"I Flew for the Führer": Full version

Full length version of the German ww2 fighter pilot movie of Heinz Knoke.
Used Stormovik IL-2 as baseline for graphics with permission from Maddox Games.

[@kmvenezia4337]

From the son of a highly decorated WWII US marine: My father never fought the Germans but he had the highest respect for both the German and Japanese soldier. Every nation has it's heros and you have to respect any man or woman doing their duty. I enjoyed this little video and hope that we finally learn to realize what's important and stop all this senseless war.

[@dekipet]

LOL. Tell that to your government.

[@rbgerald2469]

@@dekipet ...Now you think America is the warmongers? Shut up. Go speak Russian or German or Chinese you ungrateful fool.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

@@dekipet How do you tell something that's not even human and a juggernaut that just rolls over anything in its path? What would you like to tell yours?

[@dekipet]

@@rbgerald2469 To be grateful to whom? To a country that killed millions of people around the world and no one has ever gone to jail? And besides, the fool is your dad who didn't teach you a basic thing: to respect a human that you don't know in person. And yes, America is killing innocent people around the world. That is THE fact. Open your eyes, go out for a walk. There is a world out there. And that world just DON'T belong to the USA. When you said "shut up" it represents everything in the USA foreign politics. Have a nice day. Don't forget to go out for a walk.

[@rbgerald2469]

@@dekipet ...So The bad guys are the good guys then? I know countries exist; but would you prefer authoritarianism over democracies; despite the fact they killed more people then? So let's throw freedom out of the window. At least you can say USA sucks without being taken away by some secret police or something. If Nazi Germany won; you couldn't say Germany sucks with the Gestapo taking you away to a concentration camp. Soviet Union; well you get caught by the KGB, sends you off to a Gulag or some mental hospital for the mentally insane if you say Soviet Union sucks. Anyway; do you live in a former Warsaw Pact Country? If yes; how was your life being a puppet for the Soviet Union?

[@jgriz13]

A friend loaned me Knoke's diary. I got sick this weekend, so I read it. Excellent!

[@mymartianhome]

I remember I made some comment on Germans as a kid, my father (ex-royal marine) gave me his copy of this book, changed my mind.

[@lancelot1953]

Tinus, this is a great video - thank you so much for sharing it with the community. Great acting too! There are lots of attention to details in this movie despite the limitations of the software. I was very impressed as a military pilot myself. Peace be with you, Ciao, L

[@bbvollmer]

alot of them did actually, a lot of ex Luftwaffe pilots got together with their old enemies and talked with each other... it wasnt uncommon

[@thegit8698]

I've read this book twice when a friend loaned me the book and I've just bought it myself

[@bigroberttt]

Nice to see the other half of the story. Thanks for the download!

[@imarro9274]

In my sophomore year of high school, my class was offered copies of books by military aviators. "I Flew For The Führer" was among the books offered. IIRC, all of us got at least one; a lucky/interested few (myself included) got two. I ended up with "Fighting The Flying Circus" by Eddie Rickenbacker and "Samurai!" by Saburo Sakai. And though I loved both (and re-read them to this day, "Samurai" especially), after watching this video, I feel that I've missed out on something.

[@raedrenaldy_1724]

erich hartmann died age 71 1993 knoke died age 72 1993

[@hegerdietmar8101]

RIP

[@chumccurry1765]

Despite politics, this man fought brave for his country and peoples.

[@mojavegreen1804]

Every good soldier does. It wasn't like the Nazis allowed conscientious objectors. Hitler would be quite cross at Germans for burning their draft cards.

[@DailyGrindAus]

@@mojavegreen1804 I have read the book...he was an ardent Nazi even after the war.

[@guillermogaonagonzalez2217]

@@DailyGrindAus ... so?

[@georgemiller151]

His book is titled “I Flew for the Fuhrer”, not “I Flew for Germany” or “I Flew for my People”. Anyway, patriotism is way over-rated. I would like to see an airman who wrote a book titled “I Flew for my Principles” - but I guess anyone who was a true believer in Nazism would never have written such a book post-war.

[@teekey1754]

Politics ? They were fighting to enslave humanity and exterminate "undesirables" as ordered by Hitler. My family members (civilians) died because of those "braves".

[@tonywoods4682]

excellent, just wish the whole book was put into this format

[@electrichellion5946]

I am so glad I found your tube channel Tinus. Very well done. I am elated to find so many stories here and can hardly wait to view them a time or three.

[@bigrobnz]

I read this book when I was at school.....in the late 70"s.....still one of the best books I"ve read......

[@Timotheus157]

Salute to a great warrior and now our friend and ally. Peace and love from USA to Germany forever.

[@NiumeLTU]

Excellent job almost tears Bravo.

[@QueenKatz8]

Gott in Himmel! I read this book when I was a kid; I didn't realise a film had been made about Heinz Knoke. I also read "Heaven Next Stop" by Gunther Bloemertz - IMO a better read, and later on, "The First and the Last" by Adolf Galland. Always interesting to read accounts from the other side's POV, especially when these books were written and it was rare for any German to be given kudos for anything. When I was a kid I went through a stage of reading (and re-enacting, with my siblings and friends) a lot of prison camp stories ("Boldness Be My Friend", "The Wooden Horse", "The Great Escape") and books about British air aces - "Reach for the Sky", "the Dambusters", and another about one of my heroes, Robert (Bob) Tuck ("Fly for Your Life"???). Heroes all. I wonder what they'd think of the mess the UK and indeed most of Europe is in now.

[@debuch73]

Yes.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Simple: disgusted.

[@akompsupport]

This was great fun watching! Thanks for making this awesome vid!

[@ShibuyaSloth94]

you make great video's, i subbed to you!!!!

[@jonathansteadman7935]

The rehearsal place my band used back in 1990 had some books in shelves where I found a copy of this. It renewed my interest in ww2 and started my interest in the Luftwaffe which continues to this day. Great visualisation of the book !

[@ScaleEffectStudios]

Words fail me. Wonderful tribute and amazing video editing and composition. Please keep making these most enjoyable videos.

[@RowanvanTonder]

Great book to read, gives a good insight into the daily life of a ww2 pilot...

[@jconnor55]

Damn, I read the book way back when I was about 13yrs old. I'm 57 now.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

me too....same numbers.

[@thomashawkins9380]

Me as well. As a kid. Still have the book. Read German Aces Speak. Volumes 1 & 2

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

58 and change....

[@Riccardo_Silva]

American B-17 and B-24 flyers suffered huge losses to Luftwaffe pilots like Knocke...the latters defended their homeland, the formers defended freedom and democracy. Hats off to german pilots but my admiration and everlasting gratitude goes to those incredibly brave american crews. We still enjoy the freedom they died for.

[@paperjerry]

I read the book... amazing account of first hand experiences in the Luftwaffe. Thank you for the movie!!

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

Some times the pilots climbed into the cockpit and sit on the prepared seat parachute. With the help of the mechanic the parachute straps are clipped into the quick release buckle and thereafter the safety belts are clipped on.

[@gusd913]

I knew this was made using Il-2 1946!

[@brochvilla5953]

It says at the end at the video.

[@traceybest8047]

I read his book numerous times as a kid. Loved it.

[@sgt13echo]

I love the follow-up and documenting who the men and planes were that perished that day. We need to out a name with a face and realize its not just a machine being destroyed but a human and their family. As intriguing as WWII was, I hope we never experience a war like that ever again.

[@welshpete12]

Some years ago I was at a flying museum in a dessert. I forget where , in the US . But not far away was parked many modern aircraft mothballed . There were a few hangers . I wandered into one and there was an immaculate B17 , with the original crew . They must have been in their seventies , Great guys . I wish I could have talked longer with them . I asked about attacks by German fighters attacks . They said 4 would attack head on . The name on the side of the bomber was , "At last we are here ". I was a pilot, but I don't think I could have gone out day after day facing what they did , brave men !

[@electrichellion5946]

So glad to have rediscovered this yt channel. I hope they don’t demonetize you for the historical content you post.

[@bashirmuhammad8181]

Great videos by Tinus le Roux.I have just subscribed. Very entertaining. Good animation and voice over.I admire the fighting men who struggled to carry out their duties in the face so many odds.Wonderful history.

[@RowanvanTonder]

Awesome! beautiful part of the world, I loved this book, actually found it in the Somerset west library way back.

[@tejastiger61]

AWESOME well Done...! Thanks a million for sharing this Historic GEM ! The person who took allot time to do this accurately .. He is a true artist.

[@Filmpilot]

I read this officers book when it first came out. Great that someone put it to film, it sure might put some closure to questions.

[@ftorresgamez]

I remember that scene from the book. It was an extraordinary account of a flying ace's combat career. Quite a ride.

[@scottthompson5855]

Read Heinz’s auto-biography. This was very well done. Thank you I enjoyed the production VERY MUCH! Horrido!

[@raystory7059]

I read his book as a boy in the sixties, in it he seems more humble and explains that the bombers were right over his home town at times. Also many of his kills were done at night where his targets were British bombers. The "full" version is just a short bio. of an interesting man. Read the book of the same name if you want a good read.

[@rodparsons521]

Many of his kills were at night? Only in your imagination. Try reading the book again.

[@theeightsin]

Wow, I didn't know they bombed the bombers, have to read the book. Thanks for making and sharing this.

[@dginia]

Very good visualization of this man's autobiography. Well done.

[@aaron3348]

Excellent video.

[@hansmueller3029]

Makes you wonder how any British or American bomber crews survived the war. With combat in the east and experience over Britain and France to prepare them for the higher performance aircraft that they'd meet from late 1943 to the end many aces filled the Luftwaffes rosters.

[@ThePilot4ever]

IL-2 1946 is the only game I have that I never get tired of. possibilities are endless.

[@Crashman2]

GREAT WORK. I just subbed yr. chan.

[@46FreddieMercury91]

I've read the book. Fantastic read and I urge you to get hold of it if you can

[@pedrofernandez5005]

I see this movie several times, and I think is really fantastic...I enjoy so much this video...my congratulation for all people who work in it...the more expert pilot in the SWW were the german pilots.and their stories are the most intense and awsome..!!!

[@gameoforbits3783]

I have always been curious about military technology of that time and it's the first time I hear of fighters bombing bombers like in 6:30 does that kind of bomb have a special name?

[@gameoforbits3783]

Spitfire Brodecast well, probably. Have a link?

[@gameoforbits3783]

thanks! no mention of air to air usage though

[@gameoforbits3783]

Spitfire Brodecast makes sense, however I found no direct specific mention of german or air to air use although WWII weapons are over-documented everywhere, a bit strange

[@Xeno1001]

It’s a SC 250 bomb fitted either with a Type 59B or Type 79 fuse allowing the bomb to detonate at a set time after release. The source is TM 9-1985-2 “German Explosive Ordnance”.

[@RepublicCommando29videos]

one of my favorite books

[@mossmusic8370]

Well done, thanks for the upload! Another great book: "Kampfgeschwader 53 >>Legion Condor

[@harrihiltunen3164]

one of the best seen air battle video..

[@jennyfury4674]

I remember watching this when I was a child

[@kolbpilot]

Truly so. I've been playing it for a solid four years now (& I'm 54) and still learn new tricks. And I have yet tot figure out 'full mission builder. I've been perfectly content with the 'single missions' and 'pilot career'. A truly fabulous game. The next generation of these kind of games will be about perfect for this is good now.

[@johnkauppi7078]

This biography is an excellent read. I have an early edition print. Another good German fighter pilot biography is written by Peter Henn who flew Me 109 called Yellow 2. Sorry I forget what it was called.

[@hunormagyar1843]

This is really cool. Not the Red Tails level trash CGI, but visuals from Il-2. It does give off some funny Squire vibes, but still.

[@afenijmeijer9027]

I have a copy of this book. The number of times he got shot down is incredible. Then he gets back in a plane into battle again and again. Your mind has to be screwed at the end of it should you be lucky to survive. Those Luftwaffe pilots were on a hiding to nothing once the USA started bombing Germany.

[@MrQuant77]

I read Heinz Knoke's book in 1967, & again a couple of years ago. It is VG. And this video is a good rendition of parts of it. He did get credit (in his book) for 52 kills, not 33.

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

There are some controversy around Heinz' kills. I checked the book again and in the appendix see the following: 1992 " I was officially credited with 33 combat victories. The figure of 52 quoted in the forward of my original book arose from a misinterpretation of a war time document" I think you have a copy of his original book and hence your valid argument :)

[@80amnesia]

Omg you made a small movie about Heinz Knoke! :-D I thought I was one of there few people who read this book, I'm happy to see I'm in good company. If I'm not wrong, there's part in the book, during one of his crashes, when he was left for days in the middle of nowhere without food and he started eating his cigarettes. I loved that part, because besides what he was doing he kept it simple. His attitude towards the events were in a sort way like a Forrest Gump of WW2, clearly Knoke was way more smart. The book I've got was published in 1953.

[@victormanuelmarquez790]

Lute Scrat

[@gordonclack5415]

Excellent video. Obviously much use of models but very well done. The Me 109s looked real enough. I know incredible things can be done using Computer Imaging but some of those take-off scenes looked real.

[@athame57]

Achtung Achtung Bandits coming in at five o'clock!...wundabar,,,den der is still time for sauerkraut!

[@Jacky-zt5ch]

Here to rewatch the classic after watching masters of the air series

[@hipper4756]

IM READING HIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!

[@sonofland8321]

I could not see the Me 109 pilots gear up parachute while mounting on the cockpit. Animation error I think.

[@tonyminehan2323]

I read his book, in fact I still have it, it's an excellent read.

[@gavinagain4631]

Ze narration is magnifizent.

[@Wally1967]

I have read his book. Great to read.

[@PeterMayer]

I need to check out this book.

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

@spam1138 no, what is this book about?

[@reinhart1605]

Dude you make the most bad ass videos I swear.

[@souloftheage]

"What a marvelous invention the parachute"...LOL!

[@jnichols3]

I have this book. Not had a chance to read it yet.

[@carloscobalto4702]

"Eu Voei Para o Führer", versão completa do piloto caça-bruxa alemão Heinz Knoke.

[@TrenchSniper21]

This goes to show that World War II was fought by humans and not faceless soldiers/airmen. This humanizes the German fighter pilot very well. They also endured great horrors during the Air War, but so did our bomber crews.

[@commanderrockwell1123]

Yes...

[@Southern_Crusader]

That's the great thing of today. We try to show both sides, despite what the News and 'popular' social media people do.

[@EasternMerchant]

this really reminds me of How something like this is better played as a computer game than in real life!!!

[@ZunaZurugi]

10:50 And thats how the Luftwaffe say "Auf nie mehr Wiedersehen" ;)

[@RazgrizRaptor]

I'm not sure why, but I was expecting this to be made with War Thunder, but I really enjoy how it looks. ^^

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

@ScaleEffectStudios thanks!

[@tengothenight]

Please,what s the name of this fabolous Soundtrack?

[@64maxpower]

Even in a ww2 movie there is someone asking what song.

[@VonderDemut]

Toller Film. Hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Gibts den auch auf deutsch?

[@brooklynbummer]

I read the book a long time ago, interesting reading.

[@Xrodthegrandmaster]

What do you think of the P-47 Thunderbolt

[@AbdurRahman-fs1rh]

Stuka what an awesome jerichos trumpet

[@matthall8378]

I just read the book. It was really good!

[@cornishrob123]

I have his book

[@MrTubbymarshall]

my dad has the original book. fantastic reading, and his story tells the life of a young german flying for what was then, a just cause, for a better life. what transpires is different, as history tells. but the book is wonderful to read. losing his friends in battle, the war turning tide, and the eventual battle for survival. respect to you Heinz Knocke, a true knight of the air. i. for one, am glad you survived it.

[@davidvanniekerk356]

Dankie/ Merci Tinus le Roux for this educational video. Your name do sounds pretty much South African and mountains looks like that around Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington, South Africa.

[@SergioRamirez-zv6po]

Este es un gran cortometraje y he tenido el gusto de leer el libro...

[@TheLawnWanderer]

That depends on who won. WW2 wasn't a war between good and evil.

[@TrentVenture]

Insan'ly good :)

[@frankensteinrockerfeller7265]

The book is brilliant.

[@pedrofernandez5005]

Once again my congratulations to Tinus le Roux !!!!

[@teekx5022]

Very interesting

[@rjnewwby]

please can we have some more,i'm currently reading a book called ten fighter boys based on accounts from 10 pilots from 1940 raf 32 squadron,i'm sure that would be well accepted,great short film

[@shanemike3070]

WOW, beautiful 109s

[@Oberhorsti]

BF 109 G-6 version had a 30 mm Nose cannon as standard armament... Check your facts...

[@pedrofernandez5005]

Mister Tinus Le Roux, please do more videos like this...

[@jottbe1311]

I am totally impressed by the art of how this film was made. I would like to do something similar. There are so many great aviator stories but very few films. And even less from a propaganda-free German point of view.

[@shermansquires3979]

not all the time, and only when the mustangs, arrived there was some escorting done by the thunderbolt, and lightnings too as they had long range capabilities

[@zieperegrine5237]

how did you make this movie?

[@joylynablanida5806]

How do you make your videos?

[@MclF01]

I loved it

[@jusjetz]

they should make a movie adaptation out of this.

[@larrywilliams7993]

I have read his book Heinz Knoke