@@jakekm1767 I had not heard this story before, but I have seen a reference to Voo doo in a history of the glider regiment, where a "spare" glider was lost in a training accident.
But still full of Heroes doing amazing things. Can you imagine being in that cockpit over the North Atlantic and all you can see is your tow line disappearing into the fog ahead of you?
He should have gone along with the rather pointless game on the 1 condition that Pa Inlaw come along as cargo,then watch the fun as Daddah tried to stay on the ground,without looking a bit shabby in the bargain .
This is what my Grandfather did during WW2. He was a glider an C-47 pilot. He also flew C-47's during the D-Day invasion. 1st Lieutenant Gordon Ridgway.
I didn't realise that he was able to do both roles. I thought the C-47 pilots were Air-Force (either R.A.F. or U.S.A.AF.), while the glider pilots were trained army blokes, involved in the Airborne glider units.
@@warrenmilford1329, the war ended before my father deployed, but he was definitely in the Army Air Force. While he flew powered aircraft during training, his last months in the service were spent piloting gliders, preparing to land troops and equipment. God’s good rest, Dad; I wish that I could ask you more about it, but you left us all when I was young.
@@leehaelters6182 Thanks for the info. Yea, when I said Air Force above, in the US sense, I knew it was still part of the US army. I just didn't realise that gentlemen like your father, and the OP's grandfather, trained in both roles. I believe that the Brits had a unit called the glider pilots regiment, which I believe was originally set up as a combined RAF/Army training unit, but was then officially designated as an army unit. They didn't train as tow pilots, just as glider pilots I believe. They fell under the same umbrella as the airborne units (parachute/glider troops), the SAS, and army artillery air observation units. I believe they were collectively called the Army Air Corps. Sorry to hear you lost your Dad when you were a young fella mate.
More guts than brain s do you know how easy it is to get killed in one of those things i went up in comercisl gliders in the 70s across the Atlantic is nuts
My dad worked with a guy in the early 90's who had been a radio operator on a B-17 over Europe early on. He later went on to fly C-46 transport aircraft over The Hump near the end of the war. He said flying through the Himalayas on instruments socked in with clouds was more terrifying than any bombing mission he flew in over Europe.
@5:08 My dad was an air navigator in RAF Catalinas and one of his more unusual missions involved flying over the North Atlantic looking for trouble. According to his brief, aircraft being ferried from North America were regularly getting lost in transit and the powers-that-be wanted to know why. What was causing so many losses? Were brand new aircraft defective, or did the Germans have a new, secret way of shooting them down? Was there a new long-range German fighter? Was there a secret antiaircraft U-boat? So he and his crew flew along the flight path of so many lost aircraft, looking to see what they could see. Fortunately they found nothing. Later it was realized what the problem was. Not every pilot was well trained in air navigation over water, so aircraft regularly flew in tight formation behind larger aircraft, like a bomber, which had an air navigator aboard. The ferry pilots would follow the bombers in tight formation. While in formation, the pilots would always be adjusting their throttles to stay in position. Adjusting their throttles led to increased fuel consumption rates until, sadly, they would run out of gas and glide into the ocean, never to be seen again. The solution was for aircraft to fly in looser formations so they didn't have to adjust their speed. The rate of losses fell, and my dad didn't have to search for German secret weapons over the North Atlantic again.
He probably thought "I wish I'd gone with that daughter of the Head of Light Entertainment now. The worst thing he'd have asked me to do is make the tea..."
WW2 was won and lost by madness, possibly the most close run war in history when we look at all the crucial turning points. If Heisenberg's graphite were not contaminated, presumably with boron, Germany would likely have had nuclear weapons first, and nobody wants to know how that would have gone; Hiroshima replaced by London. The list goes on and on. How the Brits held out still boggles my mind.
@@flagmichael Churchill seriously considered gas attacks if there was an invasion of Britain. They had large stocks and the devastation would have been on a comparable scale.
So did mine. 84TCS, 437th TCG, Mission Detroit (Operation Overlord i.e. D-Day), Operation Dragoon (Southern France), Operation Market Garden (Holland), and Operation Varsity (Over the Rhine at Wiesel). Managed to live through it.
Another fascinating story, thank you. My Godfsther was a glider pilot at Arnhem. These were flimsy aircraft and physically demanding to handle so VooDoos flight really was extraordinary and must have been exhausting for the crew.
Never mind the _glider's_ durability - a round of applause for that poor, put-upon, twice-repaired tow cable! Never has so little nylon done so much for so long!
Flying on tow is pretty focused work for the 8-15 min up to altitude in a glider, to do it in a cargo glider over long distances... You can see why they needed 2 days rest between flights. Gutsy
Towing to altitude is easier than towing on the level. When the aircraft are climbing the rope tends to stay tight due to additional tension needed to sustain climb. When towing at fixed altitude, it is much easier to throw slack in the rope any time the glider finds itself even slightly high, or even just due to gusts. In a moderate performance glider (Grob Astir CS) I found keeping the gear down and just cracking the boards helped a lot.
WWII grandpa stopped by on way to 45th reunion trip to Europe in 1990. Met my new neighbor who was Brit gentleman about his age who we found out was a D-Day glider pilot. He had flown several other glider missions prior to D-Day. They fought they way back! Incredible men!
we live near raf brize EGVN. we used horsa gliders for huts as storage the one we had was taken to mosquito museum north west London on m25 was in 1975 not been there to see it we used to cut them up for fire wood used 2 trailers to move them happy days
Fascinating story. As a Canadian, I am surprised that have never heard about this exploit before. Mark Felton has a talent for uncovering, researching and very ably presenting some remarkable history.
Dear Mark: Of all the history channels I watch, yours is my favorite. Well edited, well sourced and credible. Also you are a clear and enjoyable narrator. Thank you for good history. "History guy" is second, with both of you the passion is obvious.
And you Stephen are bang on the mark with your assessment of the situation and the credit you give to both Professor Felton and Mr & Ms History-Guy. They are both brilliant and so much better than anything on free to air or cable.
Except WACO didn't build pianos, they built civilian aircraft from 1920 to 1947 in Troy,Ohio. The old product building now a warehouse called WACO warehouse. 😞
My dad was in Reykjavik in WW2 a year or so before this flight. Volunteered out for parachute training and later ended up Glider Pilot Regiment by coincidence. Well, I expect it was a co-incidence. Surprising how low a profile the Icelandic part of the war has always been. This is a fascinating documentary
A few years ago I read a book on the various roles played by the C47. Apparently a C47 with the engines removed and blanked over was towed across the Atlantic behind a powered C47. It would be a good story for Mark to do a video on.
Love the video, and, once more have learned about an event that I was unaware of until seeing the Mark Felton production. Thank you Mr. Felton, for being way better than television! "Repairs were necessary to the tow rope, which was badly worn." Holy crap!
You managed to say that the commander suggested his own son-in-law for an incredibly dangerous mission without laughing. It seems like a very good way to get rid of a son-in-law.
Absolutely fascinating. I'm glad I'm not the one who had to pilot Voo-Doo on that 3000-mile mission. It's amazing the weight these gliders could carry.
One of my airline captains had been a ops officer in WW2. Once on a late afternoon, high over the Atlantic the conversation was about D Day and he remarked, "You know, the WACO glider was really critical on its center of gravity and could be very dangerous; but it's best thing was the box it came in. That box was better than the quonset huts we had in Britain. The walls were varnished,you could cut in a chimney here, a window there. Loved them!
Crossed the North Atlantic in a Gearing-class destroyer in October... ditching in the sort of weather we endured and the water temperatures, even if you survived the initial ditching - probability about zero in waves that turn your destroyer into a semi-submersible - you have only a few minutes and you're dead. No, that PBY crew weren't rescuers, they were witnesses.
@@marcmelvin3010 You will stop moving after a few minutes. But you're not dead yet. There are people saved from drowning after 20 minutes in freezing water.
Great video Mark. I built a balsa Waco Hadrian from the old MAP plans service in the late 70's which had a 5ft wing span. The footage in this is amazing.
As a former glider and C47 pilot, I truly relate to this amazing story, having flown solo across the same route in single engine aircraft. Thank you Mark !
Daddy, daddy - where is Trevor - he didn’t come home last night? Oh dear me Vanessa, he sort of, volunteered, as it were, for a secret mission and unfortunately he got the chop. Oh Daddy, I’m heartbroken - my darling Trevor is gone..... Ummmm, yes, yes my dear, bad show all around I’m afraid....poor old fruit.
"But don't worry my dear. Roger is still alive and eligible after I sent his wife, I mean his wife volunteered for the same mission... I always liked Roger..."
I love when Seys and the Squadron Leader are examining the tow rope... the look on his face is priceless. "You mean to tell me you're going to tow this fully loaded glider, and me, to Scotland with a 3/4" line?!" Referred to as small stuff in Navy terms..... I wonder what he did to chap his father in law's hide?
Absolutely amazing stuff that they tried during the war. Not many of us today would attempt such feats. I am so grateful to my Dads generation and for all that they accomplished.
Thanks for another great "little-known" story. I learned to fly sailplanes in an old Schweizer SGS 2-32. During a tow in turbulence (desired if they were caused by high thermal activity), it was two hands on the control stick and even ten minutes was exhausting. You must actively stay in the correct location behind the tow plane, or you if you fly too high you will send the tow plane nose down into the ground, or if you dip too low, you can enter the prop turbulence (maybe more down and side-to-side with a C-47). I cannot imagine 8 hours in rough weather, even if there were two pilots, flying over a rough icy sea. Hats off to those brave crews.
My father was in Iceland for two years. Then to Scotland where they were expecting to be shipped back to the US. His signal corp unit was then attached to the 101st Airborne and he had glider training. The pilots had flunked out of bomber and fighter school. I don't think he made any combat flights but he was at Bastogne with the 101st.
I've never heard of this and the story had me on the edge of my seat. What great piloting skill in the glider and the towplane. It became obvious, given the weather and turbulence, a fleet of towed gliders would not be feasible. A convoy among the U boats might be safer.
The CG-4 glider was developed by the WACO Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio, known for making some fast and manuverable small aircraft since the 1920s. My grandfather took a job there in 1940 as a skilled carpenter, making an impressive 75 cents an hour - more than double what he had been making as a locomotive fireman for the C&O Railroad. During the war, WACO built several models of gliders (the CG-3A, CG-4A, CG-13A, and finally the CG-15A). Many were built by other companies (Ford built around 4,000), including the "piano company" you mention in the video. They also built engine mounts for the P-47 Thunderbolt. My father worked there until joining the Army, as did his younger brother (who was only 14 at the time). Later in the war, WACO found a way for finished gliders to be picked up by tow planes without even landing - by flying low and hooking the tow-cables as they passed overhead. Biggest problem with this video , which grated on me throughout the story, was that the name was pronounced wrong - it's "WAH-co" not "WAY-co". Otherwise, nice job, and interesting story. There's a very active WACO Museum organization in Troy, if you're in the area. Lots of events and biplane rides, etc.I even found my father's Employee Picture ID in there collection. Link: www.wacoairmuseum.org/
My dad was a P-40 crew chief in the Pacific. When the unit would move up to a new airfield during the island hopping campaign, they would you use gliders to help transport their stuff. Dad had a civilian pilot license and since they were short pilots he would be “asked” to pilot a glider.
An absolutely brave, heroic team; a testiment to the dedication and experience of the pilots. Honorable the air crew were awarded the Air Force Cross. Noteworthy the glider record stands to this day!
I loved watching this! (I'm from Rvk, Iceland) Sir Bowhill and his daughter must have enjoyed many a pleasant time together... And - only ten thousand more subscribers to one million! Spread the word, comrades!
Simply the best history channel anywhere! Mr Felton is perhaps also the finest story teller of history I've ever heard. In these dark winter, covid-19 days, Mark's stories are my favorite way to pass the time and to push all the covid/election news out of my weary mind. Thank you so much Mark Felton!!!
"Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill, commanding RAF Transport Command, volunteered-" Well, that's awfully brave of him! "-his own son-in-law for the hazardous mission." ...Ah, yes. I see.
As always Mark Felton comes up with unknown war stories ! Flying a glider on tow for that length of time must have been exhausting . Being a glider pilot , I know hard work it can be for only a few hours under tow.
Another great doc. . Mark Felton- Rich history lesson. Thanks for the contribution.! C47. (DC3) a beast of a work horse. What Brave men flew these missions. 👍
Dickie to his father-in-law, "You want me to volunteer for a experimental mission by flying a glider that I have no prior experience in using, over three-thousand kilometers over artic waters, in a airframe I cannot bailout from or even survive a landing in the ocean?" Air Marshal Bowhill, "Naw. It'll be fine."
A phantatoc documentary, cograts!!!! And with this film something struck me especially, because...I got to know Richard Seys in person as a marvellous character in the 1980s during vintage car rallies in Austria he attended with his amiable and charming wife (a former dancing teacher, at some time also to a certain Miss Elizabeth Windsor). Although rallying old cars (ALFA Romeo 6C1750, Invicta 4.5 litre low chassis...) in more or less touristic events meant for entertainment and sightseeing was much more peaceful than the things he did with "Voo-Doo". he still did not shun danger. Driving a 1903 Oldsmobile "Curved Dash" in moutainous areas may provide some unpleasant surprises when the drive chain breaks, as this car has brakes only on the gearbox. He and his wife got away unhurt as he was quick enough to spot a counter slope... And later he drove an early Stanley Steamer (which used a gas-heated boiler under the seats), also of horseless carriage design like the Oldsmobile - until some time around 1988 he retired from riding this car, explaining to me: "Well, Helmut, at my age the flames of hell are approaching anyway, so I don't need to have them under my bottom on week-ends, too!"
Oh yes, his wife's name was Pamela, I forgot to mention. When I visited them in the eighties in their home south of London Richard also showed me a piece of the "transatlantic rope" on display on the wall of his study... But he would not make too much fuss about this adventure.
This reminds me of the stories of early flight services in the book, "Fate is the Hunter". Each take-off and landing stands as an accomplishment and adventure all by its self.
This historical scenario involves layers of potential bitterness: 1. Start with a successful fighter pilot. 2. Relegate him for _(de-rate him to)_ glider duty. 3. Assign him to a back seat position. 4. Tell him the back seat is in the second aircraft. Ouch! Just ouch.
You know General Bowhill probably hated Sey's guts, but his daughter begged him to take her husband away from the front lines. So the General had to think of a hair brained scheme to try and kill him off.
I was trained as a Pilot in the 1960's. And, knowing just how VERY DANGEROUS this proposal was, I held my breath just watching! Very glad all these men made it! I never did see that this 😳 could possibly work on any sort of regular/routine basis. Brave crews, just to try it !!!
Mark please make a video about the germans that fled to Argentina after ww2. The creator of the fockerwolf came to Argentina and made other planes here. Also many top ranking SS members came for refuge. Many people have relatives that served in the SS and keep their medals and photos
Hes included it in his "Nazi Rat Lines" videos. 1-4 or 5 . Cant remember how many. At least 4. Not a whole video about it but he includes many names and towns in South American countries including Argentina
"Sir Frederick Bowhill...." *show his face* Me: Okay he must have volunteered himself into this daring mission. "...Volunteer his own son-in-law..." me: Oh.
@@keithallver2450. That’s not funny, and I am sure that your comment shows a dearth of understanding about comedy, and how to make people laugh.!.!.!.!.
“Some of you may die...”
*(stares directly at his son in law)*
“But it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.”
lol
I feel the same about my brother in law
Ha Ha!
Assuming the son in law survived the war, I would think post-war family get-togethers would be... awkward.
@@cerealspiller *"Sorry I sent you to what I imagined would be your death."*
"Volunteered his own Son-in-law". He must have REALLY loved that man.
🤣
They all love there son in laws not
I'm sure my mother would volunteer her in-laws to this project too! 👀
... under orders from the Mother-in-Law ... ? 😂
I’m sure Christmas get togethers must have been fun at their house
Snowing INSIDE the aircraft.. that’s almost RyanAir standards
Ryanair would sell you the snow as fresh iced water for 10 quid.
There is special shampoo for these things
It's extra though, specially at Christmas.
Don't give them ideas.
How else are they going to rent you a blanket for €25?
I am 74 yrs old. My Dad was a C-47 pilot in WW2 he towed and dropped gliders at D-Day and Arnhem, He is still my hero, now deceased.
This is a nice war story were nobody dies and everybody gets home for tea and medals
Except voo-doo :(
@@jakekm1767 I had not heard this story before, but I have seen a reference to Voo doo in a history of the glider regiment, where a "spare" glider was lost in a training accident.
The Father-in-Law didn't think it was so nice.
But still full of Heroes doing amazing things. Can you imagine being in that cockpit over the North Atlantic and all you can see is your tow line disappearing into the fog ahead of you?
and the Air Chief Marschall's daughter...
With a father-in-law like Sir Frederick Bowhill, who needs enemies?
He should have gone along with the rather pointless game on the 1 condition that Pa Inlaw come along as cargo,then watch the fun as Daddah tried to stay on the ground,without looking a bit shabby in the bargain .
or Enema's!
This is what my Grandfather did during WW2. He was a glider an C-47 pilot. He also flew C-47's during the D-Day invasion. 1st Lieutenant Gordon Ridgway.
Who was his father-in-law? LOL
Earned a Bronze star and lived to be 90 - Quite a guy.
We are grateful for his service.
Greetings from Denmark
I didn't realise that he was able to do both roles. I thought the C-47 pilots were Air-Force (either R.A.F. or U.S.A.AF.), while the glider pilots were trained army blokes, involved in the Airborne glider units.
@@warrenmilford1329, the war ended before my father deployed, but he was definitely in the Army Air Force. While he flew powered aircraft during training, his last months in the service were spent piloting gliders, preparing to land troops and equipment. God’s good rest, Dad; I wish that I could ask you more about it, but you left us all when I was young.
@@leehaelters6182 Thanks for the info. Yea, when I said Air Force above, in the US sense, I knew it was still part of the US army. I just didn't realise that gentlemen like your father, and the OP's grandfather, trained in both roles. I believe that the Brits had a unit called the glider pilots regiment, which I believe was originally set up as a combined RAF/Army training unit, but was then officially designated as an army unit. They didn't train as tow pilots, just as glider pilots I believe. They fell under the same umbrella as the airborne units (parachute/glider troops), the SAS, and army artillery air observation units. I believe they were collectively called the Army Air Corps. Sorry to hear you lost your Dad when you were a young fella mate.
Why do I get the feeling that this entire scenario was created as a practical joke to try and get the Son in-law lost over the Atlantic
Jokes on him!
"You won't believe it i gave him a glider mission over the Atlantic and the cheeky bastard had the gaul to survive"
@Guy Incognito Indeed. "Gaul to survive" would've been the situation had they overshot Scotland and landed in France.
@@vk2ig you, sir, know how to address incorrect spelling. The above commenter may know how gall is spelled but they have no imagination
@@vk2ig good one
LOL , volunteered his son in-law. I love you to dad.
In law
@@highjumpstudios2384 too
Reporter: "As the glider pilot, describe your journey?" Pilot: "Sleep little, prayed incessantly!"
More guts than brain s do you know how easy it is to get killed in one of those things i went up in comercisl gliders in the 70s across the Atlantic is nuts
My dad worked with a guy in the early 90's who had been a radio operator on a B-17 over Europe early on. He later went on to fly C-46 transport aircraft over The Hump near the end of the war. He said flying through the Himalayas on instruments socked in with clouds was more terrifying than any bombing mission he flew in over Europe.
@5:08 My dad was an air navigator in RAF Catalinas and one of his more unusual missions involved flying over the North Atlantic looking for trouble. According to his brief, aircraft being ferried from North America were regularly getting lost in transit and the powers-that-be wanted to know why. What was causing so many losses? Were brand new aircraft defective, or did the Germans have a new, secret way of shooting them down? Was there a new long-range German fighter? Was there a secret antiaircraft U-boat? So he and his crew flew along the flight path of so many lost aircraft, looking to see what they could see.
Fortunately they found nothing.
Later it was realized what the problem was. Not every pilot was well trained in air navigation over water, so aircraft regularly flew in tight formation behind larger aircraft, like a bomber, which had an air navigator aboard. The ferry pilots would follow the bombers in tight formation. While in formation, the pilots would always be adjusting their throttles to stay in position. Adjusting their throttles led to increased fuel consumption rates until, sadly, they would run out of gas and glide into the ocean, never to be seen again.
The solution was for aircraft to fly in looser formations so they didn't have to adjust their speed. The rate of losses fell, and my dad didn't have to search for German secret weapons over the North Atlantic again.
Interesting back story. Many thanks!
Towing a glider does little to help range. The drag penalty is high.
If they flew in tight formation, why could no one tell why some aircraft went missing?
@@jor7137, taking a guess they were radio silent, and last in formation might drop out unseen? Good point!
could it be nobody left to tell the tale RIP those that lost it
The only thing I'm taking from this video is to never marry a high ranking military man's daughter.
Unless you're Patton. Patton tried to rescue his son in-law in 1945 from a POW camp.
@@geraldjohnson4013 tried
Unless you have a higher rank
What am taking is that when the British do crazy, they go all in.
He probably thought "I wish I'd gone with that daughter of the Head of Light Entertainment now. The worst thing he'd have asked me to do is make the tea..."
Mark Felton, you old So-in-So, you’ve done it again! Magnificent.
I know once he gave a heart ❤️ on my TH-cam post I was so happy
Marknificent
@@justasingledoor5178. That’s very good, I missed that for a second or two, and luckily I looked a second time, and so I caught it.!.!.!.
@@norrinradd3549 yeah I try to be first And that this guy actually writes books
The story of the military glider is short but epic... and Dr Felton has added a new chapter to the saga, as is his wont. Many thanks!
Well this was a madness!
@kickingmustang Congratulations! Your eyes check out at 20/20 hindsight!
WW2 was won and lost by madness, possibly the most close run war in history when we look at all the crucial turning points. If Heisenberg's graphite were not contaminated, presumably with boron, Germany would likely have had nuclear weapons first, and nobody wants to know how that would have gone; Hiroshima replaced by London. The list goes on and on. How the Brits held out still boggles my mind.
@@flagmichael Churchill seriously considered gas attacks if there was an invasion of Britain. They had large stocks and the devastation would have been on a comparable scale.
@kickingmustang ow, never thought to see you here.
Indeed! What’s worse than icing over frigid water? Answer: Icing and towing a loaded glider!
And that’s why you don’t sleep with the Air Chief Marshall’s daughter.
Sleeping is ok. Just don’t marry her.
They say rank has its privlagis but dont say where
@@raypitts4880 Usually, in the military. And any other place some sort of rank system is applied.
I was completely unaware of this story, and that's why I love this channel.
When it’s actually snowing on the INSIDE of the glider, you know your father-in-law really hates you!
My Father flew a CG-4 Waco and lived to tell about it.
The "G" on his wings stood for GUTS they proudly proclaimed, few argued.
So did mine. 84TCS, 437th TCG, Mission Detroit (Operation Overlord i.e. D-Day), Operation Dragoon (Southern France), Operation Market Garden (Holland), and Operation Varsity (Over the Rhine at Wiesel). Managed to live through it.
@@ML-fx2qo wow, heroes! Thanks from liberated europe!
@@TheKamperfoelie Next time I visit his resting place Kamper, I'll pass that along.
Another fascinating story, thank you. My Godfsther was a glider pilot at Arnhem. These were flimsy aircraft and physically demanding to handle so VooDoos flight really was extraordinary and must have been exhausting for the crew.
My dad was a GP. The CG-4a may have looked flimsy but the very fact this one survived so much abuse proves how sturdy they were.
Never mind the _glider's_ durability - a round of applause for that poor, put-upon, twice-repaired tow cable! Never has so little nylon done so much for so long!
I was actually anxious as they made more and more legs of the flight. Thrilling story telling!
Flying on tow is pretty focused work for the 8-15 min up to altitude in a glider, to do it in a cargo glider over long distances... You can see why they needed 2 days rest between flights. Gutsy
Towing to altitude is easier than towing on the level. When the aircraft are climbing the rope tends to stay tight due to additional tension needed to sustain climb. When towing at fixed altitude, it is much easier to throw slack in the rope any time the glider finds itself even slightly high, or even just due to gusts. In a moderate performance glider (Grob Astir CS) I found keeping the gear down and just cracking the boards helped a lot.
WWII grandpa stopped by on way to 45th reunion trip to Europe in 1990. Met my new neighbor who was Brit gentleman about his age who we found out was a D-Day glider pilot. He had flown several other glider missions prior to D-Day. They fought they way back! Incredible men!
2:40 Dad was obviously thrilled with his son-in-law 😂😂😂Family feud 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Probably that's the face he made when he found out that his son-in-law returned back alive........
@@BHuang92 Probably sent him to fly the "Hump" (supply run from India to China over the Himalayas) next...
Best history channel ever!
The Ace Destroyer is also excellent. Worth subscribing to.
Not many around really.
The Palm Springs air museum in Palm Springs California has an excellent little exhibit on Waco gliders.
we live near raf brize EGVN. we used horsa gliders for huts as storage the one we had was taken to mosquito museum north west London on m25 was in 1975 not been there to see it we used to cut them up for fire wood used 2 trailers to move them happy days
Incredibly, the Air Chief Marshall's three other daughters were never married.
I can’t imagine why!!! Sounds like a real JERK!
Or they were widowed after their husbands "volunteered" for pioneering and dangerous missions?
Yup he volunteered any would be suitor for suicide missions
I wonder why - perhaps you can explain?
🤣😂
Fascinating story.
As a Canadian, I am surprised that have never heard about this exploit before.
Mark Felton has a talent for uncovering, researching and very ably presenting some remarkable history.
Dear Mark: Of all the history channels I watch, yours is my favorite. Well edited, well sourced and credible. Also you are a clear and enjoyable narrator. Thank you for good history. "History guy" is second, with both of you the passion is obvious.
And you Stephen are bang on the mark with your assessment of the situation and the credit you give to both Professor Felton and Mr & Ms History-Guy.
They are both brilliant and so much better than anything on free to air or cable.
@@lachlanwelsh5880 I would humbly submit that Drachinifel should be added to the quality pantheon, at least for pre Korean War naval matters?
@@thatsme9875 agreed that it is a quality channel in many respects.
Except WACO didn't build pianos, they built civilian aircraft from 1920 to 1947 in Troy,Ohio. The old product building now a warehouse called WACO warehouse. 😞
Everyone thinks they have bad in-laws until they hear of bowhills "volunteering" of his son in law lol. Imagine that conversation
bowhills: i don't care what u want, u are gonna volunteer, do u understand, thats an order
I bet family dinners were a bit awkward after that.
My dad was in Reykjavik in WW2 a year or so before this flight. Volunteered out for parachute training and later ended up Glider Pilot Regiment by coincidence. Well, I expect it was a co-incidence. Surprising how low a profile the Icelandic part of the war has always been. This is a fascinating documentary
A few years ago I read a book on the various roles played by the C47. Apparently a C47 with the engines removed and blanked over was towed across the Atlantic behind a powered C47. It would be a good story for Mark to do a video on.
Terrible idea, brilliantly & bravely executed, really deserves to be recognised and remembered~ thanks for another gem, Mark Felton.
Love the video, and, once more have learned about an event that I was unaware of until seeing the Mark Felton production. Thank you Mr. Felton, for being way better than television!
"Repairs were necessary to the tow rope, which was badly worn." Holy crap!
You managed to say that the commander suggested his own son-in-law for an incredibly dangerous mission without laughing. It seems like a very good way to get rid of a son-in-law.
"We've absolutely no power, we're halfway across the Atlantic & we're picking up ice . . . break out the colouring books!" : )
LOL!! Yeah, makes me wonder how today's college-age set would handled a Pearl Harbor type situation.
Absolutely fascinating. I'm glad I'm not the one who had to pilot Voo-Doo on that 3000-mile mission. It's amazing the weight these gliders could carry.
Gliders were also used in New Guinea to land in the mountains at Telefomin. Thats a story that is almost never told.
I would like to hear more about that.
One of my airline captains had been a ops officer in WW2. Once on a late afternoon, high over the Atlantic the conversation was about D Day and he remarked, "You know, the WACO glider was really critical on its center of gravity and could be very dangerous; but it's best thing was the box it came in. That box was better than the quonset huts we had in Britain. The walls were varnished,you could cut in a chimney here, a window there. Loved them!
Literally laughed out loud when I heard “volunteered his own son-in-law”.
Well he couldn't have sent his own son, that would have been nepotism !
Quite the Tale... If it wasn't for your Work and Passion most of these Missions or Stories would truly be lost. Thanks for Sharing
“The PBY would theoretically save the crew”
Has anyone seen how big waves get in the mid atlantic? I don’t think that’s a go
Crossed the North Atlantic in a Gearing-class destroyer in October... ditching in the sort of weather we endured and the water temperatures, even if you survived the initial ditching - probability about zero in waves that turn your destroyer into a semi-submersible - you have only a few minutes and you're dead. No, that PBY crew weren't rescuers, they were witnesses.
Not to mention the possibility of ice floes or bergs.
Just was there so that father-in-law could tell wife "Sorry, dahling, we planned for all eventualities but he died anyway."
@@marcmelvin3010 You will stop moving after a few minutes. But you're not dead yet. There are people saved from drowning after 20 minutes in freezing water.
You do realise that the point you raise about the waves, was mentioned by Felton in the video, when he spoke of the 'sea state'.
Great video Mark. I built a balsa Waco Hadrian from the old MAP plans service in the late 70's which had a 5ft wing span. The footage in this is amazing.
Well done, you keep finding the unknown or little known stories. These pilots deserve far more recognition as does their world record.
As a former glider and C47 pilot, I truly relate to this amazing story, having flown solo across the same route in single engine aircraft. Thank you Mark !
Daddy, daddy - where is Trevor - he didn’t come home last night?
Oh dear me Vanessa, he sort of, volunteered, as it were, for a secret mission and unfortunately he got the chop.
Oh Daddy, I’m heartbroken - my darling Trevor is gone.....
Ummmm, yes, yes my dear, bad show all around I’m afraid....poor old fruit.
Has my mother-in-law "volunteered" for anything just yet? I know of something she might like....
"But don't worry my dear. Roger is still alive and eligible after I sent his wife, I mean his wife volunteered for the same mission... I always liked Roger..."
An amazing story I had never heard of before. My dad towed gliders with a Halifax '42 - '46.
"Kiss me, I am the General's daughter !!"
"Ya, that's a nope."
I love when Seys and the Squadron Leader are examining the tow rope... the look on his face is priceless.
"You mean to tell me you're going to tow this fully loaded glider, and me, to Scotland with a 3/4" line?!" Referred to as small stuff in Navy terms.....
I wonder what he did to chap his father in law's hide?
I would love to see a Mark Felton video about Mark Felton, the amazing historian, himself!
Absolutely amazing stuff that they tried during the war. Not many of us today would attempt such feats. I am so grateful to my Dads generation and for all that they accomplished.
Something about this story just makes me smile. Where on earth do you get your inspiration from Mark? Brilliant.
Thanks for another great "little-known" story. I learned to fly sailplanes in an old Schweizer SGS 2-32. During a tow in turbulence (desired if they were caused by high thermal activity), it was two hands on the control stick and even ten minutes was exhausting. You must actively stay in the correct location behind the tow plane, or you if you fly too high you will send the tow plane nose down into the ground, or if you dip too low, you can enter the prop turbulence (maybe more down and side-to-side with a C-47). I cannot imagine 8 hours in rough weather, even if there were two pilots, flying over a rough icy sea. Hats off to those brave crews.
My father was in Iceland for two years. Then to Scotland where they were expecting to be shipped back to the US. His signal corp unit was then attached to the 101st Airborne and he had glider training. The pilots had flunked out of bomber and fighter school.
I don't think he made any combat flights but he was at Bastogne with the 101st.
What I really like from you guys is giving figures of dimensions in imperial and metric terms, very useful, thanks.
🇨🇦As a Canadian, I had no clue that these gliders went from Montreal to North Bay! Wow that’s cool!!!🇨🇦
I've never heard of this and the story had me on the edge of my seat. What great piloting skill in the glider and the towplane. It became obvious, given the weather and turbulence, a fleet of towed gliders would not be feasible. A convoy among the U boats might be safer.
Family gatherings must have been awkward. "Remember that one time you tried to kill me by ordering me to fly across the Atlantic in a glider."
yes i remember, it failed because here u are
The CG-4 glider was developed by the WACO Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio, known for making some fast and manuverable small aircraft since the 1920s. My grandfather took a job there in 1940 as a skilled carpenter, making an impressive 75 cents an hour - more than double what he had been making as a locomotive fireman for the C&O Railroad. During the war, WACO built several models of gliders (the CG-3A, CG-4A, CG-13A, and finally the CG-15A). Many were built by other companies (Ford built around 4,000), including the "piano company" you mention in the video. They also built engine mounts for the P-47 Thunderbolt. My father worked there until joining the Army, as did his younger brother (who was only 14 at the time). Later in the war, WACO found a way for finished gliders to be picked up by tow planes without even landing - by flying low and hooking the tow-cables as they passed overhead.
Biggest problem with this video , which grated on me throughout the story, was that the name was pronounced wrong - it's "WAH-co" not "WAY-co". Otherwise, nice job, and interesting story.
There's a very active WACO Museum organization in Troy, if you're in the area. Lots of events and biplane rides, etc.I even found my father's Employee Picture ID in there collection.
Link: www.wacoairmuseum.org/
Great story. You're grandfather was part of the greatest generation.
My dad was a P-40 crew chief in the Pacific. When the unit would move up to a new airfield during the island hopping campaign, they would you use gliders to help transport their stuff. Dad had a civilian pilot license and since they were short pilots he would be “asked” to pilot a glider.
An absolutely brave, heroic team; a testiment to the dedication and experience of the pilots. Honorable the air crew were awarded the Air Force Cross. Noteworthy the glider record stands to this day!
I loved watching this! (I'm from Rvk, Iceland) Sir Bowhill and his daughter must have enjoyed many a pleasant time together... And - only ten thousand more subscribers to one million! Spread the word, comrades!
Mark Felton you do find the most obscure history! Keep it up!!!!
I just went and checked like cause anything Mark posts is a LIKE
Simply the best history channel anywhere! Mr Felton is perhaps also the finest story teller of history I've ever heard. In these dark winter, covid-19 days, Mark's stories are my favorite way to pass the time and to push all the covid/election news out of my weary mind. Thank you so much Mark Felton!!!
"Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill, commanding RAF Transport Command, volunteered-"
Well, that's awfully brave of him!
"-his own son-in-law for the hazardous mission."
...Ah, yes. I see.
You know it's absolutely insane when no one's tried it since. As a glider pilot myself, hat's off to those guys, their bravery is VC level.
“It was so cold inside the glider that the condensation actually turned to snow” Damn....
As always Mark Felton comes up with unknown war stories ! Flying a glider on tow for that length of time must have been exhausting . Being a glider pilot , I know hard work it can be for only a few hours under tow.
Thank You Mr. Felton for another spectacular history lesson . Your research methodology is on the same par as your impeccable editing . All the best .
One aspect of WWII I was not aware of, thank you Mark. A great story and well presented.
"Wahco" the aircraft company, "Wayco" the Texas town, and "Wacko," what you need to be to fly a Waco on tow across the Pond...
Another great doc. . Mark Felton-
Rich history lesson. Thanks for the contribution.!
C47. (DC3) a beast of a work horse. What Brave men flew these missions. 👍
"I say, I just picked you for a glider mission over the ocean! Good bye.err...good luck!"
ps if anyone asks, you volunteered for this
Of all the troops in WW2 I think glider borne and the pilots are some of the most underrated. Took nerves of steel to do what they did.
Last I was this Early, the Luftwaffe had Aerial Superiority over France and Stalingrad.
That joke was funny when the 6th army was at stalingrad
@@joycegroeneveld4329 well in a way.. it never left 😬
@@TheKamperfoelie Underrated comment xD
Thank you Mark. You never cease to amaze me with amazing recounts of military history. Much obliged.
"So dad, I've got news, I'm engaged!"
"...How would you feel if he drowned in the Arctic Ocean?"
As a glider pilot l recognise what an amazing feat of fly by both crews. Respect
Wife: "Where just visiting my dad, whats the worst he can do ?"
We're*, but great comment
After all these years still learning new things about WW2.
Dickie to his father-in-law, "You want me to volunteer for a experimental mission by flying a glider that I have no prior experience in using, over three-thousand kilometers over artic waters, in a airframe I cannot bailout from or even survive a landing in the ocean?"
Air Marshal Bowhill, "Naw. It'll be fine."
"I don´t want you to, i order you."
No, I volunteered, you will follow orders!
A phantatoc documentary, cograts!!!!
And with this film something struck me especially, because...I got to know Richard Seys in person as a marvellous character in the 1980s during vintage car rallies in Austria he attended with his amiable and charming wife (a former dancing teacher, at some time also to a certain Miss Elizabeth Windsor). Although rallying old cars (ALFA Romeo 6C1750, Invicta 4.5 litre low chassis...) in more or less touristic events meant for entertainment and sightseeing was much more peaceful than the things he did with "Voo-Doo". he still did not shun danger. Driving a 1903 Oldsmobile "Curved Dash" in moutainous areas may provide some unpleasant surprises when the drive chain breaks, as this car has brakes only on the gearbox. He and his wife got away unhurt as he was quick enough to spot a counter slope... And later he drove an early Stanley Steamer (which used a gas-heated boiler under the seats), also of horseless carriage design like the Oldsmobile - until some time around 1988 he retired from riding this car, explaining to me: "Well, Helmut, at my age the flames of hell are approaching anyway, so I don't need to have them under my bottom on week-ends, too!"
Sorry, should have been: "A phantastic documentary, congrats!" But you cant't write this often enough about Dr. Felton's films, anyway!
Oh yes, his wife's name was Pamela, I forgot to mention. When I visited them in the eighties in their home south of London Richard also showed me a piece of the "transatlantic rope" on display on the wall of his study... But he would not make too much fuss about this adventure.
"Volunteered his own son in law".
What a savage.
Absolutely riveting program and a lunatic concept!
Seys' expression when we're told how unimpressed he was with the assignment is just priceless!
This reminds me of the stories of early flight services in the book, "Fate is the Hunter". Each take-off and landing stands as an accomplishment and adventure all by its self.
This historical scenario involves layers of potential bitterness:
1. Start with a successful fighter pilot.
2. Relegate him for _(de-rate him to)_ glider duty.
3. Assign him to a back seat position.
4. Tell him the back seat is in the second aircraft.
Ouch! Just ouch.
You know General Bowhill probably hated Sey's guts, but his daughter begged him to take her husband away from the front lines. So the General had to think of a hair brained scheme to try and kill him off.
Yet another surprise. As a former sailplane pilot of several hundred hours including lengthy cross country trips, another revelation! Thank you.
1:00 That music makes me think I'm watching a cartoon.
Also imagine what the landing must of felt like. :D
I was trained as a Pilot in the 1960's. And, knowing just how VERY DANGEROUS this proposal was, I held my breath just watching!
Very glad all these men made it! I never did see that this 😳 could possibly work on any sort of regular/routine basis. Brave crews, just to try it !!!
Mark please make a video about the germans that fled to Argentina after ww2. The creator of the fockerwolf came to Argentina and made other planes here. Also many top ranking SS members came for refuge. Many people have relatives that served in the SS and keep their medals and photos
Hes included it in his "Nazi Rat Lines" videos. 1-4 or 5 . Cant remember how many. At least 4. Not a whole video about it but he includes many names and towns in South American countries including Argentina
Fled.
IIRC, Greg's Airplanes episode on the FW-190 also includes biographics about Kurt Tank.
There existe onde episode aboute "Nazi aircraft flying in 1950 in Argentina". Perón Lost your power and Tank went to India.
Fascinating Dr Felton. I've been up in a glider but this takes things to a whole new level! Thanks for sharing.
One might think Air Chief Marshal Bowhill held reservations for his Son-in-Law, Wing Commander Seys when he "Volunteered" him for this mission. >_
Voluntold
@@martialmusic ^_^ very much so.. Wonder what he did to peeve off the old man???
@@ditzydoo4378 He had the nerve to marry his daughter
@@HappyFlapps and there is the rub of it.. It would seem Daddy was not on board.
@@ditzydoo4378 Not on board ... the glider OR the marriage.
Once again, a forgotten saga of the War years brought back to life! Great job as always, Mark!
"Sir Frederick Bowhill...." *show his face*
Me: Okay he must have volunteered himself into this daring mission.
"...Volunteer his own son-in-law..."
me: Oh.
Unbelievable courage by these young men.
How on earth does he find all this not even the god damn allied nations know this much about ww2.
It's called -> Genius and Perseverance .
as a historian you learn different ways of researching that can go super deep, with access to documents and places a normal person would never see
He makes it up.
@@keithallver2450. That’s not funny, and I am sure that your comment shows a dearth of understanding about comedy, and how to make people laugh.!.!.!.!.
@@norrinradd3549 to be fair its a little bit funny
An absolutely fantastic story, these amazing stories are the reason that Mark Felton is THE WW2 history resource to beat all.