Forgotten Bombers Of The Royal Air Force

[@chrissharp5073]

I had the privilege as an RN sailor serving at RAF Waddington to meet members of the Tail Gunners Association and listen to their stories especially that of one veteran who the age of 20 was shot down over France on a daylight raid at the start of the war. His story of capture and escape would have made for a Hollywood Movie of daring actions in trying to reach Southern France where again he was caught and handed over to the Germans. His 21st birthday was spent in captivity. He actually wrote his story down at the behest of his son. It was an outstanding good read of an incredibly brave man as were all those RAF veterans. Bless them all.

[@johnvanstone5336]

Fantastic Richard Todd as the narrator

[@raymondyee2008]

Glad this video is still here. This is one part of RAF Bomber Command that history had largely forgotten.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Raymond Yee AND..... there is a reason "killer" Harris was "Forgotten" !!!!!

[@jradfordcpl]

I worked as ground crew (air wireless fitter) on the Lincoln bomber after WW2. RAF Watton. We used them in radio warfare. But a friend of mine used to disappear every so often for a day or so and I never discovered until a year later that he was still being used a a rear turret gunner gunner flying over the German/Russian border during the cold war!

[@jimihendrix991]

Germany had a border with 'Russia' (that didn't exist, it was called the Soviet Union) in the 1950's? You have a map to prove that statement?

[@SanderAnderon]

forget it being from VHS (which is fine for old b&w war footage) -- this doc is a rare gem. I'm learning a lot watching it, thank you for posting it.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Randy Actually the original footage was most likely shot with 16 or 35MM photographic film and transfered to VHS... state of the art back then !!!

[@rogerbayford8323]

Excellent documentary of the early aircraft of WW2. I saw some of the derogatory comments in some of the posts that reflect ignorance. It would appear that these posters have/had no knowledge of WW2 and the 54,000 men that gave their lives serving in Bomber Command. From the son of one who gave his life over Germany in 1944 ( Lancaster), I found the wreck site 8 yeas ago! I see this video as a compliment to those that served in Bomber Command, Thank you for posting.

[@terryofford4977]

The simple minded 'Peacenicks' would have sat on their butts and allowed the Nazis to march thru the entire country, such people would do the same today, a jolly good job there are men with Balls who'll stand up and defend what the morons decry.

[@DavidMartin-ym2te]

Well said. I believe the official total is 55,576 dead. Never forget it

[@markharrison2544]

They were war criminals.

[@jacktattis1190]

One would be Wilbur Finnigan Soaring Tractor,an ignoramus of the first degree

[@paulmanson253]

@@jacktattis1190 Ah yes the flatulent idiot with a typing finger and a small brain. Can you imagine trying to accomplish anything at all with him flapping his gums relentlessly beside you ?

[@ronstreet6706]

Mike Harding, the comedian, lost his father in WW2. He flew in Lancaster bombers, and was shot down by enemy fire. In tribute to his father, and the other bomber crews, he wrote a song called " Bomber's Moon " . The song is a haunting insight into the state of mind of the crews, and the ones left behind. It needs to be listened to, so as we can truly understand what was going on in Britain at the time of WW2.

[@ronstreet6706]

@James Henderson fuck you. The yanks, although they did help the UK, at the start of the war, sat on their fat arses, until Pearl Harbour. That was TWO YEARS AFTER THE START OF THE WAR! And we weren't bankrupted, we paid our debts to the US, and we're still going strong!

[@regmiles1970]

Such a shame the facts are wrong for all the four engined bombers , Reg Miles 96 years old I flew all types as. F/E and second pilot, and served before WW2 as an apprentice fitter at Halton , recorded by Rotary and IBCC, RAAF ,and n line , cheers Reg

[@Headwind-1]

Well done reg . . .

[@slickdaddyod3799]

My biological grandfather died when the load shifted in the Whitley he was piloting in 1939 in Yorkshire. My adopted grandfather flew a Blenheim in the first part of the war, then taught navigation. On D-Day, he was flying reconnaissance over Normandy.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

God bless them both. Respect to their memories.

[@richardrichard5409]

Some brilliant footage here, great upload thanks. I was an apprentice with an ex Hampden pilot, he recalled that he loved flying it, more like a bulky fighter he told me. Like a lot of guys who flew in these WW2 aircraft he was quite deaf due to the extremely noisy environments. NB: The Stirling myth of short wings due to hanger dimensions continues here🙄

[@johnharrop5530]

It's a shame that the veterans interviewed had they're conversations cut short , brave men I salute you

[@buckshot704]

Extraordinary documentary. I’ve considered myself a fair aviation aficionado for more than four decades, but I’ve yet to hear some of these stories, let alone learn about various aircraft I wasn’t completely aware of. Wizard show, chaps. 😎👍

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

One Whitley was shot down near my former home in Denmark, early in the war and crash-landed on the water in Storstroemmen, south of Sealand. The crew survived and some years ago local divers saw the wreck in the deep waters. They also have a Hamilton Standard, like propeller outside their clubhouse in the harbor of Vordingborg, with several other parts found during dives. Going over the water is still a 3,2 kilometer long English built bridge (Dorman & Long) which was finished in 1937 and of top of which the invading German troops from the nearby, Masnedoe Fort had built an A.A. gun position to be able to shoot at the passing bombers. This Fort was actually the target of one of the very first parachute attacks by the Germans, in 1940, as they expected it to be manned by soldiers, but it wasn't. The day before, in Antwerpen, it was the first ever attack where troops with parachutes were dropped to fight on the ground.

[@pjb5757]

Thanks for the video, I had a great uncle who served as bombing leader with 224 sqn raf coastal command he lost his life whilst flying an anti sub patrol in a raf liberator mk3a he was only 24 years old, one of the many we should remember and be great full for the sacrifice they made so we can live the way we do. I think the people who have responded to this film by calling these young men war criminals should really stop and think about what they are saying. These men all gave their lives for us fighting for what they beloved was right we should all b

[@pjb5757]

Be great full we will remember them

[@pjb5757]

Both he and his younger brother volunteered to join the armed forces to fight for what they both believed in, neither came home but through their unselfish sacrifice we can all live the way we do. You can think whatever you want about this but you owe a lot to these men and many others like them.

[@pjb5757]

@James Henderson both these men had something you don't have...balls

[@terryofford4977]

@James Henderson Obviously an individual with a lack of Historical Education, I winder who he got to write his foul language comment? pathetic wretch. Terry Offord

[@terryofford4977]

Excellent, great historic material and, despite fifteen years in the RAF, much of this material was new to me,Putting this material together is amazing and I thank you for your perseverance as for quallity, it too is remarkable well done.Thank you Terry Offord

[@paulmillard1130]

This is excellent . Two brothers I knew that flew Bleheims used to tell me how it filled up with grass when they crash landed .

[@samrodian919]

A bit of an extreme way of mowing the grass that. Sorry for the levity, but it made me feel a bit better after reflecting on the 55573 airmen lost to bomber command. And I bet too that they themselves would have laughed at my comment.

[@badbotchdown9845]

@@samrodian919 they were sacrificed over France at first days of battle of France

[@kellyarnsdorf5083]

Wing Commander Harry 'Wings' Day flew the first recon mission into Germany in Oct 1939 flying a Blenheim. He was shot down and became one of, if not the first British airman, captured in WW2. He certainly was the highest rank. Wings was the only person to win a DSO as a POW. He sent back coded messages straight to Churchill and helped Big X, Roger Bushell, orchestrate the Great Escape. Later, he and another RAF officer managed to tunnel out of Sachsenhausen death camp despite being warned he would suffer the same fate as Roger, who was executed by the Nazis for escaping. By this time, the war was lost and the Nazis knew it so murdering a Wing Commander was too risky for their future survival. He was the real 'Col. Hogan'.

[@model-man7802]

Great footage of the early bombers used by the RAF.Thanks for the upload!

44:45 The De Haviland Mosquito most emphatically is not a "forgotten" bomber of the RAF!!

[@bremnersghost948]

Indeed, It's one of my Lottery Dreams to Learn how to Fly & have a replica Mosquito built, Would also like a Sea Plane such as a Short Sunderland or Catalina

[@bikenavbm1229]

not yet but the next generations?

[@goldmole1]

@@bikenavbm1229 They'll forget about this war all together. History fades unfortunately.

[@bremnersghost948]

@@bikenavbm1229 Not my Kids or Nephews, Nieces and Younger Cousins, I'm making sure they know what their Ancestors Fought & Died for, But for most of the next Gens, I'm afraid you are correct :(

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

@@bikenavbm1229 Right now they are being built again. Three new builds flying and some more to come. :)

[@mirrorblue100]

If you enjoyed this program I can heartily recommend you read Len Deighton's magnificent novel "Bomber."

[@Headwind-1]

I like the Avatar! brilliant album. . . .

[@AdamHWarren]

#Ducati: Thank you: these are valuable archives, and recording quality takes second place to perpetuating the memory of the war and the brave men who fought it. Regarding the sound quality, I have seen desktop computer programs for editing sound - perhaps the older, less audible speech could be processed to make it clearer? Again, though, thank you for this appreciable contribution.

[@carsonhaught9934]

A tall order finding film of some of those crates. To think men were made to go to war in some of these... brave men indeed.

[@robertgarrett4046]

If you are reffering to the aircraft of the RAF ,NONE OF THEM as you say were crates , the only crate is you , you ignorant bloody wanker .

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Thank you for posting this. It's a valuable record from preDVD times for a start. It's good to see explained how there were so many approaches to strategic bombing, plus to see the less well known aircraft. Yes, the morality does need to be discussed objectively, and it is. Finally to see these gentle old men talking about it with the benefit of being a survivor, and with the benfit of hindsight. A very humbling experience.

[@dennisweidner288]

@ Simon Nonymous There is nothing wrong with discussing morality as long as it is done honestly, something that the critics of the bombing rarely do. Their arguments are basically the same that explain why Britain was tragically unprepared for World War II. www.histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/air/eur/sbc/ac-sbcc.html

[@sgranty02]

no worries on the quality front realy good interesting film thanks for sharing

[@wmtalcottmay7914]

Very glad this was posted. Many forgotten aircraft

[@bujler]

Quality is fine. Documentary is great. Thanks for the upload.

[@alangale5666]

Great video about the Bomber boys, thanks for posting.

[@oldigger7060]

I'm a bit surprised at the absence of any mention of the Handley Page Hampden and the Bristol Beaufort. The former was used fairly extensively in the early years (one was flown by Guy Gibson) and the latter saw quite a bit of service in the Pacific theatre (flown by RAAF crews).

[@paulbellfield2030]

There is mention of the Hampden.

[@oldigger7060]

@@paulbellfield2030 There is indeed. My apologies. I overlooked this reference. However, I still feel that the Beaufort deserved a mention. Although these planes did not serve with great distinction in RAF service, some 800 were built in Australia (with more powerful licence built Pratt & Whitney engines and they rendered valuable service as patrol bombers with the RAAF in the Pacific theatre at a time when US and RAF bombers conspicuous by their absence. Although they were unsuccessful in their intended role as torpedo bombers, the subsequently designed Beaufighter was able to be designed and built quickly by using Beaufort fuselage and wing sections and these aircraft (some were also built in Australia) were very successful in the torpedo and ground attack roles and as night fighters!

[@petermach8635]

Thank you for this, it's absoluty fascinating and the quality is perfect, anything glossier would be out of place ....... and time.

[@markmitchell450]

So many aircraft that I've never heard of or seen before very interesting documentary

[@Back7sword]

Has there ever been a better narrator? Thanks for uploading 👍

[@sartainja]

I remember when I was young, a pilot of a small plane told me that he flew by following highways. I thought it was funny that he did not have a more sophisticated method but these bombers did a similar procedure.

[@bimblebeewild5322]

IFR...I Follow Roads

[@margretfortune1524]

DH-98, A work of perfection. De Havilland was a great company. Sorry it died in 1967.

[@barrierodliffe4155]

DH did not die it is still going absorbed into British Aerospace, they make the wings for Airbus

[@t89841313]

@@barrierodliffe4155 Please don't forget DHC is now, again, alive and well. New DHC 6, DHC 2/3 conversions and Dash 8 400 production. Along with the Cl 215/415 series.

[@None-zc5vg]

@@t89841313 Does this 'DHC' have no connection with Bombardier or any other major Canadian or U.S. aircraft manufacturers ?

[@t89841313]

@@None-zc5vg Yes, there is a connection. When Boeing bought out DHC it was in turn bought back by Bombardier. Years passed and Bombardier lost interest in supporting or upgrading former DHC products, other than Dash 8 (Q 400). In turn all DHC rights went to Viking Air, sans Dash 8. Further on Bombardier stopped production of the CL 215/415 line. Again Viking stepped in an took over an iconic Canadian product. Recently the group, Viking is part of, purchased Q 400 rights. Therefor all current and former DHC aircraft are run by Longview aviation. They immediately reinstituted the DHC name.

[@None-zc5vg]

@@t89841313 Thanks, Rob.

[@marcconyard5024]

For a twin engined aircraft with mediocre performance the Whitley could carry an extraordinary load.

[@johnjephcote7636]

Ah-the LMS line running past Radlett airfield! I used to cyle out and check on the Halifax parked at the north end of Handley Page's Radlett field.

[@None-zc5vg]

The "Halifax" was just a 'lash-up' using a fuselage from a "Halifax" and some other bits and pieces. The only really complete surviving "Halifax" is the one recovered from the Norwegian lake-bed after a crash-landing in 1945: the one in the R.A.F. museum was left unrestored.

[@samrodian919]

Fascinating programme, I did not know about some of the American built bombers. I certainly didn't know that the RAF had Boeing B17's at all let alone before America entered the war in December 1941.

[@GeoffreyTrivett]

VICKERS WELLINGTON was used extensively as a transport to Canada of some of Great Britten's select people to develop services needed to service RAF increasing demand for new equipment for the War. The belly of one such flight was my oldes neighbor and a key member of the early development of Montreal connection to Avasion.

[@Wotdermatter]

I do not know where you are from but if from the U.K. please use the written English language so that it can be understood because it is impossible to comprehend your screed as written. 'nuf sed

[@juliancribb813]

Dad flew Whitleys, Wellingtons, Halifaxes, Lancs, Liberators and Mosquitoes. Hated the Whitley with its 'nose down' habit. Liked the Halifax a lot, but loved the Lanc. He bombed Hitler's home in one. I still have the AP photo.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

The Mk1 Whitley had no flaps, as the designer hadn't worked with them before, and so its wings had a very high "angle of attack", to assist with take off, but as the plane gathered speed it assumed the characteristic "nose down" attitude you describe. Incredible but true !!!

[@simprove]

Interesting archive film. The naration is suspect in places. "Navigators weren't introduced till 1941". That would be news to my late father who was a Whitley navigator/bomb aimer in 1940. The navigator's badge wasn't introduced till later in the war, my Dad wore an observers badge, but specialist navigators certainly existed before then.

[@samrodian919]

I believe it was "Observer, Navigator " in official speak.

[@simprove]

@@samrodian919 Probably, hence he wore an observer badge, known in the RAF as "the flying arsehole". Navigator was definitely a specialist crew position though. Especially in the early part of the war when individual crews found their own way to the target. Creating a Navigator's badge merely formalised that. Guy Gibson's book "Enemy Coast Ahead" gives a fascinating insight into the period.

[@Swampfox612]

Thanks for sharing this! VHS quality aside, it was still very informative and fascinating!

[@c4nucksens8tion]

William Henderson who cares about the quality? You can see it good enough

[@sueneilson896]

My dads friend was a Blenheim bomb aimer who was seriously injured in a crash. Lovely old bloke as I remember.

[@MonkPetite]

1000 bombers in waves and waves over land to a target. Listening to my parents stories..how waited in the shelters (Holland) until the drumming sound past and they knew the sound would return in the same night. Flak scrap fell on the roofs and ended in the gutters.. can you imagine that .. And that frequently .. they tolled me that if there was a gap in the campaign they had some better rest. But ....enduring it all, they secretly celebrated that nightly event.. “the Tommy’s are going again , sleep well”

[@antiwar8859]

My dad was a navigator in bombers. He said he felt he missed the war because he wasn't up close & personal but he hates & regretted that the deaths they caused was phenomenal

[@dennisweidner288]

@ Anti War The deaths caused by the bombing were a small fraction of the deaths resulting from NAZI barbarity. www.histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/tol/ger/crime/nazi-crime.html Just how would you have stopped NAZI aggression?

[@finncarlsrensen5255]

An Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber had to land on water, being shut down/damaged close to my home in Denmark, and sank in the deep waters.of the Storstroem, I think it's its crew got away? Some local diver found the wreck some years ago, but sadly also lost it again, in the stream, but it should still be there.

[@finncarlsrensen5255]

Of course! Sorry - Finn

[@steveroyle6002]

Anthony Smith You rude intolerant sod. Can you speak his native?

[@robsan52]

Finn Carl Sørensen Interesting Finn, I imagine everywhere in this sad world there is some crashed plane from WW2 since it was a world wide calamity. I was surprised when they found Glenn Miller's plane finally, pretty cool but sad (hey Anthony you internet nut, ever heard of Glenn Miller? He was SHOT DOWN...I SAID SHOT DOWN!!!!! after the Germans finished bombing Pearl Harbour!!) thanks.

[@GrenadierV]

The Germans bombed Pearl Harbor ? That's a new one, I always thought it was the Swiss who bombed Pearl Harbor with very long range balloons loaded with marshmallows

[@alneal100]

Absolutely right! As I recall, the Swiss navy was busy fighting the Zulus in Tahiti.

[@robsan52]

Harris should have flown 10-12 missions. The survival rate would have jumped way up I bet. Great doc., thank you.

[@ronjon7942]

My opinion, as a cross-ocean admirer of Bomber Command, is that Harris was keenly aware his orders were sending hundreds of his men to their deaths each night of a raid, and we should all be eternally grateful he did not waiver nor crack under the incredible weight of his responsibilities.

[@acrobaticcripple8176]

Thank you for that. Excellent. Will watch again.

[@billyrubin7378]

Apart from extraneous 'music' if it can be called that, the soundtrack being recorded down a blocked water main and at least one contributor almost totally inaudible, an interesting documentary. Perhaps a bit more trurth and reality would also have helped. e.g. I once asked an Australian about the Whitley's he used to fly. His reply was very direct and matter of fact. He said; "They used to burn well." And that was all. Of Lancasters he said: "I'd fly to hell and back in one."

[@bikenavbm1229]

find, create and post a better production or accept it for what it is older technology.

[@sarjim4381]

It's nice the boys thought their Whitley sunk the Konigsberg, but it wasn't true. The bombers had attacked on the evening of April 9, 1940. As usual with level bomber attacks, they hit nothing of value. Konigsberg was sunk by a combination of damage by Norwegian shore batteries and dive bombing from Blackburn Skuas.

[@ronstreet6706]

No mention of the Bristol Beaufighter? Beaufort?

[@wotnotvintage7762]

Both excellent aircraft but not really "Bombers" in the context of this video ... torpedo bombers, yes.

[@barriemaclean6872]

I remember, as a boy, being taken round a Hampden by my sister`s boyfriend. It was terribly cramped & no toilet facilities. They peed in a milk bottle & emptied it out of a window.What did they give their lives for ? what a waste.what a different country & people

[@Reddsoldier]

They'd be so disappointed with the last few years, their children pissing away the nation they'd built and ruining its reputation. They fought so Europe would stop descending into flames, yet their descendants seem intent on pulling us back to those days.

[@terryofford4977]

As Ex RAF I ask myself the same question often, with a nation, government who admits terrorists into the country, who allows, and even encourages the trash of many countries into Britain, OMG WHY oh WHY?

[@dennisweidner288]

@ barrie maclean They gave their lives to stop NAZI barbarity www.histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/tol/ger/crime/nazi-crime.html

[@seumasnatuaighe]

Pity about the sound quality in the interviews. Otherwise a fine portrayal of the tactical poverty of the early war Bomber Command. Risking one's life for lavatory paper must have been a quite unique experience for the aerial warriors.

[@jaytduce]

This is a wonderful and very informative video. Thanks for posting it.

[@johnforrester9120]

They shall never be forgotten

[@petert9110]

Great doco to bad about the volume,the narrators voice is so much louder than the other voices. Have to adjust sound constantly or just have it up loud.

[@tribehenry]

Well worth watching

[@gordonfrickers5592]

My Mother lived near RAF Scampton so met many bomber crews. In the early years, she said, never mind what the publicity boys say, the only bomber the crews liked to fly was the Wellington. The Whitley was dangerously slow, the Hampden a death trap for crews. Hampden they said to her, was a typical government compromise, supposed to be multi role actually more dangerous to it's crew than the enemy. Her first husband was lost, a navigator in a Hampden; shot down while mining a German harbour. Only the pilot got out, died in a German hospital. Today according the the air chiefs who have repeatedly warned successive governments, the RAF is the most depleted rundown and poorly equipped in its history. Britain has almost no defence, no reserves and very little over seas capability. Note, the only way to win wars is to take the offensive to the enemy.

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

Makes sense the Wimpy could take a lot of damage.And still return to base.

[@grahvis]

My mother was working on Wellingtons at Brooklands when it was bombed. The workers were strafed as they ran for the shelters.

[@peterredpath4610]

soaringtractor....Your personality is that of a rabid Chihuahua intent on destroying its own tail. Your powers of observation are akin to those of the bird that keeps slamming into the picture window trying to get that other bird it keeps seeing. You are walking, talking proof that you don't have to be sentient to survive, and that Barnum was thinking of you when he uttered his immortal phrase regarding the birth of a sucker. You are, at varying times, tedious, boring, and even occasionally earth shatteringly hilarious in your idiocy, routinely childish, moronic, pathetic, wretched, disgusting and pitiful. Talking of mothers...I hear that your mother only cheated on you father once....with the 92nd Infantry division.

[@renatarachon8003]

+Soaring. What Gordon's mother was doing was saying 'Hi' to the crews as they landed to hear their reports of engine trouble. She dropped her drawers of tools (made in the USA, which always whined about as rubbish but secretely thought were wonderfully robust and free of charge for which she was very grateful but never paid a penny), laid on her back under the nacelle and braced her legs to get the torque to remove the failed, hand-built, spare part from the engine. She was often heard boring people in the pub with, 'Some blithering English idiot keeps putting Rolls-Royce rubbish in my beautiful Packards. When this war is over, I'm going to the USA so I'll never have to meet an ignorant bigot ever again. They've got supersonic jets already, don't you know!' It turned out later that it was all an undercover act to let Nazi agents think Britain would give up without American aid. She stayed in the UK and lived happily everafter as yet another modest Brit who did their bit without expecting reward or praise and never berating passers-by that they should be grateful.

[@None-zc5vg]

The Hampden had a German designer who worked for Handley Page and was interned in WW2.

[@awuma]

Quite fascinating array of odd machines. The importance of the B-17, B-24 and other American bombers in British service is not widely known. In hindsight, the RAF should have concentrated much more on the DH Mosquito for its bomber and nightfighter/escort needs than on big four engine aircraft. Losses would have been far less.

[@wbertie2604]

The loss rate for Mosquitos at night was lower (1.5% against 4%, roughly), but then German night fighters tended to go preferentially for the heavies as it was three times the tonnage of bombs not dropped, potentially, per aircraft shot down, so if you had just Mosquitos then the Mosquito loss rate might have been higher. Needing three to four times as many Mosquitos to deliver the same tonnage in summer (whilst a few Mosquitos carried cookies, mostly it was 2000lbs plus drop tanks, and a Lancaster would typically carry 8000lb of its maximum 14000lbs over the same distance), that might have been unsupportable in terms of pilot and navigator training, and also marshalling and landing them all if the loss rate didn't stay at about 1.5%. It's unknowable, basically. The suggestion that the heavies be stripped of armament might have been a good choice, though. In some instances the mid-upper turrets on Lancasters and Halfaxes were indeed removed (it seems to have been common in Free French squadrons), and the later Halifaxes didn't have a nose turret either. There were designs for a high altitude Lancaster with reduced defensive armament, including none.

[@malcolmyoung7866]

The Mosquito's main role in bombing missions (at the strategic level) was purely as 'Pathfinder'/photo reconnaissance) Without the 'Pathfinders' the bomber streams would not have had the amount of success that they did have. The Mosquito was not built as a fighter although did have some success as a night fighter platform, fitted with radar and used as a 'Night Intruder' targeting German night fighter operations with some success, especially against Germany's equivalent night fighters in the form of radar equipped Messerschmidt 110 and JU88's However, it was only when the P51 Mustang and P47 Thunderbolt came onto the scene could bomber formations rely on a truly dedicated bomber formation 'Fighter' escort..

[@monza1002000]

The B17 was not used by RAF bomber command as it was considered to slow and unable a useful bomb load over a reason distance. The B24 was used but no other US bombers.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@monza1002000 WRONG !!!! The USA GAVE the Brits the B17 to test in battle, and they did !!! BUT with a service ceiling of 30,000FT the Brits had NEVER been that high !!! And yes it was cold and they found new problems !!! And you are wrong as the Brits also used the A20 B25, B26 and the B24 for maritime patrol along with the PBY Catalina and the C47 !!! Get your facts straight son !!!! The limeys were gifted 38,000 planes during WW II !!!! They also used the F4F Wild cat the F4U corsair The F6F Helcat, various torpedo bombers TBM TBF and of course the P40 the P51 and they were offered the P38 and the P39 !!!!

[@monza1002000]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 l was refering to heavy bombers used over Europe. The other aircraft you mention were miduim bombers or fighters. Most were used in North Africa and the Pacific. The Brits gave the US 8th 600 Spitfires and othrr aircraft and even escorted the 8th when it was making its first attempts at daylight bombing.

[@richpurslow3283]

Love and respect to the airmen who fought in those aircraft. They did what they could for the country and war effort until better aircraft and more experience came around.

[@hansjurgenochsenfahrt6176]

VHS very good digitalized.... when was it produced? the computer monitor in the background of the main narrator - looks like middle of the eightieth last century....

[@timokuusela5794]

Blenheims built in Finland had improved electrical system. The original was, well, slightly British, so my late employer Tapio Saalasti was in the team that improved the electrics. His son Timo Saalasti is now my employer, but I am glad to have known his father, a brilliant engineer and an old style gentleman.

[@markfryer9880]

That Whitley bomber just has no style or grace about it. When you see them flying they have a peculiar flight attitude that I find disconcerting.

[@Theogenerang]

Four or five kills with piano wire isn't that bad at all.

[@stanthology]

The geezer at 30:30 is an example of great understated horror as humor! "fly low, two three four feet above the ground..."(!) These planes seem positively stone age. No navigator til 1941(!) The way the pilots describe their planes, they had a trainload of patriotism. "Sometimes we hit the targets".(in daylight)

[@seumasnatuaighe]

In 1939/40 they sometimes couldn't even find Germany. One raid on the German coast,(Kiel or Cuxhafen,) bombed Esbjerg in Denmark. My father had some wonderful anecdotes from his war with the Desert Air Force in Egypt.

[@dennisweidner288]

@ stanthology It needs to be mentioned that Britain;s lack of preparedness was largely because of the peacemakers and appeasers who dominated British politics in the 1930s. www.histclo.com/bio/c/ind/ch/chamb/app/appi.html

[@stanthology]

@@dennisweidner288 Thanks so much for that interesting link. A couple of days ago on YT I found a photo of Hitler. Standing next to Hitler was the abdicated king and nearby was Mrs. Simpson!

[@dennisweidner288]

@@stanthology Glad you found it interesting. Yes and he gave the NAZI salute.

[@Moronvideos1940]

I thank God I can still see.....

[@jameswebb4593]

Disappointed that more wasn't shown about the Halifax especially the mk111 which many aircrew thought was a better aircraft then the Lancaster. One mistake in the commentary was saying that the Short Stirling was designed with short wings so that it would fit existing hangers. The prototype had a greater wing span and excellent high altitude performance ,but some chair-borne warrior at the air ministry noted that it was to wide for the hangers so the wings were clipped. I wonder if he ever knew how many aircrew were to die through his meddling.

[@richardrichard5409]

The wings were clipped as the Stirling was way over the ministry max weigh limit. Shorter wings meant the rest if the aircraft had to be built lighter, but the wing chord was compromised hence the poor ceiling. From what I read the Stirling handling well though below max ceiling.

[@SAHBfan]

Shorts wanted to use a bigger wingspan. The specification dictated a maximum of 100 feet and the air ministry wouldn't budge, despite Shorts requesting this be extended. When the Lancaster was designed from the Manchester, the wingspan was allowed to go up to 104 feet. Shorts had another version of the Stirling, a 'super Stirling' on the drawing board with high profile 120 foot wings, but the air ministry wasn't interested. The hanger door opening isn't true, but the air ministry restriction as part of the spec certainly is. Shorts knew it would compromise the altitude performance - and they were right...

[@paulmoffat9306]

If you used Shotcut (Free software), you could trim the boundaries to eliminate the artifacts from VHS overscan.

[@ducati9981]

Thanks Paul Moffat for the information on trimming boundaries on old VHS tapes, will keep that in mind on future VHS recordings.

[@ronjon7942]

Lady MacRoberts, a true British heroine.

[@pierrebuffiere5923]

Excellent and most informative. Many thanks.

[@simonbroberg969]

Thanks for posting. I learned a bit more thanks to watching this. P.S. I'll see you in Warthunder again too no doubt.

[@GeoffreyTrivett]

FAIREY BATTLE had it place in the early years of Canadian service men role as airmen. "Many were sent to Canada for the use in air gunnery schools across the vast country. My uncle Bob was one of those early trainer who taut the would be airmen during the War. Students would fired from the rear cockpit turnent at target kites towed by airplane. The fine or [rumble] for drilling bullet holes in one's own tail plane would earn a Canadian dollar a hole. It took some 24 weeks to train a Wag(wireless operator air gunner) at a cost of about $8,750 each man.

[@barbarahanigan8512]

Geoffrey Trivett e

[@barbarahanigan8512]

Geoffrey Trivett e

[@GeoffreyTrivett]

Date me Barabara Hanigan please. ? :-)

[@johnbarton7543]

taught

[@Wotdermatter]

Please, before writing learn how to spell and use structural grammar correctly before putting fingers onto a keyboard. 'nuf sed

[@nickdanger3802]

I encourage anyone who has not heard or read all of Harris' Reap the Whirlwind speech to do so.

[@ronjon7942]

Yes. History. I admire that man, you Englishmen have a hero in him.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

Interesting to see the early bombers.

[@jimmaughan1898]

Love the tinkling piano in the background. Hilarious.

[@kidmohair8151]

though the aircraft were good, they were only as good as the men who flew them: it is the men that made these aircraft work, and the women and men who built them to whom our deepest gratitude must be shown... the interviewees are wonderful, humourous and slightly devil-may-care in attitude... may god bless them now that they have mostly all gone into that wild blue yonder, and to those who are still with us on this mortal plane... you will see all your dead comrades when you are called to join them

[@barrierodliffe4155]

Many very good aircrew died, my father was in France before Dunkirk and his squadron had Fairey Battles which were obsolete by then, they had very bad losses and helped to prove that daylight raids by bombers needed fighter escorts. I visited the grave of three crew in from a Battle along with the prop cut down to form a Y instead of a cross. Fairey also made the Swordfish which while obsolete had an illustrious career, they also made the excellent Firefly, Bristol had made the Blenheim and Beaufort which served quite well then the really excellent Beaufighter.

[@terryofford4977]

You should add, & the women who assisted in the building of all the aircraft, bombs and ammunition too.

[@kidmohair8151]

@@terryofford4977 you are correct, and I agree whole heartedly

[@timj41]

The Manchester was a total and utter disaster, if a Vulture failed (and it often did) the airscrews often wouldn’t feather turning it into a slow crash. Basically two RR Kestrels joined in an X layout, under powered and over weight.

[@gileswhitehead7437]

Well balanced documentary, thanks.

[@mrdfac]

Thanks for the upload. :)

[@Frank-mm2yp]

Interesting that one of the narrators said the RAF could barely find Germany let alone a German city from England with the navigational systems they had early in WWII. But in 1927 Charles Lindbergh flew safely from Long Island , NY to Le Bourget Air Field near Paris using only a compass, a clock and something called a "drift sight" after flying solo for 33 1/2 hours across the Atlantic Oean and landing safely -in the dark! (@10:22 PM). Even at that relatively early stage of commercial air travel werent there regular civilian flights between British cities and cities all over continental Europe, including Germany? Were they regularly getting lost flying from say London to Berlin? Was there regression from 1927 to 1939?

[@Frank-mm2yp]

How many visible lights were over the Atlantic Ocean or even over land in 1927 except in the big cities? Flying over an ocean is much more difficilt as there were NO LANDMARKS . No roads or railways to follow-just water.

[@gerrydrummond3287]

He’s British. It a thing called diffidence.

[@johndonaldson3619]

Don't apologies ducati - it's still great!!

[@blister6884]

Well done 👍👍👍

[@jgvgjv2980]

I would like to have been told each engines horsepower etc

[@koitorob]

Research it yourself. Think of it as a bit of homework :) I'm a bugger for doing that. The thing is, i've developed the bad habit of pausing what i'm watching to do it. Maybe i shouldn't use the TV as a monitor. It's all too easy to pause and surf...

[@bobbyhood101]

The funny thing is how many fellows got lost and landed in the wrong place!!!!

[@Twirlyhead]

_Bombay_ is a slightly confusing name for a bomber with a _bomb bay_ . The Bristol Bombay bomb bay. Do you think it is wise to call your son John, Mrs John.

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

Bombay is a place in India or was when a third of the worlds maps were covered in pink bomb bay is a place you put scary things. Bristol Mumbai doesn't quite have that same ring to it. Actually Gooooogles takes you to 6 The Triangle, West Hill, Portishead, Bristol BS20 6PG

[@Twirlyhead]

@@ABrit-bt6ce But do they sell Mumbai Duck.

[@paulabraham2550]

Why was it called "forgotten" bombers? While there were a few lesser known types shown, can you really class Wellington, Halifax, Lancaster and Mosquito as forgotten?!

[@jp-um2fr]

My father came home from the RAF and hopefully the first thing he did was take his boots off. I was born 9 months later. I get so terribly angry when those who were not there judge Harris and Bomber Command. I never met my grandparents. They died.

[@PITA5421]

love the vidio thank you i have a friend who owns a lancastor bomber i have had a taxi ride in it and had it for 20 mins alone with a friend

[@randypurtteman1183]

While the bravery of the pilots fight for "Dear old England" during WWII can not be impugned, the sensibilities of the idiots in Bomber Command who order these leaflet drops must be brought into serious question. The danger afforded to such pedestrian resources, both in men and materials and the potential outcome is in no way justifiable.

[@warrenchambers4819]

This reminds me of a Bomber I had and completely forgot about. Now where did I put that B-52? So easy to misplace ya know? Hahahahahahaha

[@Demun1649]

I got as far as 27:29. The total lack of structure of the timeline is ridiculous. But upto 27:29 there wasn't a single bomber I did not know, so I decided a clickbait title will not fill any holes in my knowledge. I expect I have more unknown bombers in my modellers collection than will be approached by this documentary.

[@tango6nf477]

Another expert know it all

[@Demun1649]

@@tango6nf477 Compared to you I am.

[@alanwayte432]

The chap flying in the dark in Iraq .....it was very alarming 😬 classic British Understatement

[@bockscar43]

Great commentary, but why the annoying background music?

[@bluetopguitar1104]

The battle was a very very bad idea in 1940

[@rickbear7249]

Such a shame that they keep churning out what should be excellent opportunities to showcase archive footage but don't employ anyone who a clue about aircraft recognition.

[@coastie1961]

I learnt plenty and I'm ex military aircrew. It must be wonderful to know better.

[@rickbear7249]

@@coastie1961 The great shame is that the massive archives of film and photography were sold off to a business that supplies TV and film makers with images without anyone who actually knows the difference between the various aircraft. It's got twin tails and four engines, it must be a Lancaster. Er, no, it's a Halifax or a Liberator. Even worse is when we see Pacific theatre aircraft in the Battle of Britain. I'm critical, because there are plenty of people around -- including ex RAF -- who could do a lot better and ensure the integrity of our heritage. Rick

[@pelontorjunta]

People too easily are forgetting certain role of Blenheim in Battle of Atlantic which was actually the most decisive in European theater of war. You see Germany in reality had just one weapon to shake allied warfare on its core: U-boats destroying capacity of war production. Without victory at Atlantic there would have never been D-Day. Without D-Day Germans could have hold on Red Army for years and years and send more material, troops and aircraft to east.

[@dennisweidner288]

@ Peace-Of-Mind The Battle of the Atlantic was vital, but it is only one part of the War in the West that played such an important role in the Red Army victory in the Ostkrieg. tps://www.histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/air/eur/sbc/eco/sbc-gie.html

[@alexhayden2303]

On what better area could the resources have been directed?

[@dennisweidner288]

A very valid question. But of course the War in the West involved a great deal more than the bomber campaign. www.histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/air/eur/sbc/eco/sbc-gie.html

[@ProperLogicalDebate]

With a good defense a Pyrrhic Victory by the attacking enemy can win the war.

[@timj41]

Was that a Whitley with Merlins or was the edit showing the engine starting pinched from a Lanc?

[@simprove]

Yes that was a Whitley. The later Whitleys (Mk. IV onwards) had Merlin engines.

[@timj41]

Kevin Hall Thanks, The Whitley gets such little mention in aircraft books and I know little about them.

[@tinky2jed]

The Bombay -what idiot thought that was a good name for a bomber. Poor maintenance guys trying to figure out what to do!

[@WildBillCox13]

J Wellington Wimpy. Popeye's hamburger addict companion.

[@samrodian919]

And the "Wimpey" was designed by none other than Barnes Wallace of the Dam Busters bouncing bomb fame.

[@rosewhite---]

Looks like designers had no idea of aerodynamics, crew safety and survivability...