Last Luftwaffe Mission - June 1945!

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In June 1945, six weeks AFTER the German surrender, the last official Luftwaffe operation was mounted! Here is the largely unknown account of that extraordinary last mission by the wartime German Air Force.
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.o...
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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.
Sources:
- 'The last operational flight of the Luftwaffe' by Jacek Domanski, Afterburner: The Aviation Magazine, 29 June 2024
- 'Dornier Do 24 Units' by Peter de Jong (Osprey: 2015)
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Bundesarchiv

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

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[@28ebdh3udnav]

I think you did a video of this but how exactly did Nazis escape to Argentina?

[@achimkunisch8619]

Hello Mark Felton, is there a video regarding the rescue aircarfts shot down that were mentioned at the beging of this video and if not wuld it be a future poject of yours?

[@M1903a4]

@@achimkunisch8619 I saw them mentioned in video some time back, but cannot remember what video. It was about the Battle of Britain and had a gun camera film of one being shot down. It was just a brief mention, but it stuck in my mind because it was crystal clear that it was a rescue plane and it was said it was policy because they didn't want the pilots rescued to fly against England again. I'm pretty sure they were picking up any pilot, not just Germans. I'd really like to see Dr. Felton give us the actual facts.

[@maro_from_germany]

I served on the Bug in the 80's during GDR times. There were still some ruins of the former installations. To this day the foundations of the giant crane that was used to lift the airplanes out of the water are visible. The Bug became a military base three times during the 20th century and was three times completely demilitarized afterwards. Officers lived in nearby Dranske which was rebuilt for that purpose in the 1930's. I think the story about that final Luftwaffe operation was also told in a German book about the history of the Bug: "Rügens geheime Landzunge".

[@danielbonilla3195]

I used to know a pilot and also ambassador of Germany in Colombia whose father was a Luftwaffe pilot during World War II, last name was Thyben

[@Avarua59]

There was a Luftwaffe ace named Gerhard Thyben who ended up in Colombia in 1954 and was an instructor for the Colombian Air Force from 1954-1956. Thereafter he flew air taxis, etc. for Aviance in Colombia. His son Gerhard Sonnenberger took his mother's last name.

[@johnlowell5905]

Worked with a guy who's dad, a Luftwaffe bomber pilot, escaped on a sub to Mexico in 45.

[@mattgeorge90]

It's a great day when Dr. Felton drops an episode!

[@davidtuttle508]

Once again, Dr. Mark Felton shows us a side of history that time has forgotten.

[@jackmehoff1840]

Those Donier DO-24 flying boats are a thing of beauty

[@godsowndrunk1118]

I agree....the Netherlands East Indies Forces also used them against the Japanese in 41/42....

[@michaelmclachlan1650]

@@godsowndrunk1118 Yes, and six subsequently transferred to the RAAF with five serving into 1944.

[@Rahul_Saldanha]

I commend you for bringing light onto the deeper cuts of war history. Thank you for everything

[@robertanjema1377]

Seemingly unending events being brought back to light by Mark Felton. Fantastic.

[@vordenkerkatastrophe9863]

Very interesting, never heard from this very special story from the german Luftwaffe. Nice greetings from Germany. 🍀🇩🇪🍀

[@wweminehead5458]

Mark Mondays should be a thing

[@theleprechaun5480]

Fascinating! Always impressed that new subjects for videos are always found, and always well researched.

[@scarletcrusader5431]

I love these little slices of history. Thank you again Dr. Felton for the wealth of knowledge you bestow upon us.

[@evdOW]

Just sat down with a nice english breakfast, which is now made complete with another great addition from Mr.Felton!

[@Captain-Slowly]

Fascinating video! Thanks Mark

[@Tracie.....]

Watching your videos make the day a good one. Thank you Mark.

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

That Dornier is a nice looking aircraft. The one with three engines.

[@wolfganggugelweith8760]

One is still flying in Germany and one was restored and in a museum near München (Munich) in „Oberschleissheim“. I saw both a few times. The one which is still flying I saw on the Wolfgangsee (Lake Wolfgang) in Upperaustria! Greetings from Linz Austria 🇦🇹 Europe!

[@IntyMichael]

The Dornier 24 flew in serval air forces for decades to come, including Spain. Dornier als used an original hull and replaced the wings and engines for a Dornier 24 NT (new technology), in the (I think) 90s.

[@sirxavior1583]

Yes. Looks actually like a more refined PBY Catalina.

[@billbrockman779]

The Germans had some really attractive and unique looking seaplanes and floatplanes.

[@frankleespeaking9519]

I kinda liked the 59 with the Red Cross

[@Grow5ft]

Another fantastic video from Mark Felton. 😊

[@Gamble661]

I'd never heard about this event either, very interesting video, thanks. Years ago I worked with an ex-Luftwaffe pilot in the US. He'd flown JU-88's and was shot down over England which was probably why he survived the war. He told me once that he'd flown over a hundred missions before becoming a POW...and that he'd hated flying ever since.

[@M1903a4]

The photo of the ship and mention of Operation Hannibal reminded me of the world's worst maritime disaster. The sinking of MV Wilhelm Gustloff, one of the Hannibal refugee ships, by a Soviet submarine. Approximately 9,000 refugees died, about 1,000 of whom were German military. I don't believe it has been one of your edisodes.

[@etowahman1]

As always, thank you Dr. Felton for the education.

[@mattgeorge90]

It's a great day when Dr. Felton drops an episode! 🎉

[@jamieforrest6575]

Thank you once again.

[@markmacintyre3422]

Is it just me, or does that first guy in the crew of stragglers @2:30 look strangely similar to A. Hitler?

[@paultapner2769]

I was thinking that. So it's not just you.

[@savvavassiliev5650]

Yeah, so we are probably gonna need a companion video identifying who that man is and why he is impersonating Hitler. Otherwise it seems pretty clear that we just had our 'Where's Waldo' moment with Adolf.

[@skyden24195]

I noticed him too. He must have been a 'wannabe,' lol.

[@skyden24195]

@@savvavassiliev5650 "Where's Adolf?" 😄

[@gregb6469]

One of the Führer's stunt doubles?

[@subdawg1331]

what an amazing video thank you

[@-Cancer-]

Thank you for posting

[@petercarter9034]

As always fascinating

[@paularndt6111]

Glad to see you getting more sponsors. 😊

[@trevormillar1576]

Humanitarian and Luftwaffe are two words I never expected to hear in the same sentence.

[@kelsey-b4v]

so the fire bombing of dresden and hamburg was humanitarian?

[@jokodihaynes419]

Learn something new today

[@udeychowdhury2529]

I see Mark Felton, I click, simples. Thanks always

[@MrIwan18]

Thank you Mr Felton! Did you know the Do24 was designed because of the Dutch East Indies (defense) recuirements?

[@DohuuVi]

The Dornier flying boat bears a strong resemblance to the Consolidated PBY Catalina.

[@markherzog9484]

Thanks Prof Mark, amazing stories within stories, such details are fascinating ….

[@MyLateralThawts]

I am reminded of the last operation of the Japanese navy, including their surviving carriers, which was tasked with picking up and bringing back to the home islands the last survivors still at their posts after the surrender of their empire. I can’t help wondering which flag they were flying at the time.

[@gusloader123]

???? Hmmmmm 🤔 according to another WW2 You Tube history channel,,,,, the Japanese Navy had NO almost no ships left at by the time of the surrender at Tokyo Bay, September, 1945, except a couple of Destroyers and a supply barge-boat.

[@Trek001]

Because the rising sun flag was abolished following the surrender, the ships of SCAJAP were given their own flags. Japanese-owned ships with Japanese crews flew a blue and red pennant modified from international flag signal code for “Echo.” American-owned ships with Japanese crews flew a flag of red and green triangles based on the signal code for “Oscar.”

[@pauldietz1325]

@@gusloader123 The carriers Hosho and Katsuragi had survived the war, and were converted to transports. All told, some 400 ships were used in this operation, including 85 LSTs and 100 Liberty ships donated by the US, their instruments marked with Kanji to enable Japanese crews to operate them.

[@JS-fe8sx]

@@gusloader123 They had 4 carriers (I believe 2 were damaged) one battleship and several destroyers and cruisers. That’s only a small percentage of their prewar fleet plus construction but the vast majority were sunk. At least one of the carriers was used for repatriation purposes after the war.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I always thought the Heinkel, HE 115, floatplane to be a handsome aircraft.

[@astralclub5964]

Shooting down non-combatant aircraft with Red Cross markings wasn’t very sporting of the Brits!

[@nmr6988]

Thank God they stopped acting like schoolboys and fought the way they had to in order to win against the bestial Nazis.

[@michaelwicks7680]

Actually I think it's a war crime 🤔

[@barrysnelson4404]

They were behaving suspiciously and were suspected of gathering information.

[@1maico1]

Non-combatant? They were not official Red Cross aircraft, they were picking up aircrew who in many cases returned to fighting duty.

[@1maico1]

@@michaelwicks7680 Nope, They were German not Swiss registered aircraft.

[@ellisdiggle1523]

It is to be noted that the He 59s used for Air Sea Rescue during the BofB were armed and were known to also conduct reconnaissance of British Shipping, the RAF weren't just shooting them for the sake of it.

[@RailfanDownunder]

Superb .... Interesting and informative yet again sir😊

[@monkeydank7842]

The Kriegsmarine supplied the resistance against the Russians in Baltic countries for the western Allies for a longer period after the war.

[@samsonsoturian6013]

It is unclear if these actions were simply taken over by Allied intelligence upon the end of the war, but it is known they started moving guns in and fugitives out

[@kelsey-b4v]

we fought the wrong enemy.

[@shawnr771]

Thank you for the lesson.

[@Eddy-oe5oi]

There were about 450 wounded german soldiers amoung the 1.000 rescued people. There is a commemorative plaque in Schleswig (north of the Schlei) honoring this last mission. Fun Facts: Haithabu is just adjacent (south of the Schlei). The area is called "Angeln" - that's where the word "Anglo" comes from.

[@domzyFresh]

Good one, Dr. Felton,

[@kfeltenberger]

Amazing video and history! Ever since I was a middle schooler back in the late 70s and built a model of the Do-24 I've thought it was one of the most graceful and beautiful flying boats aver produced. This is one of those times where I really wish I won one of the big lotteries...this story from the evacuation to the final mission would make a fantastic movie!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Amazing story, as usual 👍 The Dornier is a beautiful plane! Thank you once again Dr.Felton, and greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱. TW

[@E-stylz-1967]

When the intro starts I know it's going to be epic! 😎✌🏾

[@infolover_68]

At least it wasn't a task of destruction but of humanitarian rescue...

[@charonboat6394]

Well, they run out of ammunition.

[@bcgraham3512]

​@@charonboat6394 That's pretty mean spirited.

[@pachma405]

2:25 adolf didn't even bother to disguise himself

[@Charl-i2q]

👍👍 Thumbs up to you Mark, I'm a regular follower of your productions, greetings from Pretoria, South Africa.

[@alanblanes2876]

I had never seen this vital part of WW2 history...

[@Russojap2]

Very interesting as usual! Greetings from East Tennessee! 🤠

[@HalfBlindBob]

Imagine Dr Felton arriving incognito at pub quiz night.😅

[@PeterBishop-np3ny]

Fasinating story - thank you

[@adieaf61]

Thanks for the 'Pedant alert'. It's good to see a gracious and honest admission given in the interest of transparency. 🙂

[@DrivermanO]

Yrs - but that officer looked suspiciously like Reinhard Heydrich!

[@buster5803]

Thank you Mark.

[@Zedns1]

Very interesting Dr. Felton. As usual great stories.

[@RandySchaff-mu5gq]

Good vid! Never knew about this.

[@PaarthVaidya]

Another banger by Dr. Felton!

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

Very interesting story! Love your videos and your channel, keep up the good work! Until next time, fare well!

[@animalian01]

What a good subject,i didn't know about this.

[@jameskelly7782]

Thank you once again Dr. for entertaining and informative content that is unsurpassed in quality!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Thanks for video. Unusually, Seenotstaffel 81 and the evacuation from Schleswig was something I already knew about. Bizarre that the Do 24s were escorted by Typhoons from No. 175 and 184 squadrons. Bet those Typhoon pilots didn't think they would be escorting Dorniers by the end of the war!

[@andysvehiclehistorychannel]

Magnificent story i'v missed your videos 📹

[@charlessaint7926]

*Nicht eine Schlacht, eine Rettungsaktion* Not a battle, a rescue operation.

[@martinoppermann9868]

Thanks a lot for this historic report 😍

[@CaptainGyro]

Very interesting.

[@jades6848]

Another great episode 👏

[@docharley4535]

"dispanding with honor" - I'm sure any Lufwaffe personnel still alive would be thankful for these kind words, Mark!

[@marianmoses9604]

How ironic that the final mission of the Nazi German Luftwaffe in WW2 was entirely peaceful and humanitarian. Fascinating. First time I’ve ever heard about this.

[@ralfklonowski3740]

The Do24 has always been one of my favourite German WW2 planes. I love the sheer beauty of it. One example was in flying condition at least into the 80s, albeit with new wing and turboprop engines. The Dornier corporation had used the plane as a technology terstbed; hence the designation Do24TT (Technologie Träger). Not sure if it is still around.

[@michaelburggraf2822]

It is still. There's a YT video of it landing and starting in the river Rhine near Cologne/Germany.

[@daystatesniper01]

Amazing video Mark where on earth do you dig these diamonds up from ? just keep them coming .Many Thanks

[@martinryan2370]

Aeroplane monthly did this story in the last 8 years Still a good one

[@asimwaheed8201]

Very fascinating.

[@m.c.schock2933]

This makes me wonder if there was ever an incident where medium/heavy bombers ever engaged each other during WW2.

[@jamesblair9614]

Well I had to look up the meaning of Pedant, and now I’m having a bit of a chuckle.

[@dwightbutler2221]

Ive always wonders if there were german nazi solders still fighting for months or years after their surender?

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Yes, there were some in the Baltic states region.

[@hxnry.111]

@@MarkFeltonProductionsCould you cover this in a video in the future? This is the topic i'm most interested in but the information seems sparse.

[@klaus-peterborn1370]

My fathers Flak unit had a last fight at the 28 May 1945 against a group of T34 in eastern Tschechien. From 40 man only 9 survived. They had only ammunition for 8 shoot per gun. And they did not know that the war was over.

[@frankleespeaking9519]

There are books written about the “werewolves “.

[@Cherb123456]

Interesting, thanks!

[@judipepper6066]

Really enjoy your Channel!🙋🏻‍♀️ NW GA USA

[@proinseasokiellig4388]

IIRC Britains first engagment in WWII was the shooting down of a Dornier Do18..

[@robmcbride1664]

Did I spot Hitler slipping through the net and avoiding capture at 2.26?

[@Christophe_derBerge-op9zh]

No, just his mustache. It escaped capture and lived a long life in South America!

[@apstrike]

This was properly a German pirate operation, as it involved military forces operating in the absence of governmental authority.

[@Maine307]

i been a fan of this channel for a long time... but i been wondering..is the narrarator Mark's voice??? is that Mark speaking?..just a wondering

[@thomas_jay]

The Royal Airforce shot down white seaplanes sporting the Red Cross? Interesting 9:35 Btw, ... The airplanes were left at the city of Schleswig ... not at Schlei. The Schlei ist the river were the former airbase of the seaplanes is located.

[@grahvis]

It was found some were being used for minelaying.

[@thomas_jay]

@@grahvis Seriously? The Luftwaffe was usually very strict about these things.

[@grahvis]

@@thomas_jay . There was also evidence they were conducting reconnaissance, noting down the direction and position of British convoys.

[@benwilson6145]

@@thomas_jay Yes the Nazi's had very strict rules! Very humane people!

[@trumanbentley9491]

What is hidden is always revealed

[@gewoonfrank478]

I thought I learned everything I needed to know about ww2. Then this guy pops up in my suggested...

[@GeoffreyTotton]

Thanks for this forgotten history

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thank you Sir. Old Shoe🇺🇸

[@tangohotel0815]

….und ich habe immer gedacht, Ich weiß schon einiges. 😉 I always thougt , i knew a lot… thank you Dr. Felton👍

[@Kppot]

очень интересно, спасибо (как всегда!)

[@rishavroy8916]

Proffer Can you please make a video about the German bombing of London during world war 1 I would be very glad if you accept my request

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

I've already made several - Zeppelins and Gothas.

[@freddiemac1438]

@@MarkFeltonProductionsmy great grandmother was crushed to death at Liverpool St underground station during a WW1 Goethe air raid alert on 28 September 1917 / I could find no records of any Goethes that night making it up the Thames Estuary to C London ..

[@michaelburggraf2822]

​​@@freddiemac1438 the name of the aircraft manufacturer is Gotha which is also the name of a town in Germany. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a famous German author and poet of the 18th/19th centuries - possibly best known for his play "Dr. Faust".

[@mikeyratcliff3400]

Can we have the unofficial luftwaffe flights after this date please!

[@jmcw9632]

like the pedant alert lol

[@skyden24195]

All things considered and understood, it is rather disappointing, even appalling that the early, clearly painted/marked, non-combatant/life-saving Luftwaffe "Red-Cross" aircraft were being shot down by RAF/Allied fighters. Yes, I realize German/Nazi forces were committing far more and (perceptively) greater atrocities, but as the saying goes, "Two wrongs do not make a right."

[@1maico1]

You think German aircrew should be allowed to climb back into aircraft and continue attacking Britain. Incredible naivety!

[@Trek001]

They only shot them down after it was shown they were being armed and would engage in combat as well as do combat patrols At that moment, they ceased to be non combatants and became targets

[@TheWolfsnack]

Just a thought....what if Jodl was a hobby Yodeler.....?

[@thomasweatherford5125]

Another interesting video the subject of which I had no idea about. Side note, what is a “Pendant Alert”?

[@talkingdonkey1817]

Very interesting. Another great video, doc!

[@MegaRebel100]

THE DO 24 is in het militair museum te Soest ...

[@FORTASIVOINTA]

There are a lot of rumors that Hitler was homosexual, can you do a video about this subject ?

[@MegaRebel100]

THE Tante Ju in the picture fly,s over the NRW , saw it self fying 2 years back over Xanten

[@steveyountz9184]

At 3:04 it says Donitz was a Nazi, and I know this is just old film, but I thought Donitz was anti-Nazi?

[@Dutch-McLarenJk82-]

No he was as Nazi as it could get, he denied after released from prison. But records show he was a real Nazi.

[@m420-nd1if]

LOL

[@lesliereissner4711]

Maybe thinking of another Admiral...Canaris of the Abwehr.

[@benwilson6145]

Donitz was a Nazi, that is why Hitler chose him as his successor.

[@rolfagten857]

Heinz Ehrhardt (German postwar comedian) was in Stalsund during the war. Heinz was part of the kriegsmarine.

[@TellySavalas-or5hf]

Heinz was like bond actor Gert Froebe, An old NSDAP wehrmacht member.