My wife's uncle was a Lancaster pilot with 619 Squadron in the RAF, flying out of Denholme Lodge, Lincolnshire. He was killed in June 1944 on a sortie over Wesseling Germany, shot down by a night fighter. Five members of his crew got out and were taken POW. He and others did not make it and lie in the CWGC cemetary in Rheinberg, Germany. He was just 22 years old - and wanted to be an architect. What an incredible sacrifice they all made for us! Lest we forget...
In the mid sixties my family and I were sitting in a small cafe in Spalding, Lincolnshire, at an other table sitting with his family was a very distinguished looking gentleman with a big handle bar moustache. My mother remarked that her kept looking at her, as he got up to leave he came over and said to mum your Mary Wright arent you? Mum said I was. He said the last time I saw you, you were in my office on a charge. Apparently she had been in charge of the ribbons denoting the wing commanders aircraft which were fixed to the wings, as she was crossing the airfield, two young airmen met her and said bet you daren't put your stockings on the wings instead of those ribbons, she did and the gentleman now stood at our table said I didn't notice those stockings until I was over Berlin.
slightly different context, my mum in her nineties used to work in a hospital with very sick children when she was young before she was married. A year or so ago we were in a cafe and she recognised one of the children.
I am proud to have produced this programme and I am astonished that so many people have now seen it. I am so glad that they enjoy it. I remember Air Commodore Cozens, formerly Station Commander at RAF Hemswell, taking a rusting can of Kodacrome from under a sofa, threading his projector and running what he had shot so brilliantly, years earlier. I begged him to let me make a safety copy, to correct the colour and add a commentary and effects. He did. He particularly wanted me to emphasise the contribution of all ranks and trades to the effort. In this I was greatly helped by Brian Johnson, whose encyclopaedic knowledge and sympathy for the subject, made the script so eloquent. The full-length version is called Night Bombers. See it if you can. GEORGE (Garry) POWNALL.
Well I want to say Thank You for sharing this with the World!! Because everyone should know exactly what the Allies did to help end WW2. And I believe every single person in Great Britain should watch this and educate themselves on this Generation...they should know what their brave and courageous young men did and what they experienced...!! We should never ever forget their sacrifices and their names!!
As a child growing up in the 50s I was with a friend at his house when his mother asked us to go next door and get something from the neighbour. This was a typical row of old terrace houses with outside toilet etc. The neighbour was a widow and she invited us in. On the mantle piece were photos of men in RAF uniforms, she explained that were photos of her three sons, all had been lost in the war. Even as a child I felt the sadness of her situation and it has remained with me since. A high price was paid for our freedom .......
Yes, to see the world in the state that it is in, after the pain, sacrifice and cost one has to wonder... Will we as mankind ever learn to live in peace.
I don't think anyone would ever recover from such a loss. My Grand Uncle was Sgt. Slater, A Gunner on a bomber that was shot down in Germany in 1945, my Nana always says "Our poor Jossie...my Mam never got over that". He was apparently shot down twice in earlier raids and came out injured but never got home after that third one.
In memory of my cousin, PO AE “Bert” West RCAF, 20 yrs old , from Vancouver BC Canada. Tail gunner in a Lancaster 3 of 52 Squadron RAF, out of East Kirkby, Lincolnshire ( now home of “Just Jane”). He was mortally wounded on the Stuttgart raid, the night of July 29, 1944. Shot up by a night fighter, then survived the 4 hr trip back to England. Died en route to hospital, buried in Brookwoods cemetery , Woking, England. RIP Bert, you and your mates are not forgotten!
Over Epinal they got them, my Dad and his crew. The third raid on Stuttgart, black muck behind them to hide the fighter, and bright sky before to highlight them. Dad was blown clear and survived; his friends were killed. He wrote that he wished he had gone with them on their last great adventure; forty years later, he joined them. They fly in bright, clear, peaceful skies, those friends. United again, they can see grand vistas that I may behold one day. Until then, I will remember them.
Your late Dad had Survivor's Guilt. Why did he survive when the rest of his crew perished? That question haunts survivors of all sorts of tragic events. I don't know the full answer, but fate decided that it had something else in mind for your Dad, and that it wasn't his time! May he at last RIP. Lest We Forget Mark from Melbourne Australia
What an incredible piece of film. No sensationalism, nothing ‘guns ho’. Just straight up, erudite commentary delivered in a most professional manner. The men and women who provided the backdrop of this dark period of our history will have my undying respect for all my days. The bravery and selflessness of those aircrew is utterly remarkable. My maternal grandfather was killed on February 9th 1945 in Lancaster 620 of 15 Squadron RAF. Ive managed a little research into the incident and plan to visit my grandfather’s grave, in Brussels main cemetery in the not too distant future. My mother was just 14 months old.at the time of her fathers death.
@@citymariner - thanks for the tip. Just watched Night Bombers on the strength of your recommendation. Excellent piece of cinematic history. Thanks again.👍👍👍
On the contrary, the TV series "Masters of the Air" is full of triumphalism, "Guns ho", and an incredible mass of mistakes .. A true disaster. I don't think anyone who made the series knew anything about air warfare... They said a few words about Bomber Command just to denigrate it... They should really be ashamed.. ( I'm Italian by chance and I feel myself as an European.. But ever since I was a kid, my sympathy has always gone to the boys of the RAF )
It's probably been mentioned 400 comments before now, but this remarkable film wherein understatement is palpable, is available on a DVD called Night Bombers. Its authentic footage was filmed by Air Cdre H.I.Cozens, CB. AFC.(..and much else) and detailed 24 hrs in the life of a WW2 squadron of Lancaster bombers. Oddly, that which is presented here has lost the first minute or so of scene setting and begins rather abruptly; In the middle of a sentence, say. The DVD also contains 'extras' - Times obituary of Cozens; A brief history of the Lancaster by Bill Gunston and a Stills Gallery of Cozens' photos.
An absolute gem of a historical video for three reasons: the incredibly precious footage, the superb editing, and lastly the authoritative commentary. So many videos are let down by their narrators. This narrator has the resonance of Oliver Postgate, which anyone growing up in UK in the 60s/70s will find massively familiar and comforting.
Yes indeed. I loved that Noggin The Nog. So wistful and like something that was lost a long time ago. This commentator has just the right register. Desperate times that were just about a decade before I was a young boy and influenced my young life though I didn't know it at the time. I get it now though.
Yup that's what I thought too, Mr Postgate had a very distinctive tone to his voice, burned into my memory though many years of Ivor the engine, Noggin the Nog et al, back in the 60's
An outstanding presentation from beginning to end. As an American I salute the brave men who flew into harm’s way, especially those who never returned. My uncle. Staff Sergeant Willis Steberg, was a ball turret gunner on B-24 Liberators flying out of RAF Shipdahm. He had two confirmed kills before he was shot down over France in April 1944. He was one of three crewmen that escaped thier burning bomber, but he was badly burned. He was sent to a Luftwaffe hospital for treatment, and after his recovery, was sent to a POW camp in Poland. He was liberated by the British army in May 1945.
Fascinated that you mentioned the base he flew from... Obviously "44th Bomb Group" under Leon Johnson "Flying Eight Balls" such a distinctive unit badge, too I used to ride my Kawasaki there, countless times. Might interest you (& others) to know, that.... Almost outside the main-gate, there IS a narrow lane I used to ride down that lane to Hingham (next village) It's from Hingham, Norfolk, U.K that Hingham, Mass, USA gets it's name from, directly & because of... Massive link, as a man named Samuel Lincoln left Hingham, England around 1600's (1630) to go settle in what was then known as "The New World" (now, USA) Colonists wanted to appoint a new colony 'leader' & a vote was taken by the settlers - Samuel Lincoln won it Samuel's 4th child, Mordecai would sire the bloodline that eventually led to a Gt.Granchild named "Abraham Lincoln" who, of course, went on to be President. Such a strong, powerful & amazing link between our two nations (England/North America) centuries apart Many people do NOT even know the link, nor just how strong it really is = I also used to visit another nearby Boeing B.17 Flying Fortress (8th AF) base named 'Deopham Green', but "Shipdham" (44th BG) is nearer en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Shipdham Each time I'd ride my Kawasaki into Hingham (always on a bright, warm sunny day, I'd SEE the 'Stars / Stripes' flag - as locals knew the links & connection w/U.S.A
@@hawnyfox3411 Yes, there is a great and warm link between our two countries. My GG grandfather immigrated from Wales in the late 1860’s. I would very much like to visit England someday, and I would very much like to see Shipdahm. I’m very warmed how some of the former bases have been preserved by some of the locals who have not forgotten the sacrifice that the servicemen of both nations made.
@@johnhubbard8357 = Think you'll find I've already explained THAT fact to him already, during the 2nd post = Remember, his Uncle served there, but he didn't** & being an American of a MUCH younger generation, decades apart, he wouldn't know of it's name (spelling) or exact location, so cut him some slack - The rest of us knew what he meant ** (it would've been shut down by then anyways & I'm not talking about the much later Gliding club, either
My uncle PO Malcolm Stalker (RCAF) was stationed at 100 Squadron. He was tall so they trained him as a mid-upper gunner. He completed about 10 missions before he was lost over Germany in 1945. He was 18. It’s easy for me to picture Malcolm’s life in this service. Thank-you for this video.
May he rest in peace, one of the bravest of the brave, and my wife's uncle, flt engineer Ronald Boffey, lost over Norway in his Halifax bomber, never found, best of a generation.
@@billyjo1148The North Sea in Winter. Ugh! Poor bastards didn't stand a chance even if they survived the ditching and the Lanc was not known for good ditchings or floating afterwards. Chances of survival in the Life Raft in Winter were poor at best and if you got wet while getting into the Life Raft, you might last half an hour if you were lucky. Your chances of being picked up were poor and eventually you would die from exposure or drowning when the Life Raft started deflating and your efforts on the hand air pump were failing. RIP, Lest We Forget! Mark from Melbourne Australia
Yeah pilots in WW2 did not last very long many of them knew it but still did it anyway because they wanted to fly no matter what and they knew there was a job to do and that is why they are all hero's of WW2
@@thegreatdivide825 My father in law was about to fly his 68th mission the following morning but was overheard mentioning that to friend while bellied up to a urinal by his commanding officer who was in one of the stalls in the officer's mess washroom. He was summarily told to report the next morning to his office with log book in hand and within hours he was on a flight from the far east back to Malta, Britain and then back to Canada. He had flown over Europe to fight the Germans and then the far east over the hump to fight the Japs.
Absolutely incredible film. It should be required viewing in schools as a reminder of the sacrifice of so many outstanding young men. My Father was in the RAF in the 50s, and because of that I have had a lifelong fascination with the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command. I have huge respect, admiration and gratitude for all those who were part of the war effort and I think about them often. Never forget.
instead of learning these stories of sacrifice and everyday hero's, todays kids are subject to stories by drag queens and learning about the supposed 20+ genders
It is these men, of this generation, on land air and sea, that gave us the ability to pursue a better life. I thank all the allies for their sacrifice, and I salute you my British cousins.
This is a brilliant video, a class apart from the rest. No dumb music, no celebrity voiceover, no pretty effects. The narration is excellent throughout, meticulously detailed yet with a very personable warmth. Reminiscent of Oliver Postgate. Superb.
indeed it is, from 1981...I still have it on original video....still an excellent history resource and a great form of remembrance to the legacy of those who served.
My Dad was a flight engineer in the pathfinders flying Lancasters. He was shot down over the Island of Texel, Holland. Only My Dad and one other crew member survived. The Lanc crashed in a ball of flame in a small forest. The pilot still onboard. Some of the crew bailed out from the rear door but they landed in the Freezing January seas. He told us, as children that the crew did not like the small Elson toilet with its frozen contents in the mid back of the plane. The flight engineer sat on a folding seat next to the pilot. Dad tried to extinguish the engine fire, from the cockpit controls but it just kept burning. Dad used the forward hatch to bail out.
I met a tank recovery guy while on a battlefield tour; he said the same thing. They would clean the tank out, repair it and issue it a new number; if the tank had burned, it was scrapped because the fire altered the metal armour.@@jameshollingworth3679
No waffle, no self-promotion, just a Great presentation. Thank You ! p.s. my Father was a flight engineer on Lancs, and spent 2 years as a P.O.W. for his troubles.
I believe it's from a film called "Night Bombers", which is apparently still available on DVD. It does have that calm presentation I so miss these days. The director/producer is in fact Henry Cozens, who's also in the film - he was the CO of the airfield. Possibly the cameraman in the aircraft too, occasionally COs did go on raids.
@ard- I don't believe Britain could afford that after the war, either way he never mentioned it. He did however publish a book about his experiences, titled "There's always bloody something"
I am in awe at the bravery and dignity in which the men and women in the services conducted themselves in. I know I couldn't match them. Rest in peace. We will not forget your sacrifice.
My homewtown was destroyed 70% by b17 and english bombers. people blown to bits, alarm did not go off and market day was a massacre.. churches, monuments, buildings all gone..
@@9lettere668…Well, whose fault was that?? How does your town look today, after the Marshall Plan helped you rebuild after you followed an insane, psychopathic narcissist to 100 million deaths! SMH!
@@mcgrorymachined7596 My great uncle's plane was attacked by a German night fighter . His wounds were so bad that the crew decided to push him out of the plane on a parachute which might give him a chance. He landed in Holland but died and is buried there.
Question is if God is proud of him as well. Many of these crew members felt guilty for the thousands of civil victims caused by their bombings. But it was part of the RAF‘s „Area Bombing Directive“ to do exactly that. Poor guys.
My dad was a Lancaster pilot and flew in numerous raids across Germany and later Italy but rarely spoke about his experiences and as kids growing up we just accepted what he did and never thought too much about it. This film is a fascinating insight into what he and all those other brave guys went through. Watching it makes me feel sad and embarrassed that we did not take more of an interest in what he did. He rejoined the RAF in 1947 as a pilot and spent a large amount of time in Coastal Command flying Shakeltons so we didnt see him that much. Thanks so much for posting this it's a fantastic tribute to Bomber Command. 👍🇬🇧
One of my uncles was a flight engineer on Lancasters. They were on the runway, getting ready to take off for the Dresden raid, but one of the engines threw a wobbler, so they never went. As far as I know he never did any more raids.
Dad worked on Lancaster radar, one Lancaster had a late technical problem and he was called onto the tarmac to fix it. Someone accidentally released the 1000lb bomb and it hit the tarmac. He said it was difficult to leave in a hurry and must have been almost impossible in the air. He managed to escape and the bomb detonated, he always blamed his deafness on the incident but discovered in the late 80’s that it was because his mother had Rubella when she carried him.
What a marvellous documentary i have been fortunate in my aviation career to know Lancaster crews from gunners to pilot types, all were men doing exceptional things, one flew his first op in 1939 and completed three tours as a pilot, in between tours he did special ops dropping agents and weapons, He was shot up over Germany his crew elected to stay with the aircraft, as it touched down his Halifax cartwheeled down the runway due battle damage, killing his crew. But it didn't stop him he carried on, this time on Lancs and told some astounding stories. Special ops were on Stirlings , yes remarkable men doing remarkable things. I am not sure if i could be that brave night after night ! They were all heroes ! PS an add on Jan 2024, working with ex bomber crews was eye opener i can include a navigator who when i said looking at the departure board we haven't been to Hanover before, the ex Navigator replied I have and i dropped bombs on the bastards, phew a real experience. A real hero ! Or the pilots who would ask when being refuelled " and a bit for mum " how much is a bit for mum ? between one and one and a half tons of fuel, and they would smile as they told me, " the only time you have too much fuel william is when your on fire !!! " Or another pilot who didnt make it home to base as he had to divert due bits of trees in his oil coolers that was low flying ! You felt safe with those ex bomber crews for they had done it seen it and put their lives on the line. Or a neighbor who one day asked if i worked with aircraft i said yes, he told me he was a rear gunner on Lancs, and he described a raid on Berlin and how for ages he could still see the fires burning as they flew home. A really nice man and you would never ever think he was a hero, they all were and we owe them so much. I hope you like my add on most crews have now gone to see the big man upstairs now so i will say bless them all, the long the tall and the small. Sisaket Thailand. I retired there.
My Lancaster bomber book mentions that after two tours you couldn't be called back, but some continued to fly missions. I sometimes wonder about the mindset of those who had survived two tours and kept going? Why? Were they more afraid of being killed while flying with Training Command than on Ops? It was a distinct possibility. Were they addicted to the adrenalin and thrill of the job? Did they want to see the end of Hitler as soon as possible to avenge their fallen mates? Did they just find their groove flying mission after mission, bombing the Hell out of Germany? All that the book says is that some just went on and on, such was the spirit! Mark from Melbourne Australia
@@markfryer9880 It wasn't just the bomber force pilots. Imagine you do your tours and find as a now experienced survivor you are flying with new youngsters that seem to depend on you for leadership. You feel that your are deserting them and leaving them to fate if you go. Some did develop a hatred to the enemy but it was largely the feeling of letting others down and knowing the need for pilots. You'd be knowingly also leaving with a good chance your exit will let another die in your place.
Hello Mark, i have often asked the same question why and think like you it was a drug, The pilot i mentioned passed a few years back and i never thought to ask to look at his log book, But he did talk occasionally about the experience, We were model aircraft flyers and thats how i got to know him, and there was a day when he told me about K for King a lanc that struggled to get up to altitude, he actually had his hands on the yoke as he told the story of a daylight mass raid by Lancs , as i stood by his side he started to look up and it made me do the same it was then he said being lower down we have to watch out for bombs from above, WOW for a few seconds i was there with him. He then said everyone wanted to fly this Lanc, sure it struggled to get up high but once bombs were away it was the fastest Lanc on the squadron, and would get you home before the rest of the squadron. I was fortunate to work with such men. I was a Licensed engineer with a major airline, and on my way through Perth was offered a job twice , one can only say now looking back i wish i had taken up the offer. I retired early and lived in Thailand with my Thai wife, Then Brexit happened and the pound as usual dropped through the floor, after three years we returned to the UK and now live in Cheshire, all i can say is what happened to the UK in my absence ? Lastly there is a Lanc being rebuilt and there are many videos Its on CZcams and called the restoration of Lancaster NX 611 its a good watch over a Sunday morning coffee. I am planning a visit over that side of the country its an 8 hour round trip so will need a leave pass for the day Best regards William.@@markfryer9880
One of my uncles was a tail gunner, qualified and was posted to a squadron just in time for VE day. Started training for Tiger Force, spent his whole war in England. He spoke about it quite a bit. He knew very well that if he had been born 2 years earlier, he might not have been around to talk about it.
@@harryfaber My father's brother was a tail gunner on Lancasters. His plane was shot down in 1942, and he and the rest of the crew were killed - he was 21. They took off from RAF Scampton, now destined to be used to accommodate illegal invaders. If only they had known how our traitorous governments would betray the country they fought and died for I'm sure they could have been saved their sacrifice.
@@salopian4037 We are in the post democratic era and certainly the post freedom of speech era all so we dont offend our enemies. The most dangerous people in this country are not the illegal immigrants but those who enable it. They ae all the way through both the Conservatives and Labour mps. Just to add even though we had Brexit we are still under the unelected control of the UN, WEF.ECHR and WHO. So sinister now. I despair.
@@salopian4037 I completely agree with you sir. My uncle at age 20 was a Canadian gunner killed in Holland in 1944. If he could see what his country has become today, and how the treasonous, spineless politicians have destroyed it with the mass immigration of people who despise us and our culture, and who care to know nothing of our history or the noble sacrifice of boys like him, he would probably have turned his guns on them after concluding that he was fighting for the wrong side. All these young men who gave their lives and limbs have been utterly betrayed in the most odious way.
I think this is the best film on this subject I’ve ever watched, the commentary was brilliant and the fact that it is in colour makes all the difference. My Mum was in the the RAF during the war in bomber command, never really talked about it much, I have a photo of her here in her uniform opposite my desk, it makes me very proud.
Superb, the most comprehensive film covering the lives of the crew, as well as encompassing a wider view of WW2. It's the best footage I've seen, Very well narrated too, throughout. Much appreciated thanks for uploading.
Not flawlessly narrated though. The navigators and bomb aimers lingo is "left left" for left, a short "right" for right, and a very long "s t e a d y" for steady. That way the commands are like morse code over noisy link.
I wish my mother were still alive to see this - she was 14 when this film was made and at the time lived in a house close to RAF Hemswell. I can't remember which one exactly - it may no longer be there - but it was at the top of the hill. She had vivid memories of walking down the hill to go to school in Hemswell village and being deafened by the noise as departing Lancasters flew overhead - she also witnessed more than one returning plane crash. It wasn't all bad though - she had fond memories of Italian PoWs working on local farms! (Edit - I think it was the house visible at 18:45. Blimey!)
I’m a 70yo veteran and a retired Corporate Pilot and seeing this amazes me! These crews are so dedicated to what they were doing this is why they are The Greatest Generation that ever existed on our world. I’m a BabyBoomer and where I grew up in NY everyone on our block was related somehow. My Aunt, Uncle and cousins lived directly behind me. My uncle had been in the Navy during WW2 and my Dad was in the Army Air Corp training to be a pilot. When the war ended in Europe my Dad was offered to stay or go home. He elected to come home because my mother wanted him to do that. I know he always regretted not becoming a pilot. Many decades later I did it for him. When he got sick I told him how proud I was of him and I became a pilot because of him . He was a very good man and father. I still miss him every day.
The stern fact about the RAF Bomber Command: 55,573 killed out of a total of 125,000 aircrew (a 44.4 per cent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war.
And don't forget that by the end of the war it took 40 ops to complete a tour as they were running out of aircrew. When pressed my father would talk about the massive dining hall where the sitting arrangements were by seniority (most junior at the back and most senior just in front of the group's senior officer dais) and his inexorable advance towards the senior officers' table. At the start of the war a tour was "only" 20 ops - a number which was calculated to allow aircrew an odds on chance at surviving the assignment, but they clearly underestimated the loss rate involved.
It is disgraceful to think that unlike the other armed services in the UK, RAF Bomber command were denied a campaign medal despite the huge sacrifices they made.
This film is truly remarkable, devoid of exaggerated stories and bravado. It presents erudite commentary in a highly professional manner. The individuals who played a role in this dark chapter of history deserve admiration; the courage and selflessness displayed by the aircrew is truly extraordinary.
Took a look inside a Lancaster at the museum a couple of weeks ago, not much room in there, even less inside a DH Mosquito, no wonder they wanted young people inside, they were about the only ones who could get around inside! My Uncle worked on the radio and later the radar setips in the Lancs, ended up half feaf because the erks were running up the Merlins while he was trying to fix the radios. Young man at the time, the war and the carnage affected him very badly, he and his mates would weep to see the cr@p that is going on now.
With that in mind I'm remembering the crew of Lancaster ND820 who's aircraft crashed at Bicker Lincolnshire 10th April 1944 on a training flight. Only one of the crew got out of the Aircraft the rest are at rest still inside ND820. F/O Wilson the navigator is in Stonefall Cemetery Harrogate
Germany trained 20,000 pilots during WW2. Just 2,000 returned. 1 in 10 Nobody talks about this. Nor the 500,000 German civilians killed by Bomber Command and the USAAF.
My great uncle was a flight navigator. He is in the "Salford Lancaster" book. My Great auntie (almost 100 as time of writing) spoke fondly of him. This puts it into perspective. Thanks great uncle, what a man. I wish I was as smart as you.
So moving. Incredible to see the level of responsibility and commitment that these young airmen and ground crews took on. They had to, but it is extraordinary to think about that total sense of duty that they displayed. RIP all those who served and lost their lives.
I reminisced last night (Halloween) about going out trick-or-treating as a young fellow in Canada… my Royal Canadian Air Cadet friend’s father, who patiently drove us house to house in the countryside for candy, was himself a Lancaster navigator who served and survived World War II…
Without doubt the most brilliant, informative and frightening film I have ever seen about the Lancaster bomber and Bomber Command during World War 2, that I have ever seen. Profound thanks to all those who made it originally and for those who have brought it to You Tube now. An extraordinarily important document of enormous importance for anyone interested in wartime history. And perhaps most importantly another memorial to all those bomber and ground crews. Outstanding
I am from India maharashtra.and 60+age.what a brave those young men and women serving as pilots, gunners, navigators,and station staff including ladies. Lancaster crew returned literally from the jaws of death, and how relaxed and comfortable human beings are they.Certainly tells a lesson or two about how to be perfectly normal during moments of certain death. Bravo!!
Amazing footage and soundtrack. Even with headphones on, the drone of the engines in this film is authentic. I had the opportunity to fly in the Lancaster a few months ago and the sound of those engines as they match their revs was an interesting droning sound. The headphones cut it a little, but nowhere near completely. I was surprised at how smooth the flight was though - I expected it to be bumpier. Small inside - you have to respect the incredible bravery of the crew as there is so little between you inside and anything outside - just a thin skin of aluminium. Takeoff was thrilling - the big plane really gets up and goes (and we were only using about 10 lbs of boost). Landing was smooth - the pilot and engineer were masterful at handling the throttles. They set it down like a great big feather. If you ever get the chance to fly in it - TAKE IT! This plane will not fly forever despite intensive maintenance and careful use.
Grandad Alec started his war on Wellingtons before HCU ing onto the Lancaster. He did two tours with a spell instructing in the middle. To those who ( rather wilfully in my opinion) ask if it was worth it and if the survivors could sleep soundly knowing what they did, let me recount a short anecdote told to me by Alec not long before he died. At wars end whilst the station was still at full strength but at a loose end, a number of the skippers, ( Alec included) , took their faithfull ground crews on a “ Cook’s tour” in daylight obv, of where they had attacked. He flew Essen Wuppertal and Berlin if I remember correctly. Back In Lincolnshire they had shut down had disembarked and were waiting for transport when another cab pulled in and shut down on the adjacent hard standing. They had set off much earlyer but had had a fuel problem so had set down at a now allied controlled airfield near Berlin to get it fixed. Whilst on the ground they were approached by a Major in intellegence who informed the skipper he was to urgently report to England and could they give him a lift? Which they duly obliged. Back on the pan, the two crews had met up and were chatting merrily when the second skipper introduced the major to the men and then told him “ show them what you’ve just shown me!”. The major then produced a plain brown cardboard box, about half the size of a shoe box, and opened it. it was full of children’s specticals, all small, some positively tiny, some mangled. Alec remembered a tiny pair on the top, the arms machine turned under blue enamel decorated with tiny yellow flowers, the apple of some little girls eye,! The major told the now grim faced and utterly silent crews, “ Those bastards sent them to their deaths naked, cold frightened alone and half blind.! Grandad told me he never lost a wink of sleep thereafter over what he fought for. Brave men all rip.
I know from study just how evil the Nazis were. If they had not been deafeted God help us.God help Western civilization. Thank God for these brave crews.
"they" being the German children and elderly people and shopkeepers and schoolteachers being killed by the bombs, I assume? Serves them right for being born in the wrong country!
My father was a bomb aimer/navigator in 103 squadron based at Elsham. At one time they were the only full crew surviving after the war. Met all of the crew with the exception of the Australian pilot, fantastic guys with the banter still there. I know it was a dangerous time but the cameradery was brilliant. Dad never said anything to us voluntarily,it was only talked about when we asked. Found out more things from his crew mates at his squadron reunions. Watching this film has given me more insight to what he went through,extremely lucky to survive time.
My late dad's cousin George Blackshaw of Liverpool was a navigator flying out of Elsham wolds,102 squadron.Shot down over Ulm after raid on Nuremburg,13/3/45.Mid upper survived.The local historical society in Laichinhen where PM-S crashed took a great interest in the history of the Lancaster and crew.Some surviving relatives in 2015 went there and had an unforgettable time,visiting the crash site, unforgettable.Meeting witnesses and attending church,a presentation.We won't forget their hospitality and warmth in the Swabian Alb.God bless and never forget their bravery.Teach the young ones about this.They gave their lives,and must never be forgotten. Wonderful film.Thank you.
@@garyt6747 102 squadron never operated from Elsham. Elsham shared the base with 576 Squadron. The memorial garden at the water treatment plant, now occupying Elsham, bears the plaques of 103 and 576 squadrons as a lasting memory of crew lost on operations.
My dads first cousin, "Woodrow Mosberger", was a ball turret gunner on B-17F #42-29677. Called "Battlin-B" with the 306th bomb group. He was kIA when a 20mm round from a German fighter hit an oxygen tank. The explosion and resulting fire brought the plane down. Some survived, some did not. Woodrow was buried in Belgium.
Thank you for this great presentation. My aunt Peggy was a WAAF and served in the RAF 1942-45. The courage of these young crews is testament to the times.
My dad served in bomber command a wireless operator in a Halifax attacked by a night fighter on their 29th op crew bailed out over France and captured , this film gives a true insight into his service , thanks
Must have been absolutly terrifying , yet the crews repeated this ordeal time after time , my respect and deepest thanks to all who endured this experience .
1:3 don't return the crews talked of mutiny, may father said, the policy of day and night bombing raids were stopped the odds improved and the problem was solved.
Now you can understand how vital the Battle of the Atlantic was to get the fuel and oils necessary to Britain to take the fight to the enemy. I thought I knew the amount of preparation required for a raid, but this movie proved me wrong. The amount of teamwork vital to every aspect of one single raid is phenomenal.
My father: WO Arthur Deare, RAF AG/Sigs. 1939 - '46. He wasn't in Bomber Command, or Lancs. Transport Command India and N. Africa (a whole hodge podge of aircraft) later Coastal Command, U-boat Patrol, in Scotland. He mostly crewed Wimpys, but I believe was sometimes seconded as a substitute on Liberators, particularly as I suspect he was involved with Electronic Counter measures (he was on Cold War Reserves until the early 60's, and there's still stuff I've never been able to find out, in his service history) Brave men, one, and all, but as somebody pointed out to me a few years ago: it took a brave man to sit in a rear turret; it took a braver man to do it twice! PS he was on sick leave when his Transport Command crew, and craft, were posted home to Britain. All lost over the Bay of Biscay; I firmly believe he suffered survivor guilt for the rest of his days
So good to watch this just before Nov 11. The aircrews showed such incredible bravery and selflessness. I imagine that in 2023 there can't be many WW2 servicemen and women still with us
I'm from Leamington Spa in the English Midlands. The town was once known for it's light shows in the public gardens. My family had no members who served in the RAF during the second world war (all Army) although a great-uncle of mine did transfer voluntarily from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment into the Royal Flying Corps during the Great war. Anyway... one of my grandfathers had a few friends who served with Bomber Command and many years later I realise how fortunate I was as a lad to be able to listen to them chat and recall their experiences. One in particular was called Eddie George (RIP Eddie) and he was a rear-gunner on Lancasters. This is why I mentioned the light shows in the public gardens. Eddie would tell me that flying over German cities, but especially Berlin (the big city) was just like the light shows in the gardens. All the reds and greens of the markers, the flak tracers, the fires below. But when he described how he could see a fellow bomber alongside or above or below, and then it just wasn't there, the younger version of me was frozen. Eddie was a small wiry fellow, apparently he was a very good lightweight boxer in his day. My grandfather told me that. They were very close and I adored my grandfather so I guess he was like family in a way. Thirty years after Eddie's death, I realise he was a very hard man. Not just physically, but mentally too. He did 55 bombing raids over Europe - two tours (mainly though not always Germany and often Berlin) with a period of training new gunners in between the two tours. I hope I haven't bored you all with my tale and I'd just like to say thank you and always respect always Eddie (RIP) for what you did for us.
Most Saturdays one of two flying Lancasters in all of the world flies over my house out the Warplane Heritage Musuem in Hamilton ON. The distinctive growling engines cause me to run out every time to see that mean machine headed for Niagara Falls and a turn around. I try to imagine 100 of them roaring over the English country -side which must have been a dreadful sound when trying to be safe and normal in your garden. My father was in the RCAF but not Bomber Command but Coastal Command in Banff and Tintagel. After ten years of drought and depression on the prairie the war was a good job. His sister built Lancasters in Downsview ON. When she died the dam thing flew over during her funeral . A coincidence of course but her children made much of it. A few thousand will get you a ride in it and for less a Harvard etc. Just to stand under its wings as one can do is amazing. During a 1944/45 anniversary at Hamilton Warplane Museums it was grand to jive dance under the wings of that great plane with many vets then still with us. Morgan in Grimsby ON
My daughter and I had the opportunity to fly in that Lancaster a few months ago. Trip of a lifetime. The plane performed beautifully and everything from takeoff to landing was impressive. The sound of these engines flying overhead is breathaking and inside it is thrilling. It is scheduled for about 100 hours each year (between overhauls). A real treasure.
My uncle Lt. Billy Bishop was a w/o on Lancaster's and did 33 missions for 9th bomber group before kia in November 1944 near Kleve. He left 2 children, my cousins. Lancaster K for King. RIP
@@Anakin_Sandy_High_Ground no he was a 2nd cousin or something like that who was born in Canada. My Nan who was born in 1888 knew the family and grandad's brother Sam went over there. My Uncle Ray, another Lancaster pilot, lived in Canada near Ontario. Recently passed at 99.
My Dad was pilot on a Halifax bomber - very similar to the Lancs. I have his flight logs. How they could keep climbing aboard time after time knowing the chances of not coming home astonishes me.
My uncle Bill Winchester from New Zealand was a Lancaster bomber pilot in a mixed squadron . He survived three tours ( 90 missions ) winning the DFC for bringing back his damaged aircraft after a raid. He then chose to go onto fighters until the end of the war..
I live in Lincolnshire not far from these airfields and to think people flew from these places to give their lives to save their country we must never forget these people who gave their lives and to all who came through this war god bless them all
My mother as a girl lived not far from RAF Finningly ( now Robin Hood airport)! She told me that as a girl she would count the Lancs out and count them back in again during raids on Germany. I visited my nan and stayed in a back bedroom back in the 60s they had Shackletons at Finningly then and I used to hear them starting up in the morning early - sounded quite like the Lancs of the war years.
Great video, I thought I've seen most wartime Lancaster films but this was a gem. It's hard to believe what these young lads endured night after night. 56,000 didn't come home.
Superb in all respects, an absolute treasure of both filmmaking and historical record. The bravery of these guys beggars belief, they behave as if they are catching a bus into town to do a bit of shopping!
Excellent step by step document of a Lancaster night op over Germany. Gives me some perspective of what my great-uncle Stanley Mackenzie, a mid-upper gunner went through with his RCAF crew from 426 Squadron-6 Group-Dishforth. They were brilliantly piloted by Roger Coulombe A.K.A. 'THE BERLIN KID'. They did 12 missions over Berlin - the most of any allied crew in the war. The bravest of souls are all of those who served in Bomber Command. Lest we forget.
I was heartened when a memorial was finally built in England to the Aircrews of Bomber Command, many of whom were from all over the Commonwealth nations. I knew of an Australian pilot who lived nearby, who stated to my father that he was once caught in a searchlight over the target, so he dived towards the light ordering the nose gunner to shoot out the light. This was done and both the pilot and engineer needed all their strength to pull it out of the dive. When the aircraft returned and was inspected it was found the wing tips of the aircraft were now 3 feet higher above ground level than normal. The aircraft having to be written off and dismantled for spares. A friend's father was a pilot who was shot down over France but escaped back to England to fly again. For this he was known as a 'Caterpillar' or 'Grub' and was given a non-officiall badge to signify it. My friend said he never talked about it, but he would often just sit bolt upright in bed at night screaming at the top of his lungs. As a boy he never had the courage to ask his father what he had seen.
Excellent footage. My dad was a Flight Sergeant with responsibility for the electrical systems on Lancs. Based at Scampton reparing and servicing Lancs from all squadrons.
Outstanding part of our history, sad to think most of these brave lads didn’t come back, those that survived most would’ve passed on, and those that are left will be in their late nineties or past a hundred, brave, brave young men doing their jobs and duty, thank you.
As a child I remember building and painting Airfix models of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters, there was also in our village a man who survived the 1st World War, he had been gassed by the germans but survived. I was probably 9 yrs old and didn't understand his health problems. War is a terrible thing, seems like we never learn, maybe because there's virtually no one left from the last World War to warn us?
As a teenager in the 1960's I spent a number of enjoyable weekends working as a volunteer restoring one of these for a static display at the Auckland Museum of Transport and Techology in NZ. It was a lot of fun crawling all over the aircraft and we even enjoyed the endless task of replacing thousands of rivets.
My Dad was a rear turret gunner, in Halifax, and Lancaster bombers, in RCAF 433 Porcupine squadron. He had the center perspex removed, because it would fog up at altitude. After getting used to freezing over various parts of Europe, it wasn’t surprising that upon his return to Canada, he relocated to Saskatchewan.
Every bone in my body would tell me to chicken out but what does one do when one's future is threatened? Quite a lot of my family enjoyed the hospitality of the nazis and few lived to tell the story. In war there's not really a choice, is there?
A very good and informative video. All those guys are hero's in my book. Hard to believe what all soldiers , sailors , airmen went through during the war.
Just incredible, from the people that built the planes, to the ground crew the pilots and the people in the operations room, so proud of what this country achieved! 👍
My uncle, Bill W., was a mid upper gunner in a Lanc. He was shot down over Germany. The entire crew survived and were taken prisoner. The pilot wrote a book, Piece of Cake, about the experience . A good read and a reminder of how young and how brave these men were.
My father did his RNZAF training at 3 bases in Canada . on Ansons et al.. before joining RNZAF No 5 Sqd'n in the Pacific 1944-45, long patrols in mostly the same Catalina with the same pilot, judging by the ref numbers in his log book.
Wonderful! I had no Idea this film existed! Incredible colour footage, well paced (and typically unfussy) presentation, a non-dramatised and remarkably informative look into the life of a bomber crew. Congratulations to whomever originally made this and thank you (Fun Films) for uploading it here. I agree with the other commenters - this should be required viewing in schools - it's only half an hour long and gives so much.
I remember seeing this film on TV during Wings Week back in the 1980s, and the TV version of it is on CZcams called 'Night Bombers'. Interesting that the same narrator is used but some of the editing and dialogue is slightly different! Excellent video.
My father 19yr old in 1939 trained as a bombardier but when his eyesight proved to be an issue he moved to ground crew. One would think it safer but that year a passing convoy shook the shed he was working in where detonators were being installed on bombs. This sent one bomb rolling off the counter and the cotter pin making it safe dislodge on the edge of the bench as it fell to the ground. My father realizing, as he saw it fall, that it was just out of his reach to catch it. He dove behind a desk. Others further way than he were killed and he was left without an eardrum in one ear and a badly damaged one in the other ear. His leg was filled with shrapnel and at one point doctors considered amputation but he wouldn't let them take it off until it stank he said. It was the end of his war. He lived with bad hearing as a reminder of the war for 73 more years. He skiied into his 80's. Except for the scars you'd never know the wound to his leg. Brave young men all.
When I was at RAF navigator training school the instructor told us he’d be talking about the constellation of Orion, which has the brightest star in the firmament and it’s Sirius. A snore came from the back of the class. “Ah, Murphy, would you remind the class what we’ll be discussing today ?” Murphy told him we’d be learning about the constipation of O’Brian who has the tightest arse in the infirmary - and it’s serious.
Wow, what an amazing film - lots of details on all the ground operations required to keep the squadrons operational, and lots of information I wasn't aware of. e.g. the life expectancy of a Lancaster was 40 hrs of flying; at the time of the film, the group was losing 70 aircraft/month. That's crazy, when you think that those stats are people... Hats off to all involved.
- You had about a 28% chance of escaping a Lancaster in an emergency - Fresh crews had about a 10% chance of being killed every mission and about a 5% chance after their 5th mission. You have to survive 30 missions so the odds are very much against you. - 44% of men who served in Bomber Command never survived the war
Undoubtedly the Lancaster was heavy bomber that reached with head and shoulders above anything else that flew in the European theater in that era. It's no coincidence that the best medium bomber, the Mosquito, was also Brit.
My wife's uncle was a Lancaster pilot with 619 Squadron in the RAF, flying out of Denholme Lodge, Lincolnshire.
He was killed in June 1944 on a sortie over Wesseling Germany, shot down by a night fighter.
Five members of his crew got out and were taken POW. He and others did not make it and lie in the
CWGC cemetary in Rheinberg, Germany.
He was just 22 years old - and wanted to be an architect.
What an incredible sacrifice they all made for us!
Lest we forget...
I trust you have joined REFORM UK so these sacrifices will never be forgotten.
@@DavidWilson-pn7pi What a distasteful comment.
In the mid sixties my family and I were sitting in a small cafe in Spalding, Lincolnshire, at an other table sitting with his family was a very distinguished looking gentleman with a big handle bar moustache. My mother remarked that her kept looking at her, as he got up to leave he came over and said to mum your Mary Wright arent you? Mum said I was. He said the last time I saw you, you were in my office on a charge. Apparently she had been in charge of the ribbons denoting the wing commanders aircraft which were fixed to the wings, as she was crossing the airfield, two young airmen met her and said bet you daren't put your stockings on the wings instead of those ribbons, she did and the gentleman now stood at our table said I didn't notice those stockings until I was over Berlin.
slightly different context, my mum in her nineties used to work in a hospital with very sick children when she was young before she was married. A year or so ago we were in a cafe and she recognised one of the children.
Amazing. Thank you. To think that the Vulcan was design only 10 years after the Lancaster, by the same man.
I say @orwellboy, that was a cracking story of which I have none to trump you with and may I say old boy, I thoroughly enjoyed. 😉 Cheers
@@theotherside8258how crass
An interesting comment. So 😮 😊😊😊😊😊
I am proud to have produced this programme and I am astonished that so many people have now seen it. I am so glad that they enjoy it. I remember Air Commodore Cozens, formerly Station Commander at RAF Hemswell, taking a rusting can of Kodacrome from under a sofa, threading his projector and running what he had shot so brilliantly, years earlier. I begged him to let me make a safety copy, to correct the colour and add a commentary and effects. He did. He particularly wanted me to emphasise the contribution of all ranks and trades to the effort. In this I was greatly helped by Brian Johnson, whose encyclopaedic knowledge and sympathy for the subject, made the script so eloquent. The full-length version is called Night Bombers. See it if you can.
GEORGE (Garry) POWNALL.
Is it this film?
czcams.com/video/xAztJVoBTKE/video.html
Well done. Thanks for preserving the heroic efforts of all involved. Wonderful detail.
I sat in silent awe from beginning to end ❤
Well I want to say Thank You for sharing this with the World!!
Because everyone should know exactly what the Allies did to help end WW2.
And I believe every single person in Great Britain should watch this and educate themselves on this Generation...they should know what their brave and courageous young men did and what they experienced...!!
We should never ever forget their sacrifices and their names!!
Thanks Garry we are talking about 80 plus years ago this film quality is like it yesterday 👌
As a child growing up in the 50s I was with a friend at his house when his mother asked us to go next door and get something from the neighbour. This was a typical row of old terrace houses with outside toilet etc. The neighbour was a widow and she invited us in. On the mantle piece were photos of men in RAF uniforms, she explained that were photos of her three sons, all had been lost in the war. Even as a child I felt the sadness of her situation and it has remained with me since. A high price was paid for our freedom .......
That's a very sad story the poor mum's pain and to think these brave men for all they have done our freedoms and country are slowly eroding.
🇨🇦🙏🏻🙏🏻🇨🇦
Yes, to see the world in the state that it is in, after the pain, sacrifice and cost one has to wonder... Will we as mankind ever learn to live in peace.
I don't think anyone would ever recover from such a loss. My Grand Uncle was Sgt. Slater, A Gunner on a bomber that was shot down in Germany in 1945, my Nana always says "Our poor Jossie...my Mam never got over that". He was apparently shot down twice in earlier raids and came out injured but never got home after that third one.
Thats the best thing i have ever seen on you tube. No click bait no fluff no enhancements no CGI just absolutley brilliant film and story telling.
And no distracting music.
This is ripped from the brilliant 1981 film 'Night Bombers'.
Couldn’t agree more
Agree
In memory of my cousin, PO AE “Bert” West RCAF, 20 yrs old , from Vancouver BC Canada. Tail gunner in a Lancaster 3 of 52 Squadron RAF, out of East Kirkby, Lincolnshire ( now home of “Just Jane”). He was mortally wounded on the Stuttgart raid, the night of July 29, 1944. Shot up by a night fighter, then survived the 4 hr trip back to England. Died en route to hospital, buried in Brookwoods cemetery , Woking, England. RIP Bert, you and your mates are not forgotten!
Thank you for sharing your loss
God bless you all and thank you for your service
RIP Bert 🙏 🇬🇧
Thank you for sharing.
We must always remember Bert all who made the sacrifice to preserve our freedoms.
Lest we forget
Over Epinal they got them, my Dad and his crew. The third raid on Stuttgart, black muck behind them to hide the fighter, and bright sky before to highlight them. Dad was blown clear and survived; his friends were killed. He wrote that he wished he had gone with them on their last great adventure; forty years later, he joined them. They fly in bright, clear, peaceful skies, those friends. United again, they can see grand vistas that I may behold one day. Until then, I will remember them.
Lest we forget.
Your late Dad had Survivor's Guilt. Why did he survive when the rest of his crew perished? That question haunts survivors of all sorts of tragic events. I don't know the full answer, but fate decided that it had something else in mind for your Dad, and that it wasn't his time!
May he at last RIP.
Lest We Forget
Mark from Melbourne Australia
Per ardua ad astra. RIP. Lest we forget
Same as my father
That's absolutely beautiful.
What an incredible piece of film. No sensationalism, nothing ‘guns ho’. Just straight up, erudite commentary delivered in a most professional manner.
The men and women who provided the backdrop of this dark period of our history will have my undying respect for all my days. The bravery and selflessness of those aircrew is utterly remarkable.
My maternal grandfather was killed on February 9th 1945 in Lancaster 620 of 15 Squadron RAF. Ive managed a little research into the incident and plan to visit my grandfather’s grave, in Brussels main cemetery in the not too distant future. My mother was just 14 months old.at the time of her fathers death.
😮
Search for a film called Night Bombers - this was all filmed by the Group Captain in 1943
@@citymariner - thanks for the tip. Just watched Night Bombers on the strength of your recommendation. Excellent piece of cinematic history. Thanks again.👍👍👍
Gung ho.
On the contrary, the TV series "Masters of the Air" is full of triumphalism, "Guns ho", and an incredible mass of mistakes .. A true disaster.
I don't think anyone who made the series knew anything about air warfare...
They said a few words about Bomber Command just to denigrate it...
They should really be ashamed..
( I'm Italian by chance and I feel myself as an European.. But ever since I was a kid, my sympathy has always gone to the boys of the RAF )
I have been an avid student of military history for 35 years. How have I not seen this incredible programne before? Absolutely brilliant.
It's probably been mentioned 400 comments before now, but this remarkable film wherein understatement is palpable, is available on a DVD called Night Bombers. Its authentic footage was filmed by Air Cdre H.I.Cozens, CB. AFC.(..and much else) and detailed 24 hrs in the life of a WW2 squadron of Lancaster bombers. Oddly, that which is presented here has lost the first minute or so of scene setting and begins rather abruptly; In the middle of a sentence, say. The DVD also contains 'extras' - Times obituary of Cozens; A brief history of the Lancaster by Bill Gunston and a Stills Gallery of Cozens' photos.
@@mercsport Many thanks! I am going to have to track that one down.
An absolute gem of a historical video for three reasons: the incredibly precious footage, the superb editing, and lastly the authoritative commentary. So many videos are let down by their narrators. This narrator has the resonance of Oliver Postgate, which anyone growing up in UK in the 60s/70s will find massively familiar and comforting.
Mm
Yes indeed. I loved that Noggin The Nog. So wistful and like something that was lost a long time ago. This commentator has just the right register. Desperate times that were just about a decade before I was a young boy and influenced my young life though I didn't know it at the time. I get it now though.
Very well put. Totally agree.
Yup that's what I thought too, Mr Postgate had a very distinctive tone to his voice, burned into my memory though many years of Ivor the engine, Noggin the Nog et al, back in the 60's
The narrator is the actor David Savile.
An outstanding presentation from beginning to end. As an American I salute the brave men who flew into harm’s way, especially those who never returned. My uncle. Staff Sergeant Willis Steberg, was a ball turret gunner on B-24 Liberators flying out of RAF Shipdahm. He had two confirmed kills before he was shot down over France in April 1944. He was one of three crewmen that escaped thier burning bomber, but he was badly burned. He was sent to a Luftwaffe hospital for treatment, and after his recovery, was sent to a POW camp in Poland. He was liberated by the British army in May 1945.
Fascinated that you mentioned the base he flew from...
Obviously "44th Bomb Group" under Leon Johnson
"Flying Eight Balls" such a distinctive unit badge, too
I used to ride my Kawasaki there, countless times.
Might interest you (& others) to know, that....
Almost outside the main-gate, there IS a narrow lane
I used to ride down that lane to Hingham (next village)
It's from Hingham, Norfolk, U.K that Hingham, Mass, USA gets it's name from, directly & because of...
Massive link, as a man named Samuel Lincoln left Hingham, England around 1600's (1630) to go settle in what was then known as "The New World" (now, USA)
Colonists wanted to appoint a new colony 'leader' & a vote was taken by the settlers - Samuel Lincoln won it
Samuel's 4th child, Mordecai would sire the bloodline that eventually led to a Gt.Granchild named "Abraham Lincoln" who, of course, went on to be President.
Such a strong, powerful & amazing link between our two nations (England/North America) centuries apart
Many people do NOT even know the link, nor just how strong it really is = I also used to visit another nearby Boeing B.17 Flying Fortress (8th AF) base named 'Deopham Green', but "Shipdham" (44th BG) is nearer
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Shipdham
Each time I'd ride my Kawasaki into Hingham (always on a bright, warm sunny day, I'd SEE the 'Stars / Stripes' flag - as locals knew the links & connection w/U.S.A
@@hawnyfox3411 Yes, there is a great and warm link between our two countries. My GG grandfather immigrated from Wales in the late 1860’s. I would very much like to visit England someday, and I would very much like to see Shipdahm. I’m very warmed how some of the former bases have been preserved by some of the locals who have not forgotten the sacrifice that the servicemen of both nations made.
Hi, one advantage that a B-24 had that a B-17 hadn't, the ball turret could be retracted back into the underside of the fuselage.
Its spelled Shipdham
@@johnhubbard8357 = Think you'll find I've already explained THAT fact to him already, during the 2nd post = Remember, his Uncle served there, but he didn't** & being an American of a MUCH younger generation, decades apart, he wouldn't know of it's name (spelling) or exact location, so cut him some slack - The rest of us knew what he meant
** (it would've been shut down by then anyways & I'm not talking about the much later Gliding club, either
My uncle PO Malcolm Stalker (RCAF) was stationed at 100 Squadron. He was tall so they trained him as a mid-upper gunner. He completed about 10 missions before he was lost over Germany in 1945. He was 18. It’s easy for me to picture Malcolm’s life in this service. Thank-you for this video.
Rip soilder malcom
May he rest in peace, one of the bravest of the brave, and my wife's uncle, flt engineer Ronald Boffey, lost over Norway in his Halifax bomber, never found, best of a generation.
yeah one of my great uncles lost over the north sea at night in winter returning from Germany in one of these
@@billyjo1148The North Sea in Winter. Ugh! Poor bastards didn't stand a chance even if they survived the ditching and the Lanc was not known for good ditchings or floating afterwards. Chances of survival in the Life Raft in Winter were poor at best and if you got wet while getting into the Life Raft, you might last half an hour if you were lucky. Your chances of being picked up were poor and eventually you would die from exposure or drowning when the Life Raft started deflating and your efforts on the hand air pump were failing.
RIP, Lest We Forget!
Mark from Melbourne Australia
i dont even think about it @@markfryer9880
It’s still hard to fathom that these young men knew they may not return! The bravery was astonishing! We owe this men so much!
Fantastic video 👍 Average lifespan 40 flight hours.. So many young lives.. We must never forget!!
Salute from a grateful Dutchman.
Yeah pilots in WW2 did not last very long many of them knew it but still did it anyway because they wanted to fly no matter what and they knew there was a job to do and that is why they are all hero's of WW2
40 flying hours was the operational life expectancy of a Lancaster
@@thegreatdivide825funny how the two correspond.
@@anthonyhulse1248 Not always, there have been crews who have completed 25 to 30 missions in several different aircraft
@@thegreatdivide825 My father in law was about to fly his 68th mission the following morning but was overheard mentioning that to friend while bellied up to a urinal by his commanding officer who was in one of the stalls in the officer's mess washroom. He was summarily told to report the next morning to his office with log book in hand and within hours he was on a flight from the far east back to Malta, Britain and then back to Canada. He had flown over Europe to fight the Germans and then the far east over the hump to fight the Japs.
Absolutely incredible film. It should be required viewing in schools as a reminder of the sacrifice of so many outstanding young men. My Father was in the RAF in the 50s, and because of that I have had a lifelong fascination with the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command. I have huge respect, admiration and gratitude for all those who were part of the war effort and I think about them often. Never forget.
instead of learning these stories of sacrifice and everyday hero's, todays kids are subject to stories by drag queens and learning about the supposed 20+ genders
Very well said Sir 👏👏👍
The “New British “ aren’t interested in this.
It doesn’t fit with today’s agenda the “British government “ has.
And a reminder of what 19 year olds were doing in 1944
YES SIREEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is these men, of this generation, on land air and sea, that gave us the ability to pursue a better life. I thank all the allies for their sacrifice, and I salute you my British cousins.
We could not have done it without US, the Commonwealth and Soviets.
You are from?
This is a brilliant video, a class apart from the rest. No dumb music, no celebrity voiceover, no pretty effects. The narration is excellent throughout, meticulously detailed yet with a very personable warmth. Reminiscent of Oliver Postgate.
Superb.
This is a part of a longer film, following every aspect of planning and carrying out a raid. The full film is called Nightbombers, and is on CZcams.
indeed it is, from 1981...I still have it on original video....still an excellent history resource and a great form of remembrance to the legacy of those who served.
Nightbombers: czcams.com/video/xAztJVoBTKE/video.html
It's also available on DVD.
The portion of the full film shown here has a different commentary and clearer visuals.
Thank You very much for posting about the longer film.
I searched and watched the film You mentioned. Very interesting!!
My Dad was a flight engineer in the pathfinders flying Lancasters. He was shot down over the Island of Texel, Holland. Only My Dad and one other crew member survived. The Lanc crashed in a ball of flame in a small forest. The pilot still onboard. Some of the crew bailed out from the rear door but they landed in the Freezing January seas. He told us, as children that the crew did not like the small Elson toilet with its frozen contents in the mid back of the plane. The flight engineer sat on a folding seat next to the pilot. Dad tried to extinguish the engine fire, from the cockpit controls but it just kept burning. Dad used the forward hatch to bail out.
My dad was an engineer repairing them. He said the worst thing was washing the blood off.
I met a tank recovery guy while on a battlefield tour; he said the same thing. They would clean the tank out, repair it and issue it a new number; if the tank had burned, it was scrapped because the fire altered the metal armour.@@jameshollingworth3679
so was my dad and my great granddad and him before him and so on..honestly
@@ME-ke7qcWhat???
Thank you for this fascinating story.
Very satisfactory to hear this detailed documentary plainly told without any distastful hype.
No waffle, no self-promotion, just a Great presentation. Thank You !
p.s. my Father was a flight engineer on Lancs, and spent 2 years as a P.O.W. for his troubles.
It’s a nice change of pace without hyperbole and dramatic music. More impactful in my opinion.
I believe it's from a film called "Night Bombers", which is apparently still available on DVD. It does have that calm presentation I so miss these days. The director/producer is in fact Henry Cozens, who's also in the film - he was the CO of the airfield. Possibly the cameraman in the aircraft too, occasionally COs did go on raids.
Was he paid for his two years in Germany (i mean military salary for two years)?
@ard- I don't believe Britain could afford that after the war, either way he never mentioned it. He did however publish a book about his experiences, titled "There's always bloody something"
@@KaribanuIt's on CZcams.
I am in awe at the bravery and dignity in which the men and women in the services conducted themselves in. I know I couldn't match them. Rest in peace. We will not forget your sacrifice.
My homewtown was destroyed 70% by b17 and english bombers. people blown to bits, alarm did not go off and market day was a massacre.. churches, monuments, buildings all gone..
@@9lettere668regrettably that was the fault of the National Socialist government
@@9lettere668…Well, whose fault was that?? How does your town look today, after the Marshall Plan helped you rebuild after you followed an insane, psychopathic narcissist to 100 million deaths! SMH!
@@9lettere668 Where?
My uncle was a navigator in the Lancasters during WWII. I’m so proud of him. God rest his soul.
Same as mine. He didn’t make it either.
My Great Granddad was rear gunner followed by Navigator, must have been a good shot to survive gunner!!
@@mcgrorymachined7596 Amazing men. Not like the gutless lot we have today as a populace.
@@mcgrorymachined7596 My great uncle's plane was attacked by a German night fighter . His wounds were so bad that the crew decided to push him out of the plane on a parachute which might give him a chance. He landed in Holland but died and is buried there.
Question is if God is proud of him as well. Many of these crew members felt guilty for the thousands of civil victims caused by their bombings. But it was part of the RAF‘s „Area Bombing Directive“ to do exactly that. Poor guys.
My dad was a Lancaster pilot and flew in numerous raids across Germany and later Italy but rarely spoke about his experiences and as kids growing up we just accepted what he did and never thought too much about it. This film is a fascinating insight into what he and all those other brave guys went through. Watching it makes me feel sad and embarrassed that we did not take more of an interest in what he did. He rejoined the RAF in 1947 as a pilot and spent a large amount of time in Coastal Command flying Shakeltons so we didnt see him that much. Thanks so much for posting this it's a fantastic tribute to Bomber Command. 👍🇬🇧
My dad flew Lancasters too and like your dad, he rarely mentioned it and I think it was characteristic of that generation.
Why did he keep silence about the bombardments? Have you any ideas?
@@Po-pol-vouh None.
@@mnd1955 I know the reason
@@Po-pol-vouh Of course you do.
A testament to Bomber Command and a priceless film of WWII
One of my uncles was a flight engineer on Lancasters. They were on the runway, getting ready to take off for the Dresden raid, but one of the engines threw a wobbler, so they never went. As far as I know he never did any more raids.
Dad worked on Lancaster radar, one Lancaster had a late technical problem and he was called onto the tarmac to fix it. Someone accidentally released the 1000lb bomb and it hit the tarmac. He said it was difficult to leave in a hurry and must have been almost impossible in the air. He managed to escape and the bomb detonated, he always blamed his deafness on the incident but discovered in the late 80’s that it was because his mother had Rubella when she carried him.
What an amazing story, thanks for sharing.
What a marvellous documentary i have been fortunate in my aviation career to know Lancaster crews from gunners to pilot types, all were men doing exceptional things, one flew his first op in 1939 and completed three tours as a pilot, in between tours he did special ops dropping agents and weapons,
He was shot up over Germany his crew elected to stay with the aircraft, as it touched down his Halifax cartwheeled down the runway due battle damage, killing his crew. But it didn't stop him he carried on, this time on Lancs and told some astounding stories. Special ops were on Stirlings , yes remarkable men doing remarkable things. I am not sure if i could be that brave night after night ! They were all heroes !
PS an add on Jan 2024, working with ex bomber crews was eye opener i can include a navigator who when i said looking at the departure board we haven't been to Hanover before, the ex Navigator replied I have and i dropped bombs on the bastards, phew a real experience. A real hero !
Or the pilots who would ask when being refuelled " and a bit for mum " how much is a bit for mum ? between one and one and a half tons of fuel, and they would smile as they told me, " the only time you have too much fuel william is when your on fire !!! " Or another pilot who didnt make it home to base as he had to divert due bits of trees in his oil coolers that was low flying !
You felt safe with those ex bomber crews for they had done it seen it and put their lives on the line.
Or a neighbor who one day asked if i worked with aircraft i said yes, he told me he was a rear gunner on Lancs, and he described a raid on Berlin and how for ages he could still see the fires burning as they flew home. A really nice man and you would never ever think he was a hero, they all were and we owe them so much.
I hope you like my add on most crews have now gone to see the big man upstairs now so i will say bless them all, the long the tall and the small.
Sisaket Thailand. I retired there.
Am i right in thinking the stirlings were 620 Squadron for the SOE supply operations?
My Lancaster bomber book mentions that after two tours you couldn't be called back, but some continued to fly missions. I sometimes wonder about the mindset of those who had survived two tours and kept going? Why? Were they more afraid of being killed while flying with Training Command than on Ops? It was a distinct possibility.
Were they addicted to the adrenalin and thrill of the job? Did they want to see the end of Hitler as soon as possible to avenge their fallen mates? Did they just find their groove flying mission after mission, bombing the Hell out of Germany?
All that the book says is that some just went on and on, such was the spirit!
Mark from Melbourne Australia
@@markfryer9880 It wasn't just the bomber force pilots. Imagine you do your tours and find as a now experienced survivor you are flying with new youngsters that seem to depend on you for leadership. You feel that your are deserting them and leaving them to fate if you go. Some did develop a hatred to the enemy but it was largely the feeling of letting others down and knowing the need for pilots. You'd be knowingly also leaving with a good chance your exit will let another die in your place.
Hello Mark, i have often asked the same question why and think like you it was a drug,
The pilot i mentioned passed a few years back and i never thought to ask to look at his log book, But he did talk occasionally about the experience, We were model aircraft flyers and thats how i got to know him, and there was a day when he told me about K for King a lanc that struggled to get up to altitude, he actually had his hands on the yoke as he told the story of a daylight mass raid by Lancs , as i stood by his side he started to look up and it made me do the same it was then he said being lower down we have to watch out for bombs from above, WOW for a few seconds i was there with him. He then said everyone wanted to fly this Lanc, sure it struggled to get up high but once bombs were away it was the fastest Lanc on the squadron, and would get you home before the rest of the squadron. I was fortunate to work with such men.
I was a Licensed engineer with a major airline, and on my way through Perth was offered a job twice , one can only say now looking back i wish i had taken up the offer. I retired early and lived in Thailand with my Thai wife, Then Brexit happened and the pound as usual dropped through the floor, after three years we returned to the UK and now live in Cheshire, all i can say is what happened to the UK in my absence ?
Lastly there is a Lanc being rebuilt and there are many videos Its on CZcams and called the restoration of Lancaster NX 611 its a good watch over a Sunday morning coffee. I am planning a visit over that side of the country its an 8 hour round trip so will need a leave pass for the day Best regards William.@@markfryer9880
Dad was a tail gunner, did the full tour. Rarely talked about it.
One of my uncles was a tail gunner, qualified and was posted to a squadron just in time for VE day. Started training for Tiger Force, spent his whole war in England. He spoke about it quite a bit. He knew very well that if he had been born 2 years earlier, he might not have been around to talk about it.
@@harryfaber My father's brother was a tail gunner on Lancasters. His plane was shot down in 1942, and he and the rest of the crew were killed - he was 21. They took off from RAF Scampton, now destined to be used to accommodate illegal invaders. If only they had known how our traitorous governments would betray the country they fought and died for I'm sure they could have been saved their sacrifice.
@@salopian4037 We are in the post democratic era and certainly the post freedom of speech era all so we dont offend our enemies. The most dangerous people in this country are not the illegal immigrants but those who enable it. They ae all the way through both the Conservatives and Labour mps. Just to add even though we had Brexit we are still under the unelected control of the UN, WEF.ECHR and WHO. So sinister now. I despair.
@@salopian4037it's terrible what's happening in Britain with illegal aliens arriving.
@@salopian4037 I completely agree with you sir. My uncle at age 20 was a Canadian gunner killed in Holland in 1944. If he could see what his country has become today, and how the treasonous, spineless politicians have destroyed it with the mass immigration of people who despise us and our culture, and who care to know nothing of our history or the noble sacrifice of boys like him, he would probably have turned his guns on them after concluding that he was fighting for the wrong side. All these young men who gave their lives and limbs have been utterly betrayed in the most odious way.
I think this is the best film on this subject I’ve ever watched, the commentary was brilliant and the fact that it is in colour makes all the difference. My Mum was in the the RAF during the war in bomber command, never really talked about it much, I have a photo of her here in her uniform opposite my desk, it makes me very proud.
Superb, the most comprehensive film covering the lives of the crew, as well as encompassing a wider view of WW2. It's the best footage I've seen, Very well narrated too, throughout. Much appreciated thanks for uploading.
Not flawlessly narrated though.
The navigators and bomb aimers lingo is "left left" for left, a short "right" for right, and a very long "s t e a d y" for steady.
That way the commands are like morse code over noisy link.
@@MichaelKingsfordGray2
Fabulous images
@@MichaelKingsfordGray The narrator generally doesn't write the commentary.
I wish my mother were still alive to see this - she was 14 when this film was made and at the time lived in a house close to RAF Hemswell. I can't remember which one exactly - it may no longer be there - but it was at the top of the hill. She had vivid memories of walking down the hill to go to school in Hemswell village and being deafened by the noise as departing Lancasters flew overhead - she also witnessed more than one returning plane crash. It wasn't all bad though - she had fond memories of Italian PoWs working on local farms! (Edit - I think it was the house visible at 18:45. Blimey!)
Imagine the crash of a loaded bomber as they took off. Dangerous, living near one of those dromes.
I’m a 70yo veteran and a retired Corporate Pilot and seeing this amazes me! These crews are so dedicated to what they were doing this is why they are The Greatest Generation that ever existed on our world.
I’m a BabyBoomer and where I grew up in NY everyone on our block was related somehow. My Aunt, Uncle and cousins lived directly behind me. My uncle had been in the Navy during WW2 and my Dad was in the Army Air Corp training to be a pilot. When the war ended in Europe my Dad was offered to stay or go home. He elected to come home because my mother wanted him to do that. I know he always regretted not becoming a pilot. Many decades later I did it for him. When he got sick I told him how proud I was of him and I became a pilot because of him . He was a very good man and father. I still miss him every day.
Ok boomer
God bless you and him. My dad was RAF WW2. I miss him.
The stern fact about the RAF Bomber Command: 55,573 killed out of a total of 125,000 aircrew (a 44.4 per cent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war.
10 000 Canadians and 4000 Australians died serving in the bomber command out of the 55000 men killed.
"1 in 3 chance of completing a Tour of 30 ops" - that says it all. Nothing to add.
And don't forget that by the end of the war it took 40 ops to complete a tour as they were running out of aircrew. When pressed my father would talk about the massive dining hall where the sitting arrangements were by seniority (most junior at the back and most senior just in front of the group's senior officer dais) and his inexorable advance towards the senior officers' table. At the start of the war a tour was "only" 20 ops - a number which was calculated to allow aircrew an odds on chance at surviving the assignment, but they clearly underestimated the loss rate involved.
It is disgraceful to think that unlike the other armed services in the UK, RAF Bomber command were denied a campaign medal despite the huge sacrifices they made.
This film is truly remarkable, devoid of exaggerated stories and bravado. It presents erudite commentary in a highly professional manner. The individuals who played a role in this dark chapter of history deserve admiration; the courage and selflessness displayed by the aircrew is truly extraordinary.
Took a look inside a Lancaster at the museum a couple of weeks ago, not much room in there, even less inside a DH Mosquito, no wonder they wanted young people inside, they were about the only ones who could get around inside! My Uncle worked on the radio and later the radar setips in the Lancs, ended up half feaf because the erks were running up the Merlins while he was trying to fix the radios.
Young man at the time, the war and the carnage affected him very badly, he and his mates would weep to see the cr@p that is going on now.
Incredible how many of these young people didn't survive. This gives me chills
With that in mind I'm remembering the crew of Lancaster ND820 who's aircraft crashed at Bicker Lincolnshire 10th April 1944 on a training flight. Only one of the crew got out of the Aircraft the rest are at rest still inside ND820.
F/O Wilson the navigator is in Stonefall Cemetery Harrogate
Gives me the chills too. The thought of the fate that might await them must have always been at the back of their minds.
@maxb9315 back? More like the front.
Just over half, 55000
Germany trained 20,000 pilots during WW2. Just 2,000 returned. 1 in 10
Nobody talks about this. Nor the 500,000 German civilians killed by Bomber Command and the USAAF.
My great uncle was a flight navigator. He is in the "Salford Lancaster" book. My Great auntie (almost 100 as time of writing) spoke fondly of him. This puts it into perspective. Thanks great uncle, what a man. I wish I was as smart as you.
So moving. Incredible to see the level of responsibility and commitment that these young airmen and ground crews took on. They had to, but it is extraordinary to think about that total sense of duty that they displayed. RIP all those who served and lost their lives.
I reminisced last night (Halloween) about going out trick-or-treating as a young fellow in Canada… my Royal Canadian Air Cadet friend’s father, who patiently drove us house to house in the countryside for candy, was himself a Lancaster navigator who served and survived World War II…
Without doubt the most brilliant, informative and frightening film I have ever seen about the Lancaster bomber and Bomber Command during World War 2, that I have ever seen.
Profound thanks to all those who made it originally and for those who have brought it to You Tube now. An extraordinarily important document of enormous importance for anyone interested in wartime history.
And perhaps most importantly another memorial to all those bomber and ground crews.
Outstanding
I am from India maharashtra.and 60+age.what a brave those young men and women serving as pilots, gunners, navigators,and station staff including ladies.
Lancaster crew returned literally from the jaws of death, and how relaxed and comfortable human beings are they.Certainly tells a lesson or two about how to be perfectly normal during moments of certain death.
Bravo!!
Amazing footage and soundtrack. Even with headphones on, the drone of the engines in this film is authentic. I had the opportunity to fly in the Lancaster a few months ago and the sound of those engines as they match their revs was an interesting droning sound. The headphones cut it a little, but nowhere near completely. I was surprised at how smooth the flight was though - I expected it to be bumpier. Small inside - you have to respect the incredible bravery of the crew as there is so little between you inside and anything outside - just a thin skin of aluminium. Takeoff was thrilling - the big plane really gets up and goes (and we were only using about 10 lbs of boost). Landing was smooth - the pilot and engineer were masterful at handling the throttles. They set it down like a great big feather. If you ever get the chance to fly in it - TAKE IT! This plane will not fly forever despite intensive maintenance and careful use.
Grandad Alec started his war on Wellingtons before HCU ing onto the Lancaster.
He did two tours with a spell instructing in the middle.
To those who ( rather wilfully in my opinion) ask if it was worth it and if the survivors could sleep soundly knowing what they did, let me recount a short anecdote told to me by Alec not long before he died.
At wars end whilst the station was still at full strength but at a loose end, a number of the skippers, ( Alec included) , took their faithfull ground crews on a “ Cook’s tour” in daylight obv, of where they had attacked. He flew Essen Wuppertal and Berlin if I remember correctly.
Back In Lincolnshire they had shut down had disembarked and were waiting for transport when another cab pulled in and shut down on the adjacent hard standing.
They had set off much earlyer but had had a fuel problem so had set down at a now allied controlled airfield near Berlin to get it fixed.
Whilst on the ground they were approached by a Major in intellegence who informed the skipper he was to urgently report to England and could they give him a lift? Which they duly obliged.
Back on the pan, the two crews had met up and were chatting merrily when the second skipper introduced the major to the men and then told him “ show them what you’ve just shown me!”.
The major then produced a plain brown cardboard box, about half the size of a shoe box, and opened it.
it was full of children’s specticals, all small, some positively tiny, some mangled.
Alec remembered a tiny pair on the top, the arms machine turned under blue enamel decorated with tiny yellow flowers, the apple of some little girls eye,!
The major told the now grim faced and utterly silent crews, “ Those bastards sent them to their deaths naked, cold frightened alone and half blind.!
Grandad told me he never lost a wink of sleep thereafter over what he fought for.
Brave men all rip.
I know from study just how evil the Nazis were. If they had not been deafeted God help us.God help Western civilization. Thank God for these brave crews.
That's a tiny strand of history which would have disappeared if you hadn't put it down. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for telling
Made me shiver that did.
"they" being the German children and elderly people and shopkeepers and schoolteachers being killed by the bombs, I assume? Serves them right for being born in the wrong country!
My father was a bomb aimer/navigator in 103 squadron based at Elsham. At one time they were the only full crew surviving after the war. Met all of the crew with the exception of the Australian pilot, fantastic guys with the banter still there. I know it was a dangerous time but the cameradery was brilliant. Dad never said anything to us voluntarily,it was only talked about when we asked. Found out more things from his crew mates at his squadron reunions. Watching this film has given me more insight to what he went through,extremely lucky to survive time.
Read No Moon Tonight by Don Charlwood
My late dad's cousin George Blackshaw of Liverpool was a navigator flying out of Elsham wolds,102 squadron.Shot down over Ulm after raid on Nuremburg,13/3/45.Mid upper survived.The local historical society in Laichinhen where PM-S crashed took a great interest in the history of the Lancaster and crew.Some surviving relatives in 2015 went there and had an unforgettable time,visiting the crash site, unforgettable.Meeting witnesses and attending church,a presentation.We won't forget their hospitality and warmth in the Swabian Alb.God bless and never forget their bravery.Teach the young ones about this.They gave their lives,and must never be forgotten. Wonderful film.Thank you.
@@garyt6747 102 squadron never operated from Elsham. Elsham shared the base with 576 Squadron. The memorial garden at the water treatment plant, now occupying Elsham, bears the plaques of 103 and 576 squadrons as a lasting memory of crew lost on operations.
My dads first cousin, "Woodrow Mosberger", was a ball turret gunner on B-17F #42-29677. Called "Battlin-B" with the 306th bomb group. He was kIA when a 20mm round from a German fighter hit an oxygen tank. The explosion and resulting fire brought the plane down. Some survived, some did not. Woodrow was buried in Belgium.
RIP Woodrow
Thank you for posting this. I had never seen the post war footage of the former RAF men returning to their former base.
Thank you for this great presentation. My aunt Peggy was a WAAF and served in the RAF 1942-45. The courage of these young crews is testament to the times.
Amazing account of a mission from start to finish.
So glad I came across this , thanks for posting.
Remarkable documentary.
This is absolutely one of the best short documentaries I have ever seen . I solute you from U.S.A very well done thank you so much
My dad served in bomber command a wireless operator in a Halifax attacked by a night fighter on their 29th op crew bailed out over France and captured , this film gives a true insight into his service , thanks
Must have been absolutly terrifying , yet the crews repeated this ordeal time after time , my respect and deepest thanks to all who endured this experience .
1:3 don't return the crews talked of mutiny, may father said, the policy of day and night bombing raids were stopped the odds improved and the problem was solved.
czcams.com/video/4Rf9Qxoh4KU/video.html. I remember watching this as a kid and being 'quite disturbed' at the time.
@@AndrewLohmannKentMy 7 year old granddaughter is more literate than you.
What's your pitiful excuse?
Brave brave boy's and girl's.
They were all Volunteers....that makes their service all the more brave...
Brilliant documentary. My grandfather was a wireless engineer with the 75th squadron. He didn't talk about it much, if at all. RIP grandad.
Now you can understand how vital the Battle of the Atlantic was to get the fuel and oils necessary to Britain to take the fight to the enemy.
I thought I knew the amount of preparation required for a raid, but this movie proved me wrong.
The amount of teamwork vital to every aspect of one single raid is phenomenal.
My father: WO Arthur Deare, RAF AG/Sigs. 1939 - '46. He wasn't in Bomber Command, or Lancs. Transport Command India and N. Africa (a whole hodge podge of aircraft) later Coastal Command, U-boat Patrol, in Scotland. He mostly crewed Wimpys, but I believe was sometimes seconded as a substitute on Liberators, particularly as I suspect he was involved with Electronic Counter measures (he was on Cold War Reserves until the early 60's, and there's still stuff I've never been able to find out, in his service history)
Brave men, one, and all, but as somebody pointed out to me a few years ago: it took a brave man to sit in a rear turret; it took a braver man to do it twice!
PS he was on sick leave when his Transport Command crew, and craft, were posted home to Britain. All lost over the Bay of Biscay; I firmly believe he suffered survivor guilt for the rest of his days
my dad was in the 436 sq in in India ( Canucks Unlimited )
So good to watch this just before Nov 11. The aircrews showed such incredible bravery and selflessness. I imagine that in 2023 there can't be many WW2 servicemen and women still with us
I'm from Leamington Spa in the English Midlands. The town was once known for it's light shows in the public gardens. My family had no members who served in the RAF during the second world war (all Army) although a great-uncle of mine did transfer voluntarily from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment into the Royal Flying Corps during the Great war. Anyway... one of my grandfathers had a few friends who served with Bomber Command and many years later I realise how fortunate I was as a lad to be able to listen to them chat and recall their experiences. One in particular was called Eddie George (RIP Eddie) and he was a rear-gunner on Lancasters. This is why I mentioned the light shows in the public gardens. Eddie would tell me that flying over German cities, but especially Berlin (the big city) was just like the light shows in the gardens. All the reds and greens of the markers, the flak tracers, the fires below. But when he described how he could see a fellow bomber alongside or above or below, and then it just wasn't there, the younger version of me was frozen. Eddie was a small wiry fellow, apparently he was a very good lightweight boxer in his day. My grandfather told me that. They were very close and I adored my grandfather so I guess he was like family in a way. Thirty years after Eddie's death, I realise he was a very hard man. Not just physically, but mentally too. He did 55 bombing raids over Europe - two tours (mainly though not always Germany and often Berlin) with a period of training new gunners in between the two tours. I hope I haven't bored you all with my tale and I'd just like to say thank you and always respect always Eddie (RIP) for what you did for us.
That footage of the lancaster landing amongst rivers of flame is incredible.
Most Saturdays one of two flying Lancasters in all of the world flies over my house out the Warplane Heritage Musuem in Hamilton ON. The distinctive growling engines cause me to run out every time to see that mean machine headed for Niagara Falls and a turn around. I try to imagine 100 of them roaring over the English country -side which must have been a dreadful sound when trying to be safe and normal in your garden.
My father was in the RCAF but not Bomber Command but Coastal Command in Banff and Tintagel. After ten years of drought and depression on the prairie the war was a good job. His sister built Lancasters in Downsview ON. When she died the dam thing flew over during her funeral . A coincidence of course but her children made much of it.
A few thousand will get you a ride in it and for less a Harvard etc.
Just to stand under its wings as one can do is amazing.
During a 1944/45 anniversary at Hamilton Warplane Museums it was grand to jive dance under the wings of that great plane with many vets then still with us.
Morgan in Grimsby ON
My daughter and I had the opportunity to fly in that Lancaster a few months ago. Trip of a lifetime. The plane performed beautifully and everything from takeoff to landing was impressive. The sound of these engines flying overhead is breathaking and inside it is thrilling. It is scheduled for about 100 hours each year (between overhauls). A real treasure.
I grew up in Hamilton. My dad was a WWII RCAF veteran. We are fortunate to have so many volunteers that support the wonderful Hamilton Warplane Museum
My uncle Lt. Billy Bishop was a w/o on Lancaster's and did 33 missions for 9th bomber group before kia in November 1944 near Kleve. He left 2 children, my cousins. Lancaster K for King. RIP
I thank your uncle … a brave man who sacrificed his life for our nation
Okay, not THAT Billy Bishop then.
@@Anakin_Sandy_High_Ground no he was a 2nd cousin or something like that who was born in Canada. My Nan who was born in 1888 knew the family and grandad's brother Sam went over there. My Uncle Ray, another Lancaster pilot, lived in Canada near Ontario. Recently passed at 99.
It never ceases to amaze me just how many brave men could get into the Lanc as a job my hat heart and thanks to you all 😮 xx
My Dad was pilot on a Halifax bomber - very similar to the Lancs. I have his flight logs. How they could keep climbing aboard time after time knowing the chances of not coming home astonishes me.
My uncle Bill Winchester from New Zealand was a Lancaster bomber pilot in a mixed squadron . He survived three tours ( 90 missions ) winning the DFC for bringing back his damaged aircraft after a raid. He then chose to go onto fighters until the end of the war..
Distinguished flying cross
Thank you so much Michael. That means more than you know.
I live in Lincolnshire not far from these airfields and to think people flew from these places to give their lives to save their country we must never forget these people who gave their lives and to all who came through this war god bless them all
My mother as a girl lived not far from RAF Finningly ( now Robin Hood airport)! She told me that as a girl she would count the Lancs out and count them back in again during raids on Germany. I visited my nan and stayed in a back bedroom back in the 60s they had Shackletons at Finningly then and I used to hear them starting up in the morning early - sounded quite like the Lancs of the war years.
The quality of this film is wonderful. I am truly grateful to whoever put this up I am a Imperial War Museum member and an ex Royal Airforce member ❤
Great video, I thought I've seen most wartime Lancaster films but this was a gem. It's hard to believe what these young lads endured night after night. 56,000 didn't come home.
Superb in all respects, an absolute treasure of both filmmaking and historical record. The bravery of these guys beggars belief, they behave as if they are catching a bus into town to do a bit of shopping!
Let's not forget their sacrifices to preserve our way of life, as we look at the mess we let happen in the land they died for.
Excellent step by step document of a Lancaster night op over Germany. Gives me some perspective of what my great-uncle Stanley Mackenzie, a mid-upper gunner went through with his RCAF crew from 426 Squadron-6 Group-Dishforth. They were brilliantly piloted by Roger Coulombe A.K.A. 'THE BERLIN KID'. They did 12 missions over Berlin - the most of any allied crew in the war. The bravest of souls are all of those who served in Bomber Command. Lest we forget.
I was heartened when a memorial was finally built in England to the Aircrews of Bomber Command, many of whom were from all over the Commonwealth nations. I knew of an Australian pilot who lived nearby, who stated to my father that he was once caught in a searchlight over the target, so he dived towards the light ordering the nose gunner to shoot out the light. This was done and both the pilot and engineer needed all their strength to pull it out of the dive. When the aircraft returned and was inspected it was found the wing tips of the aircraft were now 3 feet higher above ground level than normal. The aircraft having to be written off and dismantled for spares. A friend's father was a pilot who was shot down over France but escaped back to England to fly again. For this he was known as a 'Caterpillar' or 'Grub' and was given a non-officiall badge to signify it. My friend said he never talked about it, but he would often just sit bolt upright in bed at night screaming at the top of his lungs. As a boy he never had the courage to ask his father what he had seen.
Excellent footage. My dad was a Flight Sergeant with responsibility for the electrical systems on Lancs. Based at Scampton reparing and servicing Lancs from all squadrons.
My uncle was a navigator on one. Plane and crew were lost over Dresden. No wreckage was ever reported found.
Outstanding part of our history, sad to think most of these brave lads didn’t come back, those that survived most would’ve passed on, and those that are left will be in their late nineties or past a hundred, brave, brave young men doing their jobs and duty, thank you.
As a child I remember building and painting Airfix models of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters, there was also in our village a man who survived the 1st World War, he had been gassed by the germans but survived. I was probably 9 yrs old and didn't understand his health problems.
War is a terrible thing, seems like we never learn, maybe because there's virtually no one left from the last World War to warn us?
I would agree with you...seems the memories of the last conflict fade, leaving us to blunder into the next one.
As a teenager in the 1960's I spent a number of enjoyable weekends working as a volunteer restoring one of these for a static display at the Auckland Museum of Transport and Techology in NZ. It was a lot of fun crawling all over the aircraft and we even enjoyed the endless task of replacing thousands of rivets.
This film is of priceless value historically. Thanks for uploading it so that people can be informed about this fascinating subject.
My Dad was a rear turret gunner, in Halifax, and Lancaster bombers, in RCAF 433 Porcupine squadron. He had the center perspex removed, because it would fog up at altitude. After getting used to freezing over various parts of Europe, it wasn’t surprising that upon his return to Canada, he relocated to Saskatchewan.
Effet c'est le même climat...
The Squadron Commander in this Film is W/C Templeman- Rooke I served with him in Singapore 71 to 74. A real Gent !!
Incredible bravery, this should be taught in every school
Every bone in my body would tell me to chicken out but what does one do when one's future is threatened?
Quite a lot of my family enjoyed the hospitality of the nazis and few lived to tell the story.
In war there's not really a choice, is there?
@@JZsBFF no doubt, a persons true self shows through quickly.
Brave men and women in the face of evil,man what a breed of folk they were..RIP to them all.
A very good and informative video. All those guys are hero's in my book. Hard to believe what all soldiers , sailors , airmen went through during the war.
This wonderful documentary should be shown in all schools.
What magnificent planes and men they were,thankyou for sharing a piece of our history.
Just incredible, from the people that built the planes, to the ground crew the pilots and the people in the operations room, so proud of what this country achieved! 👍
My uncle, Bill W., was a mid upper gunner in a Lanc. He was shot down over Germany. The entire crew survived and were taken prisoner. The pilot wrote a book, Piece of Cake, about the experience . A good read and a reminder of how young and how brave these men were.
Have you read Bomber by Len Deighton ?
@@larryjenkinson4789
I did- years ago.
I think it was dated as the frictional 31 June.?
My father fought with the RCAF, and was a gunner on both the Lancaster and Catalina Flying Boat.🇨🇦
My father did his RNZAF training at 3 bases in Canada . on Ansons et al.. before joining RNZAF No 5 Sqd'n in the Pacific 1944-45, long patrols in mostly the same Catalina with the same pilot, judging by the ref numbers in his log book.
Wow, one of the best documentaries about WWII bombers I've ever seen. The knowledge of the person talking in this video is absolutely impressive too.
Wonderful! I had no Idea this film existed!
Incredible colour footage, well paced (and typically unfussy) presentation, a non-dramatised and remarkably informative look into the life of a bomber crew. Congratulations to whomever originally made this and thank you (Fun Films) for uploading it here.
I agree with the other commenters - this should be required viewing in schools - it's only half an hour long and gives so much.
I remember seeing this film on TV during Wings Week back in the 1980s, and the TV version of it is on CZcams called 'Night Bombers'. Interesting that the same narrator is used but some of the editing and dialogue is slightly different! Excellent video.
My father 19yr old in 1939 trained as a bombardier but when his eyesight proved to be an issue he moved to ground crew. One would think it safer but that year a passing convoy shook the shed he was working in where detonators were being installed on bombs. This sent one bomb rolling off the counter and the cotter pin making it safe dislodge on the edge of the bench as it fell to the ground. My father realizing, as he saw it fall, that it was just out of his reach to catch it. He dove behind a desk. Others further way than he were killed and he was left without an eardrum in one ear and a badly damaged one in the other ear. His leg was filled with shrapnel and at one point doctors considered amputation but he wouldn't let them take it off until it stank he said. It was the end of his war. He lived with bad hearing as a reminder of the war for 73 more years. He skiied into his 80's. Except for the scars you'd never know the wound to his leg. Brave young men all.
The sheer bravery of these young airmen utterly astounds me. . Thankyou
Excellent film. And not ruined with background music. Thank you
When I was at RAF navigator training school the instructor told us he’d be talking about the constellation of Orion, which has the brightest star in the firmament and it’s Sirius.
A snore came from the back of the class.
“Ah, Murphy, would you remind the class what we’ll be discussing today ?”
Murphy told him we’d be learning about the constipation of O’Brian who has the tightest arse in the infirmary - and it’s serious.
you cant be Sirius?
Wow, what an amazing film - lots of details on all the ground operations required to keep the squadrons operational, and lots of information I wasn't aware of. e.g. the life expectancy of a Lancaster was 40 hrs of flying; at the time of the film, the group was losing 70 aircraft/month. That's crazy, when you think that those stats are people... Hats off to all involved.
- You had about a 28% chance of escaping a Lancaster in an emergency
- Fresh crews had about a 10% chance of being killed every mission and about a 5% chance after their 5th mission. You have to survive 30 missions so the odds are very much against you.
- 44% of men who served in Bomber Command never survived the war
What a documentary. ‘Outstanding’. ‘Superb’. ‘Awesome’. It’s all been said already and I agree with every word.
460 gallons per hour 4000 lancs lost. Carry its own weight in munitions What a beast, absolutely enjoyed this film
Thank you i salute you
Undoubtedly the Lancaster was heavy bomber that reached with head and shoulders above anything else that flew in the European theater in that era. It's no coincidence that the best medium bomber, the Mosquito, was also Brit.
@@JZsBFF
B-17 vs Lancaster Payloads and Armor (unlisted)
Gregs Air and Auto
czcams.com/video/tIQj2qfpXSg/video.html&lc=UgyqEM1O_qNRScyeM7t4AaABAg
Great footage and great commentary. Felt true and factual. Really enjoyed from start to end and was captivated. Thanks for posting.