Daring Solo Beaufighter Raid - Paris 1942

Find out about Operation Squabble, a daring British plan to raise the morale of the people of occupied Paris by dropping a French tricolour on the Arc de Triomphe during a German parade!
Many thanks to subscriber 'generallyawesome' for suggesting the topic.
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Thumbnail: Mark Postlethwaite

[@stevegriffiths2103]

I was taught Technical Drawing by Gilbert Fern, he terrified me as I was unable to draw fine lines :) It turned out his bark was worse than his bite. He later taught me Maths and helped me with revision techniques that I use to this day. Always immaculately dressed with blazer, we knew he was ex RAF but he never told us about this mission. Great guy.

[@barrygillingwater9574]

Group Captain Ken Gatward presented me with my pilot's wings in 1966. I recall he didn't seem to have aged much from his wartime photos. A complete gentleman and an inspirational speaker. Proud to have met him.

[@Basement_Operator]

Strafing Germans in a beaufighter to fly home for tea and medals. Does it get more British than that?

[@rovercoupe7104]

“Back for tea and medals” - brilliant. M.

[@TheStrstudios]

sounds very Blackadder goes forth haha.

[@BuildingCenter]

That was just slick. British as hell, too. Kind of cocky, kind of wild, absolutely hilarious *with deadly intent* . Ah, Brits. Gotta love 'em.

[@gavinyip4680]

That picture from the Beaufighter of the Eiffel Tower was brilliant

[@davidprice118]

I knew Gilbert Fern, he was a really lovely man from the Forest of Dean. When Gatward's obituary was published in the Telegraph he signed it for me - Dave, best wishes George (Gilbert) Fern. It is a very treasured possession. A very dangerous mission carried out by two very brave typically British men.

[@nialldoyle8206]

Unbelievable bravery.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

That column of German soldiers lucked out that day. Being straffed by a Beaufighter would ruin you day.

[@orsonkaart1853]

Flying home for tea and medals! Brilliant!

[@theallseeingmaster]

Earl Grey?

[@PaulfromChicago]

They had a plan, and it was as hot as their pants!

[@gazbradster]

Tea and Crumpets

[@historyshlibber7176]

Tea and medals, in that order, correct priorities are important

[@amesbancal]

C'est la première fois que j'entends parler d'un tel remarquable exploit, ces pilotes anglais étaient extraordinaires.

[@oldesertguy9616]

Amazing story. World War II was so huge that stories like this continue to emerge in a never-ending stream, it seems. Imagine if a lot of the stuff that is still classified would be released.

[@williamfindspeople4341]

imagine if they stuck this stuff in school. There's just so much that isn't taught today. Talking to a bunch of navel ROTC they didn't know what the Arizona was or where it was made me sad. OMG

[@mattharte7334]

Why have we never heard about this amazing single aircraft operation before? History has been very quiet about this raid. Great film, very interesting.

[@davidhills703]

*Hears theme music - hits like button

[@neilwilson5785]

I did it too. It said Beaufighter as well, and after seeing how imposing an aircraft this is (at the RAF museum, Hendon), That helped the early like. Not risky, as this is an excellent video as always.

[@jonnibegood1]

👍🏼🇬🇧

[@1337fraggzb00N]

David Hills me too 🥰

[@Spartan117TCF]

@@Fred_Broca Called 'Pursuit' (Apple imovie) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGmYdXuNp9ehqaM

[@t3chn0m0]

As a german, I salute this. Takes a lot of bravery and the plan was just great. Well done!

[@gedb3946]

"the ten gun terror" my all time favourite aircraft , rarely given the publicity it deserves

[@nickhanlon9331]

R.A.A.F. pilots loved them as well in the Pacific.Lot of ships were sunk by them and they were quicker enough to get out once the job was done.Though the pilots would be coming home to a tent on a muddy field with bully beef on the menu.

[@HeavensGremlin]

Many years ago I was browsing in an open market in Bath, and purchased a whole pile of original wartime photos - which included the photos taken on this raid.

[@bigchungus4349]

You never disappoint us, Mark! Keep up the obscure war stories!

[@u.h.forum.]

Shrek hi

[@johnparrish9215]

I've always loved the Beaufighter, it's so British, like a Bulldog.

[@metalmadsen]

A flying Churchill 😉

[@Ndlanding]

@@metalmadsen I wish you hadn't created that mental picture! Almost vomited.

[@ShahOfBlahII]

The Beaufighter- one of the most underrated planes of World War II. Did not come pout of active service til 1960, when you consider all the innovations from 1942 til 1960 gives some idea of how ahead of its time it was.

[@bradforddean1]

Flight Lieutenant Ken Gatward, was it he who first uttered the immortal British expression "Smoke me a kipper I'll be back for breakfast!"

[@Ndlanding]

I believe it was Theresa May. Might be wrong, but.

[@johnwilletts3984]

Suggestion: Some years ago, there was a documentary/drama about two WW11 British army dentists, who wanted to fight and so well before D Day the two men “invaded” France. They stole a fishing boat and once in France destroyed a train then got involved in a commando raid. On their return they were arrested for desertion, but then allowed to fight. Would be good to see a Mark Felton documentary on this.

[@paulj.plaster1465]

Whatever is the matter with the 77 who 'thumbs downed' ? REALLY? Excellent channel, and very very well put together collection of stories. Keep it up Mr Felton . Looking forward to your next episode already.

[@lawrencemartin6041]

Excellent! Another new one on me and so interested to see RAF Thorney Island on the map as the departure field! When I was a boy, my father kept his boat in a yard at Thorney Island. We would sail past the runway and I would be thrilled by watching the Army Air Corps Beavers flying in and out as well as Westland Whirlwind and Wessex helicopters on SAR duties. The greatest thrill was the multitude of RAF Hercules and Andover transports which were based there and which flew very low over us. When ashore, I would run out along the various narrow raised footpaths which surrounded the many small basins at the boat yard. The Herc and Andover pilots would be circuit bashing and I would wave at them on low final approach. In return they nearly always flashed their landing lights at me and then the shadow of the aircraft would flash towards me over the landscape and zip over me!! Happy days. I loved this film and little did I know back in those days, that such a daring raid had been mounted from there or indeed that I would become so deeply interested in SOE ops either. Thanks for yet another winner!

[@llamamusicchannel7688]

It's always good to hear of these veterans living a long life after the war. Tragic how many heroes never really lived to see what they achieved.

[@kimwit1307]

I haven't found a Mark Felton video I didn't like yet.

[@metalmadsen]

No one can 😊

[@AviTheWolf]

I just finished watching the one on the typhoon where the son got his revenge for his dad this pops up in my notifications thank God Mark

[@Hriuke]

I think Mark need some sort of KZbin medal for these stories!

[@ryansplace2009]

Can you post a link to that?

[@deanpd3402]

So did I.

[@Ndlanding]

@@deanpd3402 What exactly did you do?

[@prt464riv]

Maybe it's just the mood I'm in--maybe not; but at 3:30 am here on the USA west coast, having just watched your well produced and extremely well narrated account, I just feel like standing up and cheering! Well, there are neighbors so I'll keep quiet and say in a whisper, Thanks for your excellent short feature. (Shhhhh. . . )

[@surearrow]

>> Two croissants to go please--keep the change.

[@agnostic47]

The Beaufighter, and the Mosquito are my favourite aircraft. I don't know about the people of Paris on that day, but I found myself welling up as they "banked steeply to port". I used to live in Northolt, I can imagine them touching down in time for a late lunch. These days Northolt is most famous for appearing on the traffic reports every morning "the A40 is tailed back to the Polish War Memorial".

[@haroldcline5543]

And all this time I thought missions like this one were reserved for the Mosquito. Great recounting of a daring and noble endeavor. During WWII the Brits constantly proved again and again that free people would not cower in the face of tyranny. In this mission, they shared their hope and optimism with the people of Paris.

[@Simonize41]

Tally-bloody-ho!!!! What a fantastic story to compliment my favourite aircraft of WWII - The Beaufighter. Thanks Mark, great work as always.💯👍🏻

[@SeanModernAthlete]

Fascinating story. My grandfather flew Beaufighters with the SAAF in WW2, magnificent aircraft.

[@Ndlanding]

Bombing the Fuzzy-Wuzzies in their huts? Any relation to Boris the new PM?

[@erepsekahs]

Holy cow! Now THAT'S an adventure with nerves of steel. What men! And tea and crumpets to top it off.

[@anthonygreene5560]

That's an amazing run. Great respect for the British to do that for their friend and alie France.

[@ZerokillerOppel1]

"And flying home for tea and medals" ....marvellous!!!😅

[@xmeda]

Beau is such a beast... 4 cannons, 6 machineguns and even defensive one aiming back.. fast, sturdy..

[@omfgspoon7]

I don't know how he does it but every single video on this channel is somehow always equal to or even better than the last! Fascinating stories one after another many of which are unknown to almost everyone out there. As a huge history buff myself who has extensively studied and researched WW2, which is my favorite topic in history, I am constantly amazed and ecstatic at seeing constant new stories on this channel that I had never even heard of! Trust me when I say that is quite a feat! Thank you for all the amazing content and the great quality. Keep it up!

[@mrgarland5210]

10 dislikes from German Flak gunners that missed the mark.

[@jfloresmac]

Jolly good show chaps Carry on Cheers and saludos from latin America

[@aamirqadri1302]

Oh my god, what a story! These pilots were brave souls !!

[@sickre]

They couldn't carry any bombs in the bomb bay because of the weight of their giant bronze balls.

[@davepearce6359]

Boys own adventure stuff. Brilliant. 👍🏻

[@thomaslohr2864]

Amazing story! Absolutely bad ass, casually snapping some pics while they were at it 👌 Also great to hear they survived the war

[@Tigerrun]

Thanks Mark. I’ve never heard about this mission before. What an amazing feat to pull off when the German forces were at their might of power.

[@Elomere]

one of the most interesting channels on youtube!

[@ericdickison7995]

The Beaufighter, also known as “Whispering death” from the sound its engines made. Lovely aircraft and superb video as always Mark!

[@afulle02]

Oh my God!! This brought tears to my eyes!!

[@beanzbeanz]

This one brought me to tears! Incredible daring.

[@neilphillips162]

It's amazing to hear these stories of our young British pilots (all heroes ) and the horror they lived to free the nation's people , they will never be forgotten ever cos that's what us brits are like, we all stand together in the face of conflict . Thanks for the upload 👍 mark great stories from the past.

[@2Quietus]

Excellent find for a story. I had zero knowledge of this and pride myself on personal extent of info on WWII. Never stop, professor!!

[@juleswins3]

Terrific story! You seldom read about these types of events in the history books. No guts no glory but there was plenty of both in this mission.

[@Getpojke]

Excellent tale of derring-do and rousingly told Dr Felton. Great story of courage and including my 2nd favourite plane of WWII, what more could a chap ask for on an overcast Saturday afternoon. Thank you, as well as raising morale on both sides of the Channel back then it has raised it here in 2019.

[@markdavis2475]

Made the hairs on my arms stand up! So good to hear they survived the war!

[@Mugdorna]

This is the original "TopGun" story. Those men are amazing

[@jenhadar5079]

Because you spoke about one of my two favourite British WW II aircraft, the other being the beautiful Mossie you have captured another subscriber

[@crstothard]

Hizzah to the boys in the RAF! Greetings from NYC!

[@allenatkins2263]

The name is Gatward... Ken Gatward, cue 007 music.

[@golfbulldog]

Mark, you should be responsible for the History curriculum in UK schools! Kids need to know the level of defiance, bravery and sacrifice needed to ensure freedom from tyranny.

[@kevinhaynes9091]

Thank you Mark, another interesting and entertaining video. You may be interested in the story of HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen, the ship that escaped Japanese detection in 1942 disguised as a tropical island...

[@therealuncleowen2588]

That British pilot is the type of officer portrayed in near post war movies, seen as a cliche today, but true as life. "I say old chap, let's pop across the Channel and give Jerry something to think about. It'll be a Jolly Good show, lads." David Niven should have played him in the movie version. Back for tea and medals indeed!

[@mikewilson4847]

Neat little memory of an INCREDIBLE piece of flying.

[@keepingitreal6793]

I’m not sure how or where you find these incredible true stories but keep them coming. A BIG thank you from your viewers and subscribers! I’m sure it takes a great deal of time and energy to research, write and edit videos of these incredible events. As well, I strongly believe your videos serve to educate; so all of us can understand why we need to pay respect to the greatest generation! Lastly, I have a feeling your channel is going to get a lot more subscribers! Cheers!

[@TPBXDRicky420]

The photos from the plane are crazy! Nice to have a cool story to go along with them.

[@paulhealy5855]

Two fine gentlemen that deserve recognition!

[@billhanna2148]

I love your channel and I can only imagine how it felt to have brave friends who still have your back in bad times.👍

[@flipjenl9616]

Freaking badass mission. Casually drop a flag on top of the arc de triomphe.

[@robertquick6690]

I don't know if you've got the entire history of all the war dept's files stashed somewhere, but your channel's brilliant, just brilliant!!! And that's from a Yank. I spent '91- 92 working Harley Davidson's Military Motorcycle Trial's w/ the MOD, so I'm familiar w/ the way your MOD details projects. Keep it up !

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Shame there was no parade that day. The German quartermasters would have had to find a lot of new underwear. 😂

[@docsgarage3643]

I’m continually amazed at the small stories of WWII that most overlook. Thanks for bringing these acts of bravery to light.

[@Tayd0g]

I love the way Mark says "Lieutenant".

[@murderouskitten2577]

Mr. Felton I must express my deepest admiration for your ability to dig up and shine light to unsung heros of ww2 . Keep up the good work ! p.s. ok , maybe " dig up " is not the best idiom , but i hope my intended message was understandable :)

[@James-sh8mu]

I never hear about the beufighter! Nice one

[@chrisneedham5803]

Also a new one on me.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

@james Lambshead Yes and that's a shame. I do recall we read a story in the 5th grade (1958) about the Beufighters in North Africa.

[@MrLemonbaby]

Well then you will love this one on YT. Beaufighter attack on a German ship: WW2 pilot Steve Stevens DFC

[@doogleticker5183]

Seriously? The Beaufighter was a gem. Depending on your age, you are learning more from Internet or from books/real world. Internet is young and not necessarily populated with correct content, or content with necessary details. Now you know it existed, check it out. It’s “Beau”!! (French for beautiful or handsome).

[@dixinormous8539]

One of the most underrated aircraft in WW2, of note is Australian crewed Beu's fighting against japan in the pacific

[@deftone1]

These stories are absolutely amazing Mark! Didn’t realise there were so many heart racing and heroic acts/missions that I’d never heard about. Love your channel mate!

[@winstonchurchill237]

Beautiful Beaufighter! One of my favourite planes

[@gothicpagan.666]

Bad bloody timing getting back at 1:53. Hope cooke kept something warm for them. Two hrs too early for cucumber sandwiches. Englishmen at their finest

[@suepalin9202]

A wonderful story, Mark! Thank you so much for bringing it to wider attention.

[@goldawhippet7122]

Just another reason to love this channel. I learn something new every time I tune in. Thanks, Mark Felton!!!

[@Elconbrioso]

What an amazing true story . Thanks to the producer and thanks to you tube for making it possible.

[@pingpong5000]

Two Chaps, one mission, no BS, piece of cake The RAF way.

[@mattcope8982]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for bringing this story to us and making it come alive.

[@christophloer5772]

This vid embodies what I like in your series: short and to the point, plus interesting - keep up the good work!

[@2drx4]

You dig up some of the most interesting and inspiring stories of war. Please keep sharing them with us!

[@jasondaniel918]

Once again, I laud your research skills. Thank you for another great vignette.

[@tracytrawick322]

Damn good show ole boys, time to enjoy a cup of tea! And excellent work as always Sir Felton

[@JohnWHoff]

As long as you keep telling these stories of daring raids by a lone aircraft, I will gladly keep watching.

[@johnfewings6520]

Thank you for bringing this amazing mission to our notice! And I'm delighted to see that the navigator was from "my" Gloucestershire. Keep up the fantastic work, Mark Felton!

[@Hockeyfan9884]

I have been watching Mark Felton's videos for a few years now and I believe that with each new chapter in peices of history he presents, it just keeps getting better. Thank you for such great work Mark and thank you so much for sharing the parts of history some of us would surely had missed. Best regards.

[@sophrapsune]

I always thought “Back for tea & medals” was a quaint saying, but clearly it is historical fact!

[@marlecmarine5393]

what a great story of daring and dash. superb !

[@melvyncox3361]

What a mission!Always new things about the war l never hnew about.The Beaufighter was definitely a beast of an aircraft!Brilliant Mark❤😎👍!

[@Taz-ww8ss]

These are the stories I like hearing about

[@Ian_Butterworth]

Love Mark's videos. Always tells an interesting story, nice and simple, without unnecessary fluff.

[@viper3269]

it amazes me how you are able to produce these videos so frequently at such a high quality, keep up the great work!!! i love your videos

[@buzsalmon]

Dr. Felton that was a great little short! Also very informative.So glad they both enjoyed a long post was like. Cheers!

[@oncall21]

An incredible story Mark and one brought back to life by your descriptive narrative. Thanks for sharing!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Fantastic story. Fantastic plane! Thanks for sharing man, and greets from the Netherlands! T.

[@borytastards2035]

Hands up who can’t get enough of these 👏👏👏

[@whigwood]

I thought I knew a lot about Beaufighters. Both my parents were with RAF Coastal Command - my dad used to repair "Beaus". But I never knew of this raid so thanks for putting up the video. There are two regrets - 1) the the bloody Germans weren't there and 2) that the Beaufighter wasn't carrying its common complement of rockets. They could have done some damage too.

[@boston7704]

That moustache alone is worth a DFC!

[@justonemori]

"Tea and medals" is the most British thing I have heard in long time.