellion to self-determination. In any case, the family moved back to England where Brendan who always wanted to fly - enlisted to a greater cause facing the British Isles - and in protecting our nations - Ireland and England with our allies which of course was of greater importance to us all- and the right of nations to defend ourselves from an aggressor and rightly so in accordance with International Law.
Well said. We can thank the school systems and media for the rebellious over-entitlement of the younger generations. God bless Paddy Finucane. My father met him at 452 Sqn, Oct '41.☘
RiverI hope to bring a bit of knowledge to the comments section as I've been salvaging world war II wreckage on the River Medway located at crash site of a mk1b spitfire possibly belonging to pilot officer king. castle Bromwich serial numbers match his airframe plus V2 rocket impact site major components recorded and recovered plus many more bits and bobs 40. Years of crawling in the swamp I should know better really. all the best ex submariner
The younger generation could learn a lot from this brilliant interview
They could indeed Steve how times have changed. Please do have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Well said !
As an American who's read and watched so much about the war for the last 50-odd years it's great to hear one of the best of the British, as well as see this awesome footage. Never had these kinds of things back when I was a kid, so it's really something of a blessing to be able to watch and hear from those who formed not only British history but world history. I've seen probably 90% of the WWII movies but of course movies are someone's fantasy and not normally historically accurate. These kinds of documentaries are what I search for now.
Many thanks Chip you may like to subscribe to my channel and check out some of the other films. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
What a breed of men, young men, that this country once had. We shame the memory of them.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Thanks I did subscribe. :)
I only watch history videos that have no music.
NO music.
Well said. These video interviews are critical to keeping history from digressing into hollywood myths. I grew up surrounded by WWII pilots and their testimony, then learned real details once I was in uniform and sat with vet pilots at mess dinners. Port tends to bring out all the truths when the right questions are asked.
Thankyou sir for showing this we should never forget those brave men and women.
Many Thanks Gordon, appreciate your kind feedback.
Please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
What a wonderful video and interview !
My late father was a flight engineer on Lancasters and often spoke about Ginger and other RAF personnel he admired from that era. Apparently Ginger lived in Flamborough Head on the Yorkshire coast and the local fishermen often left fresh fish on his doorstep for him as a means of showing their gratitude.
Glad you enjoyed it John, please subscribe to my channel I have made a couple of films about Lancaster's. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
When I was small I met Ginger Lacey and got his autograph, it would have been in the early 70s. Living locally, he was opening a fete in Sewerby, I think. I remember being impressed by his courtesy and by his beautiful writing.
How interesting many thanks for taking the time to post up your experience. Please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
thank you so much for the post absolutely stunning. their names should never be forgotten Thank you all for sacrifice 🙏❤️ royal navy veteran in Suffolk XX
Thanks Geoff appreciate your kind feedback. Please have a subscribe to my channel and check out some more wartime history. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Danke für das super Filmmaterial,und das tolle Interview,sehr interessant 👌
Schade daß wir uns bekriegt haben!
Im Gedenken an alle Piloten beider Seiten!
Vielen Dank. Ich fühle mich jetzt viel besser, ich habe in Hamburg und Berlin gearbeitet, es war eine tolle Zeit, es waren die 1980er Jahre.
Bitte abonnieren Sie meinen Kanal. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
@@GULLPERCHFLYER ja die 80 er Jahre waren die besten 😎 heute wird es immer schwieriger in Deutschland 🤔
Both our countries have now been destroyed by our own politicians we needlessly fought each other to end up like we are shameful
@@yorkshirelad3524 yes, you are right🤔
Don’t mention the war!
What a marvelous footage of Czechoslovak squadrons getting ready for action.
It was a pleasure to watch,keep up your work.
My neighbor,back in 1973, was a navigator in 307 squadron(Polish),flying Mosquitos over Germany,as a bombing campaign went on.
Thank you
Many thanks Piotr I have other films on my you tube, the Czech crew who lost their lives in a crash in a B24 near Salcombe and another on the Czech pilots at Exeter, please subscribe. Chris.
Tak, zauważyłem wszystkie imiona.
My grandfather was in the RAF, and he said the Polish pilots were vicious fighters. God bless them.
Bloody brilliant and enjoyable! One of the most brutally honest interviews of a RAF Fighter pilot ever, stunning!
Ginger Lacey, THANK YOU MATE!!!!!!
Thanks Susan more uploading soon, please consider a subscribe. Chris .
Absolutely wonderful thank you! My Mum was civilian ground crew (first line servicing) in The RAF during The Battle of Britain and the remainder of the 2nd World War. She served on a Hurricane Squadron, refuelling, rearming etc. similar to what was shown in the video. As an aside, my Dad served at Bletchley Park during the War. He was a Radio Technician.
Many thanks English Veteran and for your wonderful memories, please do have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
Oh! To me,that is more exciting than a relative with a title, a rock star, a movie star! Bletchley Park AND servicing hurricanes during the BoB!
Did you know that Bletchley Park was part of the divorce settlement of Anne of Cleves, the luckiest, most wise, of Henry's wives. She outlived them all, pleased herself, did not risk her life, giving birth - kept Henry happy, had a good relationship with all the children.
My mother was in Hut 6.
@@bobsakamanos4469 Which room?
@@EnglishVeteran Enigma operator like so many of the girls, not an analyst.
Fascinating. I have had the book, Ginger Lacey - Fighter Pilot, for close to sixty years, but your video is the first time I have ever heard him speak. So revealing. Quite calm, quite matter-of-fact about it all and incredibly impressive.
Glad you enjoyed it Harry please do have a subscribe. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Absolutely phenomenal. Thank you so very much for curating this for generations to come.
Appreciate your kind feedback. Chris.
What an absolute gem, thank you for posting.
Many thanks please have a subscribe.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Already subscribed sir
Let History not be forgotten!
they fought for our freedom and ideals ,
this should be in all education : honesty, clear speech and defending what you stand for.
Thank you so much for this impressive presentation, inspiring and as actual as ever!
I am glad you found the film of interest Samuel . Do please have a subscribe to my channel and check out my other films. Chris.
Thank you sir for making this remarkable video. A real glimpse into what it was like for those involved in a truly memorable part of history.
Many thanks for your kind comments Ray. Do please check out some other films on my channel just click the link. Cheers Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Your videos are great they are history of a generation that should never be forgotten thanks
Thanks Case, please have a subscribe. Chris.
As a child in the late 1950s I played in the old buildings of Gravesend airfield. Thanks so much for this remarkable posting.
Thanks Leningrad, Gravesend all gone now, do check out my channel please and have a subscribe. Chris.
Well done. I enjoyed his thoughts on how authority is perceived throughout the decades. Discipline is becoming a lost-art.
Thanks Dan please have a subscribe and check out my other films. Chris.
Absolutely bloody marvellous. The stunning thing is Squadron Leader Lacey wouldn't see himself as a hero but a bloke doing his bit for Great Britain .Thanks to him and thanks to you and god bless the pair of you ,happily subscribed .
Thanks Andy appreciate your kind feedback. Chris.
The questions of FEELINGS by the interviewer are a sign of our present times.
Exactly. Journalists always looking to sell emotions. We hated those kind of jounalists embedded in out units overseas. Emotional vampires.
Thanks for this film . My grandad was in the RAF and like so many people in the war never spoke about it . I use to ask him what he did but he always changed the subject , even my mum never knew. Would love to find out his part in it all but never will as he died in '91 still keeping quiet. Thanks Jim
Thank You Jim, my father served in the 13/18th Hussars in Sherman tanks and went right the way across Northern Europe to liberate the town of Bremen. I can understand why they didn't speak of the horrors they experienced how would anybody back home even begin to understand and many did not want to remember the horrible time by talking about it they just wanted to try and forget it all but I guess that would be impossible. Best Regards Chris.
You should be abled to find out from his service records if you know what regiment he was in , I have my fathers records , but many peoples got lost or whatever , but records will or should with his regiment , good luck .
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Amazing! My uncle was in the 15/19th Hussars... killed Winsen, April 14th, 1945, south of Hamburg by panzerfaust. My dad had landed the day before to join his brother's regiment. Dad ended up in churchill crocodiles, and only spoke of it's horrific effect on the enemy on his deathbed......... I'm 66 now, and even though I understand why that generation did not shout about it, we should have been taught this history at school.... So grateful for your recognition of an unforgettable time, that has been forgotten by too many!!! Just look at the mess the world is in again!!!! (sorry that I haven't seen your posts before now.....)
Man, you gotta love the Brits! They went toe to toe with the Luftwaffe and kicked their asses. Never has there been an organization like the RAF during the Battle of Britain. They used what they had to the fullest. The Spitfire and in particular, the Merlin engine helped win the war in Europe. It's amazing how Mr. Churchill was able to rally his people and his fighters. Of course there were some rubbings like the nonsense between Patton and Monty or the failed Operation Market Garden. We all took those hits as Allies and we all took the glory and joy of VE Day. If it were not for the amazing people of the RAF and the British in general, Hitler could have invaded the UK. The RAF and the Radar screen decimated the enemy and forced Hitler to back away from a cross channel invasion. I'll always keep a spot in my heart for the British. Hell, I went to Radar school with some Limeys and those people we tops. We always had a great time with our Mates as we slugged back some pints!
Appreciate your feedback xxrenaissancemanxx do have a subscribe please .Chris.
All the best sir,lovely words
Did you ever ask your Pommie mates about Biggles ?
Where’s he hangin out these days ?
No mention of all the commonwealth countries and others Poles , Czechs, French, Canadians, volunteer Americans, Indians etc that made up the RAF.
Czechoslovaks clearly visible near the start and mentioned too.
Great vid my wife’s father a polish airmen flew with 316 .Hurricane,Spitfire and Mustang
Thanks AA keep an eye out and subscribe for my next upload Battle of Britain. Chris.
A superbly interesting video, so many thanks! Great to hear the words of one of our greatest fighter aces, and so down to earth, as one would expect from a Yorkshireman. Generations come and generations go. I am one of the "boomers" but Mr. Lacey was one of the rightly named, "Greatest Generation". We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
Many thanks Anonnemo, he was a very interesting character and gave tremendous service. Chris.
very interesting , loved every minute of the audio and visual , his thoughts on the young rang true even back in the 70.s
Thanks Dave hopefully you can have a subscribe. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Poignant footage and excellent interview. Heroes down to the bone. Bless 'em all.
Many thanks Walter, please consider subscribing to the to my channel. Chris.
Churchill mentioned one thousand years in his finest hour speach, the way things are going in our modern Britain the second world war is almost forgotten in less than one hundred. Great post and channel, liked and subscribed.
Appreciate you subscribing along, check out my recent Douglas Bader film, now there was a character. Chris.
Stunning interview with a no nonsense hero
Many thanks HP please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
Tremendous, Chris. Both the archive footage which is magical and the interview. I spent nearly 30 years in yorkshire and you can certainly hear the accent coming through and the matter-of-factness of the description of events. I haven't heard before this sort of detailed first hand account of what it was like to be a pilot No attempt at all to glorify it and no attempt to elaborate on chivalry. Look forward to RAF Portreath. I spend holidays every year close to Portreath and wondered what sort of top secret installation was at the top of the hill on the north/east side. It's now clearer.
Thanks Nigel it's the B-36 this evening have a subscribe. Chris.
What a quote: 'I don't know what you mean by chivalry, if it meant 'give a man an even break' the answer was there was no chivalry at all. I much preferred to kill someone without him even knowing I was there. His first indication that he was being shot at would be when bullets started coming out of his chest.'
It is an interesting quote and maybe more real than shouting put your hands up Please !
Both Hartmann and Richtofen mastered the art of the ambush. Basically an assassination, but rather humane compared to some other scenarios.
The top aces were hit and run merchants. They came in high from the Sun, with their wing man, clatter the enemy and use their dive velocity to get away.
@@am4793, I know, my comment was merely a reference to the brutality of the quote. People often think of air fighting as a gentlemanly way of waging war when it was anything but, it was every bit as ruthless as infantry or mechanised combat, dog eat dog, kill or be killed.
@@Pete-tq6in Of course. War is Hell and what people do is unspeakable even when no war crime is committed. Young people don't get it until they experience war or live long enough to understand the implications.
Thanks for this wonderful stuff,best footage I have ever seen…
Glad you enjoyed it John please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Thank you for bringing history to the younger generations,again we live in dangerous times.
Thanks poppy's bench your feedback is very kind please do subscribe. Chris.
I joined the Royal Air Force in 1971 - posted to RAF Chivenor in N.Devon. We knew of the "WWII 2 Aces" and athough it was 30 years later, these fine men were highly revered and still appreciated, it was our heritage. I cant help thinking that while I was only 17 when I joined up, becoming an independent and conciensious adult as time went on, it must have been a very similar situation for the lads of WWII though I am sure there was an aire of urgency in their induction to adulthood, Great documentary, thanks. I have subscribed.
Many thanks, maybe Hawker hunters at Chivenor during your time. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Yes indeed Chris, Hunters Mks 6, 7, 9,and 10. A couple of Meteors and a couple of Jet Provosts, Chivenor was great .... then we moved to Brawdy S.Wales.
Thank you very much for posting this! A true marvel and great joy to watch!
For those interested, I'd like to point out that this short film (much too short if you ask me) offers a very good chance to observe the various stages of the Spitfire camouflage colour schemes. The Gravesend Spitfires showed some machines with a very pale or faded Ocean Grey (Upper surface Grey) colours and thus a high contrast against the Dark Green pattern (and some serious wear n' tear), and others with more fresh paint job and a lower contrast between the two upper surface colours. This you don't really see that well from photographs which usually depicts a single aircraft and from different time periods.
Again, thanks for sharing!
Thanks emel please consider a subscribe. Chris.
Thyank you for this footage. I particularly loved the sequence at 14:50 of "Bods for a two-six" which my Dad used to always laugh about, from his years with 66Sqdn.
Many thanks for that interesting feedback, do consider Gilbert. Best Regards. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Many thanks. I do love your vids, as they often spark up memories of the things my Dad used to tell me about. He met Ginger Lacey a couple of times, also Douglas Bader, but it was the everyday things made him, laugh. Like when a call went up for a Two Six, he knew where some of the "Bods" or "oiks" would hide to avoid being "chosen", and how early days, one or two pilots would try to rev the Spit up hard enough to blow one of them off in the slipstream. Never did, but my Dad said he could see the pilots laugh about it afterwards. Later in the Battle if runways had been cratered and quickly filled, one of them would ride on the wing to spot ahead for the pilot when on the taxiways. At Coltishall, my Dad had one Spit coming in to land actually aim the kite low at him as he was on perimeter guard duty, and my Dad had to dive to the ground. Always made my Dad laugh in his later years. Thanks for your vids, sir
Thank you for posting the video.
Somewhat puts the actual 'dog fight' time-frame into perspective when Ginger Lacey said it was one to one and a half minutes. ... Life, injury or death for some and all part of the 'day job' for the fighter pilots participating on both sides during the actual time.
What I thought the video also shows well, is all the other work going on at the airfield, the intrinsic participation of others, the maintenance, etc., all comprising a contributing factor towards the 'sum of the parts'.
Thanks Clive appreciate you taking the time to write your thoughts, please subscribe. Chris.
Wonderfully put together. Colour film was still very new. It was fascinating to see the aircraft were not pristine, as we see them now. The exhausts were showing signs of rustings, and the panels 'sort of' fitting. I loved the shot of the pet dog watching his 'master' being strapped in, then being blown off the wing as the Merlin revved up. Living in Kent, I must take a trip to Gravesend and see if anything survives! Thanks again for your superb productions.
Many thanks Johnathan for your kind comments. Try googling RAF Gravesend it's very much built over. Do please have subscribe to my channel. Chris.
Good show old chaps.
I say, jolly good colour video from a time long gone.
Glad you enjoyed it please check out my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Good video Sir, well done. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Jim Lacey, rather emotional hearing him again.
Appreciate your feedback more to come on my next upload please have a subscribe. Chris.
I now know what the “VR” lapel insignia stood for. Aside from that this was an absolutely first rate video. The insights are priceless!
Thanks
Appreciate your kind words Patrick, please consider a subscribe. Chris.
Yes the RAF VR pin, the same reason VR naval officers had wavy rank insignia on their sleeves during WW2. I found that out after being curious watching the film Operation Mincemeat! Pity we never see our military wearing their uniforms in public anymore other than on ceremonial occasions. I used to see loads as a kid in the 1950's.
Another superb video.
Thank you viper twenty much appreciated. Chris.
GREAT VIDEO - THANK YOU! Hearing the interview along with actual footage of Ginger and his fellow airman/warriors reminds one of such a Beautiful Generation gone by. No one Ever wishes to be at war with anyone, however, it truly was a golden time of People Uniting against all that is evil in this world. My mother was born the year the war actually started and passed away a few years ago. I/WE long for generations such as Yours and My Mothers. A crying shame those people are mostly gone:(:(:(:(
Again Thank You for a Wonderful video of Beautiful times, Not the war but of the people who fought to preserve a Free Society! I Love them All!
Good Day and I Truly Hope All is Well!
Thanks Mike your kind words are very welcome please have a subscribe. Chris
Best video I've seen for ages. Really well done, thanks.
Many thanks Tim be sure and subscribe next upload Battle of Britain. Chris.
Totally absorbed from start to finish , Thanks muchly for the upload , i live near several airfields , one of which is very famous here in the south west .
Many thanks for your kind words, please do ponder subscribing. Chris.
A brave man talking straight and honest, no bullshit no glory just a very decent man telling as it was ✌️
Thanks knapster very true, please consider a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
Great footage and stories. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Many thanks Marcus do please have subscribe. Chris.
My dad was a boy entrant at Cranwell. This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Sir
Many thanks Michael appreciate your memories, please do have a subscribe. Chris.
As a secondary modern student in the early 1960s in Wallasey, Cheshire our headmaster was Ginger Lacy. He was recognisable from the flying gear image, although in his 40s at the time. We were aware of his war-time role at the time.
How very interesting Geoffrey many thanks for that feedback. Do please have a subscribe to my channel
Chris.
Really interesting! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it Guy please ponder subscribing. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
It's been quite a few years now, but I'm fairly sure I read his autobiography where he mentioned he would feel nautious whenever the 'tannoy' sounded a 'scramble'.
That is quite correct James I am currently reading his book.
Please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Epic men all. Thank you for the post. 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸
Many thanks para please have a subscribe. Chris.
That was wonderful! I wonder what James Lacey would have thought of Britain nowadays?
I would guess Paul he may have become quite despondent. Chris.
Jim Lacey was my instructor at Grindale in the 70's. Being taught by a master of the air.
Amazing, I really appreciate your memories please have a subscribe to my channel , Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER I jumped at Grindale Parachute Centre (Near Flamborough where Ginger lived) a few times and Ginger was the pilot of the yellow C206 on a couple of occasions in 1976. He told us to keep still as we were disturbing the trim of the aircraft.
Thanks for the upload. Fascinating.
Thanks Stephen. Chris.
A fascinating video, a great interview and really interesting questions and probing really important issues day to day for the pilots and squadron staff during the war. Thank you for putting this on YT.
Appreciate your kind words hopefully you can consider a subscribe. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Subscribed!
Wonderful matter of fact interview
Thank you Ian gritty and down to earth probably one of a kind.
I've read his biography a couple of times. A great pilot
Thanks tectorama. Chris
Absolutely wonderful post. Fabulous interview too, all relevant questions. Good footage, of MkVB Spitfires, not around in the Battle, but there’d have been no time nor safety to film during it. Listening to the click of lighters and the exhalations of them smoking was surprisingly nostalgic even though I’ve always detested it. In 1982 I met Ginger Lacey, I was starstruck, he was a jolly avuncular character and he was still flying! He described himself as “the lift attendant in a Lunatic Asylum.” He flew the Cessna at the free fall parachute 🪂 club in Bridlington.
Really appreciate your memories William.
Please consider a subscribe. Chris.
Fascinating. Thank you. More please.
Many more films on my channel please subscribe. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Many thanks for posting my friend .
Appreciate your kind words Gary please have a subscribe. Chris.
Brilliant video thank you. I’ve subscribed.
Thanks for the subscription very much appreciated. Chris.
Great video. The pilots looked older than the movies portray them. They certainly looked like a very competent bunch of men.
Thanks for your feedback. Chris.
Fascinating.i enjoyed that very much. Please continue…Cheers!
More to come and already on my channel please have a subscribe. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Hello Chris. Very interesting . Ginger was very matter of fact and at times reluctant to speak. Interesting about his views on the then "young generation!" Many Thanks .
Thanks John yes very down to earth and no nonsense.
Excellent video and interview.
Glad you enjoyed it Geordie please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Great video thank you 😊
Thanks for watching along, do check out my other channel films. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Ginger was very patient with a lightly prepared interviewer.
He was indeed, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
❤ Thank you so much! Subscribed after one video, wonderful work!
Glad you enjoyed the film and many thanks for subscribing. Chris.
Fascinating thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, loads more on my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
How calming Mr. Lacey's voice is. No exagerrating just going back through the mist of time and explaining what he remembers. I heard an interview with the top ace of all Erich Hartmann,and he was the same, no hate you was stopping a weapon from being used against you, that's all. Great video.
Thanks Norman please check out my channel and have a subscribe. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Brilliant stuff!! How astounding to think what life was like for EVERYONE at that time!!! My dad lost his hero big brother in tanks, April 14th 1945... and I have always surmised that terrible event led to my dad taking a different path? ....and why I'm here? ....that's what fate is all about... So many unsung heroes in history!!!
Thank you for your feedback do please check out my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
So glad l stumbled on this. The footage and interview content was fantastic. Si, Christchurch, NZ.
Really appreciate your taking a look from New Zealand, do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Fantastic history thank you for uploading this.
Thanks for this fascinating video. My only suggestion would be fewer questions about emotional/philosophical matters and more about what the encounters with the enemy were like.
Thanks Rick that interview was back in 1978 I did cringe at some of the questions, please take a look at my next upload and consider a subscribe. Chris.
thank you an interesting compilation of footage,and interview
Thanks Anthony please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
Brilliant piece, thank you.
Thanks Malcolm please have a subscribe. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Absolutely fascinating thank you for your efforts and I look forward to the next one
Thanks Macrobish next up Battle of Britain do subscribe please. Chris.
We can only be thankful for Squadron Leader Lacey and all the men and women of that generation. WIthout them where might we be now? Something I don't like to think about
Superb as always 👍
Always welcome your feedback John 😊
Thank you for sharing. Very nice.
Many thanks do have a subscribe and check out my other films. Chris.
Brilliant, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed the film Danny, be great if you subscribe. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Ginger Lacey worked in ATC at Wattisham when I was on EE Lightnings in the 1972 ish.
Thanks Bertie most interesting. Maybe ponder subscribing to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Thankyou for the video, so rare to see and better still here how a real hero fought during the battle. So sad that Ginger Lacey is not better known for the true blue hero he was.
Much appreciated feedback, battle of Britain and Douglas Bader next, please subscribe. Chris.
Just done a bit of research.....Where he was born in Wetherby, Nr Leeds, he has a Blue Plaque on the steps leading into the ALDI store (rather ironic) ....The steps are the site of the house where he was born in 1917.
(Link...if allowed? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harry_Lacey#/media/File:Plaque_unveiling_for_James_Harry_Lacey,_Aldi,_Wetherby_(23rd_July_2017)_005.jpg)
You can google earth "ALDI Wetherby"..... and see it for yourself..... The Camera car circulated the ALDI car park.
Which in itself is pretty rare, as I guess it is private property.
Respect and thank you for your service Sir. Never in the field of human conflict etc
Thanks Derick do please subscribe and check out my other films. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Great Video! Love it!
Thanks Isaac loads more on my channel 186 films to date do please have a subscribe. Chris.
I'm so glad your channel popped up in my feed, brilliant colour footage. Subscribed straight away, and now going through your back catalogue - thank you!!
Appreciate that Simon I have been at it for 2 years now, please leave feedback when you have time. Chris.
Very good thank you
Appreciate your comment Simon, please consider a subscribe. Chris.
Thank you boys.
Appreciated Bill.
A most interesting interview as I had long wanted to know more about Ginger Lacey. I spoke at length tto a Hurricane BoB pilot who deplored being seen as a 'hero'; he and some who wrote expressed nuanced views on war and killing.
Thanks Hugh, more interviews on my latest upload please have a subscribe. Chris.
There was never even one Allied WWII vet who thought of themselves as a hero. They'd all tell you that they were just doing their job.
Fantastic questions. Really getting to the guts of the topic.👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it Timothy please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Never cease to be amazed about these legends, thanks
Thank you Greg please do have a subscribe. Chris.
Wonderful stuff. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it please support my channel by subscribing, I have over 200 films on my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
Great video. Nice footage of RAF Hornchurch featuring wing Commander Wilfred Duncan Smith wearing his captured Schwim.vest and featuring his black spaniel (CO of 64 Squadron, Spitfire SH - Z), father of Sir Iain Duncan Smith, our president at the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre.
Thanks Jeff hopefully you will consider a subscribe 😊
great and interesting to hear what Ginger Lacey had to say.
Thanks Froggy Frog please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
Great watch and a true feeling of the time😊my father served at neither wallop airfield as a Armourer.
Thanks Andy a subscribe is very welcome. Chris.
Is that not "Nether"? As. Commonly used in villages in the UK?
Salutations to your Father: Respect.
Andy...done some research... Yes... "Nether" is the correct old English for the "lower" .... below normal level.
Hence, we get: The Netherlands.... The Low Countries etc
So... Nether Wallop was a place below the main part of the village of Wallop...
(I've no idea where that Village of Wallop is..... Care to enlighten us.?..Please.)
@@patagualianmostly7437 yes indeed theres also a middle wallop😊
@@patagualianmostly7437 wow I didn't know that thanks.He left the RAF to go in the fleet arm as an armourer.
Wonderful footage indeed. I am an Irish man and pilot many Irish served in the defense of the British Isles against the aggressor of WW II. Self-defense in international law refers to the inherent right of a State to use of force in response to an armed attack. I think Squadron Leader Lacey makes the point that is sadly missing in mainstream society; disrespect for authority, appreciation for ones parents, respect for the elderly and one another in living in family and community.
Thanks Victor you pick up some very good points there and I appreciate you watching along.
Please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
th-cam.com/channels/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ.html
@@GULLPERCHFLYERThank you. I shall indeed subscribe to your channel. On another note, there was one Irish pilot that in WW 2 that Irish aviators (commercial, Military and Private pilots) consider to have made his contribution in the RAF in WW2 - BRENDAN FINUCANE, the Dublin native who is considered to have been one such hero (as all the those fellows were) of the Second World War. Born in Rathmines, Co Dublin in 1920, Brendan Finucane spent his formative years in the capital. However at 16 years of age, his parents decided to move the family to England. In my reading of his history, his Mum was English and Dad Irish. They lived in Dublin where Brendan was born. His father was part of the Irish rebellion to self-determination. In any case, the family moved back to England where Brendan who always wanted to fly - enlisted to a greater cause facing the British Isles - and in protecting our nations - Ireland and England with our allies which of course was of greater importance to us all- and the right of nations to defend ourselves from an aggressor and rightly so in accordance with International Law.
Well said. We can thank the school systems and media for the rebellious over-entitlement of the younger generations. God bless Paddy Finucane. My father met him at 452 Sqn, Oct '41.☘
I love everything about the spits-n-hurricanes, especially the spitfire it's one beautiful plane
Thanks William loads more on my channel please subscribe. Chris.
Excellent! Thank you. All the best, Rob in Switzerland
Thanks Rob for your kind feedback, please consider a subscribe. Chris.
Just come across your channel im hooked 👍 subbed
Really appreciate your subscription, I have over 200 films on my channel hopefully you will find some interesting. Chris.
RiverI hope to bring a bit of knowledge to the comments section as I've been salvaging world war II wreckage on the River Medway located at crash site of a mk1b spitfire possibly belonging to pilot officer king. castle Bromwich serial numbers match his airframe plus V2 rocket impact site major components recorded and recovered plus many more bits and bobs 40. Years of crawling in the swamp I should know better really. all the best ex submariner
Excellent video. Thank you.
Many thanks Miriam.