What if the RAF had lost the Battle of Britain? Would the Brits have been overrun? Would the Nazis have won the Second World War? Top historians debate one of the biggest what-ifs in history: th-cam.com/video/OaH2-g04cIA/w-d-xo.html
Even IF the Luftwaffe had obtained air superiority it would only have been of the tactical kind and very temporary. And after all that, the Germans still had the Royal Navy to contend with. The Kriegsmarine was far inferior and would have been soundly trounced. German Admiral Raeder had planned the ship-building program to be complete in 1950! This might have put both navies on more equal terms but of course, this never happened.
@@robertmaybeth3434 Absolutely,it would have been all but impossible to successfully invade the UK,apart from the Royal Navy,experimental weapons such as the plan where petrol was poured into the sea and set ablaze near likely landing zones would have inflicted appalling casualties on any invasion force.
++@@talos_mk25++ There appear to be a great many ΨΨ in your comment Comrade. All well and good, but as English is the language of the internet, at least for the moment, perhaps you'd care to repost so that more of us can understand what you are saying. Derogatory or not, we'd love to know!
My great uncle was a B-17 pilot in the 8th Air Force who had the deepest affection and respect for the British pilots, soldiers and the British people - something I've never forgotten, and a feeling that he passed on that I still share to this day. This documentary deeply moved me.
My great grandfather used to mow the baseball field for the local American base in WW2 and they gave him chocolates and candy which he gave to my grandmother :)
Most American service men hated the arrogant mouth ba$tard Brits for their attitude towards the Americans that were there helping to save the Brits @$$'s from Germany !!!
Good of you to say that. There are so many armchair generals (both British and American) around today who pour scorn on what their allies did during WW2. Both RAF Bomber Command and the USAAF had their misfortunes and their successes: we should be proud of what they all achieved.
My father was a navigator on an Avro Lancaster 50 Squadron at Skellingthorpe 1942-45. After he passed I found out from his service records he had found a way to improve the accuracy of his navigation for which he received a special mention in dispatches. His method was passed onto other crews. The Lancaster crews particularly during the night bombing raids would become disorientated with all the enemy flak in the air and became sitting ducks for the enemy fighters and anti-aircraft guns. A big thankyou to all the aircrews, ground crews, servicemen and women who served with my father in Bomber Command during WW2
My grandfather was a Lancaster pilot from Australia - I still have his flight suit and medals.. amazing man but on reflection I can see that his service troubled him immensely. What a brave group of blokes
They were brave men and must have been terrified and horrified at times. My Uncle was an infantry man and was in many experiences in Europe throughout the war. Unfortunately after the war he eventually returned to UK but some years later took his own life. He left behind a German Iron Cross 1st Class. We will never know what they experienced.
My Father was in this movie. He was a wing commander, a highly decorated pilot and survived 64 missions. In this movie he is seen at 2:33 directing the flight crew to their next target on the map. He was W/Cdr Basil Arthur TEMPLEMAN-ROOKE DSO,DFC and Bar, AFC. I am very ashamed to admit I did NOT appreciate him & his dedication to England & I was a less than a perfect son. He passed this life in July 28, 2004 aged 83. May he rest in peace
Thank you for your Fathers service! Without Heroes such as him, god knows what kind of world we would be living in. RIP Basil Templeman. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN 🇬🇧
Wow, what a daddy! My dad was married with two kids by the time his number would have come up. He and mother waited until 1949 to have their last and best child, ME! 😜 my two siblings and two cousins are all female, all of whom say that I was spoiled. What with being the only boy from twin brothers who had a total of five children, I reluctantly agree.
Don't blame yourself , I'm sure most of us have failed to appreciate these men so you're not alone in this. What matters is now, the fact you're now aware and can tell his story. I would recommend you gather together all the info you can and you write up a biography and put it online on one of the many historical sites that display their stories. What better way to honour your fantastic dad than for you to show him such respect and appreciation. If it was me I'd even consider putting his service history and gear into a museum. There's some fantastic museum displays that show the history of many pilots and crew, and you'll know his story will forever be protected and saved for future generations to learn about.
My Grandfather was a tail gunner in the Lancaster. As of today, 17th August 2019, he is still going strong apart from dementia. The war didn't take him but this cruel illness will. God bless all who never managed to live to his 94 years. 22/12/21 update I'm sorry to have to add this but this very brave man has finally lost his last battle. RIP to one of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Cyril Ardley. 13 December 2021
this flesh is just a weak cage for the spirit. I hope he finds peace and you also. If you have any faith then some fine day he'll be meeting up with his long-gone mates again.
I am a Yank a who gives all honor and profound, undying,thanks to your Grandfather,and all those who served in the forces of all the Allied Nations. Several years ago,I had the great experience of being in the UK on Remembrance Day,what we Yanks call "Veterans Day"(Nov.11).I was quite surprised at the participation of the public in both attendance at larger public ceremonies honoring veterans,and small ways ..lots of people of all ages, wearing poppies. God Bless Them All I
As an American born after the war, I grew up admiring the bombers and fighters produced in America. However, watching those big Lancasters fly with those huge wings and knowing how well it was built, it was truly a sight to see. Those brave young men deserve the admiration of freedom loving people from every generation.
We should never forget all of the crews of any side they where doing their Duty I often wonder could I have done I like to think I could but thankfully I am to old(72) but the Question still remains could I have done it and may all who fought and lost their lives in War whatever their sides RIP
One of my great uncles was in an Australian bomber crew who flew over Europe. When my grandmother wished him good luck and a safe return before leaving Australia, his reply was:: "I'am not coming back." He, like everyone else, knew the odds were weighed heavily against them. He was an inspiration to me during my RAAF career... Freedom is never free, and has to be fought for, and in many cases men died for the cause of freedom.
@@kevinmaccallum336 full respect to anyone who served (yourself included). Unfortunately a lot of people don't even think about those two generations of young men who served and died in WW1 & 2. My grandfather was a Flt Sgt who served in the RAAF in WW2 as a navigator, he served in the Pacific and made it back thank god. We have the sorts of lives we enjoy now due to men like your great uncle, paid for by them, debt we can never repay but a lot take for granted.
I once read about a young Norwegian man who returned to Norway from England where he had been a fighter pilot during the last world war. He was going to start his civilian life again as a teacher in a school. He was told when arriving at the school that he would get the most troublesome and toughest class that no teacher had managed to get under control, so far. He wondered what to do. The next day when he entered that class room he wore his pilot jacket. That whole class went silent when he came in, and he never had any problems with them.
Sad to say, but in the US today there is a generation which does not see the whole picture. They see puffy clouds or whatever. They don't know enough history to understand : no one wants to die, but sometimes bad people rise to power, and good people answer the call.
If you have a few minutes to spare, would you watch a vid. on here ' Hiroshima 1945- british atomic attack', it does involve the LANK. Fact well hidden.
In Britain, I would call the WWI generation the greatest generation. But, there are men and women all the time who are pushing the edges of courage, duty, loyalty and commitment. In every country of the world. God Bless them all!!
Went with my cousin to Woodley areodrome in the early 1950s. We were thrilled to see 3 Lancasters warming up for take off and stayed watching until all 3 were airborne. I was about 11years old and it's now 2020. A memory I'll never forget. I moved to Canada from England in 1966. I am so lucky to have 5 countries to care about. Britain, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand, I've spent time in all of them. The rest of the world can go on it's merry way, no problem, but these are my favorites. Heroes came from all of them during the war. It was something that had to be done.
My late grandfather was a Lancaster pilot and wing commander for the RAF during WWII (207 Squadron), where he received DFC and DSO. Thanks for making this video
Hi There Lloyd B. My Grandfather was on 207 too. Was yours by any chance John Grey? Please check out the Friends of RAF Spilsby Facebook group for further info. Would be good to get another 207 connection!
I had a Grandfather who was involved in direct action to liberate the Philippines and US prisoner of war. My uncle rode nose of a B-17 over Europe. Both were very troubled from the war. Kills my soul to see how people misuse the freedoms that brave man died to give them!!. They are both gone now finally at peace!! God bless those who fought for us.
BLOODY RIGHT- great uncle gassed in ww1 for nz & dad donated his leg to a stuka bomb alamein in th 2nd- & look at kiwis now- hiding under the beds from the flu!
My uncle was a Wireless Operator in a Lancaster. He is still alive today at the age of 9 93. Still as sharp as always. Like many veterans, he very rarely ever talked about the experience. The survival rate for these men was not very high and I’m sure he lost friends. I’ve let him know how proud I am of him and to have had an uncle serve in such a daring role and that’s the extent of our conversation about it.
Dear Chuck - by now, two years ago, he might be one of the very few ex-Bomber Command veterans still alive - even the RAF heritage organisations aren't sure of the number. If you uncle is still alive, do give him our regards, and if possible note down his memories before it's too late?
@@MarktheMole hey Mark, yes he actually died last year. God rest his brave soul. He did not talk about the war hardly at all but a few years back a local paper did an interview with him and he gave a pretty detailed account of the experience. Lucky to have that. Also he was in the Canadian Air Force :)
Men of extream bravery, well done. My Dad was An aircraft mechanic keeping these beauties in the air and pushing ahead. He was stationed in Lancasshire.
Brave and honourable young Brits 👍 You can see the gleem in their faces, they know the intensity of what they have endured, the cost, the accomplishments. Top class RAF 🇬🇧, heroes. Thanks from the USA🇺🇸
JJ Brooks And thanks to the puppet anti German government of Germany itself who continues the post war allies’ propaganda in the favor of their own former enemies! How ironic that is I wonder!
They were no near being heroes! They were war criminals. Heroes don’t kill the innocent and defenceless kids and families. The real heroes save them! Get the freakin facts straight here and realize that millions of innocent civilians were killed and burned down to ashes by these war criminals!
Cyrus The Great - you are a moron. WW2 was total war - and the Germans initiated bombing civilians. They did it in Spain and later on the U.K. (Coventry for starters). The Germans then continued bombing civilians in London and other industrial conurbations where civilians lived. Your looking at history through present day liberal leftie bleeding heart lenses. Grow up and read something for once in your gormless 21st century excuse for an ‘adult’ life.
@Persona non grata The hero part is flying through flak, dealing with fighters, mechanical trouble, severe weather, friendly fire, engine fire, ditching in the sea, seeing friends die while bringing the rest of your crew back safely. Basically putting your life on the line. It is not about killing "innocent" civilians. The fighting man is raised by the civilian so you wage your war and let the blood run into the streets until it bleeds out.
@frankos rooni you cannot deny them having commited war crimes, even crimes against humanity. You see life is not black and white, even heroes can commit war crimes...
As a Yank--------and one who was fortunate to spend a few precious days in England, I say " Thank-you " to the men who flew The Lancaster's in WW2. The courage of those men is what keeps us free today. Like my Father , who fought on Guadalcanal, they truly were, " The Greatest Generation " .---------MJL, 76 y/o
You sir, are a rare breed today. I've seen so many Americans hating on the British in the comment section on other videos. At the end of the day, we were all on the same side. And I have nothing but respect the greatest generation, from all nations.
Most definitely, they where and always will be the greatest generation, and thank god they where because the world would have been an awful place without there superhuman effort in beating the Nazis……
michaellazzeri Just remember there were more than just Brits fighting on the Allied side, Americans, Canadians, Aussies, New Zealanders,and so many more, not to be forgotten, as it was an ALLIED effort !!
I salute all the veterans who helped liberate us. My compliments for a great documentary about a fantastic plane and their crew. A grateful Dutchman, T.
Never was so much owed by many to so few. Bless em.. Britain's greatest generation.. I salute you all. Thank you all for your services. 💞💗💕💓💝 Respect..
For clarification only, Pat - you perhaps know this anyway. That quote by Churchill referred to the Battle of Britain Fighter Pilots who stopped the Luftwaffe from obtaining air superiority over the UK. The Bombing sorties came later.
My grandfather, who sadly I never had the opportunity to meet, was a WAG for the RCAF in WWII. I’ve heard very little of him, but I am so very proud of him volunteering for service.
Goes wayyy back... when you think of it, it's remarkable Britain survived even its beginnings: Britain of the 15/1600s was a tiny upstart nation compared to the then-vast and global Spanish Empire.
I found out from my Mum that an uncle, one of her favourite cousins, died in a Lancaster in 1943 when it was destroyed over Germany. He was a Canadian Sergeant who was a tailgunner. I think about him, and the courage he had to have had, not only to fly in one of the highest casualty periods of the war, but also to have been in the one position that was the most vulnerable and difficult to get out of if the plane was hit. He died young as did all of the others.
Americans are shocked to discover that there is no co-pilot on a Lancaster. A member of our family won a posthumous VC piloting a Lancaster over Hamburg. A flack shell exploded underneath his feet, blowing both his legs off at the knees. Yet he managed to keep the plane level and the bombs were dropped. He then managed to get the plane clear so the crew could bail out which they did. Only two survived. Not to be outdone and before he died, he nosed the plane into a railway junction and it blew up. The Americans got to go home after 25 missions. The Germans and the British (incl Australian, New Zealanders, Canadians and South Africans) kept flying right through the war. Its no wonder that Bomber Command suffered 225% casualties between 1939 and 1945. My father enlisted in 1939 and his family did not see him again until 1945. He went over from Australia as a big strapping 240lb redhead farmer. When he arrived back by ship my mother fainted when she saw him. He weighed 110lbs, had one arm and eye missing and his hair had turned white.
This man deserved the VC !!! As a family member as you are, I recommend you get all the info and write a book about him. It would be on my "To buy" list !
Steve that may have been the Americans only had to serve 25 missions but many stayed and for every man that went home one or more replaced him. Remember the USAAF had 2 1/2 Times as many men in theater as did the RAF an yet suffered 1/2 the losses, Tell the whole story, "WE.." know the facts, the Brits alone did not win WWII it was an allied effort USA Canada, Austrailia Russia !!! the Facts less the lies , hype, and Bull$hit !!!
@@alexanderwilisow9473 As an Englishman I feel a debt of gratitude to the American servicemen who came and fought in Europe. They weren't fighting to defend or liberate their own country but several foreign countries. Thank God for the Americans, all the way from President Roosevelt down to the humblest USAAF ground crew men and women.
My father was a heavy bomber pilot and flew two tours of operations with 61 Sqn., his second flying Lancasters. He flew the Avro Manchester, but only completed 2 successful bombing missions, most of his first tour of ops being completed on Hampdens. The vulture engines were prone to coolant leaks and failure of big end bearings - early returns were not uncommon. On the 10th of April 1941, while taking out a training flight in Manchester L7307, with Wing Commander Valentine and 10 assorted crew members, the starboard engine blew up in a spectacular way just after take-off.. He completed a circuit and managed to land safely, with smoke billowing from the engine. The fire crew turned up and proceeded to cover them in foam! My father said that the Lanc was lovely to fly and was in all respects a better aircraft than the Manchester. He was so lucky to survive 52 sorties without losing any crew member, despite damage often inflicted by flak and Luftwaffe night-fighters. We must never forget those who were not so fortunate and fell to earth.
He was very lucky indeed if he flew Hampdens and the Manchester that early in the war. My dad did 24 ops with 61 Squadron out of Skellingthorpe but much later than your dad. PS my dad and his crew are on page 94 in the book about 61 Squadron by Derek Brammer
my grandfather was an RCAF pilot transferred to the RAF he flew the Handley-Page Halifax. pretty much same thing as the Lancaster. flew 38 missions from 44-45. RIP Gramps
I borrowed a book from my school library 47 years ago and since then I've read the same book about 10 times. One of the best books written, 'They Hosed Them Out' by John Bede Cusack. Highly recommend it for anyone interested in the lot of the air gunners of Bomber Command WW2.
My hometown doctor flew the Lancaster, Dr. Kenneth Alan France. During WWII Dr. France became Squadron Leader of Bomber Command 432, flying 24 sorties. He rose to the rank of Wing Commander, the youngest in the Air Force at 22 years of age. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. He delivered my older brother, myself and my younger sister. He had a painting of the Lancaster on his wall, as a kid I was into building models, especially model aircraft. I asked him once about the painting of the Lancaster, he told me that he was just a navigator, I did not know until reading his obituary, that he was actually a pilot and a Wing Commander. He passed at 95 years of age in 2017. Cheers from Tokyo
There's a Lancaster that flies around Toronto, it's an inspiration each time. I had a great aunt who was a ferrier pilot, taking Lancasters from Malton to England.
I was in downtown Toronto several years ago when I heard the most beautiful sound above me. I looked up and saw the Lancaster overhead. Those Merlin engines make such a wonderful sound🇨🇦❗️
We were coming back from a golf trip to the US and near Hamilton, Ontario. An older gentleman, the uncle of the trip organizer, suddenly perked up and said, "I could swear that's a Lanc I hear". Sure enough, it was, heading for the Museum at Mt. Hope Airport. He had piloted a Lanc during WW2. We immediately made a detour to the museum and got some photos with him in front of the plane he hadnt seen for almost 60 years but knew the sound immediately.
@@johnkidd1226 very likely the Canadian Heritage Lancaster, Vera. One of only two flying Lancasters in the World. We have the other one in Lincolnshire in the UK. Owned by the BBMF, together with two Hurricanes, several Spitfires, a Dakota and others. Saw both of them flying in Eastbourne in 2016 when the Canadians brought Vera over. Out of over 7,000 Lancasters built, just to see two flying together again brought tears to the eyes of many a tough man in the crowd (and certainly to me). The sound of 8 Merlin engines was absolutely riveting. 💓💓 Thank you, to our Canadian friends for being part of such an amazing flying season.
That brought tears to my eyes. My dad trained as a pilot for bomber command in 1943. When he'd finished they no longer wanted pilots so he retrained as a flight engineer. He spent 1944/5 on Lancs with Coastal Command 210 sqdn. He was lucky a second time in 1945. When the US dropped the atomic bombs, he and his crew were due to be sent to the Pacific... the end of hostllities meant they never went. Funny story, in the last years of his life he discovered he had a recognised medical condition known as "Lancaster ear" specific to Lancs aircrews and in particular to the flight engineer because of his seating position in the aircraft.
@James Henderson Historians are divided on the question. In the end it was probably a combination of both reasons which prompted the surrender which was already under consideration.
@@StihlmaddArborist His doctor told him he could get an extra pension from the RAF as compensation since it was a recognized condition directly related to his war work. We only discovered that in about 2010. He never wanted to claim it though. It would probably have worked out to a fair amount as it would have been back dated.
@James Henderson it was not only a question of shortening the war. Because of the ferocity of the Japanese defending their aquisitions in surrounding countries, it was anticipated they would be suicidal in defending their home islands. Estimates that I have seen ranged from 500,000 to 1,000,000 fatalities in allied troops (mainly American) carrying out the invasion. This does not include Japanese losses. Trueman decided the most effective course for the US was to advise the Japanese the US had a new devastating weapon, and that they should surrender, and avoid further loss of life. The Japanese army and "War council" ignored him. The decision was made to proceed with the Hiroshima bombing, and it was hoped the Japanese (Army) would see the light and cease hostilities after the demonstration of one bomb. They did not. A week after Nagasaki , and after the Russians finally declared against them, they stopped fighting. With Hiroshima and Nagasaki, (immediate) fatalities appeared to be in the 90,000-130,000 range. So the decision not to invade may have saved well over 1,000,000 lives, Japanese & American. The bombings killed all Japanese, mainly civilian, but a smaller number than anticipated for the homeland invasion. The only alternative I could see was for the allies to starve the Japanese out for months, as they had control of the air and sea around Japan. Again a terrible outcome.
I served in the RAF for 32 year, 1979 - 2010, including N. Ireland, Kuwait and Iraq. However, we weren't fighting for our own freedom. These airmen were the true defenders of liberty in the UK and the rest of the world. For my freedom and that if my daughter, I thank you.
@@eagle1de227 YES and YES AGAIN. While I was in the RAF shortly after the war, I served with many who had flown in those terrible years. I had seen what the enemy had done to my home town and YES AGAIN I would have done whatever it took to defeat them.
@@hugmal37 War crimes do not depend on what others did. War crimes depend on what the people did who commit them. And thats true for any nationality and any nation in the world! A war crime is a war crime and cannot be justified by war crimes of others! It cannot be justified by anything! NEVER EVER! That's a question of humanity!
The "Greatest Generation" On land, Sea , and Air. God bless them! They have a Lancaster bomber in the Australian War Museum in Canberra. It is AWESOME they actually play the intercom conversations as they are flying in on a bombing run. The cool detached conversation amazes me as you can hear the flak and machinegun fire in the background.
That's neat. There's a very fine restored Avro Lancaster in the Nanton, Alberta air museum. It has functional engines but isn't fully air- worthy. When I visited the museum in 2014, the guide told me the bomber is sometimes taken out of the hangar to activate the engines. You can climb inside the Lancaster and make your way along to the cockpit. It's fuselage is pretty tight -- much smaller than I had imagined.
My father trained in South Africa he went as a volunteer from Chile DFC his pilot from Australia Edge 156 squadron Lancaster very brave people he talked very little about It .
The feeling of being in one of these is amazing. got the chance to fly in one a couple years ago and it was amazing. Those merlin engines are soooo loud
My great uncle served as a bomb aimer on a Lancaster. My Grandad qualified as a fighter pilot and got his wings but was never deployed before the the war ended. He was in a reserved occupation as a jute mill manager but signed up anyway. He was a great person. I miss him a lot. Luv and Peace.
My dad was one of the mechanics on these planes. They would would randomly be assigned to fly a mission to avoid sabotage. Also have to point out that Royal Canadian Airforce served alongside the British aircrews. with the Lancaster flights
@@Rogerban and kiwis and safaas the documentary should have pointed out the large number of commonwealth aircrew both in mixed and separate squadrons. My uncle was in one of the the first RNZAF bomber squadrons deployed to the Pacific theater of operations where they had a much lower casualty rate.
My farther was in the RAF he never really spoke much about the war, but I thank him and all our brave servicemen for the 77 years of peaceful life I’ve had. God bless them all RIP.
Thank you for all these brave stories from WW2. Without these brave men and women we would never enjoy the freedom and love of country we now enjoy. I will never forget what you suffered and I would hope that all children continue to be taught of the courageous service people who gave us this honour.
We aren't free today thanks to woke progressive leftist law's forced on us , we can't even talk about there only being two gender's , grooming gang's , forced criminal imports by people who hate us , Taliban are allowed a Twitter platform whilst they block Trump and many other's for bring truthful . I could go on and on . Today's UK isn't what millions died for in the war so don't make out we are free when we are not . Too many brainwashed fools .
My Mother's Father, my Grandfather was an engineer the Lancaster. on the second last mission of his tour, he lost part of his heel from flak. His crew left on their last mission, they never made it back. When he was healed he resigned and completed his tour. He was a crazy Scot from Canada with RCAF. LOL
My uncle flt lt Kenneth Waugh, who was Anglo American ,trained in the US under the Arnold plan. He became an instructor before returning to England and joined a Pathfinder Squadron. Reports from other aircraft noted his aircraft exploded in flames, it was full of incendiaries so hopefully he went quick
People criticize what Bomber Command did, but, when one looks at the facts, what was done was necessary. Albert Speer, Armaments Minster, and an intelligent man, said, 'Another half a dozen Hamburgs will knock Germany out of this war'.
And all over England, as in the United States, these men are turning over in their graves at what our two countries have become. So sad that the freedoms the greatest generation fought so bravely for, are being thrown away by those who don't know any better.
Don F, The countries are run by self interested millionaires who have no loyalities except to money. Unemployment because the elite import cheap labour to increase their profits, and all the hoi polloi are statistics not people. Overseas investments for greater returns on capital, instead of national investments directly creates jobess as the jobs that come with investment have been exported. I don't think the elites were ever interested in the war apart from the profits it could generate for the select few, has it ever been any different?
I first saw a Lancaster in pictures was when I was five in 1970. In 1974/5 I was able to go to RAF Hendon war museum on a school trip, and the first thing I saw was the majestic Lancaster, it absolutely blew my mind and I’ve been in love with it ever since. It is British and we should never allow people to forget the importance that she contributed to the war.
In memory of 20 yr old PO AE “Bert” West RCAF, of Vancouver BC, rear gunner on a Lanc 111, of 57 Squadron RAF , flying from East Kirkby, Mortally wounded on ops, July 29 1944. Rest in Peace, cousin. Your sacrifice is not forgotten! ♥️🇨🇦.
The greatest treat in the summer living in Hamilton Ontario was to hear those merlins rumbling overhead. I would always run outside to see that Lanc swing by my neighbourhood. What a treat. Lovely bird
The strategic method Bomber Command waged war may be questionable, but it disgusted me the actual air crew who risked life and limb were not awarded a campaign medal for all they did under orders.
@HappyandAtheist You should read a book by AC Grayling called Among the Dead Cities. There was no justification for the destruction and especially the firebombing of german cities. They got no strategic or tactical advantage from it. And they knew they wouldn't. So not only did they kill german civilians they also killed their own flight crews by making them do unnecessary missions.
@@Graysonn1 they drew pressure from the eastern front by forcing the Wehrmacht to redeploy thousands of antiaircraft guns, the men to operate them, and the resources to supply them to Germany proper. Soviet casualties were catastrophic enough without having several thousand more 88mm guns on the eastern front.
My great uncle was awarded the DFC for captaining a Lancaster to Hamburg in August 1943 for a bombing raid. During the flight the aircraft was hit by flak which severed the rudder control shaft, in spite of this he flew on to the target and bombed it. Afterwards he flew the damaged aircraft and crew back to base safely with no loss.
We did too Nick -here in the states....only, it was the solid wooden, B-17 G Strombecker Model Kit with metal propellors one nailed into the nacelles...still have my B-25 hanging from the ceiling... kids today, staring into phones will never understand, nor grow the brain cell connections in the joyous activity of reading an engineering drawing, sanding the wings and all. Gluing it together with a package of horses hoof powdered glue mixed with water... and then the interminable wait until it all cured. Then, soaking the decal sheet in water and at just the right second pulling it out, sliding the decal off onto the airship... one feels pretty proud at 11 years old after that....a confidence builder. Nowadays kids are sent to shrinks and fed pills to build confidence we learned from proper playground activities, and building things, living outside everyday until darkness drove us in. I always laugh, young folk think we're nuts... ha ha...
I was fortunate in or about 1965 to tour the last Canadian Lancaster flight as it was sent to the museum (I believe) in Toronto. The very cramped limited space the crew had to work in amazed me. I was about 15 at the time & was in awe of the bravery of these guys.
Their casuality rate was Very high.And.no parachute for rear gunner?Yes, controversy about Bomber Command. BUT , it took.a lot of courage for those men to fly on the Lancaster bombers. No more world war ,please.
The rear gunner had a parachute, he just couldn't wear it while in the turret because the space was too tight. If he had to bail out he needed to get back into the fuselage of the bomber, grab his parachute, strap it on and then jump.
@@larry4789 i wonder why he stored it unsecured on the toilet, when there was dedicated quick release rack for it just behond the turret doors, be worth asking why he did this?
There is a restored flying AVRO Lancaster at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. I have seen it flying many times, it is a wonderful airplane, carefully restored and still flying.
I love these documentaries - very well put together. But I have to question the scene at 39:04 where, when discussing the bombing in support of the Normandy landings (6 June 1944), you show a very short film clip of the USS Arizona exploding during the raid on Pearl Harbor (7 Dec 1941). Thanks again for preserving the stories of this remarkable aircraft and the men who flew - and loved - them.
I'm proud to say that my grandfather served with the RAF in WW2. He volunteered, he operated as a machine gunner in a turret. He said they would welcome new members at the base with a drink, cigarettes and a game of cards, the new men would pin up pictures of their loved ones at their bunk, then after their first mission, that's the last they would see of them. Against all odds, Les Gates completed over 60 missions including 3 crash landings. He was the last of his crew to survive at 94 years old. Him and his crew met up once a year back in the day. One time, they all met at a hotel bar before moving on for a night out. When the last man arrived, they all agreed the drinks were far too expensive. The barman, intrigued by this group of smartly dressed old gentleman asked what the occasion was. Upon finding out, he said "come with me''. That man gave the old team a room, ice and glasses, with a bottle of gin, rum and whiskey. He said help yourselves, thank you for your service and you need to be out by six as this is a rented room. A kind gesture and a level of respect that sadly you probably wouldn't see a great deal of today.
My father was in 460 squadron during WW2, invalided out in May 1944, never spoke of the war, but would cried his eyes out for no reason later on in life, would never watch a war movie.
Don't forget the young men from the Commonwealth countries and territories who came to the aid of Britain in her darkest hours, many of whom paid the Ultimate Price!
I actually meet the rarest breed of them all a few years back... at the Hamilton Ontario museum... he was a tail gunner in a Lanny... and i got to walk thru the entire aircraft inside and out and sat in the gunner positions.
My Grandfather brought down three german squadrons of fighterplanes completely alone. Before he was was called out to be the worst mechanic in the whole Luftwaffe...
Hats off to those brave young men and for their sacrifice. I shudder to consider that no other service in the war suffered such a high losses. Even the infantry didn't get anywhere as high as that.
And that is flying at night to avoid enemy fighters and gound AA guns. What did the US 8th air force lose in daytime raids where everybody can see them?
@stephen morris You are correct! So while most people thought that the foot infantryman had the hardest slogging with all the imagery of dodging bombs & bullets, the public thought that the merchant marines sailors or the flying crews didnt face much fire from the enemy.
@stephen morris yes,that also is true. A very sad fact of war, but as General Patton said "the objective of war is to let the other guy die for HIS country!"
My Uncle was a Navigator on Lancs and survived 32 trips over Germany. A volunteer (Ireland), he NEVER spoke of it. At all. Dad said he was never the same afterwards. One thing that was strange was that he would never drive at night.
What if the RAF had lost the Battle of Britain? Would the Brits have been overrun? Would the Nazis have won the Second World War?
Top historians debate one of the biggest what-ifs in history: th-cam.com/video/OaH2-g04cIA/w-d-xo.html
Even IF the Luftwaffe had obtained air superiority it would only have been of the tactical kind and very temporary. And after all that, the Germans still had the Royal Navy to contend with. The Kriegsmarine was far inferior and would have been soundly trounced. German Admiral Raeder had planned the ship-building program to be complete in 1950! This might have put both navies on more equal terms but of course, this never happened.
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powerful documentary, thank you so much
@@robertmaybeth3434 Absolutely,it would have been all but impossible to successfully invade the UK,apart from the Royal Navy,experimental weapons such as the plan where petrol was poured into the sea and set ablaze near likely landing zones would have inflicted appalling casualties on any invasion force.
++@@talos_mk25++ There appear to be a great many ΨΨ in your comment Comrade. All well and good, but as English is the language of the internet, at least for the moment, perhaps you'd care to repost so that more of us can understand what you are saying. Derogatory or not, we'd love to know!
My great uncle was a B-17 pilot in the 8th Air Force who had the deepest affection and respect for the British pilots, soldiers and the British people - something I've never forgotten, and a feeling that he passed on that I still share to this day. This documentary deeply moved me.
My great grandfather used to mow the baseball field for the local American base in WW2 and they gave him chocolates and candy which he gave to my grandmother :)
Most American service men hated the arrogant mouth ba$tard Brits for their attitude towards the Americans that were there helping to save the Brits @$$'s from Germany !!!
my father was ground crew to these bad boys, god bless and respect to all the heroes,x. love from the uk...
Good of you to say that. There are so many armchair generals (both British and American) around today who pour scorn on what their allies did during WW2. Both RAF Bomber Command and the USAAF had their misfortunes and their successes: we should be proud of what they all achieved.
My father was a navigator on an Avro Lancaster 50 Squadron at Skellingthorpe 1942-45. After he passed I found out from his service records he had found a way to improve the accuracy of his navigation for which he received a special mention in dispatches. His method was passed onto other crews. The Lancaster crews particularly during the night bombing raids would become disorientated with all the enemy flak in the air and became sitting ducks for the enemy fighters and anti-aircraft guns. A big thankyou to all the aircrews, ground crews, servicemen and women who served with my father in Bomber Command during WW2
My Grandfather was a Tuskegee US Airforce escort. Met my English nana during 1943. God bless all allied airmen . RIP Great men and women.
My grandfather was a Lancaster pilot from Australia - I still have his flight suit and medals.. amazing man but on reflection I can see that his service troubled him immensely. What a brave group of blokes
All of them were heros.
You may want to ask a local museum if they know of a museum would want it to put on display
My father was a rear gunner in Lancasters and Short Sterlings.
@Craig We were there last year. Amazing.
They were brave men and must have been terrified and horrified at times. My Uncle was an infantry man and was in many experiences in Europe throughout the war. Unfortunately after the war he eventually returned to UK but some years later took his own life. He left behind a German Iron Cross 1st Class. We will never know what they experienced.
My Father was in this movie. He was a wing commander, a highly decorated pilot and survived 64 missions. In this movie he is seen at 2:33 directing the flight crew to their next target on the map. He was W/Cdr Basil Arthur TEMPLEMAN-ROOKE DSO,DFC and Bar, AFC. I am very ashamed to admit I did NOT appreciate him & his dedication to England & I was a less than a perfect son. He passed this life in July 28, 2004 aged 83. May he rest in peace
Thank you for your Fathers service! Without Heroes such as him, god knows what kind of world we would be living in. RIP Basil Templeman. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN 🇬🇧
Wow, what a daddy! My dad was married with two kids by the time his number would have come up. He and mother waited until 1949 to have their last and best child, ME! 😜 my two siblings and two cousins are all female, all of whom say that I was spoiled. What with being the only boy from twin brothers who had a total of five children, I reluctantly agree.
Highly decorated for killing civilians at night.In germany you must have been a guard in a concentration camp,to acchieve the same.
Don't blame yourself , I'm sure most of us have failed to appreciate these men so you're not alone in this.
What matters is now, the fact you're now aware and can tell his story. I would recommend you gather together all the info you can and you write up a biography and put it online on one of the many historical sites that display their stories.
What better way to honour your fantastic dad than for you to show him such respect and appreciation. If it was me I'd even consider putting his service history and gear into a museum. There's some fantastic museum displays that show the history of many pilots and crew, and you'll know his story will forever be protected and saved for future generations to learn about.
Bless him, he was party to killing so many innocent civilians.
My Grandfather was a tail gunner in the Lancaster. As of today, 17th August 2019, he is still going strong apart from dementia. The war didn't take him but this cruel illness will.
God bless all who never managed to live to his 94 years.
22/12/21 update
I'm sorry to have to add this but this very brave man has finally lost his last battle.
RIP to one of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Cyril Ardley. 13 December 2021
this flesh is just a weak cage for the spirit. I hope he finds peace and you also. If you have any faith then some fine day he'll be meeting up with his long-gone mates again.
God bless him and all who struggled against such a great threat to the world.
I am a Yank a who gives all honor and profound, undying,thanks to your Grandfather,and all those who served in the forces of all the Allied Nations.
Several years ago,I had the great experience of being in the UK on Remembrance Day,what we Yanks call "Veterans Day"(Nov.11).I was quite surprised at the participation of the public in both attendance at larger public ceremonies honoring veterans,and small ways ..lots of people of all ages, wearing poppies.
God Bless Them All
I
@Nicholas Ovel thank you. I'm sorry to hear this about your grandfather.
@@cargumdeu Thank you.
As an American born after the war, I grew up admiring the bombers and fighters produced in America. However, watching those big Lancasters fly with those huge wings and knowing how well it was built, it was truly a sight to see. Those brave young men deserve the admiration of freedom loving people from every generation.
Thank you Sir but we would never have come through it without the USA there were so many Heroes on both sides
cheers Ron.
@@terrymurphy66 The courage these men showed to climb into those Lancasters night after night is 👏 amazing.
@@tomjordan6300 I have a book dedicated to the Lancaster crews and support crews could not get better
We should never forget all of the crews of any side they where doing their Duty I often wonder could I have done I like to think I could but thankfully I am to old(72) but the Question still remains could I have done it and may all who fought and lost their lives in War whatever their sides RIP
One of my great uncles was in an Australian bomber crew who flew over Europe. When my grandmother wished him good luck and a safe return before leaving Australia, his reply was:: "I'am not coming back." He, like everyone else, knew the odds were weighed heavily against them. He was an inspiration to me during my RAAF career... Freedom is never free, and has to be fought for, and in many cases men died for the cause of freedom.
Did he survive Kevin?
@@marknorris1381 No
@@kevinmaccallum336 full respect to anyone who served (yourself included). Unfortunately a lot of people don't even think about those two generations of young men who served and died in WW1 & 2. My grandfather was a Flt Sgt who served in the RAAF in WW2 as a navigator, he served in the Pacific and made it back thank god. We have the sorts of lives we enjoy now due to men like your great uncle, paid for by them, debt we can never repay but a lot take for granted.
I once read about a young Norwegian man who returned to Norway from England where he had been a fighter pilot during the last world war. He was going to start his civilian life again as a teacher in a school. He was told when arriving at the school that he would get the most troublesome and toughest class that no teacher had managed to get under control, so far. He wondered what to do.
The next day when he entered that class room he wore his pilot jacket. That whole class went silent when he came in, and he never had any problems with them.
Met an elderly gentleman about 20 yrs ago who turned out to be a P51 Pilot from Norway, I wish we’d spoken longer as he was a lovely man.
Sad to say, but in the US today there is a generation which does not see the whole picture. They see puffy clouds or whatever. They don't know enough history to understand : no one wants to die, but sometimes bad people rise to power, and good people answer the call.
@@guydoe1666
What a sad ignorant comment. You really are so full of yourself.
Fantastic
Dad was a navigator in a Lancaster. He and all his crew made it safely home. We are so very, very proud of him.
Hi Catherine, I'm pleased your dad and all his crew made it home safely too. Lots didn't. We Shall remember them.
If you have a few minutes to spare, would you watch a vid. on here ' Hiroshima 1945- british atomic attack', it does involve the LANK. Fact well hidden.
@@tomlucas4890 will have a look for it. Thank you.
Thankful for his service. My grandfather served in the USN in the Pacific.
@@richardlahan7068 that's great to hear. That was a terrible place to be too. I'm thankful for his service. Respect.
That last statement was so true, "Such devotion must never be forgotten" Nor should it.
As in America, we call these men "The Greatest Generation"!
J See We call them ‘The Golden Generation’ in the UK. Same idea.
In Britain, I would call the WWI generation the greatest generation. But, there are men and women all the time who are pushing the edges of courage, duty, loyalty and commitment. In every country of the world. God Bless them all!!
@@robertb4563 Couldn’t agree more!
@UpSideДown Lay off the kool-aid.
Exactly....but its a shame you cant call this generation anything like this kind of generation
Went with my cousin to Woodley areodrome in the early 1950s. We were thrilled to see 3 Lancasters warming up for take off and stayed watching until all 3 were airborne. I was about 11years old and it's now 2020. A memory I'll never forget. I moved to Canada from England in 1966. I am so lucky to have 5 countries to care about. Britain, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand, I've spent time in all of them. The rest of the world can go on it's merry way, no problem, but these are my favorites. Heroes came from all of them during the war. It was something that had to be done.
As an USAF veteran, we all owe a debt, which can never be truly repaid, to the greatest generation that has ever lived....GOD BLESS THEM ALL......
Go have a look at a wee vid ' hiroshima 1945, British atomic attack' it appears the old Lank had a few uses.
True, trouble is this current feckless generation have no honour so cannot recognize it in their forebears.
@@jango1968 I concur.
@@pbysome jango
I agree.
Gary Davis
We, sons of them are honoring their memory. Thanks to British, to American, to great Churchill, Roosevelt. They saved us.
My late grandfather was a Lancaster pilot and wing commander for the RAF during WWII (207 Squadron), where he received DFC and DSO. Thanks for making this video
Hi There Lloyd B. My Grandfather was on 207 too. Was yours by any chance John Grey? Please check out the Friends of RAF Spilsby Facebook group for further info. Would be good to get another 207 connection!
I had a Grandfather who was involved in direct action to liberate the Philippines and US prisoner of war.
My uncle rode nose of a B-17 over Europe. Both were very troubled from the war.
Kills my soul to see how people misuse the freedoms that brave man died to give them!!.
They are both gone now finally at peace!!
God bless those who fought for us.
BLOODY RIGHT- great uncle gassed in ww1 for nz & dad donated his leg to a stuka bomb alamein in th 2nd- & look at kiwis now- hiding under the beds from the flu!
We owe these men everything.
Thank you for your grandfathers service . Greetings from the philippines 🇵🇭😊
My uncle was a Wireless Operator in a Lancaster. He is still alive today at the age of 9 93. Still as sharp as always. Like many veterans, he very rarely ever talked about the experience. The survival rate for these men was not very high and I’m sure he lost friends. I’ve let him know how proud I am of him and to have had an uncle serve in such a daring role and that’s the extent of our conversation about it.
Dear Chuck - by now, two years ago, he might be one of the very few ex-Bomber Command veterans still alive - even the RAF heritage organisations aren't sure of the number. If you uncle is still alive, do give him our regards, and if possible note down his memories before it's too late?
@@MarktheMole hey Mark, yes he actually died last year. God rest his brave soul. He did not talk about the war hardly at all but a few years back a local paper did an interview with him and he gave a pretty detailed account of the experience. Lucky to have that. Also he was in the Canadian Air Force :)
Men of extream bravery, well done. My Dad was An aircraft mechanic keeping these beauties in the air and pushing ahead. He was stationed in Lancasshire.
Brave and honourable young Brits 👍 You can see the gleem in their faces, they know the intensity of what they have endured, the cost, the accomplishments. Top class RAF 🇬🇧, heroes. Thanks from the USA🇺🇸
Thank you for backing us up your troops,sailors and airmen are just as brave 🇬🇧🇺🇸
It was not only the RAF. No.6 Group, with fourteen squadrons, was all Canadian. There were also many Commonwealth members.
JJ Brooks And thanks to the puppet anti German government of Germany itself who continues the post war allies’ propaganda in the favor of their own former enemies! How ironic that is I wonder!
They were no near being heroes! They were war criminals. Heroes don’t kill the innocent and defenceless kids and families. The real heroes save them! Get the freakin facts straight here and realize that millions of innocent civilians were killed and burned down to ashes by these war criminals!
Cyrus The Great - you are a moron. WW2 was total war - and the Germans initiated bombing civilians. They did it in Spain and later on the U.K. (Coventry for starters). The Germans then continued bombing civilians in London and other industrial conurbations where civilians lived. Your looking at history through present day liberal leftie bleeding heart lenses. Grow up and read something for once in your gormless 21st century excuse for an ‘adult’ life.
absolute respect, I served 14 years in the RAF, I did my duty, but these guys were the hero's
@Persona non grata The hero part is flying through flak, dealing with fighters, mechanical trouble, severe weather, friendly fire, engine fire, ditching in the sea, seeing friends die while bringing the rest of your crew back safely. Basically putting your life on the line. It is not about killing "innocent" civilians. The fighting man is raised by the civilian so you wage your war and let the blood run into the streets until it bleeds out.
How about the Luftwaffe pilots? Weren’t they also heroes just like their RAF’s counterparts?
@@cyrusthegreat1893 of course they were doing their Duty, as ordered
Nick Musselle And some of them truly fought very bravely.
@frankos rooni you cannot deny them having commited war crimes, even crimes against humanity. You see life is not black and white, even heroes can commit war crimes...
As a Yank--------and one who was fortunate to spend a few precious days in England, I say " Thank-you " to the men who flew The Lancaster's in WW2. The courage of those men is what keeps us free today. Like my Father , who fought on Guadalcanal, they truly were, " The Greatest Generation " .---------MJL, 76 y/o
You sir, are a rare breed today. I've seen so many Americans hating on the British in the comment section on other videos.
At the end of the day, we were all on the same side. And I have nothing but respect the greatest generation, from all nations.
Most definitely, they where and always will be the greatest generation, and thank god they where because the world would have been an awful place without there superhuman effort in beating the Nazis……
michaellazzeri Just remember there were more than just Brits fighting on the Allied side, Americans, Canadians, Aussies, New Zealanders,and so many more, not to be forgotten, as it was an ALLIED effort !!
I salute all the veterans who helped liberate us. My compliments for a great documentary about a fantastic plane and their crew. A grateful Dutchman, T.
Here to pay my respects to my grandfather, Walter Creak (Lancaster navigator) and all that played their part. Nothing but respect. Lest we forget.
I have the deepest respect for all those commonwealth young flyers. Their courage is so beyond admirable.
Never was so much owed by many to so few.
Bless em..
Britain's greatest generation..
I salute you all.
Thank you all for your services.
💞💗💕💓💝
Respect..
For clarification only, Pat - you perhaps know this anyway. That quote by Churchill referred to the Battle of Britain Fighter Pilots who stopped the Luftwaffe from obtaining air superiority over the UK. The Bombing sorties came later.
Cfg xss try hi yurt 7
My grandfather, who sadly I never had the opportunity to meet, was a WAG for the RCAF in WWII. I’ve heard very little of him, but I am so very proud of him volunteering for service.
M W Why can’t Germans also be proud of their grandfathers whom also bravely fought in the frontlines? Why nobody remembers them?
Cyrus The Great th-cam.com/video/LpAJTURalIM/w-d-xo.html
@@cyrusthegreat1893 BECAUSE THEY WERE THE AGGRESSORS, EVEN IF THEY WERE "ONLY" OBEYING ORDERS!!!!!!!!!
@@michaelmctague8911 Allies committed the same crimes as the Axis. All sides commit crimes in the war. There’s no such a thing as good side in war.
God bless these Veterans I hope they live on forever
American Militaria 4 they didn’t
They will.
How about the German veterans?
@@cyrusthegreat1893 you dont get blessings when you fought on the losing side.
RubberDucky999 Exactly! Well said!👍🏻
Absolutely fantastic and harrowing. We owe so much to so many brave servicemen.
I am totally humbled by all those men and women who served. Thank you .
Young people like these men are the reason Great Britain has remained free for so long.
Goes wayyy back... when you think of it, it's remarkable Britain survived even its beginnings: Britain of the 15/1600s was a tiny upstart nation compared to the then-vast and global Spanish Empire.
@@xlotyliciux That's true.👍
Unfortunately that freedom is being eroded by wicked people who want to change history.
It's Intel and politics, not soldiers.
Depends how you define free......
I found out from my Mum that an uncle, one of her favourite cousins, died in a Lancaster in 1943 when it was destroyed over Germany. He was a Canadian Sergeant who was a tailgunner. I think about him, and the courage he had to have had, not only to fly in one of the highest casualty periods of the war, but also to have been in the one position that was the most vulnerable and difficult to get out of if the plane was hit. He died young as did all of the others.
God bless all soldiers who fought and died in the second ww2
Thank you you brave young boys total respect
dont worry they respawned
Americans are shocked to discover that there is no co-pilot on a Lancaster. A member of our family won a posthumous VC piloting a Lancaster over Hamburg. A flack shell exploded underneath his feet, blowing both his legs off at the knees. Yet he managed to keep the plane level and the bombs were dropped. He then managed to get the plane clear so the crew could bail out which they did. Only two survived. Not to be outdone and before he died, he nosed the plane into a railway junction and it blew up. The Americans got to go home after 25 missions. The Germans and the British (incl Australian, New Zealanders, Canadians and South Africans) kept flying right through the war. Its no wonder that Bomber Command suffered 225% casualties between 1939 and 1945. My father enlisted in 1939 and his family did not see him again until 1945. He went over from Australia as a big strapping 240lb redhead farmer. When he arrived back by ship my mother fainted when she saw him. He weighed 110lbs, had one arm and eye missing and his hair had turned white.
This man deserved the VC !!! As a family member as you are, I recommend you get all the info and write a book about him. It would be on my "To buy" list !
I cannot find a single VC winner who matches your story.....hmmm....
What was his name?
Many Americans signed on for another tour. Every man had his own story, every man had his limit that he could give.
Steve that may have been the Americans only had to serve 25 missions but many stayed and for every man that went home one or more replaced him. Remember the USAAF had 2 1/2 Times as many men in theater as did the RAF an yet suffered 1/2 the losses, Tell the whole story, "WE.." know the facts, the Brits alone did not win WWII it was an allied effort USA Canada, Austrailia Russia !!! the Facts less the lies , hype, and Bull$hit !!!
What a tribute to so many young men that gave all. Many wonderful comments here also. May God Bless All.
Mad respect to the RAF and other Allied AFs for flying day after day in the face of appalling losses.
I remember reading a religious text relating to RCAF losses ' Leaving his death as an example of a noble courage unto all the nation'.
As an USAF veteran, we all owe a debt, which can never be truly repaid, to the greatest generation that has ever lived....GOD BLESS THEM ALL......
@@alexanderwilisow9473 As an Englishman I feel a debt of gratitude to the American servicemen who came and fought in Europe. They weren't fighting to defend or liberate their own country but several foreign countries. Thank God for the Americans, all the way from President Roosevelt down to the humblest USAAF ground crew men and women.
My great uncle flew a Lancaster! I never got to meet him.I wished I got to thank him and all his crew!
4:37 ugh. Stories and comments like that give me so much gratitude for the sacrifices these boys made. And chills.
My father was a heavy bomber pilot and flew two tours of operations with 61 Sqn., his second flying Lancasters. He flew the Avro Manchester, but only completed 2 successful bombing missions, most of his first tour of ops being completed on Hampdens. The vulture engines were prone to coolant leaks and failure of big end bearings - early returns were not uncommon. On the 10th of April 1941, while taking out a training flight in Manchester L7307, with Wing Commander Valentine and 10 assorted crew members, the starboard engine blew up in a spectacular way just after take-off.. He completed a circuit and managed to land safely, with smoke billowing from the engine. The fire crew turned up and proceeded to cover them in foam! My father said that the Lanc was lovely to fly and was in all respects a better aircraft than the Manchester. He was so lucky to survive 52 sorties without losing any crew member, despite damage often inflicted by flak and Luftwaffe night-fighters. We must never forget those who were not so fortunate and fell to earth.
He was very lucky indeed if he flew Hampdens and the Manchester that early in the war.
My dad did 24 ops with 61 Squadron out of Skellingthorpe but much later than your dad.
PS my dad and his crew are on page 94 in the book about 61 Squadron by Derek Brammer
The Avro Lancaster and the American B24's are my favorite airplanes from WWII. They were just majestic and deadly beautiful air machines. Awesome.
ryansutter..... BUT the old B17 dropped more tons of bombers than either of those 2 bombers !!!
my grandfather was an RCAF pilot transferred to the RAF he flew the Handley-Page Halifax. pretty much same thing as the Lancaster. flew 38 missions from 44-45. RIP Gramps
To all of the men and women that fought in WW2 thank you for your service
My uncle was a tail end Charlie live until 2010 a true hero in every sense of the word
I borrowed a book from my school library 47 years ago and since then I've read the same book about 10 times. One of the best books written, 'They Hosed Them Out' by John Bede Cusack. Highly recommend it for anyone interested in the lot of the air gunners of Bomber Command WW2.
when they were being applaud by the citizens it made me cry in happiness
I Salute these brave men ! There is no shame in their actions, only pride!
If I am ever tested I wish I will have just a small sliver of the courage those men had.
My hometown doctor flew the Lancaster, Dr. Kenneth Alan France.
During WWII Dr. France became Squadron Leader of Bomber Command 432, flying 24 sorties. He rose to the rank of Wing Commander, the youngest in the Air Force at 22 years of age. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery.
He delivered my older brother, myself and my younger sister. He had a painting of the Lancaster on his wall, as a kid I was into building models, especially model aircraft. I asked him once about the painting of the Lancaster, he told me that he was just a navigator, I did not know until reading his obituary, that he was actually a pilot and a Wing Commander.
He passed at 95 years of age in 2017.
Cheers from Tokyo
There's a Lancaster that flies around Toronto, it's an inspiration each time. I had a great aunt who was a ferrier pilot, taking Lancasters from Malton to England.
I was in downtown Toronto several years ago when I heard the most beautiful sound above me. I looked up and saw the Lancaster overhead. Those Merlin engines make such a wonderful sound🇨🇦❗️
We were coming back from a golf trip to the US and near Hamilton, Ontario. An older gentleman, the uncle of the trip organizer, suddenly perked up and said, "I could swear that's a Lanc I hear". Sure enough, it was, heading for the Museum at Mt. Hope Airport. He had piloted a Lanc during WW2. We immediately made a detour to the museum and got some photos with him in front of the plane he hadnt seen for almost 60 years but knew the sound immediately.
@@johnkidd1226 very likely the Canadian Heritage Lancaster, Vera. One of only two flying Lancasters in the World. We have the other one in Lincolnshire in the UK. Owned by the BBMF, together with two Hurricanes, several Spitfires, a Dakota and others.
Saw both of them flying in Eastbourne in 2016 when the Canadians brought Vera over. Out of over 7,000 Lancasters built, just to see two flying together again brought tears to the eyes of many a tough man in the crowd (and certainly to me).
The sound of 8 Merlin engines was absolutely riveting. 💓💓 Thank you, to our Canadian friends for being part of such an amazing flying season.
THESE MEN always and forever the men ive looked up to since I was a wee little man to my old age, THANKYOU YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
What a wonderful well done documentary to honour all the brave people who gave us freedom. THANK YOU.
My father was a navigator on the Lancaster.
I have so much respect for all the pilots and aircrew.
That brought tears to my eyes. My dad trained as a pilot for bomber command in 1943. When he'd finished they no longer wanted pilots so he retrained as a flight engineer. He spent 1944/5 on Lancs with Coastal Command 210 sqdn. He was lucky a second time in 1945. When the US dropped the atomic bombs, he and his crew were due to be sent to the Pacific... the end of hostllities meant they never went. Funny story, in the last years of his life he discovered he had a recognised medical condition known as "Lancaster ear" specific to Lancs aircrews and in particular to the flight engineer because of his seating position in the aircraft.
@James Henderson
Historians are divided on the question. In the end it was probably a combination of both reasons which prompted the surrender which was already under consideration.
@James Henderson
That was his opinion.
My Grandfather - Navigator also suffered from hearing problems the rest of his life.
@@StihlmaddArborist
His doctor told him he could get an extra pension from the RAF as compensation since it was a recognized condition directly related to his war work. We only discovered that in about 2010. He never wanted to claim it though. It would probably have worked out to a fair amount as it would have been back dated.
@James Henderson it was not only a question of shortening the war. Because of the ferocity of the Japanese defending their aquisitions in surrounding countries, it was anticipated they would be suicidal in defending their home islands. Estimates that I have seen ranged from 500,000 to 1,000,000 fatalities in allied troops (mainly American) carrying out the invasion. This does not include Japanese losses.
Trueman decided the most effective course for the US was to advise the Japanese the US had a new devastating weapon, and that they should surrender, and avoid further loss of life. The Japanese army and "War council" ignored him. The decision was made to proceed with the Hiroshima bombing, and it was hoped the Japanese (Army) would see the light and cease hostilities after the demonstration of one bomb. They did not. A week after Nagasaki , and after the Russians finally declared against them, they stopped fighting. With Hiroshima and Nagasaki, (immediate) fatalities appeared to be in the 90,000-130,000 range.
So the decision not to invade may have saved well over 1,000,000 lives, Japanese & American. The bombings killed all Japanese, mainly civilian, but a smaller number than anticipated for the homeland invasion.
The only alternative I could see was for the allies to starve the Japanese out for months, as they had control of the air and sea around Japan. Again a terrible outcome.
Balls of steel, such courage. Respect.
My respect to the aircrew in RAF Bomber Command. They were heros of the greatest generation. Balls of steel..
I served in the RAF for 32 year, 1979 - 2010, including N. Ireland, Kuwait and Iraq. However, we weren't fighting for our own freedom. These airmen were the true defenders of liberty in the UK and the rest of the world. For my freedom and that if my daughter, I thank you.
would you have committed war crimes for your freedom?
@@eagle1de227 YES and YES AGAIN. While I was in the RAF shortly after the war, I served with many who had flown in those terrible years. I had seen what the enemy had done to my home town and YES AGAIN I would have done whatever it took to defeat them.
@@hugmal37 War crimes do not depend on what others did. War crimes depend on what the people did who commit them. And thats true for any nationality and any nation in the world! A war crime is a war crime and cannot be justified by war crimes of others! It cannot be justified by anything! NEVER EVER! That's a question of humanity!
God bless every one who died and lived...I am here, alive, because these men and my father fought and died...no more, I hope.
The "Greatest Generation" On land, Sea , and Air. God bless them! They have a Lancaster bomber in the Australian War Museum in Canberra. It is AWESOME they actually play the intercom conversations as they are flying in on a bombing run. The cool detached conversation amazes me as you can hear the flak and machinegun fire in the background.
That's neat. There's a very fine restored Avro Lancaster in the Nanton, Alberta air museum. It has functional engines but isn't fully air- worthy. When I visited the museum in 2014, the guide told me the bomber is sometimes taken out of the hangar to activate the engines. You can climb inside the Lancaster and make your way along to the cockpit. It's fuselage is pretty tight -- much smaller than I had imagined.
@Geoff Wode I think that you sir are the dupee??
@Geoff Wode Shut up! Stick your paradigm.
Australian War Memorial .
interesting that you've taken down your original post? COWARD! GFY!
My father trained in South Africa he went as a volunteer from Chile DFC his pilot from Australia Edge 156 squadron Lancaster very brave people he talked very little about It .
I noticed with my relatives who fought, Those who saw the most action talked little. Those who saw less talked more
My respects to all Lancaster's crew. We owe our liberty today, to you too. Greetings from Paraguay, South America
yeah the liberty to accomodate nazis after the war was over.
The feeling of being in one of these is amazing. got the chance to fly in one a couple years ago and it was amazing. Those merlin engines are soooo loud
The greatest generation.
God bless all VETERANS .
Quite right, they should be honoured!
My great uncle served as a bomb aimer on a Lancaster.
My Grandad qualified as a fighter pilot and got his wings but was never deployed before the the war ended.
He was in a reserved occupation as a jute mill manager but signed up anyway.
He was a great person.
I miss him a lot.
Luv and Peace.
My dad was one of the mechanics on these planes. They would would randomly be assigned to fly a mission to avoid sabotage. Also have to point out that Royal Canadian Airforce served alongside the British aircrews. with the Lancaster flights
EL onthehill that’s a good idea to stop people messing with things. Must have been rather nervous for them.
At the end of the war the bomber command was 25% canadian . 10 000 of the 55 000 men killed in the bomber command were canadian .
And the Aussies mate!
@@Rogerban and kiwis and safaas the documentary should have pointed out the large number of commonwealth aircrew both in mixed and separate squadrons. My uncle was in one of the the first RNZAF bomber squadrons deployed to the Pacific theater of operations where they had a much lower casualty rate.
Thanks, Canada.
My farther was in the RAF he never really spoke much about the war, but I thank him and all our brave servicemen for the 77 years of peaceful life I’ve had. God bless them all RIP.
RIP Colin Mengel 1924-1944 Lancaster Wireless Operator from Mackay, Queensland, Australia
Family member?
@ yes -uncle
My grandfather was a navigator in a Lancaster. Lovely film. And thank you to all that fought.
Thank you for all these brave stories from WW2. Without these brave men and women we would never enjoy the freedom and love of country we now enjoy. I will never forget what you suffered and I would hope that all children continue to be taught of the courageous service people who gave us this honour.
We aren't free today thanks to woke progressive leftist law's forced on us , we can't even talk about there only being two gender's , grooming gang's , forced criminal imports by people who hate us , Taliban are allowed a Twitter platform whilst they block Trump and many other's for bring truthful . I could go on and on . Today's UK isn't what millions died for in the war so don't make out we are free when we are not . Too many brainwashed fools .
May they never be forgotten RIP and thankyou for the day we have now
My Mother's Father, my Grandfather was an engineer the Lancaster. on the second last mission of his tour, he lost part of his heel from flak. His crew left on their last mission, they never made it back. When he was healed he resigned and completed his tour. He was a crazy Scot from Canada with RCAF. LOL
My uncle flt lt Kenneth Waugh, who was Anglo American ,trained in the US under the Arnold plan.
He became an instructor before returning to England and joined a Pathfinder Squadron.
Reports from other aircraft noted his aircraft exploded in flames, it was full of incendiaries so hopefully he went quick
Thankful for his service. My two grandfathers served as well. One in the US Navy and the other in the US Army.
My grandpa's brother was a B-29 Navigator and was killed under similar circumstances. Godbless your uncle, I admire all bomber crews.
@@mmouseav8r402 your grand uncle?
People criticize what Bomber Command did, but, when one looks at the facts, what was done was necessary. Albert Speer, Armaments Minster, and an intelligent man, said, 'Another half a dozen Hamburgs will knock Germany out of this war'.
A remarkable story, thank you for the bravery of those involved. We owe a great debit to those involved.
And all over England, as in the United States, these men are turning over in their graves at what our two countries have become. So sad that the freedoms the greatest generation fought so bravely for, are being thrown away by those who don't know any better.
Don F, The countries are run by self interested millionaires who have no loyalities except to money. Unemployment because the elite import cheap labour to increase their profits, and all the hoi polloi are statistics not people. Overseas investments for greater returns on capital, instead of national investments directly creates jobess as the jobs that come with investment have been exported. I don't think the elites were ever interested in the war apart from the profits it could generate for the select few, has it ever been any different?
My sentiments exactly.
I first saw a Lancaster in pictures was when I was five in 1970. In 1974/5 I was able to go to RAF Hendon war museum on a school trip, and the first thing I saw was the majestic Lancaster, it absolutely blew my mind and I’ve been in love with it ever since. It is British and we should never allow people to forget the importance that she contributed to the war.
Thank you all for your service and sacrifices.
Thank you so much for uploading this video. It is helping me get through the pandemic!
Such brave men. They are all Hero's.
In memory of 20 yr old PO AE “Bert” West RCAF, of Vancouver BC, rear gunner on a Lanc 111, of 57 Squadron RAF , flying from East Kirkby, Mortally wounded on ops, July 29 1944. Rest in Peace, cousin. Your sacrifice is not forgotten! ♥️🇨🇦.
The greatest treat in the summer living in Hamilton Ontario was to hear those merlins rumbling overhead. I would always run outside to see that Lanc swing by my neighbourhood. What a treat. Lovely bird
The strategic method Bomber Command waged war may be questionable, but it disgusted me the actual air crew who risked life and limb were not awarded a campaign medal for all they did under orders.
Well, I don't think kamikaze pilots got any
either..
Pure politics, my friend.
Distinguished Flying Medal, Conspicuous Gallantry Medal were awarded. Just off the wiki page...
@HappyandAtheist You should read a book by AC Grayling called Among the Dead Cities. There was no justification for the destruction and especially the firebombing of german cities. They got no strategic or tactical advantage from it. And they knew they wouldn't. So not only did they kill german civilians they also killed their own flight crews by making them do unnecessary missions.
@@Graysonn1 they drew pressure from the eastern front by forcing the Wehrmacht to redeploy thousands of antiaircraft guns, the men to operate them, and the resources to supply them to Germany proper.
Soviet casualties were catastrophic enough without having several thousand more 88mm guns on the eastern front.
My great uncle was awarded the DFC for captaining a Lancaster to Hamburg in August 1943 for a bombing raid. During the flight the aircraft was hit by flak which severed the rudder control shaft, in spite of this he flew on to the target and bombed it. Afterwards he flew the damaged aircraft and crew back to base safely with no loss.
And when you see what politics have done to all countries now it makes you want to cry
Christopher Burnham well German politics did cause the war sorta
What, as opposed to a world wide massacre taking roughly 80 million lives. No politics involved at the time?
Do you not like peace or something?
Poor lads. Slaughtered. Such bravery. I feel humbled.
I used to build model lancs when I was a kid long before I understood their glorious history I just thought they were beautiful.
We did too Nick -here in the states....only, it was the solid wooden, B-17 G Strombecker Model Kit with metal propellors one nailed into the nacelles...still have my B-25 hanging from the ceiling... kids today, staring into phones will never understand, nor grow the brain cell connections in the joyous activity of reading an engineering drawing, sanding the wings and all. Gluing it together with a package of horses hoof powdered glue mixed with water... and then the interminable wait until it all cured. Then, soaking the decal sheet in water and at just the right second pulling it out, sliding the decal off onto the airship... one feels pretty proud at 11 years old after that....a confidence builder. Nowadays kids are sent to shrinks and fed pills to build confidence we learned from proper playground activities, and building things, living outside everyday until darkness drove us in. I always laugh, young folk think we're nuts... ha ha...
As an American growing up in the 60’s I built models of B17’s B24’s B25’s and B29’s.
I was fortunate in or about 1965 to tour the last Canadian Lancaster flight as it was sent to the museum (I believe) in Toronto. The very cramped limited space the crew had to work in amazed me. I was about 15 at the time & was in awe of the bravery of these guys.
Their casuality rate was Very high.And.no parachute for rear gunner?Yes, controversy about Bomber Command. BUT , it took.a lot of courage for those men to fly on the Lancaster bombers. No more world war ,please.
john leber world war 3 started years ago! It’s just not about men in trenches anymore!
john leber I completely agree.
The rear gunner had a parachute, he just couldn't wear it while in the turret because the space was too tight. If he had to bail out he needed to get back into the fuselage of the bomber, grab his parachute, strap it on and then jump.
@@gwtpictgwtpict4214 My dad was a rear gunner and at 5ft 10 1/4 too tall to wear his chute, so he stowed it on the Elsan chemical toilet.
@@larry4789 i wonder why he stored it unsecured on the toilet, when there was dedicated quick release rack for it just behond the turret doors, be worth asking why he did this?
Fantastic video, thanks a lot. It even has Operation Manna feeding the starving Dutch in it, which my grandfather was a pilot in.
There is a restored flying AVRO Lancaster at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. I have seen it flying many times, it is a wonderful airplane, carefully restored and still flying.
I love these documentaries - very well put together. But I have to question the scene at 39:04 where, when discussing the bombing in support of the Normandy landings (6 June 1944), you show a very short film clip of the USS Arizona exploding during the raid on Pearl Harbor (7 Dec 1941). Thanks again for preserving the stories of this remarkable aircraft and the men who flew - and loved - them.
All my respect to these true heroes. Hats off!
I'm proud to say that my grandfather served with the RAF in WW2. He volunteered, he operated as a machine gunner in a turret. He said they would welcome new members at the base with a drink, cigarettes and a game of cards, the new men would pin up pictures of their loved ones at their bunk, then after their first mission, that's the last they would see of them. Against all odds, Les Gates completed over 60 missions including 3 crash landings. He was the last of his crew to survive at 94 years old. Him and his crew met up once a year back in the day. One time, they all met at a hotel bar before moving on for a night out. When the last man arrived, they all agreed the drinks were far too expensive. The barman, intrigued by this group of smartly dressed old gentleman asked what the occasion was. Upon finding out, he said "come with me''. That man gave the old team a room, ice and glasses, with a bottle of gin, rum and whiskey. He said help yourselves, thank you for your service and you need to be out by six as this is a rented room. A kind gesture and a level of respect that sadly you probably wouldn't see a great deal of today.
the never forgotten biritish heroes, god bless them, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
My father was in 460 squadron during WW2, invalided out in May 1944, never spoke of the war, but would cried his eyes out for no reason later on in life, would never watch a war movie.
Don't forget the young men from the Commonwealth countries and territories who came to the aid of Britain in her darkest hours, many of whom paid the Ultimate Price!
For some they were Heros and for some they were merchants..
Not unless the Queen flew in defense of England.....
@@donnhughes7139 She was in uniform, as was Philip - who saw action.
I actually meet the rarest breed of them all a few years back... at the Hamilton Ontario museum... he was a tail gunner in a Lanny... and i got to walk thru the entire aircraft inside and out and sat in the gunner positions.
my uncle was from Hamilton , tail end charlie 33 missions Lancaster RCAF 1940-45
@@fredjohnson7497 Did he ever go to the museum... irrc slender build slight accent?
My father was a navigator on the Lancasters flew many missions over Germany .Came home after the war a Flight lieutant
My Grandfather brought down three german squadrons of fighterplanes completely alone.
Before he was was called out to be the worst mechanic in the whole Luftwaffe...
I hope he didn’t loose his life for what he did
Hats off to those brave young men and for their sacrifice.
I shudder to consider that no other service in the war suffered such a high losses.
Even the infantry didn't get anywhere as high as that.
And that is flying at night to avoid enemy fighters and gound AA guns. What did the US 8th air force lose in daytime raids where everybody can see them?
@stephen morris You are correct!
So while most people thought that the foot infantryman had the hardest slogging with all the imagery of dodging bombs & bullets, the public thought that the merchant marines sailors or the flying crews didnt face much fire from the enemy.
@stephen morris yes,that also is true.
A very sad fact of war, but as General Patton said "the objective of war is to let the other guy die for HIS country!"
My Uncle was a Navigator on Lancs and survived 32 trips over Germany. A volunteer (Ireland), he NEVER spoke of it. At all. Dad said he was never the same afterwards. One thing that was strange was that he would never drive at night.
@Hippity Hoppity Well my Dad volunteered too. If UK had fallen, the Nazis would have cared less about Irelands Neutrality. It had to be done
PTSD