Battle of Britain - "A squadron of spitfires"

Goerring yells at his inferiors for the shortcomings of the campaign. Relaxing a bit, he asks them what they need...and doesn't get the response he wanted.
The quote is a true one, although I've read it was actually said by a German fighter ace, not a superior officer.
From the movie "The Battle of Britain"

[@mbabist01]

Speaking of Galland: a friend of a friend told me that his friend used to fly Mustangs with the 8th. He got in a dogfight with a FW Dora 9. Both pilots flew skillfully, but they couldn't knock each down. Both ran out of ammo, waved, and flew away. Years later, this friend attended an 8th reunion, where a guest was Galland. This friend told Galland about the dogfight. Galland, bug-eyed, said, "That was YOU!? Goddamn, you nearly got me killed!" The two were best buds since!

[@envitech02]

It's funny how former enemies are now best friends. Ah, adventure and chivalry in the air between gentlemanly soldiers!

[@johnhudson1965]

@@envitech02 like the Brown-Stigler incident… a bf 109 refused to shoot down a badly damaged B17, limping home…escorted the B17 out of Germany

[@Cool2BCeltic]

Brings home how stupid war is.

[@raypurchase801]

@@envitech02 Galland fought the RAF ace Bob Stanford-Tuck above London on 15th September '40. Neither gained an advantage over the other. They became firm friends after the war and attended conventions together.

[@richardbanker3910]

I had great respect for Galland as he was the real life pilot who asked for an outfit of Spitfires as he was so fed up of Gorings ignorance. He later crossed swords with Galland as General of the fighters as he stuck up for the men under his command and told the truth. Plus his chivalrous attitude to pilots “on the other side” and befriending them post war.

[@Cybermat47]

The best part about this scene is the fact that the actual German pilot who said that, helped make the movie :D Adolf Galland you beauty!

[@Cybermat47]

+Mach 8.7 I know, he said it just to piss off Göring, which makes it even better!

[@Tank50us]

He was basically telling the truth. At the time, the Spit either matched, or exceeded the BF109 in almost every category (this would not last of course). On top of that, if a British Pilot got shot down, he could theoretically walk back to his base. If a German pilot got shot down, he was basically a POW at that moment.

[@lafeelabriel]

Oh I dont know, Kesselring's reaction when he got out of Goering's ear shot is pretty epic too. He laughed his ass off.

[@MrPicklerwoof]

@John Smith I thought it was the subsequent versions of the 109 which matched/exceeded the Spitfire? It's been a long time since I studied it though. At the time of BoB the turning circle/speed combination of the new Spitfires was ridiculously powerful in the hands of the right pilots, if I recall.

[@livingonadollar2882]

@John Smith The hand of who had the better plane Changed every few months As they changed Engines Guns Add ons Tactics One thing remained The Germans flew toward England slowly And climbing slightly to save fuel In Combat the gained speed with diving Or going into combat speed using limited fuel. The RAF Was given time to know of incoming attacks Via Radar And Sped as fast as thye could Many pilot accounts were noted to say : All you done was ran to your plane Sed down the runway And climbed as much as you could to meet them ..Sometimes you were above them with luck..But many many times They were above us So you spent that time toying with them to bite We lost alot of men that way I myself was jumped by 3 while 3 more gloomed over us They would swoop down take a few shots And climb back up while the other 3 would come down And take a crack at us

[@gaius_enceladus]

I just *love* the way Goering's smile disappears when the word "Spitfires" is mentioned! Hilarious!

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

It never happened.

[@dianeunderhill8506]

​@@JamesRichards-mj9kwYes it did. Adolf Galland said it!

[@gordonstewardson7683]

That awkward moment when you tell your boss the truth.

[@dominicallin834]

Gordon Stewardson just a drop the mic moment

[@gregorynasrallah1755]

The statement was in reference to the Spitfires Armour protection, not it's overall ability. In most fighter on fighter engagements, the Luftwaffe prevailed. Research the records and you'll see.

[@gordonstewardson7683]

Oh that's true. The Spitfire was a capable aircraft but it wasn't superior. What was superior was the British logistics, the supply of new aircraft, pilots, parts, fuel, ammunition etc. Not to mention the coastal radars and combined command system. Many times Luftwaffe squadrons were left on the ground for want of these things but RAF squadrons never were. That's the remarkable truth to me - the British beat the Germans on organisation. However it must have seemed like the Spitfire was impossible to keep down from the Luftwaffe's perspective.

[@gregorynasrallah1755]

The Luftwaffe also had to operate on recently captured air fields which greatly affected those problems you mentioned. In addition they had limited time over targets due to the distance traveled over the channel. It was a logistical nightmare, and it's amazing they almost pulled it off.

[@gregorynasrallah1755]

The Luftwaffe also had to operate on recently captured air fields which greatly affected those problems you mentioned. In addition they had limited time over targets due to the distance traveled over the channel. It was a logistical nightmare, and it's amazing they almost pulled it off.

[@rovercoupe7104]

Battle of Britain 2 - They're back and this time they have a squadron of Spitfires. In cinemas from September 15.

[@paulleckner8235]

In this movie, the technical consultants were many veterans from both sides of World War 2.

[@mortman200]

Funny thing is all the BF-109s in the film were spanish made variants that had merlin engines just like the Spitfire. So the Luftwaffe did have a squadron of "spitfires", in a sense.

[@davidparsons452]

John Cole all the he 111's too

[@w-james9277]

In the film they used the Spanish 109's because there were no German ones left after the war.

[@AnimatedAirlines]

eyyy, I see what you did there John! Nice XD

[@Wombat1916]

W-James Actually, the Czechs and the Israelis (or was it the Egyptians) used some in the late 1940s. There are very few pukka 109s left now, or even in the late 60s when this film was made. If you find the part of the film where the Polish pilots break formation to attack the Germans, look at the rear of the formation. There are a few of the Merlin-engined 109s masquerading as Hurricanes due to the lack of the real McCoy.

[@joeshmoe9978]

Terry Shulky ...Israel had 109s and Egypt had Spitfires.

[@don39boo]

Goering accused the Luftwaffe pilots of cowardice and inflating their kill claims. After Galland and others challenged Goering at a meeting in early 1943, Galland states "Goering then accused me of falsifying reports and hiding deficiencies from him. This was the last straw for me. I then stood, unhooked my Knight’s Cross, Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and threw them onto the heavy oak table. I then took off my Wound Badge and Iron Cross, along with the Spanish Cross in Gold with Diamonds, and they went on the table also … (the other pilots at the meeting) also took off their medals from around their necks and put them on the table … I then moved my chair back and turned to leave the meeting with my fighter leaders following me. Goering yelled at us, stating that we had not been dismissed … (Gunther) Lutzow shot back ‘You can’t shoot us all.’ We were all thinking that we had just terminated our careers, if not our lives … we never heard anything further about this from Goering. My medals were sent to my office a few days later."

[@bigowl9408]

Emlyn Owen There's a lot you don't hear about! Like just how many Eton chinless wonders, were Nazi sympathisers because of the exploitation of the working classes policies, that were so attractive because of the anti union rules brought out by the Nazi regime. There is stacks of stuff another is how BP supplied Japanese war ships with fuel oil on the eve of Pear Harbour. The list of hypocrisy is endless!

[@freakyflow]

don smith It was Adolf Galland thatwas friends with Franz stigler Who took notes from Galland not only in battle but the man he was Franz was the pilot of a 109 that esorted a heavy damaged B-17 out of Germany with dead and half alive crew members rather then shoot them down His words : I couldn't shoot them down it would of been like shooting someone in there parachute I have seen my fill of death ..Both B-17 pilot (Charlie Brown) and Franz met almost 50 years later finding out they lived 3 hrs away from one another USA/Canada ..Becoming good friends...They both died only months apart

[@theymusthatetesla3186]

freakyflow Wow! REAL Warriors!

[@freakyflow]

***** Franz stigler and the story can be found on youtube

[@theymusthatetesla3186]

...cheers.

[@billhuber2964]

Best line in the movie " give a squadron of SPITFIRES " gotta love it !!!!!!!😀😀😀🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸.

[@shepherdlavellen3301]

don't know why Spitfire is superior than BF109, at least he isn't speaking "give me a squadron of Me262"

[@Woozler554]

Goering was flamboyant, but he was definitely no slouch. He was a highly-decorated World War I flying ace. Given the fact that most such airman were killed after a few weeks in combat, this is nothing short of remarkable.

[@Woozler554]

@@-GEZtapo- Agreed.

[@kenpalmer1965]

This was,and still is, an excellent and well-made movie with a good all-star cast and brilliant actions scenes. I remember this scene quite well. Yes, he was quite furious! Ken Palmer

[@teto85]

My wife's grandfather was one of "The Few." He would have loved seeing this.

[@Rikki0]

Adolph Galland made the remark to Goering. He talks about it in his book, "Die Ersten und Der Letzen" (The First and the Last). He then explains that he didn't really prefer the Spitfire to the ME-109 (only 109's made prior to 1938 were considered Bf's). He explains that the Spitfire was a better defensive fighter and if they were to be forced to the defensive, the Spitfire would have been preferable. That was why he made the remark.

[@timothyhouse1622]

At least someone knows the full quote. The movie cut out the last part of the discussion between Goering and Galland. Goering asked why he would want Spitfires and he explained that if they were being forced to babysit the bombers the Spit had a lower wing loading and could turn better at low speed, which they would be at having to match the bombers.

[@vstar7196]

You’re wrong. Galland admits in his autobiography and in subsequent interviews that he never made such a comment. To do so would be seen as insubordinate. Check your references.

[@leedavis9472]

When there was no VCR or computers and we only had four channels on the tv i loved it when it came on tv and i was excited for days after, so when i got my flat and my first VCR , this was the very first film i bought to watch on it and ive still got it.

[@robinworth7142]

I met Galland years ago he told me Goring was angry after bitching by the bomber crews about the fighters not being close enough. In fact the 109s were on free hunt, causing RAF fighters to scramble, only to be bounced by the 109s but enough fighters were getting through to worry the bus drivers;(bomber pilots) however Goring changed his tact by being more open and offered his help to remedy his Commanders worries. But they were all to scared to answer him back, so; Galland asked him to get Spitfires for his wing, which was a polite way of telling him to mind his own business and leave us alone. Most of the Luftwaffe fighter units liked their Messerschmitts and really didn't want Spitfires. One point of interest a captured Spit MK1 was fitted with a DB601 engine, as fitted in the 109E. It out performed Merlin powered Spits and 109 on all accounts. Galland also said the Luftwaffe was not designed to attack England on it's own, but be part of the Blitzkrieg of Poland, France and the early parts of the Soviet campaign; therefore they were not capable of winning the Battle of Britain themselves, but needed ground support too. Something the Allies found out with their bombing offensives.

[@freakyflow]

Must of been many years ago since his ill heath in the 80's he reduced his traveling to seeing friends that have passed on I know one of his friends that supassed his life by 10 years and Galland's account was Goring had Galland aside from everyone And told him : You have planes better then the enemy's yet you complain You have Numbers Yet you fail to break ground ...Galland : whoever is telling you there's no RAF out there should be shot You can come up and see for yourself Now if you will excuse me I have to have my engine replaced on my "better" plane

[@Dave6177]

"One point of interest a captured Spit MK1 was fitted with a DB601 engine, as fitted in the 109E. It out performed Merlin powered Spits and 109 on all accounts. " At least this part can not be true as it is physically impossible that an engine that produces less power (db engine produced less power than the merlin) makes a larger, heavier plane (spit was larger and heavier than the bf 109) perform better than a plane (spit with merlin) that already performed on par with the bf 109. As to your story of meeting galland. I really do not believe that you did not just make that up. Edit: Or in short that an engine that produces less power makes an aeroplane go faster (under the assumption that the weight of the engine was not noteworthily increased, which it wasn't. At least not to a degree that would validate that rediculous claim of yours).

[@robinworth7142]

Barack Obama I read about the captured Spit in Willam Green's book Fighters Volume 3 green covered pub 1961 the spit's nose was modifed to take the DB engine. It was only done as an experiment and taken no further. A similar experiment was carried out with the P51Mk1 with Allision a GM built engine, after changing it to a Merlin, which tranformed good to world's best and Packard building Merlins under leash (V1601)

[@robinworth7142]

Robin Worth Can I refer you to Google "captured spitfires" where you' ll find a picture of Spit MK1 with a DB601 engine as described.

[@freakyflow]

Barack Obama i seen many test after the war on the 109 and the spitfire .. what test they lack was to use different fuels both planes of the ww2 era had 87 syn fuel and american 112 oct, when tested after the war both used the same 112 and of course the fuel injectied 109 pulled ahead in proformance

[@envitech02]

1:26 Never fails to crack me up!!! Look at Goering's face!! LOL!!!

[@KManXPressTheU]

" Come on guys,I'm here to help! What you need?" " How about A squadron of Spitfires,?" "MAAANNNN...FORGET I EVEN ASKED!"

[@HenryvKeiper]

I once read an interview with a Luftwaffe ace, and apparently a lot of Luftwaffe officers actually started saying that to Goerring's face near the end of the war. He became so unpopular that it became commonplace.

[@patsmith8523]

Goering started having a lot of problems with Luftwaffe officers from the Battle of Britain onward. His mismanagement of the Luftwaffe cost them dearly as the war progressed.

[@carpypark]

Uniforms by Hugo Boss.

[@viamilitaris011]

Steve Garrod I think not . He designed uniforms for SA,SS,Gestapo and some others Nazi organizations but not for Wermacht.

[@flymax4066]

Hahaha xD

[@thitran1362]

Uhm wat? Hugo Boss design for the entire German army! It makes no sense if they only design for the SA, SS and not the Wehrmacht.

[@JustSomeGuy489]

Boss himself did not design the uniforms. His company only manufactured them.

[@smartlp3010]

When you wanne look like a Boss...

[@oleheat]

Better tactics- and a severe misjudgment of Britain's resolve.

[@comanchio1976]

... plus Britain was out-producing Germany in terms of replacement aircraft, and the strength of the royal navy made an invasion a huge gamble - even *with* air superiority.

[@w41duvernay]

AND add BRitians radar stations as well.

[@exsappermadman25055]

"Undisputed World War champions!".....Al Murray.....

[@Wanderer628]

@@comanchio1976 It wasn't a gamble, it was a suicide mission. In war games between British and German generals after the war they had to remove the royal navy from the equation altogether because the invasion was being slaughtered piece meal and even then the Germans couldn't win.

[@m0ther_bra1ned12]

"Yah you fat idiot, give me a squadron of freaking spitfires" XDROFL! XD

[@1960caesar]

+Motherbrain Jr The LUFTWAFFE CALL GOERING OLD FATSO!.

[@Neil-clare]

One of the greatest films ever made with class actors………it’s the only film I can watch over and over again! ❤️

[@MarkHarrison733]

It was an awful flop with an overage cast.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@MarkHarrison733 Yawn..... The usual complete BS Mark.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

It's a racist film.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw Mark... James... which one will you be next?

[@Neil-clare]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw in what way ?

[@Pheonixfromtheshale]

'This was their finest hour' Happy 90th Birthday R.A.F!!

[@HenryvKeiper]

@marvelmax03191 Remember that episode of "Fawlty Towers"? "You started it!" "No we didn't!" "Yes you did. You invaded Poland."

[@KarayaYT]

There was the FW-200 Condor which was 4-engined and had a great range coupled with the ability to carry up to 2 tons of bombs but it was mainly used as a maritime patrol aircraft searching for allied convoys in the Atlantic. Later in the war there was also the He-177 Greiff which had the unusual feature of using DB610 engines, basically two DB605s coupled together. So it basically had 4 engines but in a 2 engine arrangement

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Not only that but when the movie was made they actually hired Adolf Galland as a consultant, to make sure they got it right. Galland made them go the extra mile, he had a lot to say about how the camouflage of the Buchons (Spanish built Me-190's) looked and also corrected the costume department about the uniforms. In addition he also went over the dialogue to make sure it was historically correct.

[@theodorathanasiadis6629]

Hermann Göring what do you need to defeat Britain?Luftwaffe brownings.

[@HenryvKeiper]

That's the nicest thing about the fact the war ended is we can all go back to liking one another. I lived in Germany for two and a half years and have many good memories about it.

[@AS-fn3qk]

Yes, war is stupid and obsolete to human progress and advance, love and peace for each other is a much better way to live and be ♥️

[@vstar7196]

In Galland’s autobiography he readily admits that he made no such comment to Goering. Nothing more than an urban myth.

[@armincherusker]

Göring was asking to Mölders and Galland: “What can I do to improve the fighting capability, especially for escort?” Göring was annoyed of him and answered: “Please Herr Reichsmarschall, equip my wing with Spitfires!”

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@armincherusker It never happened.

[@EaglePersonified]

LMAO I love that line and yes Goring's face afterwards was priceless :-)

[@kchishol1970]

Yes, it was worth it to see the smile of the Flightless Fatso being wiped off!

[@puntzakjuh]

That guy that asked for spitfires sure has balls to say that to a fieldmarshal

[@menatwar]

Goering was another officer in high command that contributed a lot to Germany losing the war.. praise God for his glorious grace

[@HenryvKeiper]

@omcx1e From an interview with a former German fighter ace in Military History magazine, I gather it was fairly common for Luftwaffe personnel to make personal cracks or jokes to Goerring's face :)

[@Chyroptilian]

It was Adolf Galland who said it to Goering as an affront..

[@memoriesofdaysgoneby2348]

Goering flew with the Red Baron and was a member of the Flying Circus in WW I.

[@envitech02]

Love the BoB theme music as well. It sounds so uplifting and authentically German. Rob Goodwin has outGermaned the Germans!!

[@MARGARELON]

"The theme of fighter protection was chewed over again and again. Goering clearly represented the point of view of the bombers and demanded close and rigid protection. The bomber, he said, was more important than record bag figures. I tried to point out that the Me109 was superior in the attack and not so suitable for purely defensive purposes as the Spitfire, which, although a little slower, was much more manoeuvrable. He rejected my objection. We received many more harsh words. Finally, as his time ran short, he grew more amiable and asked what were the requirements for our squadrons. Moelders asked for a series of Me109's with more powerful engines. The request was granted. 'And you ?' Goering turned to me. I did not hesitate long. 'I should like an outfit of Spitfires for my group.' After blurting this out, I had rather a shock, for it was not really meant that way. Of course, fundamentally I preferred our Me109 to the Spitfire, but I was unbelievably vexed at the lack of understanding and the stubbornness with which the command gave us orders we could not execute - or only incompletely - as a result of many shortcomings for which we were not to blame. Such brazen-faced impudence made even Goering speechless. He stamped off, growling as he went." The First And The Last by Adof Galland

[@roykliffen9674]

The BF-109 and the Spitfire were closely matched, so a squadron of German Spitfires would have hardly made a difference. The Germans had the disadvantage of flying over British territory at the outer limits of their operational range, so the could only remain about 10-15 minutes before fuel-shortage would force a retreat. In case of being shot down, and surviving, German pilots would become POW's, and be out of the war while RAF pilots could return to their airfield and rejoin the fight as soon a replacement plane was available. If shot down into the sea near the coast and - again - surviving, pilots might be picked up by high-speed RAF rescue-tenders, with the same results. Damaged or fuel-starved German aircraft might have to ditch in the channel on the way back, with little chance of the crew being rescued if they survived the crash landing. Beside these disadvantages, the Germans had to deal with a much more efficient use of British fighters through the guidance of radar. Despite all these disadvantages, the Germans had the RAF on the brink of being defeated, due to their tactic of targeting the airfields and other infra-structures vital to the RAF. But they managed to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory by switching from targeting the RAF, to targeting Urban areas ... from then on the RAF was on the ascendancy and continued to win the BoB.

[@roykliffen9674]

twinstu50 In the later stages of the BoB German fighters were ordered to fly closer to the bombers after complaints of the bomber-crews that the British fighters managed to get through in too large numbers, wreaking havoc among the bombers. It lead to higher losses amongst the fighters, so the natural request would have been to "release" the fighters from their leashes. The German fighter pilots did however have tremendous respect for the Spitfire, so much so that they considered it even undignified to be shot down by any other plane e.g. a Hurricane. In their admiration they may have overrated the Spitfire compared to their own fighters, which would explain a request for Spitfires. But it is difficult to ascertain exactly what was meant.

[@ertwander]

It was A.Galland who said to Göring: "Rüsten sie mein Geschwader mit Spitfires aus!" He wasn´t serious of course, he only wanted to mock Göring for beeing ignorant.

[@benschmidt3967]

The Me109s range was something the Spitfire pilots did not have to worry about as well as a slight low speed handling advantage due to its wing design led to faster Me109s and the Fw190...to counter it. Me109 had a better turn rate at high speed so a good pilot in either plane- actually it came down to better tactics by the British and Luftwaffe running out of pilots too and Operation Sea lion was never to be. In a negative G turn the Diamler Benz engine being fuel injected had a edge over the Spit which powerful Rolls Royce engine was limited by carburettor. Some would say when Hitler bombed London instead of taking out the airfields was a poor use of resources too as the British began bombing raids on Europe proper made him loose his cool- and the British won here as well.

[@barracuda7018]

109 was the better fighter even the famous British BoB historian James Holland confirms : www.griffonmerlin.com/2010/07/15/the-me109-v-spitfire-debate-keeps-going/ People can argue all they like about handling, wing-loading, under-carriage widths etc etc, but the bare-faced facts are these: the Me109 could climb faster, had considerably greater fire-power, and could dive faster. That made it the best air-to-air fighter of 1940. That’s not a debate, it’s a fact. This chapter is closed and Spitfire myth has been debunked long time ago ..

[@barracuda7018]

Had Goering listened to Galland and other aces like Wick or Moelders, 109's would have annihilated Spitfires despite the huge disadvantage with regard to fuel shortage..

[@dxfan18]

My dad's favourite film of ALL TIME and I can't blame him

[@ErstO1]

One of the best movies of all time

[@Wombah-rc6zz]

Did Galland actually ask Goering for a squadron of Spitfires?? If so they could have earned no higher praise than this - that the enemy desires them more than what they're flying! I know everyone who made comment on them said the same thing - that they were a beautiful plane to fly - Mr. Mitchell obviously hit on a winner when he designed this little marvel!

[@1960caesar]

+Wombah 0070 Galland said, GIVE ME A PLANE LIKE A SPITFIRE !

[@Wombah-rc6zz]

Amazing!

[@animelovers000]

+Wombah 0070 he really did say that to goering whats more also he helped to make the movie

[@shauntbarry]

+Inquisitor T. Torquemada And the Hurricane was responsible for the amount of He-111's and Ju-88's.. Spitfires were mainly used as a fighter v fighter.. Hurricane was the main hero aircraft of Bob when you think about it

[@Wombah-rc6zz]

Yes, that is true. It just amuses me no end that when asked by fat guts Goering, Gallant asks for a SPITFIRE! Sure just ring the factory & place an order! NO PROBLEM! Delivery address:- German airfield Northern France!! I repeat - In the field of human conflict there can be no higher praise than THIS - We want what they are flying in!

[@lilbrothaaa]

I think one of the most important factors was not the slight inferiority of the BF109E compared to the Spitfire but the inability of German Command to, in advance, see the necessity for a fighter that can escort bombers over long ranges.

[@flint55]

He was and also highly respected by many of Britain's top aces several of which he became good friends with including Tuck, Bader, and Johnson,.

[@ptsdpamphletcompany5890]

Those Spanish versions of the Me-109 though. *Licks lips*

[@Clio1326]

+CMD REDDY Buchon.

[@growlanser5600]

I think they are fucking hideous.

[@AnimatedAirlines]

smooth as butter

[@michaelclentworth1283]

I saw one at the Warbirds Over Wanaka air show.

[@mrrolandlawrence]

amazing film. just how they got so many spitfires and bf109's for the ariel scenes is amazing in itself. the only slight inaccuracy is that german radar was rather good and the big wings took time to assemble which meant the german airforce had plenty of time to prepare.

[@masterscubaman]

Not true. Germany all but ceased radar research in 1939, and only fully restarted after Britain started winning the war in the Atlantic in 43 - using cm sets to detect u boats on surface - so too late to catch up.

[@Jonesyb90]

Don’t forget the sound mirrors on the South coast, whilst not perfect they did a hell of a job, especially considering how simple they were.

[@usmctanks1]

It was actually members of the Spanish Air force. The scenes (flight) were down to the second, as they had limited time to use the "borrowed" aircraft. Buchon ME-109's had merlin engines, and were called "pouter pigeons" due to the new appearance. Also the He-111's in the movie were CASA built in Spain, and re-engined. At the time this movie was filmed, there were maybe 15 airworthy Spits and 3-5 Hurricanes, now approaching 100+ airworthy Spits and at least 15 hurricanes..

[@johnbertrand7185]

Interesting comparison between the two main fighters from the Battle of Britain (leaving out the Hurricane since, as a better gun platform, it was usually sent after the bombers) The Spitfire was much better in a turn than the Bf-109, but the Bf-109 had more punch with a 20mm hub firing cannon which could take out a Spitfire with 1 or 2 rounds if it was able to get off the fist shot.

[@brfowlie]

The scene just prior to this really gets to me, when the german pilot's trying to fly his damaged plane back home while holding on to his very badly wounded friend. Really puts the war into perspective. Every soldier, Allied or Axis, deserves respect and recognition. It's their leaders who are the real monsters. Guaranteed there were equally as many acts of bravery on the Axis side of this conflict, too bad hardly any of them get credit since they lost.

[@mozzy747]

Not quite Luftwaffe pilots were notorious for shooting pilots in parachutes as were the Japanese

[@guywilloughby3383]

I know it has been said that Adolf Galland requested a squadron of spitfires but I seriously doubt it, The 109 was as good a fighter as the spitfire,in many ways better.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

And in many ways worse.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 Germany had the best aeroplanes and tanks.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw As was demonstrated by the their withdrawal from British daytime skies after having their arses handed to them during the battle of Britain.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 The Battle of Britain was completely irrelevant as Hitler never intended to invade the UK.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw Unfortunately for you James even the nazis own documentary evidence confirms the fallacy of the nonsense you constantly bleat on about.

[@brettlloyd5764]

The best aviation movie ever, too bad this can't be done again today

[@garryferrington811]

You could do it with CGI and I won't be surprised when someone does.

[@berlinmitte10117]

Many propellor aces formed Galland's late war jet unit JV44, the 'squadron of the experts'. This squadron boasted (with justification) that the Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz), which the majority of the unit's pilots wore, was the unofficial badge of the unit.

[@thebritish25]

I doubt it The Zero was know for its speed and agility not for its fuel consumption also they lacked adequate Armor protection. A Spitfires cannons would tear A Zero to shreads.

[@LtBrown1956]

spits only had .30 mgs not cannons at this stage of the war ...but your point is valid, zeros were a bonfire waiting a winnie roast

[@GoranXII]

Zeros had great range, and great manoeuvrability, however, both came at a cost due to their low powered-engines. The Zero lacked self-sealing fuel tanks, and often, radios.

[@tommyleesheils9867]

Ahh the spitfire, the plane that won the war!

[@DanyKenz]

+Tommylee Sheils .. not the only one .. P51 mustang and F4U corsair was fabulous too :) .. aahh WW2 fighters planes .. was the real fighters :)

[@caroll3309]

And not forgetting the Hurricanes

[@FORBAN2]

It never won any war, its all British propaganda ..

[@steliosrouchotas8698]

Tommylee Sheils If the Me262 had been produced in larger numbers,the Allies would have soon lost air supremacy,if not the war itself...

[@andrewzheng4038]

Or he was masturbating so hard to the Me-262 flight tests that he accidentally wrote "produce as bomber" in place of "produce as fighter", not that I blame him :D

[@perfectionbox]

Goering is the kind of marshall who listens to classic opera with his eyes closed

[@josiahgodwin2933]

This guys mannerisms make you feel he's really Goerring. :)

[@garyvandecar8554]

Major Falke is loosely based on Adolf Galland.

[@wcstevens7]

Gary VanDecar ..General Galland was a really brave man, a true German patriot ..and he became great friends with the late,great, Douglas Bader ( two really obstinate and determined buggers )

[@Vikingr4Jesus5919]

Goering: "Ah, my friends. I am here to help! Is there anything I can do for you?" Falcon: "Yes sir, give me a squadron of Spitfires." Goering: "..." --___-- This is so well done!!!!!!

[@ivorholtskog5506]

I don’t think it was the planes, it was the pilots of the spitfire. That made the difference.

[@marcvanderwee]

At 0.05 one 'pilot' says: We suffer big losses. What is not indicated in the subtitles... 1.30: The expression on the face of 'Goering'. Priceless!!!!

[@FifthContinentMusic]

An admirable film ruined for the most part by a 'commercial' music score, which replaced the trenchant, martial music by the great Sir William Walton OM. Only Walton's 'Battle in the Air' was retained because of Sir Laurence Olivier's lobbying.

[@Bfdidc]

Best music of the movie. That climactic scene over London...

[@harryselwind]

I have to disagree with this. For me, Goodwin's score is completely appropriate to the action it accompanies, It captures the initial and over-riding jaunty optimism of the German forces but then mixes this with dark and chilling passages as the battle develops. Moreover, I always believed (though I could be wrong) the Goodwin replaced Walton (a notoriously slow composer) because he was taking too long to complete the score.

[@FifthContinentMusic]

Your comments about Walton taking too long are absolute rubbish. You know nothing about the music in this film/

[@FifthContinentMusic]

Are you stupid or what? Go troll somewhere else.

[@harryselwind]

As for knowing nothing about Walton, he's a composer I've enjoyed for many years and have recordings of many of his works. The remark that he was a slow composer was not intended as a criticism, merely an explanation as to why Goodwin was used as his replacement. "Walton was a slow worker, painstakingly perfectionist, and his complete body of work across his long career is not large." (Wikipedia.) I will not be getting drawn further into this. I made perfectly reasonable comments in an inoffensive manner. The nature of your response is uncalled for and disproportionate. It says more about yourself than it does this topic of this discussion.

[@geover330]

nah it was adolf galland. my father actually met galland when he came to greece to visit the Greek Aeronautical Museum. They painted the german cross of the Luftwaffe (not the swastika - the cross) on a small piper and took him around the airfield while doing some aerobatics. i'm quite jealous of my father, as he has also met douglas Bader.

[@flintrocks]

Yeah, love the corsairs, 190s pretty good to.

[@HenryvKeiper]

Thanks, and thank you for confirming it again. I've had commentators say none of this took place.

[@robinworth7142]

I've met Galland, which this clip is based on was to tell Goring to go and mind his own business politely, nothing do do with SpitfiesvBf109s, knowing what Goring promised he couldn't keep. Galland wanted the German high command to allow the Bf109s to keep their free hunt, which was giving Fighter Command a course to defeat; but the bomber boys were pestered by the few fighters getting through to intercept. Anyway the Luftwaffe wasn't built for this kind of warfare, it was for Blitzkreig.

[@bobbyewing2486]

Robin Worth yes I am sure some old fucked off German would have told you anything to make him feel more superior.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

Galland never actually said this.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

They must have overruled him as he was a senior advisor on the film, Mark.. I mean James.

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 They did. He was very angry about it.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 Galland condemned the awful film.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw They mustn't have paid him enough when he acted as an advisor for the film. Mind you it's only to be expected when the film displayed how his "side" had their arses kicked that summer in 1940 !!!

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 Germany did not lose the Battle of Britain, as Galland confirmed. The battle was irrelevant in any case as Hitler never intended to invade the UK.

[@Okiedog1]

"Yes Field Marshall, a squadron of Spitfires." I half expect Goering to turn to the guy next to him and say : "Shoot him."

[@IsaiahRichards692]

Göring: I am here to help. Anything you need? Luftwaffe pilots: Could you switch sides and lead the RAF?! That’d be a big help!

[@minderbeaxtigt9676]

POV: Du kommst von Nerd & Kultur

[@josephwarra5043]

What he actually said was:"Give me British Spitfires and Polish pilots!"

[@MrJoshua1875]

there were only 140 poles , and 2300 british...100 newzealand etc etc, .so no. he didnt. this is germany, they thought they were the best at everything. But britain stopped them. with a little help from friends. but hey. germany had plenty too,

[@markharrison2544]

Germany had no allies, while Britain had a worldwide empire.

[@MrJoshua1875]

mark harrison, yes they did, namely italy and japan, a fair bit of yugoslavia, romania and its oil fields,also hungary, they had ss divisions from beligium, they had a divison from spain at eastern front, the fact that they were in good relations with the swedes meant they had mass amounts of iron ore, which was just as important to a war effort than supplies UK got from allied shores.They were also allied with finland, just as much as Uk was allied with USa until 1942! Germany is not an island, massive advantage compared to Uk, and larger population for manpower, to say Germany had no allies, and to assume they did it alone is completely wrong. they lost with allies!

[@angloirishcad]

Nonsense, the waffen SS recruited tens of thousands from across Europe, they had entire divisions from France, Holland Norway etc.

[@stephenluczkowski6533]

THE POLISH PILOTS OF THE R.A.F. SQ. 303..WAS THE HIGHEST SCORING SQ. IN THE R.A.F...AT THE 1945 VICTORY PARADE..IN LONDON..THE POLES WERE NOT INVITED TO ATTEND..THE BRITISH DID NOT WANT TO OFFEND STALIN..THE BRITISH SUCK...S.LUCZKOWSKI. .

[@smoggyben]

Yes it was. There was also another battle that also decided the fate of the world. The battle of stalingrad. These 2 battles in my opinion where the most important battles in human history.

[@vstar7196]

The Battle Of Britain was insignificant. Only the British continue to promote that myth that it was the turning point in the European war. Hitler never had any real intention of invading Southern England. Galland reaffirms this.

[@smoggyben]

@@vstar7196 I wouldn’t call it the turning point of the war, but had Germany gone on to invade Britain then they would have had their 100% undivided attention on the Soviet Union. I’m not saying Germany would have defeated the soviets but they would have stood a much better chance had they defeated Britain first.

[@johndavis7944]

If only a fully operational squadron of Spitfires were still flying these days. One, two or even three doing a fly past is enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention, but a whole squadron would make you lose all body control functions in shear delight. Now I must watch the movie again. Upsa-daisy. Dacca dacca dacca dacca. Beware of the Hun in the sun.

[@witoldgruzowty]

Critical mistake I see here, he shouldn't be asking for a squadron of Spitfires. Instead he should be asking for a squadron of Polish and Czechoslovakian pilots ;)

[@StandardSpec.]

And Irish pilots!

[@gan9e]

and what would they have flown in hmmm?

[@MyScubasteve]

Thats ok my friend, yes thats ok but 180 pilots excellent as they were added to 1500 pilots. I do think though that 180 polish pilots could have been enough to rip the arse out of germany, but just glad they were not on their own.. Best

[@MrLongbow1415]

What the Same Poles who got invaded and lost in a few days, then relied on Britain to save em ? Stupid Poles, should have left em to the Boche.

[@MyScubasteve]

MrLongbow1415 yeah the same poles who fought at Arnham and were diverted there instead of the original plan of being dropped into Poland. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Independent_Parachute_Brigade_(Poland)

[@HenryvKeiper]

@LovelyElbe11 Awe, poor, poor Nazi Germany. :( They just wanted the Rhineland. And Austria. And the Sudetenland. And Czechoslovakia. And Poland. And...

[@eigernordwand1018]

ignorant fool

[@richardschiffman7657]

Both Brits and Germans are arrogant bastards. I prefer the French. Napoleon should have won!

[@Skyisnotalimit]

Great. Thanks.

[@Cool2BCeltic]

I was at primary school when this film was first shown on BBC television in September 1974. The following morning I can remember one guy, Gavin Bruce, (who was always drawing pictures of battles during painting and drawing class) telling the class that he'd watched The Battle of Britain the previous night and then said "The German general asked the German pilot if there was anything he wanted and he said a squadron of Spitifres". He didn't know that the "German general" was Goering.

[@Skyisnotalimit]

Fan vilken bra film!!

[@DSVOP]

I find myself in agreement with your view.

[@bagoistvan3182]

One of the bad decisions about this movie by the producers was in my opinion the decision to use pseudonym names for the historically significant minor figures such it was Adolf Galland and Werner Mölders.If you could point out defects regarding this movie this was one of the major ones but whitch thankfully had no effect on this masterpiece of celluloid artwork a true monument about the historic and world changing time period named Battle of Britain.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

Yes I agree with that point, they use all the correct British names, but make no named references to the opposing heirarchy (apart from Georing), It would have made it much more satisfying for those with an interest in the subject.

[@HenryvKeiper]

@TheMythtern5 Aces High, or the Luftwaffe theme. It was written for the film. They play the full version at the beginning of the film.

[@mbabist01]

Okay! The supervisor of a friend few P-51 for the Eighth. One time he got into a dogfight with an FW 190 D-9 (Dora 9 to the Germans, long-nosed FW to the Americans). Both pilots could not get a good shot at each other, ammo gone, waved and left. Yrs later, Galland was invited to an Eighth reunion. Man told Galland the story. Galland, bug-eyed, exclaimed, "That was YOU!? G** damn, you nearly got me killed!" They were best buds since! :-D

[@penfloyd]

This was Their "Finest Hour" God Bless Them......

[@mbabist01]

@logancody05 I've read that, towards the end of the Battle, the Brits moved the Hurricane to night-fighting. It was slower so it could handle unescorted bombers, and had a wide-track landing gear that enabled it to land in open fields, if need be.

[@Nebulafox]

Let us not forget the bravery of the German pilots as well. There are always two sides to every story, two sides to every conflict. Regardless of ideology, the bravery of the Luftwaffe pilots cannot be so easily dismissed as Goering so easily insinuated.

[@Matterian]

There needs to be a reboot of this movie. A newer versions with current actors and current film tech. BUT I do love this movie.

[@Kamfrenchie]

@Domiedave99 then how do you explain the influence of frenh language in the english one?

[@Marcin_Pisarski]

The Hurricane did the work, the Spitfire took the glory.

[@flint55]

Greetings, it was so fortunate they made this movie while they still had many vintage aeroplanes in flying condition. If they were to make this movie today with CGI, it would look like a video game.

[@robertmoldes6842]

i really like this part of the movie...

[@rscott2247]

It was very fortunate for the Allies that Kesselring didn't become Goerings successor in the war. Had he had total Luftwaffe command, I could see him running the Luftwaffe in a very efficient state of attrition and not letting his ego get the best of him: IMO

[@HenryvKeiper]

@SE09uk You'd be surprised about the spitfire comment. It was recorded as having happened, though as a person affront to Goering. As for being shot on the spot, from what I've read from Luftwaffe veterans, it was actually pretty common for people to do that to Goering, especially near the end of the war.

[@Spartanz1170]

Georing face was priceless!

[@mikerood3544]

Take some time to read the posts below. The depth and breadth of knowledge some of these people display is staggering to me. I wish I had time to read all of them.

[@mbabist01]

@peterm3964 The Hurricane, being slower than the Spit, was relegated to going after the bombers, whilst the Spit went after the fighter escort. Both were VERY hot ships.

[@Robozgraggi]

@Skyisnotalimit You're right. The exhaust pipes were deeper the body frame. The Messerschmitts in this movie are actually Hispano HA1112, spanish built MEs with Hispano engines.

[@Roadracer987654321]

This Scene is Great Drama and is almost Completely Hysterical .

[@pramboy09]

@heybuddyheybuddy what this part of the film was taken from was a discussion between adolf galland and goering, when he asked what he needed to defeat the raf, he declared he needed spitfires, not that he thought the spitfire was better than the 109 but more that he was so frustrated with the tactics goering had created.

[@Valtsuuu]

Somewhy, I always thought those are captured spitfires at the end of the scene.

[@Soundwave3591]

@goldyn12345 there was the FW 200 condor, the Junkers Ju 290,and the Messershmidt Me 264, to name a few. there were also larger planes like the Ju 390, which had 6 engines, and actually got withing 12 miles of new york on a test flight.

[@AbelMcTalisker]

The Camoflage on the `109 changed because they were operating more over water and a camo with a lot of grey and blue worked better than the green paterns in use up until the Battle of France. The same sort of thing happened with the RAF who later on replaced the Brown/Green Camo on fighters with a Grey/Green one.

[@janmarsh]

@thebritish25 Douglas Bader, Spitfire pilot with 2 artifiial legs was the "This is your life" programme subject. Out from behind the curtain a mystery guest appeared, it was Adolf Galland. That programme may well have been in the late 60's