He Bailed out of Crashing B-17 over Germany and Survived being a POW

He Bailed out of Crashing B-17 over Germany and Survived being a POW | Jerry Wolf

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Күн бұрын

Jerry Wolf enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 18. He became a flight engineer and was eventually chosen to be a top turret gunner in a B-17 bomber. Wolf realized he was the only Jewish person in his crew, which gave him even more conviction when battling German planes - he wanted to fight, to stand up for his fellow Jews in Europe who were suffering unthinkable horrors.
In 1944, ten days before the Allied invasion of D-Day on June 6th, Wolf was on his 25th bombing mission, targeting an oil refinery near Berlin. His plane was hit. He would spend a year as a Prisoner of War. Here he reflects on his experiences and how his service shaped his life.
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Пікірлер: 382

@ThriftGestapo 6 ай бұрын

A generation filled with legendary men. I could listen to vets tell war stories all day.

@jeffdeloach1786 5 ай бұрын

Mr Wolf is a true dude. "Hero" is often overused these days but that description doesnt do this gentleman enough justice. Thank you Sir.

@simonsmith1974 3 ай бұрын

I concur. They don't make men like him anymore. The Greatest Generation indeed.

@desiredkid 9 ай бұрын

He is definitely a Brooklyn Old Timer. Loved his accent, mannerisms, and the Brooklyn "OK". A generation that will never be again. Men where men. Great interview, thank you! Loved it!

@siggifreud812 7 ай бұрын

I liked his "PS", and then he added his own yarn.

@almamorrissey8594 4 күн бұрын

It’s funny my stepdad has a lot of these mannerisms as well. He grew up same time period in NY and is Puerto Rican. I thought it was more his culture than NYC but it almost sounded like his speech pattern listening to this gentlemen! So cool.

@thisisus.504 11 ай бұрын

I was an NHS Audiologist for 33 years. I started in the late 1980's and had the absolute privilege of fitting hearing aids to WW2 vets and hearing their stories of war antics. Sadly, over my career, they all passed on but I will never forget the stories they told me and their legends burn on...brightly. Heroes.

@NYislanders53 7 ай бұрын

What’s one of the stories you remember?

@PodreyJenkin138 3 ай бұрын

Please share a story you have precious knowledge of the most important event in human history

@Floridaman8783 3 ай бұрын

One of those men quite possibly could have been my grandfather.

@qtpie9645 2 ай бұрын

You need to write a book of their stories. Share, please.

@Ericjosborn 5 ай бұрын

My Great Great Uncle Ralph Osborne was a pilot for a B17 bomber (The Scarlett O’Hara). They were shot down August 12, 1943 on a mission to bomb the synthetic oil plants at Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Only I think 2 men survived and were taken as POWs.

@jillchandler8532 Жыл бұрын

It hurts so badly to know most of these men have all passed away. They were certainly the Greatest Generation. Thank you for sharing their stories.

@dylanfry7978 8 ай бұрын

Completely agree. I know this is sort of irrelevant but my grandparents are of this generation. My grandfather is 94, grandmothers 93. I don’t even like to think about it, because at the end of the day I know it’s a numbers game.. I mean are they going to live 15 more years, 10, maybe 5 more ? It gets me pretty upset sometimes. I try my best not to think about it.

@networth9151 8 ай бұрын

Amazing how these men compare to the boys of today.

@siggifreud812 7 ай бұрын

@@dylanfry7978 father time is undefeated.

@spencerkleiman5035 6 ай бұрын

@networth9151 right. "Men" who are more feminine than women. Entitled and self centered. No selfless action or sacrifice for the greater good. And the "tough" ones are not tough, they are loser cowards who hide behind ghetto culture and make no sacrifice for their children who they dont raise. And dont even get me started with women. Flaunting their asses with nothing to contribute, no skills, no loyalt, yet they think the world belongs to them. Im ashamed for them. Theirs a certain few cultures who are wayy worse than the average person, theyre usually really tan and loud

@CarnabooClarke 3 ай бұрын

They ARE!❤

@JDLarge 8 ай бұрын

Back when real men still had humanity in their hearts even though they were enemies. Soldiers, not the cowards that ran the extermination camps. Amazing stories. I visited a camp during my first tour in 80-81 in Germany, (Dachau) you could feel the pain experienced there in your heart, it was a very eye opening emotional journey that I’ve kept deep inside me. Even after my fourty years until retirement including combat, I got off pretty easy compared to these brave men and women from the greatest generation! Truly honorable hero’s every one of them, God bless them all! THIS is why my normal hour long VA appointments take sometimes three to four hours, I take the time to talk to my hero’s even though we just meet it still feels like we’ve known each other for years. Camaraderie is alive and well in veterans.

@kevincostello3856 3 ай бұрын

Well said.

@pmac4779 3 ай бұрын

Bless you, thank you for sharing your story. These stories from our elders are so important. Sadly, the youngsters care nothing. They have never gone without or sacrificed for others. I do volunteer work with veterans in a Service Dog program, and it is completely my honor to do so.

@stephentyrone8601 3 ай бұрын

I went there in 1975 what shocked me was the piles of eye glasses shoes & false teeth 😢

@mamaharumi Ай бұрын

I mean, your first sentence is just false. In general, only Americans/British were treated relatively well by the Germans. POW that were Soviet, and those suspected to be Jewish or Communist were not. "Humanity" did not extend to all because the others were seen as inferior.

@eldub7415 4 жыл бұрын

My Uncle Jerry, a real life super hero!

@remaguire 3 жыл бұрын

He seems like a great guy! Lucky you!

@michaeldouglas1243 2 жыл бұрын

I love all of these ww2 guys. I follow 3 channels that interview them. All are very old. My grandpa was 1st division from 42 to 45. I miss his stories so much. I got all his medals. I love hearing how efficient America was at the start of us being attack and everything fell into place for each position. Thank you jerry

@seanmmcelwain 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic story teller

@juliefeasal8878 Жыл бұрын

Definitely a man to be proud!

@SiteSeekerSteve Жыл бұрын

@@michaeldouglas1243 can you please tell me of the other 2? Very interested

@67Stu 3 ай бұрын

As a fellow New Yorker, fellow lonsman, and American thank you for your service.

@elsiedeleon4484 8 ай бұрын

Thank you AMERICAN VETERANS CENTER for this excellent video and all the others! WW2 vets have a special place in my heart because if not for them and all the brave men and women who fought in WW2, we would not be here. They were fighting for our lives, literally. Let us always honor them all by taking care of this country and keeping our democracy safe, lest their sacrifice be in vain.

@kathleenredick275 3 ай бұрын

Agree. I love these interviews, and also the ones I hear every weekend on the radio. 😊

@troubadour1562 Жыл бұрын

What a guy. We in the UK are so grateful for the sacrifices you and your brave countrymen made.

@Peter-od7op Жыл бұрын

Ty from usa

@soultraveller5027 11 ай бұрын

@@Peter-od7opHe said from UK clue there Muppet

@James-yy4vl 9 ай бұрын

@@soultraveller5027yes and he’s replying saying “thank you from USA”. So ask yourself who the muppet is 😏

@soultraveller5027 9 ай бұрын

Well done Muppet @James What a complete bell end you mong

@Kitiwake 9 ай бұрын

The"allies"😂😂😂

@mikeskidmore6754 9 ай бұрын

95 years old and Jerry Wolf is sharper than most 75 year olds..

@JackMehoff-db8bt 8 ай бұрын

Sharper than most 21 year olds and I’m 24 n know that lol

@jscho8674 3 ай бұрын

Definitely sharper than our current "commander in chief", who is way younger. Ugh. I'd rather have this man leading us. In a heart beat.

@chrisstrawn4108 3 ай бұрын

@@jscho8674 what a lot of us have discovered was what was obvious for some time. Age affects people differently and Biden is not a well man. Now he FINALLY dropped out, your wish will come true one way or another in January.

@MeatOnStick-ih7es 3 ай бұрын

@@jscho8674 I WAS GONNA SAY THE SAME THING

@METVWETV 3 ай бұрын

@chrisstrawn4108 And in the mean time, who's running the country? Who is the real "Leader of the Free World"??!

@PennySmyrk 9 ай бұрын

What a lovely man❤️My father John Smyrk was shot down in UK He flew on Lancaster Bombers, so this interview was especially interesting. He built a bar in his house & called it ‘The Cockpit’ I loved Jerry’s stories, makes you feel grateful for the little things in life!👍

@danielebrparish4271 9 ай бұрын

Post pics of that bar for us.

@mikeskidmore6754 9 ай бұрын

My Grandfathers Buddy was a Tail Gunner in a B-17.. The plane took a direct hit of Flack .. it killed the Pilot and Co Pilot.. My friend was badly burned and trapped in the tail.. The plane had a huge hole in it.. The Navigator managed to fly the plane back to base .. They said they didn't know how the plane could still fly .. Ned Donavan was his name , Vicksburg MI

@jscho8674 3 ай бұрын

That's amazing. Stories like that make my heart skip a beat, thinking about what they all went through.

@Alex.Kaleipahula Жыл бұрын

This man has an incredible memory 🫡, true Patriot

@Seafariireland 9 ай бұрын

What a story!

@lordemed1 9 ай бұрын

What a selfless, authentic, wonderful man...one of many who served our country when they were needed. God bless them all.

@JayPerry-p2n 3 ай бұрын

What these Men went through is astounding. They are the Greatest generation of our time. 🇺🇸

@amorelllennards-gp6qn Ай бұрын

Absolutely

@tomjordan6300 2 жыл бұрын

I have four grandkids. I want them to listen to these stories before they grow up.

@jf984d 8 ай бұрын

Well they'll be living it soon if things don't change politically

@acousticshadow4032 Ай бұрын

I stopped in for a few minutes. 75-minutes later... I could listen Jerry Wolf all day. Thank you, Airman Wolf!

@BigWesLawns 9 ай бұрын

🙏🇨🇦👊🏻👨‍🌾💖 What an amazing story. I bet he has so much more to tell. Thanks for your sacrifices and service to freedom. 🙏

@patkillebrew4110 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing this story, what a great man from the greatest generation. I could have listened another two hours or more. So glad he survived his days of service to America

@valenciajohn3043 7 ай бұрын

Desensitized to all the noise of war. Part of the body safety mechanism to self preservation. No longer having nightmares about dying is probably a part of the process of self preservation if that didn't happen you'd probably come out a fruit cake of sort and sent to Bellevue upon leaving the military. What an amazing man. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. 🙂🤓😎💗✌️

@ElaineHamilton-r3n 2 ай бұрын

Love you guys always ❤❤❤❤

@victoriasmith8570 3 ай бұрын

40:39 ‘I expected to hear music; it was “beeeuuuteeefull”.’ What a smile! What a man! 😔

@sheilaedwards7152 2 ай бұрын

A wonderful story. Such a brave man. I love our soldiers.💕

@sissyromanov8385 2 ай бұрын

Thank You for your service ❤❤❤❤

@elizabethspear9551 2 жыл бұрын

I can't stop smiling. What a man

@vdub2014 Жыл бұрын

P.S. im smiling too

@gunn4life1 5 ай бұрын

Great interview. Thank you for your service, Jerry. And to all the Americans that helped win the war. I am from East Anglia and live near Snetterton heath, it was a base during the war. The base is mentioned in Jack Novey book, The cold blue sky. I plan on visting the Cambridge American war graves to pay homage to these brave souls. God bless, and may you all rest in peace.

@curtiskretzer8898 3 ай бұрын

Love those crazy on the American ear names of places in old🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@maxhoppenbrouwers3796 2 ай бұрын

What a wonderful man!

@PennySmyrk 8 ай бұрын

❤️They don’t make’m like that any more! True Heroes 💙

@steveeuphrates-river7342 7 ай бұрын

Really fascinating to hear his stories

@warriorqueen1609 3 ай бұрын

LOVE YOU MR. 🐺 WOLF ❤❤❤❤❤❤

@glendaobrien7262 3 ай бұрын

God bless this man. But seniors dont stay on topic and their stories stray. The interviewer was gracious to him. Interesting story. His story should be told somewhere in a longer version. Thank you for your service sir. ❤

@lwill4075 5 ай бұрын

"NOOO WAY JOSÉ " salute to the my fellow vets

@l.choitz6472 3 ай бұрын

I'm so glad you guys did this! Captured so many ww2 memoirs, stories, ect. Recorded them on the internet to live indefinitely, before we lost them all. Thank you!!!

@gcrauwels941 5 жыл бұрын

What a story. Thank you, Jerry Wolf.

@msg_smxsh8663 9 ай бұрын

I feel like they cut him short. Seemed like he would have continued to share and wish he would. He barely scratched the surface of his experience. I'd like to know more.

@curtiskretzer8898 3 ай бұрын

That a time limit is on these is strange,as the run times on these interviews times are wildly all over the place.wtfe

@kathleenredick275 3 ай бұрын

I love the way he keeps adding the "PS"s. 😊

@patrickancona1193 3 ай бұрын

@@curtiskretzer8898it’s originally a radio show that they also film for historical purposes, putting them on the internet was not what they were doing originally so whatever length they are is just the time that was needed to fill

@brendabrown4025 3 ай бұрын

Me too!

@kathleenredick275 3 ай бұрын

@@patrickancona1193 I love them on the radio. Been listening there for a long time. Happy to find them here, too.

@litaaitkendecattaneo8916 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for your service sir.

@paulazemeckis7835 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for posting this video. Outstanding. Born in 1959 so I had no knowledge of war until Vietnam. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My Lithuanian grandparents on both sides immigrated to America (Chicago) in 1908 and 1930. Heard a lot about the Nazi threat while growing up. Thank you for everything - you are such a hero. ❤ My dad fought in Korea. Was only 9 months due to injury.

@grahambaker1736 7 ай бұрын

Such a brave man who went through so much and yet still remembered the detail of his experiences during WW11. I am in the UK and my uncle was a rear gunner in Lancaster's, he never told us of his experiences. We will remember you all, you gave your youth and much more for our today, less we forget! Thank you!

@ctheflower7818 5 жыл бұрын

GOD bless you Dear Sir and we thank you for your Great Service !!!!

@Kdpainted 8 ай бұрын

Great interview, so much respect for these people

@toddlfrank 8 ай бұрын

Amazing stories thank goodness for the VFW

@allenvandyke732 9 ай бұрын

Awesome man. Thank you for your srrvice! My father in law was a Bombadier in a B17 and was shot down in 1943 on his 5th mission as part of the 91st bomb group. The Memphis Belle was in his squadron and completed her 25th mission while he was there. We actually found combat footage of him as he took off in the nose of hia B17 .aking the "V" for victory sign. His bomber was shown in the footage of the bomber formations in his B17E. He was a great man and I am proud to have known him as I am lucky to have such a fine wife of 47 years and a descendant of an original Declaration of Independence signee.

@rickyleeincali5375 8 ай бұрын

So amazing that you found your dad in a combat film. The greatest generation!

@kahfre3694 Жыл бұрын

He's so awesome!! God bless you sir, for your service. Would've been an honor to meet this hero 🇺🇸

@afvet52 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for continuosly posting these stories!

@americanveteranscenter 5 жыл бұрын

It's our honor!

@gvaldezcurrie 5 ай бұрын

Jerry Thank you for your Service and your story. I hope you get this message. I will save your interview to share with my grandson who I named Jericho and we also call him Jerry. US Navy VP 65

@stevemizar4143 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service! God bless you!

@raybeavers3123 8 ай бұрын

You Sir, are an absolute AMERICAN LEGEND AND HERO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT COUNTRY! 👏👍👍🤗🤗🥇🌹❤️🇺🇸🫡

@namgreenberet3322 Жыл бұрын

My father was a navigator in a B-17 and was shot down during a bombing mission. He spent 18 months as a POW and till the day he died, you couldn't get him to eat anything cooked with cabbage. He weighed 170 going in and weighed 90 odd pounds when his camp was liberated. By the way, his brother-in-law told my grandmother that he was going to go to Germany and liberate Dad, and honest to God, his unit did liberate pops camp. He didn't recognize Pop because he had lost so much weight.

@curtiskretzer8898 3 ай бұрын

THAT is @ least part of some kind of visual media treatment (movie?). Such crazy synchronicity

@harveybishop 2 жыл бұрын

WOW what a inspiring Airman, Jerry Wolf .

@sherriroe4806 2 жыл бұрын

What a precious man

@smellysock4260 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This man is a hero. He served when "service to your country" still meant something.

@CharlosMinecraft 2 жыл бұрын

This channel is the absolute BEST! Hearing the stories firsthand from the men that fought our nation's battles is absolutey enthralling. Also the channel serves the dual purpose of keeping an historical record of these brave individuals deeds, stories and sacrifices. I salute all of you that bring this content to the masses. Thank you

@klausvonschmit4722 5 ай бұрын

Thank you Sir for your service!

@robertberger8642 3 ай бұрын

Sir, thank you for your service!!!!

@julianboone9542 2 жыл бұрын

This Vet tells a hell of a story.

@Sequatchiemm Жыл бұрын

I'm a aircraft mechanic. People like this guy and my dad is why I am .well..... I had a seizure so I actually work in a fabrication shop. But I will always love airplanes they are fascinating....... I have worked on plane (DC-3) THAT ACTUALLY WAS ONE of D-DAY planes. That was and as of now still was the best day of my life, went rite to a computer and it went on my resume

@dawnsokolik7837 7 ай бұрын

MJ SOKOLIK What a tail of bravery and survival , Thank You for sharing it ,and also for your service. My Grandpa wouldn't speak of what he seen or did on the grounds of Italy and Germany.

@roderickstockdale1678 4 ай бұрын

Infantry?

@steamer482 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service!

@michaelodonnell1861 9 ай бұрын

Amazing interview! Thank you so much Mr. Wolf!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@paulk7390 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you sir and thank you people for consistently making these interviews. We should never forget veterans. ❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@JamesBray-qm8gr-q3w 3 жыл бұрын

God bless this brave man for his service to our Nation in the cause of freedom and liberty!!

@MikiBlue 3 ай бұрын

Wow what an experience. Thank you for your service sir.

@CarbonGlassMan 2 жыл бұрын

I love listening to this man talk.

@saraburns7340 3 ай бұрын

GOD BLESS JERRY 🙏❤

@Seafariireland 9 ай бұрын

What a story!

@unclestuka8543 2 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic story, Men like Jerry saved our bacon.

@Sasha-jk6wo 2 жыл бұрын

These interviews are pure gold! I am absolutely fascinated by his story and am grateful he took the time to tell us about it. Thank you Jerry ❤️

@realwealthproperties5671 2 жыл бұрын

That was a great interview! Thank you for your service Jerry. Truly an amazing story.

@johnheart6890 9 ай бұрын

Wow this is such an amazing life story- filled with details! Thanks! God bless Jerry!

@shelbyesters5732 2 жыл бұрын

What a amazing life. Thank you for sharing your story Jerry and thank you American Veterans Center for doing these!

@kmac4124 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating ....i'm blown away '.......thank you Mr.Wolf ..... i'm truly grateful for your service to our country

@shawndunlap714 2 жыл бұрын

This man is a true hero

@AstroGremlinAmerican 4 жыл бұрын

P.S. this guy's a great story teller. Thank you for your service and I hope your mom finally forgave you for flying.

@grammyhall53 2 жыл бұрын

without any doubt,the greatest generation.god bless them.

@davidkimmel4216 9 ай бұрын

Amazing. That made it. God Bless These Men and Women. 👍

@DRFelGood 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story, service, courage and sacrifice for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️

@successfulperson3304 2 ай бұрын

What an amazing man! Wow

@IndywithoutJazmin Ай бұрын

This True Hero is from a generation where men were men, a generation that we may never see the likes of ever again. We thank you for your service, Sir!!

@britgerus1956Glenn 9 ай бұрын

Jerry n Greg, Many thanks Cheers Glenn

@vppnbrent 2 жыл бұрын

God bless you Jerry.

@ColleenMulrey-yv6eq 9 ай бұрын

Hi there, thank you for your story, your a hero

@dr.barrycohn5461 3 жыл бұрын

A great fellow. He is very articulate as well. I can't imagine why anyone would check dislike.

@morganlewis2667 2 жыл бұрын

The interviewer was just mailing it in. If he had known the subject better and cared he could have helped by being engaged. Like when Jerry struggled to come up with ICE in the oxygen mask condensation bag. Maybe these interviews are old hat for the lazy guy.

@scoireamerica1609 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mr. Wolf for your service.

@少川靖男 11 ай бұрын

Among all the episodes, this one got me at the edge of the seat !! what a life, what a story-teller, the way he related the whole war, punctuated with world events....wow, tremendous respect !!

@sunstatejon1928 2 жыл бұрын

Wow sir great story teller and what a great horrible story, you are a hero and thank you for your service

@BH195829 8 ай бұрын

Amazing- what a SAINT! What a HERO. Stories made me cry. 💕💕💕🙏🌎😊

@chickengeorge9162 2 жыл бұрын

God bless this man.

@josephcoates461 4 жыл бұрын

A good man Thank You sir GOD BLESS

@TracyGunz 2 жыл бұрын

God Bless you sir. Thank you for your service!

@eyrish12 3 ай бұрын

My father was a radioman on a B-24 it was shot down over Germany but crash landed In Slovakia on December 2,1944. He was only 20 at the time, he was the first to parachute out of the plane, when he landed he was immediately captured by German soldiers! He was beaten and tortured before he was sent to a POW Camp up near the Baltic Sea! After they were liberated on April 30, 1945 they found out there were a lot of different groups of prisoners in the camp! One of the groups that were separated from the rest were American Jewish POW, who were kept apart from the other Americans! My father said they never even knew there were other group in the compound! There were separate groups of European Jews, and other European civilians. There is a You Tube simulation of my father’s plane flying over Germany under the title December 2,1944 or Yellow H! Look it up at the end it show the bomber group my father was in, he is second from the right in the first row! His name was Laurian George from Hayward, California!

@Bear-lb4qj 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your story and thank you to this channel for keeping these men and their stories alive for years to come

@martinnorbeck4657 2 жыл бұрын

This guy can remember every detail of his experience. What a story. Landing on fumes Will come back for the finish on this one. My Dad was from Brooklyn.