This was just excellent! Thanks so much for posting. I thought I had seen all such programs on WWI fighter pilots but somehow missed this one. In this age of video it is popular to interview veterans on camera but not many first world war pilots are preserved talking of their experiences on film. A sadly missed opportunity as they are all gone now. I just wish there was more. God bless all of those guys.
Really enjoyed that. Amazing to think the documentary was made nearly 30 years ago. Incredibly brave men who are all now a dwindling generation from the Great War.
Another great upload, thanks a lot. They don't show much WW I stuff in the USA, so this is all new programing for me and I love that they were made when Vets were still around. In the US they started doing a little WW I programing for the History channel when there was only one camera ready Vet left!
When I did my truck license the trainer told me how a truck driver needs to be looking as far forwards as they can see. I'd already been a professional driver - of different vehicles - for years by that point so I said "of *course* I look in front of me." But after I'd been doing it a little while I came to understand what the trainer was talking about It's just like the pilot here said, until you've had to sensitize yourself to it most people really do just look at their immediate surroundings
It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell. ~General William Tecumseh Sherman
For those interested in the RFC, may I recommend the book " Winged Victory" by Y.M. Yeates. I came across a reference to it when I discovered that Battle of Britain pilots thought very highly of it. So did T.E. Lawrence.
Excellent program these chaps were the bravest,just going up in one of those flimsy contraptions took guts. Thanks for sharing. I recommend 2 books "Open Cockpit" and "No Parachute" for those interested in WW 1 air fighting.
Years ago I was reading about Battle of Britain pilots and they were very impressed by 'Winged Victory' by V.M. Yeates. Lawrence of Arabia called it 'truly admirable,' A wonderful book if you can find it.
In the opening photo we see two British Bristol fighter s engaged with numerous German aircraft. This picture depicts the "Two Against Twenty". An event that occurred on May 7 1918. I checked the numbers on the tail and they confirm that my Dad's aircraft. Cpt A.C. Atkey. 22nd squadron. He is not mentioned in the documentary. Can you find any documentation anywhere he might be acknowledged? I have watched all the relevant you tube.
Contrary to popular belief he rarely flew and all red tri-plane and often flew other planes in normal colours or with only a bit of red on them. His trick was to pick out wounded planes or poorly defended reconnaissance planes and build up his score that way. His tally contained few fighter-to-fighter dogfights. These pilots knew that-they were there. This is why they knew he was a bullshitter.
Germans had a practical Parachute in 1917 (Herman Goring was saved by one) British pilots were never given chutes as the High command (who rarely if ever went to france) thought it would remove the "fighting spirit" (i.e. they would become cowards) from them. It shows just out of touch the leaders of GB were during WW1
First of all, all my respect for these brave English combat pilots from Germany. British pilots have always had highest respect from the German side - until today. Yes, it's true. In Germany they made a lot of publicity for their own pilots. The reason was that the Germans were about to lose the war on the ground. Therefore they needed heroes, and the only successful soldiers they had where those in the air who kept up the moral. Especially von Richthofen was exploited for propaganda purposes. Nowadays it's vice versa. Here nobody talks about heroes of the past because there is no chivalry about war. That's the reason you don't find documentations from the German side. What a waste of beautiful young men. I would like to show you a link to a 40 min. film about Richthofen's Jasta made in 1919. Unfortunately it doesn't have any sound. But it might give you a good impression of the atmosphere. WW1: Richthofen Film (1919)
Freddie west VC went on to have the the most interesting life becoming a diplomat in ww2 helping escaping POW gain safety in Switzerland including pat Reid of colditiz fame indeed the Germans put a price on his head post ww2 he became a executive in the rank film organisation.his autobiography The Winged Diplomat is great read if you can find it.SL G Lewis'remarks about the Red Baron are prefaced by the fact that he speaks from the point of view of an eighteen year old,it's probably not a bad idea not to have to much respect for your adversaries in this type of warfare .It served him well in both world wars in which he served.As for Sir Donald hardman's English accent its absolutely priceless.harold lord Balfour also had very distinguished career post ww1.they all were really the best of British
The sincerity within his opinion offered a great insight into the true mentality of some of these men. I would like to have heard a German give a similar opinion on some of the allied pilots.
What a great a program! Wonderful, to listen to these veterans of the time :$ It definitely, make me feel indebted to these brave men who fought on both sides of the conflict. I feel we should remember their sacrifices before we decide to engage in anything so foolish again.
Excellent documentary, never seen this one before. Many thanks. For those that are interested, there is another excellent documentary on You Tube called World War One Aces falling which I highly recommend.
Yes, but the man still was a great pilot and was doing what everyone else was doing. No different from the British pilots. And he helped pioneer air combat and squadron tactics. It's understandable that these men dismiss him because he was their enemy and they were there so they are certainly entitled to their opinion, but HISTORY hasn't dismissed him because he wasn't just a "bullshitter." And remember the Allies gave him a funeral with full honors.
Modern pilots have no chance? Modern fighters are equipped with early warning systems and radar that will alert the pilot on an incoming AIM-6 Sidewinder or heatseeking missile. The pilot then has to options, take his chances of popping his flares to distract the incoming missile while he maneuvers away safely. Or the pilot can eject before the missile gets there. Since dogfights of today are engaged miles apart, a pilot has plenty of time to react to incoming missiles.
im sorry but i disagree flares can be dumped, and the jet kicks in its afterburners, its going 2 times the speed of sound there is no way that a missile will catch that
11:22 like a [fkn] boss!! HAHAHA Mad props Mister. And yes I reckon overall the allies did do way better in aerial combat that the Germans. The Germans had their publicity machine in full swing.
simply put the Germans were overwhelmed with numbers and a fair to good strategy in a war of attrition. Both times. I happen to admire the German WW1 fliers the most but ther were awesome feats of incredible bravery on both sides. Such as Werner Voss and Barker in his snipe. But the people I admire most of all,is the Finns in the 2nd world war. Now there my friend is bravery against unbelievable odds
They often flew at 14,000ft. Albert Ball VC because of his engineering knowledge tinkered with his engine to get greater hight. He suffered from lack of oxygen. A hero.
The veteran talking near the beginning of the film doesn't sound English. He has a slight tinge to his accent. Maybe he emigrated to South Africa years before this interview.
I don't actually agree with tangent, its not about "realistic chances" its about any possibility of survival. The video was made in the 80's, probably during or around the Falklands where Argentine pilots had been shot down and ejected relatively safely.
You forgot the Iran-Iraq war. There were plenty of dogfights with modern fighters. This was all through the 1980's, an entire decade of fighting, including some pretty heavy dogfighting between the Iran Air Force's Russian purchased Mikoyan MiG-23's and MiG-27's; versus the Iraqi Air Guard's American borrowed F-14 Tomcats and F-15 Eagles... Since the Cold War was still ongoing, the Iran-Iraq war was a good time for the US and USSR to test their latest fighter aircraft against each other.
not really there is a sound in their headsets that tell of incoming missiles and the F4 could outrun many of them. Also they did have some defensive things like chaff and flares as well as some really super good defensive flying. I spoke with Randy Cunningham how shot down five migs in Vietnam and he admitted he made mistakes but that F4 that he was flying could actually fly him out of danger. Pretty scary still. No way would I want to be a fighter pilot these days.
It was indeed very common to call the enemy names and the Germans had plenty for us too. Must admit I don't recall any German documentaries of their WW1 pilots which is a shame. But you have to remember that where the Germans would boast about their aces we didn't. We had a much more modest laid back approach and looked down on their bragging with distaste. Just the ways of the day in the same way we can't now imagine sending thousands of men over top walking into the face of enemy fire.
Agreed, I think these men are intitled to an opinion, and is actually not very british indeed to call the enemy bullshitter.. especially in those days. Basil, if you find any German made similar docu, let me know!
Man's inhumanity to man knows no bounds. But this must have been the greatest adrenaline high ever, and perhaps the most horrible way to die (unless you got shot)...
Great documentary, totally agree with certain aces being full of BS, check the specs on Richtofen and laterly Eric Hartman, no where near as impressive as Werner Molders...... All in all though, balls of brass !
These old men being interviewed, were once young men and now they are resting in peace. Lest We Forget.
3 cyclinder 35 hp plane engine? Dear god, there are mowers with more powerful engines than that ! The balls on these guys, the courage ! Respect.
They had never heard of a 100 hp engine at that time. What you don't know...
This was just excellent! Thanks so much for posting. I thought I had seen all such
programs on WWI fighter pilots but somehow missed this one. In this age of video it is popular to interview veterans on camera but not many first world war pilots are preserved talking of their experiences on film. A sadly missed opportunity as they are all gone now.
I just wish there was more. God bless all of those guys.
Priceless veteran accounts - Great upload!!
"Richthofen was a bullshitter"- priceless
How I admire and envy these men.
Really enjoyed that. Amazing to think the documentary was made nearly 30 years ago. Incredibly brave men who are all now a dwindling generation from the Great War.
I'll be darned, Mervyn Johns. Who would have thought Bob Cratchit was a WW1 pilot?
Thank you so much for posting this. Fantastic!
What a great upload! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Another great upload, thanks a lot. They don't show much WW I stuff in the USA, so this is all new programing for me and I love that they were made when Vets were still around. In the US they started doing a little WW I programing for the History channel when there was only one camera ready Vet left!
11:00 The most excellent actor Mervyn Johns 1899 - 1992 who played Bob Crachit in the 1951 version of "Scrooge".
It is amazing these guys even got off the ground, what with the weight of the cast-iron balls they were carrying around.
When I did my truck license the trainer told me how a truck driver needs to be looking as far forwards as they can see. I'd already been a professional driver - of different vehicles - for years by that point so I said "of *course* I look in front of me." But after I'd been doing it a little while I came to understand what the trainer was talking about
It's just like the pilot here said, until you've had to sensitize yourself to it most people really do just look at their immediate surroundings
It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.
~General William Tecumseh Sherman
The great Greek poet Pindare wrote : war is sweet for those who haven't experienced it
Thanks very much for posting it, enjoyed it very much !
For those interested in the RFC, may I recommend the book " Winged Victory" by Y.M. Yeates. I came across a reference to it when I discovered that Battle of Britain pilots thought very highly of it. So did T.E. Lawrence.
Thank you Ricardo for posting this video! Things I never knew about WWI. I've never seen a lot of this footage. Good find.
Great documentary with interviews of many WWI pilots, kudos!
love this documentary never get tired of watching. such brave men indeed
Fantastic doco. Incredible interviews with some of the actual pilots.
Excellent.
Good documentary thanks for downloading
Great program! Thanks for sharing. Very brave men indeed.
Thank you for the upload.
I agree, I flew for the Army in VN, '68-69', and there is NO thrill like getting shot at when You are allowed to shoot back.
terrific interviews with an interesting bunch of chaps.
Excellent program these chaps were the bravest,just going up in one of those flimsy contraptions took guts. Thanks for sharing. I recommend 2 books "Open Cockpit" and "No Parachute" for those interested in WW 1 air fighting.
Years ago I was reading about Battle of Britain pilots and they were very impressed by 'Winged Victory' by V.M. Yeates. Lawrence of Arabia called it 'truly admirable,' A wonderful book if you can find it.
Hey funkyalfonso, thank you for the tip I have just ordered it from Amazon. Be well sir.
One of the best docs on the subject in existence.
Thank you for sharing this! The rest of UA-cam is viewing "man hits tree in dog suit".
Silly place UA-cam can be.
This is footage in the beginning is from the movie "The Blue Max".
I agree but ejection seats are not just there for battle. They have saved many pilots in accidents as well.
In the opening photo we see two British Bristol fighter s engaged with numerous German aircraft. This picture depicts the "Two Against Twenty". An event that occurred on May 7 1918. I checked the numbers on the tail and they confirm that my Dad's aircraft. Cpt A.C. Atkey. 22nd squadron. He is not mentioned in the documentary. Can you find any documentation anywhere he might be acknowledged? I have watched all the relevant you tube.
Excellent programme, but what a pity that the greatest of them all, James McCudden VC, didn't even get a mention.
Contrary to popular belief he rarely flew and all red tri-plane and often flew other planes in normal colours or with only a bit of red on them. His trick was to pick out wounded planes or poorly defended reconnaissance planes and build up his score that way. His tally contained few fighter-to-fighter dogfights. These pilots knew that-they were there. This is why they knew he was a bullshitter.
This helped me. Thank you.
Germans had a practical Parachute in 1917 (Herman Goring was saved by one) British pilots were never given chutes as the High command (who rarely if ever went to france) thought it would remove the "fighting spirit" (i.e. they would become cowards) from them. It shows just out of touch the leaders of GB were during WW1
Superb thanks for posting !
First of all, all my respect for these brave English combat pilots from Germany. British pilots have always had highest respect from the German side - until today.
Yes, it's true. In Germany they made a lot of publicity for their own pilots. The reason was that the Germans were about to lose the war on the ground. Therefore they needed heroes, and the only successful soldiers they had where those in the air who kept up the moral. Especially von Richthofen was exploited for propaganda purposes. Nowadays it's vice versa. Here nobody talks about heroes of the past because there is no chivalry about war. That's the reason you don't find documentations from the German side. What a waste of beautiful young men. I would like to show you a link to a 40 min. film about Richthofen's Jasta made in 1919. Unfortunately it doesn't have any sound. But it might give you a good impression of the atmosphere.
WW1: Richthofen Film (1919)
I would like to see the German perspective. We always hear the British version but very few times hear an objective German version.
Great documentary thanks for posting it.
Freddie west VC went on to have the the most interesting life becoming a diplomat in ww2 helping escaping POW gain safety in Switzerland including pat Reid of colditiz fame indeed the Germans put a price on his head post ww2 he became a executive in the rank film organisation.his autobiography The Winged Diplomat is great read if you can find it.SL G Lewis'remarks about the Red Baron are prefaced by the fact that he speaks from the point of view of an eighteen year old,it's probably not a bad idea not to have to much respect for your adversaries in this type of warfare .It served him well in both world wars in which he served.As for Sir Donald hardman's English accent its absolutely priceless.harold lord Balfour also had very distinguished career post ww1.they all were really the best of British
Play the original footage at .5 speed, it looks more natural.
The sincerity within his opinion offered a great insight into the true mentality of some of these men.
I would like to have heard a German give a similar opinion on some of the allied pilots.
that was cool! Thanks for posting.
11:00-12:00 That man is so...real. Thanks.
What a great a program! Wonderful, to listen to these veterans of the time :$ It definitely, make me feel indebted to these brave men who fought on both sides of the conflict. I feel we should remember their sacrifices before we decide to engage in anything so foolish again.
it must be taught in schools mate all around the world history of ww1 and 2 must be a must in education
Good stuff again mate!
What's the name of the classical music at the beginning?
Richard Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Die Gotterdamerung: Twilight of the Gods.
Thanx, Kevin, it is familiar way for me. I just meant the source with best quality available..
No major air battles recently? Six-Day War, Vietnam, Yom Kippur, Iraq, and probably others I haven't noticed.
does anyone have a count of the flying corps casualty numbers for both allied and central powers?
what a wonderful documentary that is!
Really enjoyed this program. Most definitely unique
"Can you tell me the right word for 'bullshitter'" LMMFAO!
Excellent documentary, never seen this one before. Many thanks. For those that are interested, there is another excellent documentary on You Tube called World War One Aces falling which I highly recommend.
I agree with everyone. A lot of stuff once sold on VHS or Beta tape was never put on laser disks.
That was great, thank you. :)
Great video! Any chance to download it anywhere?
GOOD VIDEO. Thank you
Thanks. :)
Yes, but the man still was a great pilot and was doing what everyone else was doing. No different from the British pilots. And he helped pioneer air combat and squadron tactics. It's understandable that these men dismiss him because he was their enemy and they were there so they are certainly entitled to their opinion, but HISTORY hasn't dismissed him because he wasn't just a "bullshitter." And remember the Allies gave him a funeral with full honors.
1:09 Sounds like he says 10 Billion... Great documentary BTW
Modern pilots have no chance? Modern fighters are equipped with early warning systems and radar that will alert the pilot on an incoming AIM-6 Sidewinder or heatseeking missile. The pilot then has to options, take his chances of popping his flares to distract the incoming missile while he maneuvers away safely. Or the pilot can eject before the missile gets there. Since dogfights of today are engaged miles apart, a pilot has plenty of time to react to incoming missiles.
Superb.
They made much better programs like this back then.
The ejection could be triggered moments before the missile hit.
im sorry but i disagree
flares can be dumped, and the jet kicks in its afterburners, its going 2 times the speed of sound
there is no way that a missile will catch that
11:22 like a [fkn] boss!! HAHAHA Mad props Mister. And yes I reckon overall the allies did do way better in aerial combat that the Germans. The Germans had their publicity machine in full swing.
roblox master You can assume to the crows fly home, you have NO clue. Nice fail.
simply put the Germans were overwhelmed with numbers and a fair to good strategy in a war of attrition. Both times. I happen to admire the German WW1 fliers the most but ther were awesome feats of incredible bravery on both sides. Such as Werner Voss and Barker in his snipe. But the people I admire most of all,is the Finns in the 2nd world war. Now there my friend is bravery against unbelievable odds
They always say they flew at 20,000 ft but they couldnt without oxygen so probably 10,000 at the most
+7thpilot Some flew up to 20,000 but suffered enormous health issues because of it. I suspect more than a few were killed due to oxygen starvation.
They often flew at 14,000ft. Albert Ball VC because of his engineering knowledge tinkered with his engine to get greater hight. He suffered from lack of oxygen. A hero.
The veteran talking near the beginning of the film doesn't sound English. He has a slight tinge to his accent. Maybe he emigrated to South Africa years before this interview.
Freddie West was born in Paddington, London. He was educated in Italy, though....
jfm032 Maybe that explains it.
I don't actually agree with tangent, its not about "realistic chances" its about any possibility of survival. The video was made in the 80's, probably during or around the Falklands where Argentine pilots had been shot down and ejected relatively safely.
You forgot the Iran-Iraq war. There were plenty of dogfights with modern fighters. This was all through the 1980's, an entire decade of fighting, including some pretty heavy dogfighting between the Iran Air Force's Russian purchased Mikoyan MiG-23's and MiG-27's; versus the Iraqi Air Guard's American borrowed F-14 Tomcats and F-15 Eagles... Since the Cold War was still ongoing, the Iran-Iraq war was a good time for the US and USSR to test their latest fighter aircraft against each other.
Nice to hear true stories , ..brave fellas
not really there is a sound in their headsets that tell of incoming missiles and the F4 could outrun many of them. Also they did have some defensive things like chaff and flares as well as some really super good defensive flying. I spoke with Randy Cunningham how shot down five migs in Vietnam and he admitted he made mistakes but that F4 that he was flying could actually fly him out of danger. Pretty scary still. No way would I want to be a fighter pilot these days.
Thank you for sharing. Very interesting and informative for us aviators.
My pleasure.
I am really "left-brain" over this movie!! I want to see it again!!!
I love this era of aviation. Talk about daredevils.
Thanks.
Fascinating documentary.. Silly dubbing engine noise from large inline engines, sound like Merlins.
It was indeed very common to call the enemy names and the Germans had plenty for us too. Must admit I don't recall any German documentaries of their WW1 pilots which is a shame. But you have to remember that where the Germans would boast about their aces we didn't. We had a much more modest laid back approach and looked down on their bragging with distaste. Just the ways of the day in the same way we can't now imagine sending thousands of men over top walking into the face of enemy fire.
if a WW1 pilot could see todays F-22 Raptor, or DARPA'S htv-2 falcon......
Nice Tiger Moths pretending to be SE5a's
thanks
Götterdammerung gets me every time. :'-/
very interesting
Very Nice!!!
Agreed, I think these men are intitled to an opinion, and is actually not very british indeed to call the enemy bullshitter.. especially in those days. Basil, if you find any German made similar docu, let me know!
Man's inhumanity to man knows no bounds. But this must have been the greatest adrenaline high ever, and perhaps the most horrible way to die (unless you got shot)...
I don't think the Grand Organizational Designer invented the game.I think man with his never ending tribal warfare invented it.
....oh Wagner's Siegfried Funeral March...how very appropriate!
Until we fight WWIII we will not know, right?.
whats the word for bullshitter? hahah
Excretus Boviner.
Great documentary, totally agree with certain aces being full of BS, check the specs on Richtofen and laterly Eric Hartman, no where near as impressive as Werner Molders...... All in all though, balls of brass !
Oh,the theme music to Excalibur. Great! Wagner! Twilight of the Gods.
20:32 LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
Sounds like British propaganda.