1 | Stuka Pilot | The Life of Hans-Ulrich Rudel - Most Decorated Soldier of the Wehrmacht

[@jamesroberts2115]

One of my personal heroes. I read the book "Stuka Pilot" and was extremely impressed by this man. Still am.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy to bring this to you again in this format! Enjoy!

[@geoffreyscheuerman2378]

How amazing that you have selected 'Stuka Pilot's as the next book. I read it in my grade school years, (maybe 50 years ago), and since then, have always been fascinated by Hans Ulrich Rudel's story. For those who don't know it, get ready for an exciting ride. Here's another guy that deserves to have an epic movie made about his wartime experiences. Thank you! Ich liebe diese Geschichte!

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy to bring the book back to life for you, Sir! Enjoy, Danke!

[@Avtomat4774]

​​​​@@TrenchDiaries You really help a guy 5000 miles away get through his nights at work... I have a janitorial company, and I listen to you while I clean the shitters, vacuum the carpets, and mop the floors. It's a small thing, but the small things really add up; and I genuinely appreciate it. *Also... I never jumped with an umbrella, but when I was a kid growing up in Maine, we lived on a lake (well before you had to be rich to live on a lake in Maine. We were somewhere between poor and lower middle class) On windy days I used to take my mother's umbrella and a sled out on the frozen lake, and I'd use it as a sail to fly across to lake. I'd go across the ice for nearly a mile at an astonishing speed, then trudge back against the wind to do it again and again. All the ice fishermen thought it was hilarious; and would cheer me on as i went by grinning and waving I hadn't thought about that for years until I just heard this story... Danke. That's a good memory.

[@brooksrothroth6153]

I've read this book several times in high school. Started my interest in WW2.

[@dennisthemenace57]

Less than 7 k subscribers, I'm continually astounded. This channel is one of the things that makes YT worthwhile. Thank you Sir

[@ricardocorbie6803]

@@dennisthemenace57 I totally agree with you, but it’s to our advantage and their disadvantage 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@zk1919]

@@dennisthemenace57 Yes, this channel is worth attension. We can not only hear one after another stories of bloody "adventures" of Germans from the past. We can also hear and read comments of the narrator (who is also German) over 80 years later.

[@TrenchDiaries]

To be fair, the channel is pretty young. I'm sure it will grow over time 🫡 thank you my man!

[@JohnSmith-mv4qz]

I have recommended it to many I’m in America and try to convince my fellow history buffs that the German perspective is absolutely important for getting the true picture Jay has opened up so much new territory for me

[@zk1919]

@JohnSmith-mv4qz Yes this is important in two-fold way: 1. in historical perspective: to understand how Germans perceived and selectively communicate their deeds 2. in present day perspective: to understand how present Germans (commentators and our dear narrator) react to those romanticising stories. Dr. Robert Citino gave interesting insight about level of devotion to Nazi ideology among Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and Krigsmarine. He noted that Luftwaffe and Krigsmarine servicemen were younger as those two disciplines required higher level of technology embracing and they shown bigger faith and Hitler. We can hear this devotion in the books presented in this channel: "We were all Nazis" wrote U-Boot officer in one of the episodes. And U-Boot crews suffered the highest % losses.

[@mrchickenfeathers9184]

I was fascinated by the Stuka as a child. The shape and the siren were unique. My father bought me a model of one, and we built it together and it hung proudly in my room on a string for years.

[@TrenchDiaries]

It's certainly one of the most unique aircraft of all times. I'm excited to learn what he thinks about the sirens 😎

[@mrchickenfeathers9184]

@TrenchDiaries certainly would've shook me up had I ever had to encounter it whilst moving on the ground!

[@michaelrumfelt3106]

I have one hanging in my hallway right now beside a me 262 both built by me from north carolina

[@musicmanGTA]

You have done it once again, drawing us this time into the world of the most decorated officer of the Wehrmacht. I hope that you did not end up with a broken leg like Rudi, attempting flight with your umbrella. Rudi's unfair conflict with the two officers at the end of this chapter has me champing-at-the-bit to see how he manages in Chapter 2. Clearly from the title, he will succeed in breaking free from being the maligned underdog, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Cheers!

[@johninnh4880]

WOW something new! I look forward to this series. Thank you for bringing us these stories!

[@TrenchDiaries]

Always a great pleasure John, enjoy!

[@sdraper6940]

I read StukaPilot a few years ago and enjoyed it thoroughly, I also read Subaru Saka’s book Samurai, also a wonderful book. Both give insights into the two individuals thoughts. I found the German pilot extremely dedicated. Being a Christian of European descent one might think I would identify more with him than with a Japanese pilot from a different culture. However, it was the reverse and as individuals I found myself thinking more fondly of the Japanese fellow and the way he looked at things. He was surrounded by fanatical Japanese comrades, but in his personal thoughts, he seemed quite rational and considerate. I did find myself respecting both men I can only say that Hans-Ulrich Rudely was one dedicated and driven individual.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Fanatical, really.

[@TrenchDiaries]

What I have learned during my years of service is that regardless of nation, there is always a certain kind of person that gravitates toward being a soldier. And you can always relate in some way or another 🫡

[@teddyshepherd2854]

I look forward the upcoming chapters. Vielen Dank.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Gerne! Enjoy!

[@26betsam]

I remember reading this book in 1967 when I was 13, I still have it in my collection. Excellent choice, well done.

[@brooksrothroth6153]

Try The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy you like it! You can experience it once again, and now on this format 😎

[@RocketSailing]

As a aviation nerd. I do admire Rudel. So looking forward to this book

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy to provide this book in this format 😎

[@southpakrules]

Thank you for this new series.

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome my man!

[@petervenzon8126]

Awesome gonna be great thanks

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy you like it!

[@markfryer9880]

One of my WWII aircraft books has a section devoted to the Stuka, and a chapter on Hans-Ulrich Rudel, so I am somewhat aware of his story. It didn't really cover his difficulties in training and assignment to the Stukas, so this is very interesting. Keep up with the good work, Trenchie! Mark from Melbourne Australia

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you Mark! I found it surprising that in this book as well he glanced over training and went straight into the action - notes and man to waste words and trivialities 😅 cheers!

[@sirkuscustom]

Hans-Ulrich Rudel this time, interesting! No Ruths to this story I guess, since, if my memory serves me correct (don't bet on it though), Rudel was married three times and all his wives were called Ursula 🙂... Thank you Jay for a pleasant surprise, I suddenly started to miss my Airfix Stuka model I built when I was a kid.

[@TrenchDiaries]

I, too, had a (Revell) StuKa as a kid, it's a cool looking plane 😎 well see about his wives!

[@markhorrell9213]

My dad married 4 times...all to women named Pamela! Bed talk couldn't get him into trouble we felt

[@michaelrumfelt3106]

seems like these guys would think hmmm those names are cursed...jessica for me.

[@JohnSmith-mv4qz]

@@markhorrell9213lol

[@RonHoltsford]

Very glad to find another TD book , first chapter has got my attention I look forward to more about this pilot ! ⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓️

[@TrenchDiaries]

You _will_ find out more, don't worry 😎

[@RonHoltsford]

@ I just started a new book about the development of a close support aircraft, the A10 Warthog, and in it they talk about Rudel, he had talked to our Air Force but at that time they didn’t believe his record and didn’t pay attention to his insight . But later they acknowledged him as the tank buster he was ⚓️⚓️⚓️

[@jonculp3080]

"Stuka Pilot" was one of the first books I read as a kid in the 80's! Although I don't agree with the politics of the day, I can't help being inspired by his story! I'm glad to see you bringing Rudel's story to life on your channel, I'm sure many A-10 pilots have already read it. Keep up the great work!!

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy you like it! I'm of the opinion that your achievements as a soldier are generally independent from the politics of the time. So enjoy 🫡

[@peterkemp8633]

Awesome book thankyou, just wish the episode was much longer, leaving us hungry for more , you are cruel but I like it

[@TrenchDiaries]

I will go for ~45 minutes in future episodes 🫡

[@jamescherney5874]

Great choice! I' ve read this book probably three times. I look forward to hearing your comments and the other viewers comments. As a military and civilian pilot I have nothing but admiration for what Rudel accomplished as an aviator.

[@TrenchDiaries]

I'm looking forward to all the input and thoughts you can provide as well 🫡

[@patdowney9454]

Oh this is most definitely an excellent choice my friend. I look forward to this new story very much. Thank you yet again for another amazing story and all your hard work on this and all the rest of them. 😊

[@TrenchDiaries]

Always happy to provide new stories for my loyal viewers 🫡 Enjoy, Pat!

[@jerrypauling7809]

I read this book 55 years ago and never forgot it.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Sounds promising 🫡

[@tiptoptechno]

Great book selection. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@gerrybaillon1973]

Very interesting so far, thank you !

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome as usual!

[@charleskleesattel6477]

A happy day to find a new book. Unlike other comments I have not read this book and only know Rudel by reputation. I am looking forward to this very much. He seems like a unique character who found himself at the right place at the right time. Thanks, many times over.

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're always welcome, Charles! I haven't read it as well and am excited to learn about his exploits 😊

[@TheDrednaught]

Amazing pilot

[@TrenchDiaries]

Indeed!

[@dennisthemenace57]

Thank you very much

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome!

[@benmurphy7934]

I've really enjoyed this book great read, but the way you tell your story is just brilliant 👏

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy you like it! And thank you for the kind words 🫡

[@ricardocorbie6803]

I have his book, which I read from cover to cover,, I want to hear you bring your usual remarkable work!! So let’s get it on👍🏾👍🏾

[@jlea123-e3b]

Great reading

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you!

[@shaunmcclory8117]

😂 me too! We 'borrowed' my friends brothers huge fishing umbrella and would succesfully(well kind of😅) float into his garden from the upstairs bedroom window!☂️😂 liking the new subject as i have read a fair bit about and watched many interviews with this remarkable flyer, can't wait for more!😁👍

[@TrenchDiaries]

😅 funny how such things align across cultures. Happy to be able to provide this book to you, again!

[@ZeSgtSchultz]

Thanks for your content

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're welcome!

[@scrivs1976]

Brosef, your voice/accent is rad!

[@TrenchDiaries]

Appreciate it my man! Cheers!

[@vandalsavage6152]

Utterly brilliant, you do it every time ..

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you so very much for the kind words! 🫡

[@misterlewgee8874]

So far so good. Thanks again Your effort is appreciated.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Your continued support is appreciated as well!

[@Nihility15]

Where’s your channel been all my life

[@TrenchDiaries]

It's only 1.5 years old, easy to miss 😅🫡

[@leeanne3867]

Thank you. Your work is amazing.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you for the kind words! It means a lot.

[@lukec31]

A new book! And what a subject! Can’t wait for this one! 🤝🏼🫡

[@JohnSmith-mv4qz]

I am so interested to hear your insights on this book I actually read it twice but have been left confused about some of the details 👍👍👍😀😀😀

[@TrenchDiaries]

Let me know when something comes up that needs some more research 😎

[@JohnSmith-mv4qz]

@ Thankyou for putting in the time for all of us. Your fan base will continue to grow, I’m sure

[@JohnSmith-mv4qz]

@ nice touch with the overlay !!! ( Rudel getting lectured)

[@timstradling7764]

I have read of other pilots who were “slow burners” who went on to be masters of their machines. A pleasant change from the visceral Eastern Front, but from the air the Carnage you create is virtually invisible.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Indeed, it's just pushing buttons at the end of the day. The other pilot in his diary always described it in detail how impressive (in the truest sense of the word) it was, seeing the victims of accidents up close.

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY 🙏🙏

[@TrenchDiaries]

Yesss!

[@eric-wb7gj]

@@TrenchDiaries Another book I have a copy of, a great read.

[@KP-nd3bx]

Joachim Marseille is also a very interesting person to know more about 😊🇩🇰

[@ChesterWortham]

Yes I read about him in north Africa

[@TrenchDiaries]

He's on the list 😎🫡

[@jmfa57]

I loved his book. Rudel was an amazing guy.

[@BV-fr8bf]

Still a working stiff. I have this book but no time to read it. It's great to hear the audiobook version instead (as I can get chores completed in parallel.)

[@naughtiusmaximus830]

Cool! The sniper diaries were a bit gory and sometimes questionable.

[@TrenchDiaries]

It was this or "Devil's Guard" which I believe now to be fictional. But we'll see about that later I think 😎

[@marvwatkins7029]

A great choice.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Happy you like it Marv!

[@tonyholt90]

Ha ! I remember as a child opening an umbrella while on the back of a bicycle ridden by my mother and it turning inside out. I had such a scolding from her, Couldn't work out why it worked in comic books 😂

[@TrenchDiaries]

😅 I can picture this in my mind, it's hilarious!

[@tonyhaynes9080]

The man that the Americans consulted when designing the A10.

[@zk1919]

21:03 "...we use Breslau as our base..." In fact future colleagues of Rudel used then-German Breslau (Wrocław) as repair base for Stukas during the seige of Warsaw in September 1939. Stuka pilots were "bravely" and deliberately targeting civilian targets in Warsaw like clearly marked with Red Cross marks 5 hospitals but also churches, museums and monuments. German pilots were also straffing civilians who were digging potatoes - American photographer Julien Bryan took terrifying pictures documenting those airwar crimes. So think twice before you praise Lufftwaffe pilots airmanship.

[@geoffreyscheuerman2378]

Maybe "bravely" isn't the best choice of words, but then in warfare, since warfare began, either side is more than capable, and more often than not culpable of war crimes. There are many occurrences of war crimes committed by British and American combatants, some classified, some brushed under the table and some deliberately forgotten. And then there's Soviet airmen, soldiers and sailors. Remember also that the 'victors' write history. Here's yet another example of why the greatest effort must be made to end current wars and avoid all future ones. It is possible to admire the technical and tactical skills, and personal 'bravery' of individual or groups of skilled soldiers, sailors and airmen without condoning their actions. In the end, each will have to answer to God for their wartime conduct.

[@TrenchDiaries]

Well, airmanship and war crimes, alleged or real, are not specifically related. American pilots of the era are generally praised as well and they, too, committed acts of questionable moral value. So there's that.

[@Coolagreen16]

Nice one Jay ☘️ (hope your name is correct)

[@TrenchDiaries]

It is! 😎 and thanks!

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

I think I read his bio. He was delighted to have wounds ‘treated’ with radio active emissions😳

[@TrenchDiaries]

Different times back then for sure!

[@luimuvideos8080]

Awesome book and full of crazy stories!

[@TrenchDiaries]

I'm excited to read it! 😎

[@KP-nd3bx]

This is a good choice. Keep reading 😊🇩🇰

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you my man :)

[@JayTide]

Wouldn't he have been in the Luftwaffa not Werhmacht?

[@Greatwealthgentleman]

Wehrmacht I think is like the military in general while Heer is army and Luftwaffe Air Force

[@TrenchDiaries]

Like the other friend said: "Wehrmacht" means the entire armed forces, that is Army, Navy and Air Force.

[@markr2289]

👍🦅

[@TrenchDiaries]

🫡😎

[@Tal-q3r]

another pilot? 😎

[@TrenchDiaries]

Yes indeed, in fact _the_ pilot 😎

[@Tal-q3r]

@@TrenchDiaries does he live thru the war? 😬

[@zk1919]

20:49 Interesting, maybe, but don't take his stories too seriously.... Rudel's claims have to be taken with reservation. Rudel was mainly active on Eastern front fighting with Soviets that gave him room for vivid imagination. But on one occasion he had bad luck to meet American fighters over occupied Poland in July 1944 and we have much more details so we can verify what Rudel was bragging in this book about the encounter. You may wonder what American Mustangs and Lightings were doing over occupied Poland? They were because of Operation Frantic III. And Rudel claimed in this book to encounter 300 of them😊 in south of occupied Poland in July. Vivid German Nazi imagination ... you will hear it for yourself.... More details to follow.

[@josephstabile9154]

I have read Rudel's book more than once, and NOWHERE can I find where he claims destruction of 300 aircraft, U.S., Russian or otherwise. Can you provide a specific page reference where such a claim is made?

[@TrenchDiaries]

I haven't read his book but I'm sure we'll find out! As you know I put in my own research and we always put claims to the test 🫡

[@zk1919]

@josephstabile9154 Ups, "...pardon my French" ... I ment that he claimed to encounter 300 American planes not that he claimed to destroy 300 P-51s while flying Ju-87. In fact Rudel encountered 308 and 309 FS and his Stukas were not attacked. But guys from 307 FS had more fuel and amor and went for a hunt. They encountered another group of 36-40 Stukas - 21 kills were reported by 307 FS. So the result of of 308 FS & 309 FS attack of Rudel and his group could be fatal.

[@scrivs1976]

Thank you so very much for this…. What a rad surprise! It’s because of people like you who have shared all thes that I now posses a balanced and nuanced understanding of the events leading up to, and surrounding World War II What a waste of the flower of Germany🥺 As a byproduct of Churchill’s (et. Al) personal ambitions and ego-driven, autism-fueled narcissistic personality, and his lack of any foresight whatsoever- We (the allies), thru lend-lease, and taking that donkey-fucker Stalin on his word. And a whole bunch of fuckery/deceit/manipulation. This is how the Soviet Union became a superpower. And Russia is still able to fuck it all up💩 back to the ole’ meat waves, self-destructing doggies 🥺, and really Putin, NK flavored meat waves now? Do the MRE’s come with packets and f Kim-chee?👍🥹 That was my long way of saying thank you for the time, effort and quality of work that’s been evident from day one🤙🤙🤙😎😎😎 You have the perfect voice for the narration, a natural born story teller. You’re are one of the rare few I’m really able to focus on and get lost in, and most importantly, by speaking for those voices who had never been heard until recently. The first book to change my worldview in a significant was: The Final Hours, by Johannes Steinhoff, a personal hero, and exemplar of a human being. Aloha for your generosity of time and effort, and for helping open the eyes of those with a bit of common sense, logic, and an open mind. Mahalo nui loa🤙🤙😎😎🤟🏼🤟🏼🥸🥸👍👍

[@TrenchDiaries]

Thank you so very much for your kind words and long reply, I appreciate it! It's exactly what this channel is about and I am glad that it resonates with you. Dankeschön! 🫡

[@AchtungAffen]

Oh he funded Perón? I'm not liking this...

[@TrenchDiaries]

He was an arms dealer for him so yeah, kind of.

[@giancarlogarlaschi4388]

General Pinochet and the Armed Forces , SAVED Chile from becoming another Cuba , and made it the Most Safest , Cleanest and Prosperous Country in Latin America. What's Wrong with that ? Giancarlo Garlaschi First Lieutenant ( Ret ). Air Force of Chile A 37B , DH 115 Vampire. Kindest Regards

[@TrenchDiaries]

You're gonna ruffle a few feathers with that one I'm sure. Thank you for being here brother! 🫡