I think we need to listen to all vets, no matter where they come from. My grandpa lost his leg fighting in N France, Sep 44. My dad was a career, 30 years, AF pilot. I served 4 years AF all in Germany. Stayed there for a total of 13 years. My ex is German and I have 2 daughters and a granddaughter there. I have been lucky to meet so many German vets. They served their country like I did and so many of us have done.
People always forget they were defending their homeland. My great grandparents were killed in there sleep when bombs hit their apartment. My dad told me there was nothing but rubble left.
Despite what everyone on the internet tells you. Be proud of your great nation and never apologise for WW2. It’s seeds were laid when allies made Germany sign the treaty of Versailles.
What these men went through! Gliders to fighters and then to infantry. Hans would then become an American citizen. God bless his memory. Good interview Matthew!
My Italian grandpa flew Stukas for the Regia Aeronautica; sadly, he died the year of my birth, so I never had the chance to talk of his flying with him. We are so blessed to have these videos! Thanks for sharing.
This man was and is amazing the medals on the jacket say it all among the best a true hero with honors.Just the knights cross with oak leaf clusters says a lot.
Response to Stephen Corsoe: Thanks so much for watching the video. Unfortunately that is NOT Hans Meyer uniform. That is my Luftwaffe Officers Oberleutnant Dress uniform. That whole display is my Honor Remembered Collection. From WWI to today. Hans was standing next to my German Memorabilia during the interview. Hans Meyer was a Flying NCO. Never an officer. Towards the end of the the war when he got in they needed pilots desperately. His rank in the Luftwaffe was basically a Corporal in the US Army. In the Luftwaffe, a Fleiger. I know he earned the Pilots Badge and in the HJ he earned the Glider badge. He also earned the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, and the Luftwaffe Day Fighter clasp in gold, and the 3rd class wound badge. He was a very unique individual and you really ought to try and find his book by Lar Stampe. "One Soldier from the other side." Matthew McKeever, the Honor Remembered Collection.
Response to@@stevencorsoe7512: Just so there is no confusion. In reading your response You said I'm brave. I wondered if in my other reply when I said that was my Luftwaffe uniform, you mistook that statement, and that I wore it. No sir, it's an original uniform and medals of a Oberleutnant from WWII. I'm 54...I wasn't born then. This is part of my Honor Remembered Collection. I collect militaria memorabilia. The closet I came to being in the military was going to a military private school. Hargrave Military Academy. So again, those items on display around Hans under the tent is part of my military collection. Matthew McKeever the Honor Remembered Collection
Matthew McKeever So sorry for the error,that is truly a beautiful collection and I was honored to see it.I am a historian on war items and i know any and all uniforms and medals from many parts of the world...thank you for sharing these stories because they need to be remembered to military romantics such as you and the honored pilot in the interview.👍👍👍
Response to@@stevencorsoe7512: Thanks. I've done it since my Uncle got the bug in me around 6-8 years old. He was a Retired LT Col USAF. Graduate of the Airforce Academy, I believe 3rd class in like 1962-64 ish... He was a Jolly Green Giant Heilo pilot in 68-69 Nam rescuing downed pilots. The 37th ARRS. Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service. He loved collecting uniforms and especially hats. He just donated some of his WW II German headgear to my collection. I have been fortunate that the majority of my collection is donated by the Veterans or their family. Check out my other UA-cam vids... Some dealing with my collection and others military stuff. Got some personal stuff too... But enjoy !!! Matthew McKeever the Honor Remembered Collection
my great grand uncles Frank and albert both served in the Africa Corps , one of them Albert was a loader on AA flak , and Frank was a officer in a transportation unit. Albert was wounded in a strafe attack , he was awarded a wound badge in black , iron cross second class and a flak badge. He was later captured with his unit after being ambushed by the British in movement to a new location. He died in 2005. Frank was wounded also by driving his truck into a mine field , lost his left foot. He was later put on ship with the wounded. It was torpedoed , he was saved with a lot of men , and captured by a British sloop. He sat out the war in Canada. He died in 1989. Albert once told me that they had so many dead and wounded in his division , they called it the Africa Corpse.
Count von Staffenberg served In the Africa Corp to. Most Africa Corp were ordinary soldiers doing their duty and most hated Hitler and the nazis. Just a pity the 1944 attempt on Hitler failed the war would have been over then and millions more lives saved. But then there was the issue of the Russians. No difference between communism and fascism only their flags. Both evil socialist ideologies with the same purpose in mind. But anyway the ordinary German soldier has nothing to apologise for unlike the SS and party members
I thank you for this, I had the pleasure of meeting several times, Oscar Bosch, Rudy Opitz, and Heinz Weisenbeuller Sr. all German WW2 pilots, If only i had the presence of mind to record some of that. They however were all reticent to speak much of their exploits in WW2 all were not proud of what they did, but all were keen aviation enthusiasts in their later years.
@Frank Sisson i think you're straying from the original subject of this post, to the philosophical, and cultural relativism but having just met three weeks ago a survivor of world war ii, i don't believe any of them would have a different view these days of their experiences, it is locked into their psyche.
At this time it's not who these men fought for it's that they were all courageous men fighting for their countries God bless them all and the incredible courage they possessed
Love all these old guys not an ounce of animosity. Its ashame that only now in there twilight years that people want to know there stories. Trying to suppress history good or bad is only learning to be ignorant.
in my life time, I met 1 former German solider, many US vets from world war 2, including Paul Tibbets , the pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. I got a photo with him and we talked a little, shook hands, he said my name, it was all very amazing to meet this pilot. he was 87 at the time.
Paul Tibbets, pilot of Enola Gay the first B-29 to drop the Bomb. Yes I believe he was proud in the sense that at that time over 11 million Americans were being massed to take on the Japanese on their own soil. If you look up the history... They fought to the death and to the Honor their Emporer and their God on Earth, Hirohito. So knowing that back then you could have a fire fight last a day to five let's say... That might be 5000-7000 dead...today we as a whole in the US and the world can't tolerate a single military death in the struggle to combat good and evil, however you define it. Not that we should, but anyway... Just US forces may have lost 2-5 million plus double or triple that of the Japanese Military...plus the Japanese citizens who were surely going to fight. It was estimated that just the US would loose 2-5 million soldiers in the four to five years they thought it would take to gain control. Two bombs. Two cities. Around 150,000 deaths and WII War in the Pacific was over. Paul Tibbets pilot was proud that he helped stop the slaughter of maybe 5-10 million people not just military soldiers, but citizens too. Thanks for watching. Matthew McKeever
Thanks for watching and the comment M Fisher. I do think that still being backed up to the homeland and no resources, the fervent and Suicidal nature of even the Japanese citizens would have been hell to overcome when boots are on the ground. And just like in Afghanistan, you train some you trust and then the next day one takes out 20-30 with an IED. So the Japanese as far as I know would have made it hell for the ground pounder foot soldier whose got to go in and gain control, and then police the citizens and restart the process of order and peace. I really appreciate your comments and thanks so much again for watching. p51matt
Response to Andrew Grenon Thanks for your comments. I wish to express my interest in you meeting Hans Meyer. The Military Aviation Museum in VA Bch VA hosts him and so does the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford VA. Hans should be at the Family day at the D-Day Memorial the last Saturday in July this year. Please make an effort to talk with Hans about your concerns in person. P-51Matt
I met this gent some years ago at the Viginia Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. There were several WWII aviators there available to speak with. Some were signing their books on flying. A great collection of military aircraft...Fokker Wolf, Mosquito, Spitfire, Bf 109, P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning. The ME 262 did a fly by! Many were dressed in WWII clothing and these 3 girls from Louisiana sang period songs. Great day.
Always interesting to talk to WWII veterans. I've spoken to one German veteran - he went from growing up under the Nazis' brainwashing to volunteering to help disabled children after the war. Just goes to show that the good in people can and will triumph over any obstacles in its way.
His English is really good for someone who served on the other side of the 2nd Great War. I wonder if he came to the US as a refugee or under some other special clearance.
Thanks for commenting Lanre Oladejo. Hans Meyer emigrated to the US in 1965. Please look for his book "One soldier from the other side" by Hans Meyer and Lare Stampe. Matthew
AND THAT is why you see America crumbling. Payback is what many of them were setting up, and now many of their bloodlines are carrying it out. There's reasons for everything.
I don't think that's strictly true. They had good pilots agreed but the best only up until they had to take on the RAF. But regardless of who had the better pilots what we have to remember is they were a very brave men. Most didn't care about the politics they were simply carrying out their duty as a member of their countries armed forces. One man's sick depraved and warped idealistic lunacy cost many young men their lives. That what we have to remember. Many German and British fighter and bomber pilots/crews met after the war and became good friends. To most there was a code of ethics and the good ones recognised that. God bless every single good moral warrior army navy or airfoce who fought because they had to.
@@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723 pilots on both sides did what was expected of them. Most British pilots were volunteer reserves which means they didn't have to be there it was a choice they made and they knew the risks. Same as my fellow countrymen who fought in the sky's over Germany......and most herman pilots were not Nazis, they were young men doing what they saw as their duty. But many Brits yanks and Germans became good life long friends after the war. Some even knew they had tried to shoot each other down. It was the nature of the beast.....just a pity mankind hasn't learnt from that war .....they still try to kill each other and now we have Putin on a similar quest to Hitler. Don't think so?....give it time, the Ukraine was just his stepping stone into Europe. He is an imperialist cold war Stalinist and wants a return to pre Downing of the Berlin Wall....won't be long before Europe is dragged into full blown conflict with Russia....like I said some people haven't learnt from lessons of the past. But I digress.
@@danielleweissmann6149 Putin is indeed pulling n the very same shit that both Stalin & Hitler have, personally I think the only way this situation is ever going to get fixed is if, the entire Russian Military that still has brains in its head, decides to pull off The Assassination of Ceasar, The Black Dinner The Slaughter of Clan Macdonald, The Frech Revolution All in one on him, the oligarchs, the warlords, the KGB & other mobsters there, no mercy no prisoners, "A soldier's first and only duty is to the people he loves" - unknow soldiers motto But I will say this about Hartman, he did pull off some stunts that only Manfred von Richthofen would promote him to Captain Wacko, like when he got the American s & Russian fighter planes to start shooting one another,
@@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723 Putin knew what he was doing when he surrounded him self with ppl loyal to him no because they has half a he's in cell as military advisors. I would love to see that commo fascist assassinated so would most of decent civilisation. But in my humble opinion they best get rid of that psychopath sooner rather than later. His mentality mirrors Hitler's perfectly the only difference here is Hitler didn't have access to a nuclear arsenal. Putin is the kind of mentalally afflicted loony toon who do use them to empowering China north Korea and Iran to so the same and Imagine the result when NATO and its allies respond. You best have 2 million sunblock ready. But look back at how Europe tried to appease Hitler for so long when they knew eventually he would attack Europe and they have done the very same with Putin. Learnt from history ? NOPE Global warming will be the least of our worries soon
Anthony Durao sr. Any man that puts himself in harm's way for their homeland is honored in my book just ashame when politicians(charlottans) get their hands on power this perverts real heroes and takes honor away from one and all.
One thing I notice with all the uniforms of any nation was how thin and strong the men who wore them must have been. No steroids in those days, just brute physical and natural strength!
rodanzig Thanks for watching the Hans Meyer Video I did. I left a comment for you on your comment about me and having an open mic. Hope you read my comment and get a better understanding of how that whole thing of the Hans Meyer Video came about... unexpectedly. CK some of my other vids out. Some dealing with WWII some fun. Don't talk much in most of the rest of my vids... Just mostly in the Hans Meyer one that has 44k views !!!! I see you don't have any vids ?!?!? Matthew McKeever
I display my collection in and around the the Roanoke, VA area including the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA. 19 Bedford boys were killed including the Hobak brothers on Omaha Beach, June 6 1944. More than ANY OTHER Allied town/city in the world on D-Day !!! My videos of Bernard Marie...he was born in 1939 in Normandy, is both a US and French Citizen and was 5 years old when his native Normandy was being bombed and liberated by the Boys of Bedford and other US units. The Bedford Boys were the 29th Division. Bernard has sponsored over thirty D-Day dinners (I've displayed at 6) to honor the Bedford Boys and for thanking our Veterans for liberation. Bernard also has been able to help over 300 of our Veterans to be Knighted into the Legion of Honor France's highest Honor. I'm fortunate to live here and try and give TV time to our Veterans in this region as much as I can !!!!! I think you'd like them and my vids on my groupings of a WWII Fighter pilot and a Bomber pilot. Thanks again for watching Matthew McKeever
God bless the all germanian soldires veterans who left their lives on the Russua fighting with great evil Communism and won Hail to Germanian Soldiers it would be never forgotten Alles Fur Deutschland...
Response to Melvorgazh: Thanks for watching. They wore an oversized B-Uhr type maybe ??? Swiss and German made, luminous numbers etc... Matthew McKeever the Honor Remembered Collection
Thanks! After some research I found they used more the A dial at the beginning of the war and from 41 I think started to use more and more the B dial. But I haven't found out if the pilots and bombers crews wore the same dial type. I guess they did. Not sure
Fighter pilot tended to wear the smaller watches such as Glashutte (Tutima) and Hanhart. I haver several of each and 2 of the watches belonged to a reconnaissance pilot for the Kriegsmarine and a German ace who flew in Europe and Africa. One of his missions in North Africa probably had a significant role in the outcome of the North African campaign. I have his book that was signed by his wife as he died in 2010. I have his pictures and all his medals. See if you can figure out his name?
Response to Alfa Won: Thanks for watching. You are misinformed as to my meaning. So if you read my other comments you will get an idea of what I meant, and the context that it is in. Hans Meyer was in fact an enemy of the US in WWII, that is a fact. But can't you realize that he is standing on honored ground that cherishes the memory of the soldiers that were sent to kill him ?? He's at the National DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA. Don't you find that in of itself interesting ?? Profound ?? He wasn't comfortable, but boring you with more reasons I won't... I ask you to read my other comments to people like you who have said similar things. So after WWII Hans and his wife become American Citizens. (I'll let that sink in and you really need to think about that). Hans Meyer, former enemy of the United States, now a free man in a free country standing on hollowed grounds teaching his enemy comrades in arms, and me and children that were there about his role in WWII (freely and willingly). Wow !!! So I thanked him for his service, TO US !!! Not to Germany !!! He's now a Veteran of the United States who served in the German Lufwaffe (Air Force) in WWII. Hans Meyer, American. The America that opens it's arms to any one, including former Enemy Combatants of the United States !!! Hans Meyer did his duty as he thought best at the time in WWII, but now he serves our country as a wealth of knowledge and as a teacher and for that I tip my hat and am appreciative of his service to "Our Country" !!! And as a former Veteran, and as an American citizen of these United States !!! Enemy or not, he chose to "Pledge allegiance to the United States of America". Not the wayward WWII era country he came from !!! In the end he chose freedom, and his service as a former soldier in any Army earns my respect as service to our country as a Veteran. And he volunteered his knowledge and gave insight to his former enemy. His best friend was a 101st Airborne Paratrooper who had three combat jumps. Met Hans right before he became an American citizen. I never served, and Hans was led to serve or be arrested if you didnt. Also, in a time when you had to believe in something that not all believed in, or wanted to be a part of. He got to the US as soon as he could after being held after the war (I believe in Spain) and the time of the Berlin Airlift (the beginning of the cold war) he hid in East and West Berlin. Read his book "A soldier from the other side". I excepted him as a fellow American and friend while he was alive, I hope you can find it in your heart to except him and his widowed wife as fellow Americans in his death !!! Matthew McKeever the Honor Remembered Collection.
Hans Meyers book is Very hard to find. Called "One Soldier from the other side" with Lar Stampe. Don't think it's still in print. Just keep searching from time to time. I see it occasionally come up in searches to buy. If you get one, it's a very interesting read and great perspective of WWII.
Response to Graham Slingsby. Thanks for watching. As to your comment, please read others and the response I gave recently to someone that was like yours. You weren't there, and you don't know the back story, and you don't know that this was impromptu and Mr Meyer was leaving. There wasn't a pre scheduled list of questions and I'm not a reporter, but I am a photographer with a TV station. My reporter had to leave and missed Mr Meyer and the photographer was leaving to go with her and I had about three minutes to get this before he left to meet the reporter. Could you have gotten an enemy of the US who's now a US citizen to talk about things they wished to not discuss openly on camera ??? He was asked to speak that morning and declined to the Veterans cause he felt that they should talk at the memorial in their honor and not him. So it was either not get him on camera or I ask the questions as best I could. Litteraly after what you see he left the memorial. His wife should be credited with him talking to me. Matthew McKeever The Honor Remembered Collection
Every country has blood on their hands. I can’t think of one that hasn’t been involved in genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity etc. Everyone thinks they are the good guys. Everyone is usually wrong.
Response to intelligentlittlebat... Thanks for watching. So, should he have risked his life further. Gone rouge and sneak out and say join up with the British ??? I mean do you live right now with people knowing your every move ??? They used to tattle on you when you step out of sink with your work and other organizations in Germany WWII (so I've been told). Maybe he feared harm to his family... Who's to say. So...I don't know about you but we are lucky. We can move around and about where we want in the country or the world. We have no idea how hard it was for Hans 70+ years ago... Or any other German who deep inside didn't believe in the current ways and means. Matthew McKeever
I mean what do you do? You're a young man, 20 or so, and your country is wasted. It will be years before it comes back if ever. And even more if your family are all gone.
Hans had 5 aerial victories then was pressed into service with the Wermacht (infantry) where he was credited with taking out 6 T-34 tanks and awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class...i will be releasing a video about Hans within the next week explaining what he did.
dahmane saber Thanks for viewing my video. It was quite an experience and honor having a real Luftwaffe pilot looking at my Honor Remembered Collection and especially the original German memorabilia. Hans Meyer was a guest at the National DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA for their "Family Day" 2014. Hopefully Hans will be able to come back to Bedford this year. Five aerial victories are credited to Hans with the "Green Hearts". You might enjoy my video of my friend and WWII Fighter pilot Bill Overstreet (now deceased) telling his account of stealing an Me-262 jet with French Resistance help ua-cam.com/video/X0uJUPqI-qI/v-deo.html Check out this months (May/June) issue of "Warbird Digest" magazine as there are two articles...one on Bill's experiences "The reliable Virginian" (by my friend Chaplain Maj. retired Jeff Clemens, USA) and an article about the Pacific Fighters restoration build of Bill's P-51 Mustang "Berlin Express" (Greg Morehead, Warbird Digest). P51Matt
God Bless You - Elder brave - Hero.. In person - had had the Honour - learning to know - fatherly friend 'Walther Dahl, (RIP) in legendary - Luftwaffe - *ELBE-Ramm-Jäger.. but - only spoken with me - about 'Tactic + movement and not about war...Adventures.. -(as I had had - schooled-operated.. 1960-63 w/T6-MkIV + T33, Luftwaffe /AA-Flugz.-Fü-Schule, Landsberg/Bavaria) As - I lived - same area Mannheim-Heidelberg, met him, and his charming - 'Hospitality 'Wife(RIP) - many times. Also - knewing through 'Him... most - celebrate Kameraden of . Luftwaffe - WW-2 He- passed - too early, took - the *Last Take-Off .via .. = *Walhall... sleeping.... side on side with 'Kameraden- - friend - or former 'Enemy.. -Unforgotten.. - Hero(es)...forever in 'Our - heart's.. ..We'll Meet again, what did you - singing = * eye - blinking = to me*... as it was a British Song, by Vera Lynn, WW-2....../deep in my heart. doing.too.= sing, or call-up in TV.. old Record...
Thanks for watching rodanzig. So since you weren't there I'll debrief you. I'm a professional TV photographer, editor and Satellite Truck Operator for a CBS affiliate station . That day I had my collection. So I was not doing TV that day, and displaying at the Family Day. At least I thought I wasn't working !! My TV station came to cover the event with no Hans interview in mind... Just the DDay Memorial Rep and a Veteran or two. The reporter got called away to a body found, some kind of death...spot news event. My fellow photog was wrapping up around the memorial and getting shots of my collection to finish and he'd be on the way to the spot news and the Reporter in like five minutes. And there never was a scheduled interview because Hans Meyer was only going to speak to the guests in a question and answer forum with NO cameras. So I had to step in when Hans Meyer decided at the last minute to speak on camera. Since this was at an American memorial and even though he was an American citizen, he felt uncomfortable speaking to a TV audience. Mrs Meyer had been talking with me looking at my German memorabilia and gave me all of about 1-2 minutes of background on Hans. She hoped he'd stop by to see the uniforms. But not to speak just to look !! He did stop by while the photographer was grabbing uniform Video. Mrs Meyer suggested to Hans to speak, and since I was the only knowledgeable person around, I quickly got a mic on Hans and started asking questions hoping he wouldn't stop talking and leave. There were no scripts, no pre made out questions, and no reporter. So to help out our producers I asked the best questions I could think of. After all Hans was leaving... And he really didn't want to talk !!! Since you think I talked to much, could you have done better to get a former Enemy to America who didn't want to open up and talk to aTV audience...To actually open up and talk to a TV audience ??? I do appreciate your watching the video, but focus on Hans and not the questions. It was amazing, quick and it was either going to be a news story with part of my collection, or my collection and a sound bite from a REAL enemy to the US !! Speaking on camera to a TV Station audience about his experiences fighting Russians and Americans in WWII. That whole interview with me asking Hans questions is all he talked. Like 3 minutes of the 5 min video. That's it !! I decided to keep the questions in when I edited the UA-cam vid because without them, it didn't make sense what Hans was saying. The questions give some reference. Matthew
Hello, Matthew! Is there any chance for me to get Hans' email address? I'm conducting a research abouth the history of WWII and I would love to ask a few questions to soldier(pilot) from the other side of the front. Thank you!
For goodness sake, let the gentleman answer the questions. Stop interrupting him, with your version of the story! 😩 Nothing worse than someone speaking over the top of somebody else - particularly in this situation! Just be quiet and let him speak.
I been following aces since 1980 , try reading Axis Aces and it's history by W.N Hess , also Walter A Musciano's Messerschmitt Aces from 1982 , Published by Arco books , Also Col Raymond F Toliver and Trevor Constable 's Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe , John Weal's FockeWulf 190 Aces of the Western Front , and his follow along book FW 190 aces of the Russian Front and of course HORRIDO ! Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe. Record keepers are the ground personal that file the claims , and then if it has a witness it is presented to the Geschwaderstab , then sent to the RLM or Air Ministry for confirming the kill. But since his name doesn't appear in the official records of aces , he isn't there, he might have CLAIMED 5 victories , but was only CREDITED with a 1 or 2 or even 3. Not 5. It happens all the time. I don't need to read the man's book , I have 30 different books on Aces from all era including the middle eastern wars , so all I need to do is cross reference it's And sorry to say , whatever the man's story , he isn't on the list.
You must be proud of your Uncles. I no I am of my Uncles and My Dad. One a USAF Lt Col retired in the '80's and also former CIA. The other was in the Navy. His son is now a popular writer of fiction and has a great character Gage Hartline. Go to Amazon...his name is Chuck Driskell...you might like his work. My Dad started in the US Navy didn't like it and switched to the USAF. He served in the Korean Conflict and ended up a Staff Sargent in Japan after serving a little more than ten years. One comment on the "Record Keepers". Record keeping is as good as the men that keep it and those that turn in information. But I have to believe that they got shot at too, and burned documents, lost documents, and typewriters and even pens while bugging out from one place to another. Also, even the famed "Seal Team Six" have a problem with "Record Keepers". They can't agree whether Matt Bissonette or Robert Oneill shot Osama Bin Laden. These Record Keepers were in the situation room in real time with the President of the US and Chiefs watching... and Admiral McCraven (Operational Director) was in the field watching in real time on TV...and we still don't know !!!!! Stories of these men are as important as the "Record Keepers" who theoretically keep track of it...but like the Seals there are gaps. I sir will defer to the man who was there dodging the bullets from Russian Fighter planes before he took up a Mauser Rifle and Panzerfauzt and became ground pounder and a tank hunter !!!! Thanks for viewing my video.
He seemed like a nice man, but I would be very uncomfortable talking to a German WW2 veteran. I love talking to American WW2 vets, but to talk to someone who was fighting for the other side... I don't want their stories to be lost, but still. They fought for the Third Reich. Hard to overlook that.
READ HIS BOOK PLEASE...he didn't like it either !!!! How about being forced into an ideology you don't agree with. Nazism, Fascism, Communism. He was born there in Germany near the Brandenburg Gate, was forced by the state to believe certain things and give the Nazi salute. So...read the book and you begin to realize he did his duty, endured internment and came to the US (A place he believed in) as soon as he could. I met a Czech (was 17 when Germany invaded) last year displaying at the DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA. When Germany occupied the country all able bodied Czech men were given weapons for service in the Wehrmacht, for Adolf Hitler. He told me the German Sargents watched them carefully and shot those Czechs like him that had no ill will toward the Allied Forces, but had to fight anyway. So he would carefully shoot at us hoping he always missed, and cried telling me how he just wanted to come to America !!! Matthew McKeever The Honor Remembered Collection
To clarify my statement about the Czech I met. The German Sargent's would shoot the Czech soldiers for deliberately missing while shooting at the Allies. Also, some of the Czechs he said would stand up to run and get shot by the Germans for desertion or shot by the Allies since they were standing and making an easy target. Matthew McKeever The Honor Remembered Collection
Have you served ??? Put yourself in harms way...and not just in the Military. How about 1st responders...police, EMT's, Firefighter (I was and EMT and Volunteer Rescue). So while you laugh your a _ s off read this: Yes I did. Not as a former WWII enemy combatant, but as a former Veteran and now citizen of these United States. Did you know Hans was an American citizen before he passed away last year ??? Did you know as a young man he detested the war that men far above him started ?? Do you realize the guts it takes to be a foreigner, enemy combatant and walk on hallowed ground of men honored with trying to kill you, at a place like the DDay Memorial??? Trying to show and teach your former enemy, their families and children what wars can do !! And how he stayed the coarse and finally came to the "Land of the free... The home of the brave" You know some of us ACTUALLY still believe that !!! But remember it's 70 years ago... Not yesterday. Just because he didn't serve in the American Military doesn't mean he's not a Veteran anymore !! I appreciate Han's service as a veteran to this country, and for teaching the youth about war and seeing it from his prospective, and for accepting and assimilating to the American way of life !! For raising the American flag on 4th of July and Flag day. For caring about the former enemy friends he's made and visiting them and bonding with them. As a fellow American !!! So yes, I appreciate Hans Meyers service to his country. The United States of America !!! Sounds like someone needs to know a portion of what Lady Liberty says at New York and New Jersey Harbor. In case you forgot that's the Statue of Liberty !!! "Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Hans came to America to "Breathe free" !! America's Freedom's breeze !!! From Hawaii, to The Great lakes and to the DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA !!! I welcomed Hans to America before he passed away... Why can't you accept him as an American now that he's gone ???
I think we need to listen to all vets, no matter where they come from. My grandpa lost his leg fighting in N France, Sep 44. My dad was a career, 30 years, AF pilot. I served 4 years AF all in Germany. Stayed there for a total of 13 years. My ex is German and I have 2 daughters and a granddaughter there. I have been lucky to meet so many German vets. They served their country like I did and so many of us have done.
Gracias por tu testimonio, Michael Jackson
As a German I owe this man a lot who defended my homeland with his life.
Os valores da mãe Pátria estão acima de qualquer questão para o verdadeiro soldado.
Los alemanes tienen sus propias ideas. Larga vida a los que sobrevivieron a la guerra. Luwwafe.
People always forget they were defending their homeland. My great grandparents were killed in there sleep when bombs hit their apartment. My dad told me there was nothing but rubble left.
idk as a none German i really respect and honore and look up to german ww1 and ww2 soldiers
Despite what everyone on the internet tells you. Be proud of your great nation and never apologise for WW2.
It’s seeds were laid when allies made Germany sign the treaty of Versailles.
What these men went through! Gliders to fighters and then to infantry. Hans would then become an American citizen. God bless his memory. Good interview Matthew!
My Italian grandpa flew Stukas for the Regia Aeronautica; sadly, he died the year of my birth, so I never had the chance to talk of his flying with him.
We are so blessed to have these videos!
Thanks for sharing.
Woww.! Must have been Such an Honor to talk and stand in front of a Real German Fighter ACE Hans Meyer :D
To Rad Derry
Thanks for your insight and watching.
Matthew McKeever
God bless all soldiers of both sides. 🙏 They were serving their countries as ordered by their leaders.
This man was and is amazing the medals on the jacket say it all among the best a true hero with honors.Just the knights cross with oak leaf clusters says a lot.
Response to Stephen Corsoe: Thanks so much for watching the video. Unfortunately that is NOT Hans Meyer uniform. That is my Luftwaffe Officers Oberleutnant Dress uniform. That whole display is my Honor Remembered Collection. From WWI to today. Hans was standing next to my German Memorabilia during the interview. Hans Meyer was a Flying NCO. Never an officer. Towards the end of the the war when he got in they needed pilots desperately. His rank in the Luftwaffe was basically a Corporal in the US Army. In the Luftwaffe, a Fleiger. I know he earned the Pilots Badge and in the HJ he earned the Glider badge. He also earned the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, and the Luftwaffe Day Fighter clasp in gold, and the 3rd class wound badge. He was a very unique individual and you really ought to try and find his book by Lar Stampe. "One Soldier from the other side."
Matthew McKeever, the Honor Remembered Collection.
Matthew McKeever I am so sorry sir...you are too a great here any man that faces danger this way is a greatness...you are truly brave.
Response to@@stevencorsoe7512:
Just so there is no confusion. In reading your response You said I'm brave. I wondered if in my other reply when I said that was my Luftwaffe uniform, you mistook that statement, and that I wore it. No sir, it's an original uniform and medals of a Oberleutnant from WWII. I'm 54...I wasn't born then. This is part of my Honor Remembered Collection. I collect militaria memorabilia. The closet I came to being in the military was going to a military private school. Hargrave Military Academy. So again, those items on display around Hans under the tent is part of my military collection.
Matthew McKeever
the Honor Remembered Collection
Matthew McKeever So sorry for the error,that is truly a beautiful collection and I was honored to see it.I am a historian on war items and i know any and all uniforms and medals from many parts of the world...thank you for sharing these stories because they need to be remembered to military romantics such as you and the honored pilot in the interview.👍👍👍
Response to@@stevencorsoe7512:
Thanks. I've done it since my Uncle got the bug in me around 6-8 years old. He was a Retired LT Col USAF. Graduate of the Airforce Academy, I believe 3rd class in like 1962-64 ish... He was a Jolly Green Giant Heilo pilot in 68-69 Nam rescuing downed pilots. The 37th ARRS. Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service. He loved collecting uniforms and especially hats. He just donated some of his WW II German headgear to my collection. I have been fortunate that the majority of my collection is donated by the Veterans or their family. Check out my other UA-cam vids... Some dealing with my collection and others military stuff. Got some personal stuff too... But enjoy !!!
Matthew McKeever
the Honor Remembered Collection
my great grand uncles Frank and albert both served in the Africa Corps , one of them Albert was a loader on AA flak , and Frank was a officer in a transportation unit. Albert was wounded in a strafe attack , he was awarded a wound badge in black , iron cross second class and a flak badge. He was later captured with his unit after being ambushed by the British in movement to a new location. He died in 2005. Frank was wounded also by driving his truck into a mine field , lost his left foot. He was later put on ship with the wounded. It was torpedoed , he was saved with a lot of men , and captured by a British sloop. He sat out the war in Canada. He died in 1989. Albert once told me that they had so many dead and wounded in his division , they called it the Africa Corpse.
Count von Staffenberg served In the Africa Corp to. Most Africa Corp were ordinary soldiers doing their duty and most hated Hitler and the nazis. Just a pity the 1944 attempt on Hitler failed the war would have been over then and millions more lives saved. But then there was the issue of the Russians. No difference between communism and fascism only their flags. Both evil socialist ideologies with the same purpose in mind. But anyway the ordinary German soldier has nothing to apologise for unlike the SS and party members
Got an autograph from him when I was at my reenactment event. Nice man, he enjoyed seeing my german army panzergrenadier uniform haha
It was a great day, and I especially enjoyed talking with his wife.
4:05 dude that’s gotta make him so happy hearing that. Especially after 75 odd years of most the world automatically assuming he was “the bad guy”.
I thank you for this, I had the pleasure of meeting several times, Oscar Bosch, Rudy Opitz, and Heinz Weisenbeuller Sr. all German WW2 pilots, If only i had the presence of mind to record some of that. They however were all reticent to speak much of their exploits in WW2 all were not proud of what they did, but all were keen aviation enthusiasts in their later years.
@Frank Sisson i think you're straying from the original subject of this post, to the philosophical, and cultural relativism but having just met three weeks ago a survivor of world war ii, i don't believe any of them would have a different view these days of their experiences, it is locked into their psyche.
no wrinkles...German diet must have been exceptional.
I also met Luftwaffe Pilots. my late husband flew WW2
A true hero.
Du bist mit deinen Freunden zurück. Gute Jagd, Herr Meyer!
Ich hatt' einen Kameraden....
great interview. regardless of the uniform, this guy was a hero. pity the interviewer interrupted Hans Meyer so much. that detracts from the story.
At this time it's not who these men fought for it's that they were all courageous men fighting for their countries God bless them all and the incredible courage they possessed
Love all these old guys not an ounce of animosity. Its ashame that only now in there twilight years that people want to know there stories.
Trying to suppress history good or bad is only learning to be ignorant.
Thanks for watching the Hans Meyer Video.
Matthew McKeever the Honor Remembered Collection
in my life time, I met 1 former German solider, many US vets from world war 2, including Paul Tibbets , the pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. I got a photo with him and we talked a little, shook hands, he said my name, it was all very amazing to meet this pilot. he was 87 at the time.
the pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima...
Was he proud also?? .......innocent people killed ..my good....
Paul Tibbets, pilot of Enola Gay the first B-29 to drop the Bomb. Yes I believe he was proud in the sense that at that time over 11 million Americans were being massed to take on the Japanese on their own soil. If you look up the history... They fought to the death and to the Honor their Emporer and their God on Earth, Hirohito.
So knowing that back then you could have a fire fight last a day to five let's say... That might be 5000-7000 dead...today we as a whole in the US and the world can't tolerate a single military death in the struggle to combat good and evil, however you define it. Not that we should, but anyway... Just US forces may have lost 2-5 million plus double or triple that of the Japanese Military...plus the Japanese citizens who were surely going to fight. It was estimated that just the US would loose 2-5 million soldiers in the four to five years they thought it would take to gain control. Two bombs. Two cities. Around 150,000 deaths and WII War in the Pacific was over. Paul Tibbets pilot was proud that he helped stop the slaughter of maybe 5-10 million people not just military soldiers, but citizens too.
Thanks for watching.
Matthew McKeever
Thanks for watching and the comment M Fisher.
I do think that still being backed up to the homeland and no resources, the fervent and Suicidal nature of even the Japanese citizens would have been hell to overcome when boots are on the ground. And just like in Afghanistan, you train some you trust and then the next day one takes out 20-30 with an IED.
So the Japanese as far as I know would have made it hell for the ground pounder foot soldier whose got to go in and gain control, and then police the citizens and restart the process of order and peace.
I really appreciate your comments and thanks so much again for watching.
p51matt
Response to Andrew Grenon
Thanks for your comments. I wish to express my interest in you meeting Hans Meyer. The Military Aviation Museum in VA Bch VA hosts him and so does the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford VA. Hans should be at the Family day at the D-Day Memorial the last Saturday in July this year. Please make an effort to talk with Hans about your concerns in person.
P-51Matt
I met this gent some years ago at the Viginia Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. There were several WWII aviators there available to speak with. Some were signing their books on flying. A great collection of military aircraft...Fokker Wolf, Mosquito, Spitfire, Bf 109, P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning. The ME 262 did a fly by! Many were dressed in WWII clothing and these 3 girls from Louisiana sang period songs. Great day.
Very cool interview, thanks for uploading
Always interesting to talk to WWII veterans. I've spoken to one German veteran - he went from growing up under the Nazis' brainwashing to volunteering to help disabled children after the war. Just goes to show that the good in people can and will triumph over any obstacles in its way.
These guys from that time period so matter of fact, it just was.
my condolences, a great pilot
Thanks for viewing !!!
His English is really good for someone who served on the other side of the 2nd Great War. I wonder if he came to the US as a refugee or under some other special clearance.
Thanks for commenting Lanre Oladejo. Hans Meyer emigrated to the US in 1965. Please look for his book "One soldier from the other side" by Hans Meyer and Lare Stampe.
Matthew
Matthew McKeever ok would do. Thanks
A real gentleman.
Many like him ended up in the US since they were easily assimilable.
AND THAT is why you see America crumbling. Payback is what many of them were setting up, and now many of their bloodlines are carrying it out. There's reasons for everything.
Felizidadez camarada hanzen meter saliste con vida eres increible la vida en la guerra , es cruel, tu si amas, a tu patria,
Germany had the best pilots of WW2, my respect for the knights of this sky is very profound one,
I don't think that's strictly true. They had good pilots agreed but the best only up until they had to take on the RAF. But regardless of who had the better pilots what we have to remember is they were a very brave men. Most didn't care about the politics they were simply carrying out their duty as a member of their countries armed forces.
One man's sick depraved and warped idealistic lunacy cost many young men their lives. That what we have to remember. Many German and British fighter and bomber pilots/crews met after the war and became good friends. To most there was a code of ethics and the good ones recognised that. God bless every single good moral warrior army navy or airfoce who fought because they had to.
@@danielleweissmann6149 Erich Hartman did down 6 American & Brtish Pilots in the latter part of his career, while others racked up till 20
@@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723 pilots on both sides did what was expected of them. Most British pilots were volunteer reserves which means they didn't have to be there it was a choice they made and they knew the risks. Same as my fellow countrymen who fought in the sky's over Germany......and most herman pilots were not Nazis, they were young men doing what they saw as their duty. But many Brits yanks and Germans became good life long friends after the war. Some even knew they had tried to shoot each other down. It was the nature of the beast.....just a pity mankind hasn't learnt from that war .....they still try to kill each other and now we have Putin on a similar quest to Hitler. Don't think so?....give it time, the Ukraine was just his stepping stone into Europe. He is an imperialist cold war Stalinist and wants a return to pre Downing of the Berlin Wall....won't be long before Europe is dragged into full blown conflict with Russia....like I said some people haven't learnt from lessons of the past. But I digress.
@@danielleweissmann6149 Putin is indeed pulling n the very same shit that both Stalin & Hitler have, personally I think the only way this situation is ever going to get fixed is if, the entire Russian Military that still has brains in its head, decides to pull off
The Assassination of Ceasar,
The Black Dinner
The Slaughter of Clan Macdonald,
The Frech Revolution
All in one on him, the oligarchs, the warlords, the KGB & other mobsters there,
no mercy no prisoners,
"A soldier's first and only duty is to the people he loves" - unknow soldiers motto
But I will say this about Hartman, he did pull off some stunts that only Manfred von Richthofen would promote him to Captain Wacko, like when he got the American s & Russian fighter planes to start shooting one another,
@@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723 Putin knew what he was doing when he surrounded him self with ppl loyal to him no because they has half a he's in cell as military advisors.
I would love to see that commo fascist assassinated so would most of decent civilisation. But in my humble opinion they best get rid of that psychopath sooner rather than later. His mentality mirrors Hitler's perfectly the only difference here is Hitler didn't have access to a nuclear arsenal. Putin is the kind of mentalally afflicted loony toon who do use them to empowering China north Korea and Iran to so the same and Imagine the result when NATO and its allies respond. You best have 2 million sunblock ready.
But look back at how Europe tried to appease Hitler for so long when they knew eventually he would attack Europe and they have done the very same with Putin. Learnt from history ? NOPE
Global warming will be the least of our worries soon
These old chaps had a lot to say.. 👍
thankyou wisch it waslonger no need for haters
Anthony Durao sr. Any man that puts himself in harm's way for their homeland is honored in my book just ashame when politicians(charlottans) get their hands on power this perverts real heroes and takes honor away from one and all.
U are legend👍
a real hero..!!
One thing I notice with all the uniforms of any nation was how thin and strong the men who wore them must have been. No steroids in those days, just brute physical and natural strength!
Thanks for sharing and watching
Every body with a microphone cannot shut up . There is a future for you in MSM journalism .
rodanzig
Thanks for watching the Hans Meyer Video I did. I left a comment for you on your comment about me and having an open mic. Hope you read my comment and get a better understanding of how that whole thing of the Hans Meyer Video came about... unexpectedly.
CK some of my other vids out. Some dealing with WWII some fun. Don't talk much in most of the rest of my vids... Just mostly in the Hans Meyer one that has 44k views !!!!
I see you don't have any vids ?!?!?
Matthew McKeever
Ok , I've subscribed ,will check out more vids . I have never made any vids .
I display my collection in and around the the Roanoke, VA area including the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA. 19 Bedford boys were killed including the Hobak brothers on Omaha Beach, June 6 1944. More than ANY OTHER Allied town/city in the world on D-Day !!! My videos of Bernard Marie...he was born in 1939 in Normandy, is both a US and French Citizen and was 5 years old when his native Normandy was being bombed and liberated by the Boys of Bedford and other US units. The Bedford Boys were the 29th Division. Bernard has sponsored over thirty D-Day dinners (I've displayed at 6) to honor the Bedford Boys and for thanking our Veterans for liberation. Bernard also has been able to help over 300 of our Veterans to be Knighted into the Legion of Honor France's highest Honor. I'm fortunate to live here and try and give TV time to our Veterans in this region as much as I can !!!!! I think you'd like them and my vids on my groupings of a WWII Fighter pilot and a Bomber pilot.
Thanks again for watching
Matthew McKeever
God bless the all germanian soldires veterans who left their lives on the Russua fighting with great evil Communism and won Hail to Germanian Soldiers it would be never forgotten Alles Fur Deutschland...
To DEeMON
Thanks for sharing.
Matthew McKeever the Honor Remembered Collection
What watches wore the German fighter pilots?
With A or B dial?
Response to Melvorgazh: Thanks for watching. They wore an oversized B-Uhr type maybe ??? Swiss and German made, luminous numbers etc...
Matthew McKeever
the Honor Remembered Collection
Thanks! After some research I found they used more the A dial at the beginning of the war and from 41 I think started to use more and more the B dial.
But I haven't found out if the pilots and bombers crews wore the same dial type.
I guess they did. Not sure
Fighter pilot tended to wear the smaller watches such as Glashutte (Tutima) and Hanhart. I haver several of each and 2 of the watches belonged to a reconnaissance pilot for the Kriegsmarine and a German ace who flew in Europe and Africa. One of his missions in North Africa probably had a significant role in the outcome of the North African campaign. I have his book that was signed by his wife as he died in 2010. I have his pictures and all his medals. See if you can figure out his name?
There you go thts Hans
Response to Alfa Won: Thanks for watching. You are misinformed as to my meaning. So if you read my other comments you will get an idea of what I meant, and the context that it is in. Hans Meyer was in fact an enemy of the US in WWII, that is a fact. But can't you realize that he is standing on honored ground that cherishes the memory of the soldiers that were sent to kill him ?? He's at the National DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA. Don't you find that in of itself interesting ?? Profound ?? He wasn't comfortable, but boring you with more reasons I won't... I ask you to read my other comments to people like you who have said similar things. So after WWII Hans and his wife become American Citizens. (I'll let that sink in and you really need to think about that). Hans Meyer, former enemy of the United States, now a free man in a free country standing on hollowed grounds teaching his enemy comrades in arms, and me and children that were there about his role in WWII (freely and willingly). Wow !!! So I thanked him for his service, TO US !!! Not to Germany !!! He's now a Veteran of the United States who served in the German Lufwaffe (Air Force) in WWII. Hans Meyer, American. The America that opens it's arms to any one, including former Enemy Combatants of the United States !!! Hans Meyer did his duty as he thought best at the time in WWII, but now he serves our country as a wealth of knowledge and as a teacher and for that I tip my hat and am appreciative of his service to "Our Country" !!! And as a former Veteran, and as an American citizen of these United States !!! Enemy or not, he chose to "Pledge allegiance to the United States of America". Not the wayward WWII era country he came from !!! In the end he chose freedom, and his service as a former soldier in any Army earns my respect as service to our country as a Veteran. And he volunteered his knowledge and gave insight to his former enemy. His best friend was a 101st Airborne Paratrooper who had three combat jumps. Met Hans right before he became an American citizen. I never served, and Hans was led to serve or be arrested if you didnt. Also, in a time when you had to believe in something that not all believed in, or wanted to be a part of. He got to the US as soon as he could after being held after the war (I believe in Spain) and the time of the Berlin Airlift (the beginning of the cold war) he hid in East and West Berlin. Read his book "A soldier from the other side". I excepted him as a fellow American and friend while he was alive, I hope you can find it in your heart to except him and his widowed wife as fellow Americans in his death !!!
Matthew McKeever the Honor Remembered Collection.
this words are true meaning of freedom.
Thanx for video and all words mentioned above.
Greetings from Slovenia.
Thanks for watching Milos. Check my other military vids out. Hopefully will be adding more soon. Stay safe in all this worldwide COVID.
Hero!!!
and Horrido!!!
Meu respeito.
Does anyone out there know the name (title) of the book Mr. Meyer wrote, and whether it's still in print, by any chance? Thanks in advance!
Hans Meyers book is Very hard to find. Called "One Soldier from the other side" with Lar Stampe.
Don't think it's still in print. Just keep searching from time to time. I see it occasionally come up in searches to buy. If you get one, it's a very interesting read and great perspective of WWII.
Wie meine beiden Opa's... Segelflieger-Flieger-Erdkampf...
Response to Graham Slingsby. Thanks for watching. As to your comment, please read others and the response I gave recently to someone that was like yours. You weren't there, and you don't know the back story, and you don't know that this was impromptu and Mr Meyer was leaving. There wasn't a pre scheduled list of questions and I'm not a reporter, but I am a photographer with a TV station. My reporter had to leave and missed Mr Meyer and the photographer was leaving to go with her and I had about three minutes to get this before he left to meet the reporter. Could you have gotten an enemy of the US who's now a US citizen to talk about things they wished to not discuss openly on camera ??? He was asked to speak that morning and declined to the Veterans cause he felt that they should talk at the memorial in their honor and not him.
So it was either not get him on camera or I ask the questions as best I could. Litteraly after what you see he left the memorial. His wife should be credited with him talking to me.
Matthew McKeever
The Honor Remembered Collection
He got very uncomfortable when asked about his shoot downs?
+Pfsif War is ugly, I'm sure remembering killing someone would make most people uncomfortable.
Every country has blood on their hands. I can’t think of one that hasn’t been involved in genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity etc. Everyone thinks they are the good guys. Everyone is usually wrong.
Response to intelligentlittlebat... Thanks for watching. So, should he have risked his life further. Gone rouge and sneak out and say join up with the British ??? I mean do you live right now with people knowing your every move ??? They used to tattle on you when you step out of sink with your work and other organizations in Germany WWII (so I've been told). Maybe he feared harm to his family... Who's to say. So...I don't know about you but we are lucky. We can move around and about where we want in the country or the world. We have no idea how hard it was for Hans 70+ years ago... Or any other German who deep inside didn't believe in the current ways and means.
Matthew McKeever
They keep a well trained airplane pilot out of planes. Glider Pilot first. So this guy was well trained to fly aeroplanes. Who would have thought?
I mean what do you do? You're a young man, 20 or so, and your country is wasted. It will be years before it comes back if ever. And even more if your family are all gone.
Do you know how many airplanes he had shot down? Very interesting interview by tha way
Hans had 5 aerial victories then was pressed into service with the Wermacht (infantry) where he was credited with taking out 6 T-34 tanks and awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class...i will be releasing a video about Hans within the next week explaining what he did.
dahmane saber Thanks for viewing my video. It was quite an experience and honor having a real Luftwaffe pilot looking at my Honor Remembered Collection and especially the original German memorabilia. Hans Meyer was a guest at the National DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA for their "Family Day" 2014. Hopefully Hans will be able to come back to Bedford this year. Five aerial victories are credited to Hans with the "Green Hearts".
You might enjoy my video of my friend and WWII Fighter pilot Bill Overstreet (now deceased) telling his account of stealing an Me-262 jet with French Resistance help ua-cam.com/video/X0uJUPqI-qI/v-deo.html
Check out this months (May/June) issue of "Warbird Digest" magazine as there are two articles...one on Bill's experiences "The reliable Virginian" (by my friend Chaplain Maj. retired Jeff Clemens, USA) and an article about the Pacific Fighters restoration build of Bill's P-51 Mustang "Berlin Express" (Greg Morehead, Warbird Digest). P51Matt
Jagdflieger. Herman Graf
God Bless You - Elder brave - Hero..
In person - had had the Honour - learning to know - fatherly friend 'Walther Dahl, (RIP)
in legendary - Luftwaffe - *ELBE-Ramm-Jäger..
but - only spoken with me - about 'Tactic + movement and not about war...Adventures..
-(as I had had - schooled-operated.. 1960-63 w/T6-MkIV + T33, Luftwaffe /AA-Flugz.-Fü-Schule,
Landsberg/Bavaria)
As - I lived - same area Mannheim-Heidelberg, met him, and his charming - 'Hospitality 'Wife(RIP) - many times. Also - knewing through 'Him... most - celebrate Kameraden of . Luftwaffe - WW-2
He- passed - too early, took - the *Last Take-Off .via .. = *Walhall... sleeping.... side on side with 'Kameraden-
- friend - or former 'Enemy..
-Unforgotten.. - Hero(es)...forever in 'Our - heart's..
..We'll Meet again, what did you - singing = * eye - blinking = to me*... as it was a
British Song, by Vera Lynn, WW-2....../deep in my heart. doing.too.= sing, or call-up in TV..
old Record...
Thanks for watching rodanzig.
So since you weren't there I'll debrief you. I'm a professional TV photographer, editor and Satellite Truck Operator for a CBS affiliate station . That day I had my collection. So I was not doing TV that day, and displaying at the Family Day. At least I thought I wasn't working !! My TV station came to cover the event with no Hans interview in mind... Just the DDay Memorial Rep and a Veteran or two. The reporter got called away to a body found, some kind of death...spot news event. My fellow photog was wrapping up around the memorial and getting shots of my collection to finish and he'd be on the way to the spot news and the Reporter in like five minutes. And there never was a scheduled interview because Hans Meyer was only going to speak to the guests in a question and answer forum with NO cameras. So I had to step in when Hans Meyer decided at the last minute to speak on camera. Since this was at an American memorial and even though he was an American citizen, he felt uncomfortable speaking to a TV audience. Mrs Meyer had been talking with me looking at my German memorabilia and gave me all of about 1-2 minutes of background on Hans. She hoped he'd stop by to see the uniforms. But not to speak just to look !! He did stop by while the photographer was grabbing uniform Video. Mrs Meyer suggested to Hans to speak, and since I was the only knowledgeable person around, I quickly got a mic on Hans and started asking questions hoping he wouldn't stop talking and leave. There were no scripts, no pre made out questions, and no reporter. So to help out our producers I asked the best questions I could think of. After all Hans was leaving... And he really didn't want to talk !!! Since you think I talked to much, could you have done better to get a former Enemy to America who didn't want to open up and talk to aTV audience...To actually open up and talk to a TV audience ???
I do appreciate your watching the video, but focus on Hans and not the questions. It was amazing, quick and it was either going to be a news story with part of my collection, or my collection and a sound bite from a REAL enemy to the US !! Speaking on camera to a TV Station audience about his experiences fighting Russians and Americans in WWII. That whole interview with me asking Hans questions is all he talked. Like 3 minutes of the 5 min video. That's it !! I decided to keep the questions in when I edited the UA-cam vid because without them, it didn't make sense what Hans was saying. The questions give some reference.
Matthew
Hello, Matthew! Is there any chance for me to get Hans' email address? I'm conducting a research abouth the history of WWII and I would love to ask a few questions to soldier(pilot) from the other side of the front. Thank you!
As newly noted above in my "Published note"...Hans W. Meyer went home to be with the Lord this past Saturday, November 19, 2016 in VA Beach, VA.
@@matthewmckeever4079 May he Rest In Peace.
They could do with some scale grass.
О чем он говорит? не понимаю по английски?
wipedia dice que murió en 1940?
Mathew you are good person either.
viva
For goodness sake, let the gentleman answer the questions. Stop interrupting him, with your version of the story! 😩
Nothing worse than someone speaking over the top of somebody else - particularly in this situation! Just be quiet and let him speak.
I have complete records of the aces from Germany , he isn't listed. :/
Read Han's Book "A soldier from the other side". Maybe the "Records keepers" were dodging bullets too ???? Please read the book
I been following aces since 1980 , try reading Axis Aces and it's history by W.N Hess , also Walter A Musciano's Messerschmitt Aces from 1982 , Published by Arco books , Also Col Raymond F Toliver and Trevor Constable 's Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe , John Weal's FockeWulf 190 Aces of the Western Front , and his follow along book FW 190 aces of the Russian Front and of course HORRIDO ! Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe. Record keepers are the ground personal that file the claims , and then if it has a witness it is presented to the Geschwaderstab , then sent to the RLM or Air Ministry for confirming the kill. But since his name doesn't appear in the official records of aces , he isn't there, he might have CLAIMED 5 victories , but was only CREDITED with a 1 or 2 or even 3. Not 5. It happens all the time. I don't need to read the man's book , I have 30 different books on Aces from all era including the middle eastern wars , so all I need to do is cross reference it's And sorry to say , whatever the man's story , he isn't on the list.
You must be proud of your Uncles. I no I am of my Uncles and My Dad. One a USAF Lt Col retired in the '80's and also former CIA. The other was in the Navy. His son is now a popular writer of fiction and has a great character Gage Hartline. Go to Amazon...his name is Chuck Driskell...you might like his work. My Dad started in the US Navy didn't like it and switched to the USAF. He served in the Korean Conflict and ended up a Staff Sargent in Japan after serving a little more than ten years. One comment on the "Record Keepers". Record keeping is as good as the men that keep it and those that turn in information. But I have to believe that they got shot at too, and burned documents, lost documents, and typewriters and even pens while bugging out from one place to another. Also, even the famed "Seal Team Six" have a problem with "Record Keepers". They can't agree whether Matt Bissonette or Robert Oneill shot Osama Bin Laden. These Record Keepers were in the situation room in real time with the President of the US and Chiefs watching... and Admiral McCraven (Operational Director) was in the field watching in real time on TV...and we still don't know !!!!! Stories of these men are as important as the "Record Keepers" who theoretically keep track of it...but like the Seals there are gaps. I sir will defer to the man who was there dodging the bullets from Russian Fighter planes before he took up a Mauser Rifle and Panzerfauzt and became ground pounder and a tank hunter !!!! Thanks for viewing my video.
Nice guy, but backed the wrong horse.
I like that und eh
This man talks like he was shooting pigeons.
People dying for their motherland and fatherland.Hey.
He seemed like a nice man, but I would be very uncomfortable talking to a German WW2 veteran. I love talking to American WW2 vets, but to talk to someone who was fighting for the other side... I don't want their stories to be lost, but still. They fought for the Third Reich. Hard to overlook that.
READ HIS BOOK PLEASE...he didn't like it either !!!! How about being forced into an ideology you don't agree with. Nazism, Fascism, Communism. He was born there in Germany near the Brandenburg Gate, was forced by the state to believe certain things and give the Nazi salute. So...read the book and you begin to realize he did his duty, endured internment and came to the US (A place he believed in) as soon as he could.
I met a Czech (was 17 when Germany invaded) last year displaying at the DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA. When Germany occupied the country all able bodied Czech men were given weapons for service in the Wehrmacht, for Adolf Hitler. He told me the German Sargents watched them carefully and shot those Czechs like him that had no ill will toward the Allied Forces, but had to fight anyway. So he would carefully shoot at us hoping he always missed, and cried telling me how he just wanted to come to America !!!
Matthew McKeever
The Honor Remembered Collection
To clarify my statement about the Czech I met. The German Sargent's would shoot the Czech soldiers for deliberately missing while shooting at the Allies. Also, some of the Czechs he said would stand up to run and get shot by the Germans for desertion or shot by the Allies since they were standing and making an easy target.
Matthew McKeever
The Honor Remembered Collection
well many American veteran pilots became close friends with their German former enemies, so who are we to judge not even having been born back then...
you should you may learn a lot more about what really happened
Look up the rape of france
did you really say his service was appreciated lmao.
Have you served ??? Put yourself in harms way...and not just in the Military. How about 1st responders...police, EMT's, Firefighter (I was and EMT and Volunteer Rescue). So while you laugh your a _ s off read this:
Yes I did. Not as a former WWII enemy combatant, but as a former Veteran and now citizen of these United States. Did you know Hans was an American citizen before he passed away last year ??? Did you know as a young man he detested the war that men far above him started ?? Do you realize the guts it takes to be a foreigner, enemy combatant and walk on hallowed ground of men honored with trying to kill you, at a place like the DDay Memorial??? Trying to show and teach your former enemy, their families and children what wars can do !! And how he stayed the coarse and finally came to the "Land of the free... The home of the brave" You know some of us ACTUALLY still believe that !!! But remember it's 70 years ago... Not yesterday. Just because he didn't serve in the American Military doesn't mean he's not a Veteran anymore !! I appreciate Han's service as a veteran to this country, and for teaching the youth about war and seeing it from his prospective, and for accepting and assimilating to the American way of life !! For raising the American flag on 4th of July and Flag day. For caring about the former enemy friends he's made and visiting them and bonding with them. As a fellow American !!! So yes, I appreciate Hans Meyers service to his country. The United States of America !!! Sounds like someone needs to know a portion of what Lady Liberty says at New York and New Jersey Harbor. In case you forgot that's the Statue of Liberty !!! "Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Hans came to America to "Breathe free" !! America's Freedom's breeze !!! From Hawaii, to The Great lakes and to the DDay Memorial in Bedford, VA !!! I welcomed Hans to America before he passed away... Why can't you accept him as an American now that he's gone ???