The Wellington Wing Walker - Sergeant James Allen Ward VC
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- Опубліковано 3 бер 2021
- What would YOU do? Your plane is on fire! Bail out or climb onto the wing and put the fire out?
On the night of 7th July 1941, 13,000 feet above the Dutch coast, a young 22 year old New Zealand pilot faces an agonising dilemma. Through his side cockpit window he can see the right hand wing ablaze.
He can bail out of his stricken Vickers Wellington Bomber and take his chances with the Germans or he can climb out on to the wing and put the fire out by hand.
The decision he took that night made him the 1st New Zealander to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War 2 for his outstanding bravery.
This is the story of Sergeant James Allen Ward VC, the Wellington Wing Walker.
Sgt Ward was born in New Zealand but served in England with the RAF as part of 75 Sqn, flying Vickers Wellington Bombers.
It was during a night bombing raid that his Wellington Bomber was attacked by a German night fighter and the right wing caught fire.
He bravely volunteered to climb out of the aircraft and onto the wing and attempt to extinguish the fire.
For his bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
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I had to re-edit this video due to a small copyright infringement so I apologise for the re-upload - Розваги
NOTE: In this video I refer to him as being the '1st New Zealander to win the VC'. I meant to say he was the first in World War 2. New Zealand does indeed have earlier recipients of this award and I apologise that this wasn't made clearer.
I had to re-edit this video due to a small copyright claim on a small video clip at the end. I apologise for the re-upload and loss of all the previous comments placed on the original upload.
Whanganui has an 'h' in it.
The ‘h’ is a contentious revisionist issue AND is a modern discussion, i.e. not relevant to this story.
@@michaelguerin56 Honor the treaty
The raid was targeting the city auf "Münster", "Munster" is a smaller city further north.
Just ti let you know i have been a aircraft model builder for YEARS. I am pleased to say this young mans bomber along with his brave deed is in model form. Some day ill build it but at least hes remembered now. So sad he didnt live out the war.
I can completely understand Churchill saying he was awed in the presence of this young hero. Sergeant Young's actions epitomize the term "above and beyond the call of duty". He is the kind of man we should be publicizing, recognizing, remembering and honoring to this day, and also using as an example for our children rather than the useless 'celebrities' the so-called news media trumpets on a daily basis.
I totally agree with your comment! Well said!!
Absolutely...
I agree with your comments, the deeds of all who fought for our FREEDOMS should be reenforced on our youth of today but sadly over last couple of days here in Sydney Australia 3 young men have been caught and charged for desecration of a war memorial by climbing onto a bronze statue of a soldier and bending the bayonet quite badly. There is CCTV footage of it, very bad look.
Well said. Thank you! 👏
@@iancurtis1152 You don't know how sorry I am to hear that. Before retiring, I was a Field Service Engineer in the aerospace industry, which allowed me to travel the world at company expense. (Great job or what?) During that time I spent four months in Australia, three in Melbourne and one in Sydney. While 'down under' I found the Australian people not only to be among the kindest and most willingly helpful to a foreigner (my Yank accent always gave me away) but also the proudest of their heritage and history. I guess the PC culture which is destroying my own countries pride in its past is having the same effect on yours. This may sound funny coming from an American, but I always thought the 'rugged individuals' of Australia would be the last to fall. Sad, my friend, truly sad.
This is a story that deserves to be better known, especially here in New Zealand.
It is a great story of a great man. Feel free to share the video and spread it around New Zealand.
It was well known here in NZ but as with most things associated with past military conflict it became 'unfashionable' during the Vietnam War era and has since been largely forgotten about. That's something young people should remember the next time someone suggests to them that they go and get themselves killed in a war. Give it a few decades and no body will give a crap about you or your war.
Thank you very much for this more detailed account of a story I had heard of in my growing years in NZ. Also thanks for the mention of a Squadron of flyers I had no knowledge of, 75 Squadron (Maori).
@@iancurtis1152 75 Squadron wasn't a "Maori" unit. In fact there were no "Maori" Squadrons in either the RAF or the RNZAF. 75 Squadron was a largely NZ manned RAF Bomber Command Squadron during WW2. Officially it was named No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, RAF.
@@iancurtis1152 Your welcome Ian, it is a fascinating story, not just that of Sgt Ward but also the contributions made to the allied war efforts by nations such as New Zealand and their servicemen and servicewomen. Thanks for your comment.
He is well remembered in Wanganui. He would have made a fine teacher.
I'm a disabled British war pensioner and one thing that I've discovered is that "Heros" aren't born that way, they're ordinary people who do extraordinary things sometimes without a thought for their own safety, that save the lives of their friends and comrades and their humility and embarrassment in receiving recognition of their bravery and valour shows their humanity and ordinariness. The Victoria Cross has been awarded 1,359 times since its inception in 1854 and it wasn't until 1920 when it was officially amended to be allowed to be awarded posthumously. Just over a quarter of all recipients have been awarded the VC posthumously. There's only 10 living holders of the Victoria Cross (Victoria Cross Australia and Victoria Cross New Zealand) and two of these are disabled because of the actions that earned them their V.C. Elizabeth Webber Harris is the only female recipient of the V.C.
Thank you for your service and your words here that help educate.
Very interesting reading, and thank you for your Service to our Country, sir.
Josey Wales. Thanks for the info.
We had so many brave New Zealand aircrew stationed here in east anglia. I live not a mile from the old RAF Mepal field where many of them were also stationed. The links to New Zealand remain strong to this very day and they are properly remembered each Remembrance Day even in this difficult year. They are not forgotten and I will be proud to spread this amazing tale of unimaginable bravery. Will we ever see their like again and may we never squander their sacrifice.
hear hear , from lancashire
Thank you, from New Zealand.
One of a generation that took their responsibilities seriously. Thanks!
Only 22.
One can only imagine the kind of man he might have grown into.
I can only hope that, should a time ever come when I'm tested in such a way, that I can measure up to this young man and the thousands like him who were taken so early.
With humble thanks and reverent remembrance to Sgt. J.A.Ward - VC. and all the many brave men & women of that perilous era.
We *_will_* remember them.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We *_WILL_* remember them.
Never let the memory fade. Tell the story far and wide.
Now that’s what you call a real hero and there are not very many of them God bless him
He was indeed a real hero
What an incredible man. RIP Sergeant James Allen Ward VC. I imagine his family are rightly proud of his exceptional bravery and conduct.
Reminds me of the exploits of Norman Jackson VC who completed a similar act of bravery on the wing of a Lancaster in 1944. I thought his actions were extraordinary, but hearing about James Ward VC just makes you
Thanks for mentioning Norman Jackson VC. I saw something about his story before but could not remember his name. And yes, very similar.
We should all be proud of Sgt.Ward. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
Now that is bravery well and truly worthy of the VC. What a shame that he was not to see out the war and spend the rest of his life with family and friends.
My school teacher in Timaru was a radio operator in Wellington's and then went onto Lancaster's, ( Mr Walker) so i have heard all about the bravery of J A Ward VC.
There are simply not enough VC medals to recognise every deserving man or woman that served the United Kingdom. The few who have received the medal are the lucky few. May they who have passed without receiving recognition for their selflessness be acknowledged forevermore.
It's Time. So we salute them too as they deserve. Thanks for telling us.
Never fails to amaze me the age of some of these guys. 22 years old when he died and I watched a memorial service when a bomber was recovered on the continent. The Flight Sergeant was aged 19 when he went down with his bomber.
Makes Guy Gibson VC seem old at 27 when he led the Dambusters raid.
@Michael Dicker: Being 19-22 years old was and remains one of the best ways to be able to cope with the insane stresses and demands of combat. I'm amazed that nations with relatively tiny populations such as New Zealand and Australia were able to produce significant numbers of people with the skills to master modern combat aircraft. I am also amazed that RAF Bomber Command was able to suffer nearly 60,000 aircrew KIA over the course of the war and still maintain the morale and the high standards required for aircrew.
Guy Gibson was 25 when he formed and led the Dam Busters.
@@MarsFKA Thank you for the correction. You are right.
I just came across this tale of immense Bravery that this tale is amazing! You see my dad lost his brother as a navigator on his one and only flight in a Wimpey's! Such that, when I saw this tale it often makes me wonder what it was like flying a Wimpy! My mum's brother used to fly them and he survived right through the war and it goes to show that it was luck of the drew if you lived or died! We today can never fully appreciate the shear bravery of men like this man! I personally say a huge thank you to all of the men and women as my mum was in the W.R.A.F and died on the 27th September 2019 aged 95! We can never thank those folk back then for putting there lives on the line for our futures! Thank you ever so much! Sigh!!
We owe them all so much. Thanks for your comments and your families service and sacrifice.
@@TheNorthernHistorian thank you kindly for your reply. I used to listen to all of them talk about their experiences back then I also, on my mum's side had an uncle based in Malta. Who was in the siege of Malta and it makes your blood go cold hearing about all of there experiences. So thank you once again!
He was my mothers school teacher for a short while in Whanganui or as it was then Wanganui. To her, he was a true hero....and rightly so....
I was born in Wanganui but they changed the spelling?
@@nzsaltflatsracer8054 Yes
They should dedicate a wing of the school to him.
I'm surprised the bomber was strong enough to carry the bombs, the crew, and his massive steel balls! What a bad ass hero!
Every day is a school day. Never too old to learn something new, as this story is to me, and I'm 69.
Respect, total respect.
THANKS AND REMEMBER TO ALL THAT SERVED FOR US TODAY FROM SCOTLAND .
Thank you. A man of valor, a man after God’s own heart.
G. Delph, Waxhaw, North Carolina, USA
That's the trouble with war.
It brings out and allows to be seen the incredible skill and bravery of so many who could other wise have seemed unremarkable folk.
And then we loose them.
It doesn't improve the gene pool , quite the reverse.
But this viedo helps tell the world what its lost.
OMG😢 I got very emotional listening to the video, what a man, risking his life for his brothers in arms, I have never heard of any of these wonderful stories of immense bravery, thank you for this, and thank you New Zealand form a free Europe 🙏
There should be a statue/marker and a plaque on his old homes(however many he lived in) to this man, as well as to everyone else who fought in the European and/or Pacific theatre as well.........
Plus his name should be publicly seen, because he was the first Kiwi to be given, what is arguably the hardest medal to win, which makes him very special......
But at least now, and for as long as the Internet lasts, his name will be around for anyone(who doesn’t live in a restrictive country) and everyone to see what he did.....
Well presented Sir, I remember learning about Sgt Ward as a lad in the early 1980's reading the Boys Book of War Stories. A true hero.
Thank you
Churchill would go on to treat Bomber Command rather poorly, but in this instance I think he showed his greatness.
Churchill was aware of the results of night area bombing that the public hardly knew. After Dresden, he had serious questions about Bomber Command and it deranged leader Arthur Harris.
@@BOORAGG i had several friends in bomber command. I won't argue with you about Dresden, although most people in 1945 thought any territory held by the enemy was target worthy. The point is the guys in Bomber Command faced terrible odds and yet persevered and never had a recruitment problem. I think that shows what the mindset at the time was. You have to judge actions in the context of the times. The Bomber Command crews generally regarded Harris well. They were offended by the snub Bomber Command got by Churchill in 1945. The arguments about the value of the bomber offensive is irrelevant. The issue is the sacrifice of the crews.
The same thing happened to the Merchant Navy Sailors. They were the 4th service until 1945 and could be put in jail in Canada if they refused to sail, but after the war they were not given veteran's status until the 1990's.
Bomber command continued night area bombing well past the time it was necessary. Most people during WW2 knew only what they were told, for good reason. Area bombing was always controversial. It was the same type of bombing that Britain accused the Germans of during the Blitz. My post has nothing to do with the courage or sacrifice of the men who served. It deals with impression the British people had about bombing in general. Harris and his continued fascination with fire bombing throughout the war ( as did the Yanks General Curtis Lemay) became almost demented. Incinerating large urban areas, if they could be hit at all at night, was considered the primary weapon of Harris. His philosophy that killing anything contributed to victory was little different than the Luftwaffe. This is the legacy that some Brits have to this day.
@@BOORAGG I was born after the war, but my parents were children during it. Civilians in Allied countries particularly those who had been bombed knew exactly what Bomber Command did every night and they supported it. After the war was over and we saw that the Germans and Japanese were even more savage than we imagined there was no sympathy for them and the air war strategy was not questioned.
You are using a modern lense. Like I said, I knew many veterans of Bomber Command and they were convinced that what they did was necessary. My one friend Art Lobsinger told me that when he had his medals restored professionally the artisan asked if he served, because he only did this work for veterans. When he said he was in Bomber Command the guy replied "Well I wouldn't be too goddamned proud of that."
The word git comes to mind.
The bomber offensive required a massive response from Germany. The resources used to defend Germany were resources that were not sent to the Russian front or faced us in Normandy.
Even with 20 20 hindsight and all the softened attitudes of today I am hard pressed to think how we could have defeated the Nazis without the bomber offensive.
Short answer to a question that has been the source of many good books.
@@BOORAGG One of the points you are missing, is that German cities were bombed to try to get the Civilian population to rise up against the Nazis and end the war and limit Allie losses. In a World War, there will always be collateral damage. After Normandy, many French were upset about Civilians lost and towns destroyed, but many French also accepted it had to be done and were happy that the Allies kicked the Germans out. We could go on about the Americans firebombing Tokyo and other cities. All trying to get the Civilians to say enough. Was is terrible, and there will always be deaths that should not happen, but do.
Tears welled in my eyes over the account of Sgt. Allen meeting with Churchill. Fighter pilots get the fame and glory, but the Bomber crews were the ones who literately delivered the goods. Something like 1 in three bomber crews ended up dead, wounded, or POWS, yet they went time again flying straight and level over a floor of Flak and hunted by fighters.
Have heard this story before. A great and true hero! Proud to say my Dad trained in the rugged Wimpey - and was lucky to never have to face the Luftwaffe or Japanese. The war ended just in time for him and probably also for me.
Amazing story of bravery - well told. PM Winston Churchill's words at the end say a lot about the man who led our country through those dark days. Much has been given for our freedom.
The bravery and courage of these young men and women during that time is inspiring.
I could not agree more with you. Thanks for your comment
@Lib Censorship BOTH sexes contributed to the war effort and accomplished many brave missions. Try reading some history before you make such ridiculous comments.
@Lib Censorship Again, you are simply uneducated, ignorant and have no idea about history. I’d tell you to read some but it’s clear that reading is not your forte. You’re blocked.
One of our great warriors of this very special country.
An incredibly brave but crazy move. He really earned that award. God bless this man.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
That is a story beyond incredible. How is this not wider known?
Thank you. What an incredible story & one well told.
Thank you
Thanks for this. He will not be forgotten here in Whanganui. His school now called City College has the Ward Hall with his VC (a copy I suspect) proudly on display with other memorabilia. We also have Ward St. When I was in primary school in the 50s his mother, a formidable woman, for a 9 year old was the truancy officer. PS your spelling of Wanganui is correct but has recently been updated to more accurately reflect Maori spelling to Whanganui
Thank you and for the spelling correction. I was more concerned with the pronunciation haha. He was a remarkable man.
Great story. One for the Kiwis to be proud of for sure 👍
So many good and gallant men gave their all to defeat true evil, in Africa, Europe and the Pacific. God bless them all...
What a beautifully written narrative, and outstanding video. The ending was especially excellent. 💛🙏🏼
Thank you so much!
Many thanks for the video. My dad - a Lancaster pilot - mentioned this incident a couple of times, but this was the first detailed information I have seen on it.
They dont make men like him anymore. What a guy!
What a great man. Totally mad, but great with it.
A great story well presented. I’m surprised he was awarded the VC since many were denied when there was an element of ‘self preservation’ in the actions.
Part of the "Greatest Generation".
Thats incredible i never read about this guy before.. i cant really
think of anyone who a VC
better than this guy
My Dad was a Flight Sergeant in the RNZAF during WW2. He told me this story, but not in
as much detail. Thanks for posting.
You're very welcome.
Shines a different light on being an Airman.
Good on you for presenting this story. Thank you. Lest we forget.
Nice work, thanks for keeping history alive. This story sure deserves the effort.
Much appreciated
Never heard of this before,awesome
Neither had I. I stumbled across the story when reading something entirely different and felt compelled to learn more and make a video.
A grand story well told.
Thank you
A great story well told, top marks my good man.
What an incredibly brave man. Thanks for this amazing video. Subscribed!! I would love to see your take on Charles Upham VC and bar. 👍
So close to going home. Brave man.
Well done. I have subscribed to this channel now. This feat is really impressive - well deserved VC for sure. Its high time such stories of Commonwealth forces be highlighted. Videos like this serve to record history that will otherwise be lost easily as the Greatest Generation passes to the their well-earned reward.
What incredible bravery and worthy recipient of the VC. Once again, excellent narration.
Thank you kindly!
He is a relative of mine, who inspired me to learn to fly. As a boy we used to talk about him in my family in the UK. The family is very proud of him, and one day I will do a trip down to Feltwell to see where he was based.
What and an amazing account. Bravery is not a strong enough word to explain these actions.
As a kiwi took great pride in watching this.
He was a great man. New Zealand played an incredibly important role during those dark times. As a former RAF man myself, thank you New Zealand.
yeah me too 👍
Excellent production.
Much appreciated!
Surprised the right wing of that Wellington didn't tip down with the weight of that young man's courage laying upon it!
How very Churchillian was the alleged Downing Street conversation. Hard to contemplate the heroism displayed by so many in this conflict. Here's to James.
Seems like the best, bravest, and brightest always get taken first. RIP.
And this guy wasn’t the only RAF airman that did something like this. There was a guy who saved a Lancaster doing the same thing. Jesus Christ these guys had balls. I know I couldn’t do what they did. RIP brave young men.
Excellent, Thank you. Full of facts and rare photographs to illustrate the story.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
As a New Zealander, Ward's story always made me feel a huge sense of pride. Thank you for sharing it with the world.
You're welcome. It's a great story of a great man.
Absolutely brilliant video mate
Many thanks!
Thanks for that.
Thankyou for sharing this!
My pleasure!
Glad to have found this channel. Great material delivered without hype.
Glad you enjoy it!
Excellent video.
Thanks very much
Wow! What a brilliant video!
Truly heroic.
Next level wing walking, just there! Extremely brave.
wow what a story! I went to school with Sgt Box's son Robert back in Auckland . At the time been young us kids we thought it was pretty cool, but looking back at now absolutely amazing.
Brilliant story, and excellent vid. Thanks for making!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great storytelling. James ward like so many other brave airmen flying from East Anglian airfields during war have been lost. If you ever visit Newmarket races, and you stand in the grandstand your only a few hundred feet from where quite a few aircrews crashed and died! A sad fact, lost upon race day crowds!
A Victoria Cross earned indeed. Thanks for the video- much appreciated.
Only recently subscribed, I've enjoyed all you're videos so far, keep up the fantastic work 👍
Thank you very much, greatly appreciated
Tremendous story. I rate this channel highly.
Thank you very much!
Grand story of bravery, tragedy, and humility, RIP Sergeant James Allen Ward. The top medal winners 'VC' who are modest/humble are my favourites. One British paratroop officer who fought at Arnhem, his daughters did not know till after he died, long after the war, that he was a VC recipient, beautiful modesty.
As a point of interest, The Wellington Bomber was designed by Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the bouncing (Upkeep) bomb
He designed the geodesic frame. He also used geodesics to support the dish on the ground breaking Parkes radio telescope. He also designed the bearings for the mountings, and designed an alt-azimuth mounting rather than the far more expensive, complex and fragile equatorial mount (see Jodrell Bank). He used an equatorial reference to point the telescope.
The Parkes scope (known as the Dish) is the Grand Old Lady of radio telescopes. She has done much pioneering work and continues to this day as a high quality, up to date, precision instrument.
Barnes Wallis was a genius.
Excellent thx for this
You're welcome. Thanks for the comment!
Great Video, very well done, classy. Loved it.
Thanks very much!
What a brave and courageous young man. It is too bad he did not survive the war. People like him only come along once in a long time. May he rest in peace and may his soul be in the presence of The Lord.
Just discovered and subscribed to this channel. Great stories. Respect to Sgt Ward. R. I. P Sir
Thanks and welcome
Informative and concise, bravo Sir.
Sgt Ward absolutely deserved that VC but I am genuinely curious if the Luftwaffe/German records ever corroborated the shootdown of the attacking Bf-110.
An amazing story very well told. Subscribed.
Awesome, thank you!
A credit to the RNZAF and Sgt. Ward's Country. Bravery, guts and duty worthy of the VC.
Rest in Peace, sir, and thank you.
Todays 22 yr Olds can't even decide which McDonalds meal they want
Way aye, That was a canny & well researched Video Like! Well done
Glad you enjoyed it
Perfect video Perfect story
Perfect man
Total respect.
Fantastic! I first heard that story being read out on Remembrance Day 2009 by a RAF Regiment lad to represent the RAF at a joint Forces service. 👍
I really enjoy ur programs 🤓
Brilliant channel. You have a new subscriber. Keep up the good work!
Awesome, thank you!
That's really an interesting story and nicely presented. There's just a little flaw at 3:18, you talk about a raid on Düsseldorf but show a picture of Cologne that is titled Dresden in the lower right corner.
Lest we forget never
Magnificent.