Reinhard Heydrich - Fighter Pilot?

SS General Reinhard Heydrich was by any measure a monster responsible for immense suffering and death. But many people don't realise that the 4th most powerful man in Nazi Germany also occasionally flew in combat as a fighter pilot.
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, 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.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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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.
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Bundesarchiv; Fast Aviation Data; Giel's Militaria; 1944 Militaria; D. Miller.

[@slick4401]

I had absolutely no idea that Heydrich flew as a combat pilot. Thank you, Dr. Felton.

[@Stephen-lt1tp]

It was all over his uniform ;)

[@awesometuber7225]

my only main thing i mostly membered.

[@secularindian9311]

0:02 music name ??

[@secularindian9311]

@@Stephen-lt1tp 0:02 music name ??

[@Biggles2498]

He started off as Air Gunner,

[@muds1123]

Heydrich was the real lesson to learn from Nazi Germany. He was that utterly cold, calculating and ruthless executioner. Hitler and Himmler was just politicians - this guy was the real deal. Utterly terrifying and remorseless.

[@Innerspace100]

He was a perfect storm of a man. Thankfully, he was suffed out. In most circumstanses, I would not condone snuffing anyone out, but I'll gladly make an exception for Heydrich. Had that man lived... crikey...

[@SimonPeter611]

Like American politicians

[@Nick_B_Bad]

I’ll bet many in the SS and in the Nazi hierarchy breathed a sign of relief once Heydrich was taken out.

[@ToddiusMaximus]

He’s no worse than Biden

[@Innerspace100]

@@Nick_B_Bad Alledgedly, he had quite some dirt on a lot of higher-up's in the regime, so yeah. As a modern day parallel, it'll be highly interresting to see wether or not Prigosjin's little escapade will have some... fall out effects... As is, who's got dirt on whom, and how it'll pan out in practice...

[@bernardsummers9050]

Damn, the look Heydrich gives the camera as he walks past sent a shiver up my back.

[@neilyates1102]

A former landlord of mine was, at one stage of the war, the personal pilot of Reinhard Heydrich. When he first met him, he had the points of his regimental collar turned down as they often did to make them more comfortable. He looked at him sternly and ordered him to correct his collar! He was known for his sterness and severity but, after a while he thought Heydrich grew to like him and asked for him to be his personal pilot. One day while they were flying he performed a loop de loop operation thinking it might scare him but Heydrich was unfazed. Apparently he was not aware Heydrich was a pilot himself. He told me that he "never met a harder man!"

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

What I'd like to know is how Heydrich at 6'3" managed to squeeze himself in the cockpit of a Bf-109? I watched a video a few years back when a present-day 5'10" RAF pilot had a hard time getting in a restored one. If I remember correctly he muttered "What? Were they all bloody midgets?" At any rate, evil monster that he was every award on Heydrich's unfiorm was earned, we can say that much for him. By the way, there's photos of Erwin Rommel wearing one of those "Honorary Pilot's Badges" as well. Doing so had Hitler's approval. Another good one Doctor F! Thanks!

[@user-uf1qh4im4z]

Roald Dahl was 6 feet 6 inches and managed 5 kills in a hurricane so I imagine that Heydrich was able to fit in to a ME109 . I hope Mr Felton covers Roald Dahl properly one of these days

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

From what I've read regarding the 109... the pilots seat had plenty of adjustment height wise. The fighters cramped conditions came more from the cockpits actual width. The pilots would say, "You don't climb into a 109... you strap it on."

[@TheSpritz0]

The seat had a height adjustment, the ONLY thing you couldn't be is "overweight" as that would immediately make you re-train for a Me-110 squadron!! Me-109 was really only for really skinny pilots, the vast majority were... anyone else was in other planes!

[@Ratschbumm007]

hermann graf was 1.90m

[@oveidasinclair982]

I read that he was a Stuka pilot and was shot down behind Soviet lines, he was a pilot of a war plane and he did have balls of steel.

[@pac1fic055]

I had no idea…. This channel is truly a treasure room of WW2 history.

[@susiemcdonald1112]

Yes I have learned so much from Mark. It’s just amazing how these people were acting. Being from a polish family really hits home. Thanks so Much Mark

[@georgehunter2813]

Germany had Heydrich, but Mark is our thorough fanatic. Lovely theme song.

[@WinstonBrehznev]

His grave is fairly easy to find with circulated pictures. I located it earlier this year. The Invalidenstrasse Cemetery is a short walk from Berlin Hbf (main station). It’s a strangely peaceful place despite some of its more sinister residents. Fritz Todt is also there and is likewise unmarked. Ernst Udet & The Red Baron are easier to find. Remnants of the Berlin Wall remain. Bormann’s remains were found near the rail station and Dr Felton’s series on him are fascinating too.

[@obersturmfuhrer88]

I would really like to visit that cemetery to see history. That would be fascinating.

[@richardwhite7336]

Von Richthofen is no longer there, went looking for his grave about 1990.

[@highdesertutah]

@@richardwhite7336I think he got moved to his family’s ancestral estate in present day Poland.

[@richardwhite7336]

@@highdesertutah the tombstone is now outside am airbase, can't remember which one.

[@user-mn2rz1pr4r]

The Red Baron got moved during the mid 70's to Wiesbaden...BTW in the night of Dec.12 2019 unknown raiders opened the grave of Reinhard Heydrich, but according to the cemetery employees no body parts were taken...There are rumours that some "forces" maybe wanted to get a DNA proof that the creep was or was not jewish...There were widely spread rumors claiming that Reinhard's father Bruno Heydrich was in fact a Jew with real name Isidor Suess...Heydrich even sued couple people for libel in his home town of Halle-Saale & he won in one case against a publisher who hated Bruno Heydrich from their encounters in the Halle Conservatory but lost in another case against a Bakery owner who had "spread the rumour" that Heydrich was a Jew & also that he was called by his buddies during his school years "Jud Suess"...supposedly Heydrich lost the trial because those rumours were common knowledge in Halle & the man Heydrich accused was not the inventor of the rumours, he only mentioned something most people have already heard of...After those trials & the official inquiry the SS started on Heydrich's own behalf the rumours got quiet..until Heinrich Himmler himself made a "joke" in front of friends that Heydrich is not a Jew because "he has bravely outgrown his ancestral "Jewishness""..then people in Leipzig also noticed that the names on the grave of Heydrichs grandmother were changed & some removed & that in the city archive in Leipzig documents were missing or altered & so the rumours started again, but didn't go far because Heydrich was assassinated...

[@scottabc72]

Its important to note that unlike most of the senior Nazi leadership, Heydrich was not a WW1 veteran since he was too young. This had to be a major reason he would feel obligated to prove himself or whatever in combat.

[@shshshsjaj125]

Himmler and geöbells wasnt soldiers too.Herman Göring was pilot fighter hitler was a soldier this is it İ think

[@matthewshipley739]

​@@shshshsjaj125 Ribbentrop was a cavalry officer, Bormann worked in the artillery, and Rudolf Hess was also a pilot iirc

[@kevinoliver3083]

​@@matthewshipley739Hess had served as an infantryman from for three years, being wounded several times before training as a pilot line. Hess joined a fighter squadron in October 1918 but saw no combat before the War ended.

[@KokkiePiet]

The reason he was kicked out of the navy is: On 5 December 1930, Heydrich met 19-year-old Lina von Osten at a rowers' ball at the Kiel concert hall. Three days later he asked her to marry him and on 18 December they got engaged. The engagement indirectly marked the end of Heydrich's naval career. He sent the announcement of his engagement, without further comment, to a student at the Koloniale Frauenschule, with whom he had gone out several times. She considered herself to be engaged to Heydrich, and the pupil's father, an influential official at the naval leadership, complained about the "faithless officer" to a friend of his named Erich Raeder. Heydrich had to answer to this before the council of honour. He might have gotten off with a reprimand, but Heydrich behaved self-righteously and without guilt. The honour council left the decision to Admiral Raeder. The latter decided on 30 April 1931 that Reinhard Heydrich should leave the Reichsmarine, with the official reason being "dismissal for unworthy conduct". So, beware the wrath of a woman scorned

[@planetkc]

women...

[@Jermster_91]

I wondered why he was kicked from the Navy. Now I know.

[@comesignotus9888]

I've read a (probably) anecdotal story, that when being kicked out from the Navy Reinhard said that the time will come when admirals will report to him. And later indeed admiral Canaris had to report to him (and hated him sincerely).

[@pagodebregaeforro2803]

​@@planetkcif you dont like, let to those who like

[@roberthudson1959]

The story I have heard for the 50+ years I have studied the Third Reich was that Heydrich impregnated the daughter of a prominent arms manufacturer while engaged to another woman, then excused his conduct by saying that any woman promiscuous enough to have premarital sex was unworthy to marry an officer of the German Navy.

[@kyles9320]

This guy was quite a character throughout any parts of his “careers”. Seemed like a guy who, when given power took it and ran with it unnecessarily.

[@user-uf1qh4im4z]

That is putting it mildly !

[@bryansammis998]

And it was Himmler that gave Heydrich a second chance after his naval career derailed

[@johnlenhart5911]

He was a stud

[@Disco-Mike]

Yeah he was very interesting. He was evil, but evil was one of his character facettes unfortunately.

[@jesusvdelgado5401]

@ kyles9320. Your insight is appreciated, Heydrich was just as you said, he couldn't restrain that power that drive him, coupled with the growing gubernatorial power was fatal to him.

[@questlove_satx]

The famous clip of him walking out of the building and looking straight into the camera is one of the most chilling videos I've ever seen.

[@SafetyProMalta]

Evil personified

[@CJArnold-hq3ey]

As Aussie Rules Footy player and Same height as the Coward , he is a pathetic unit doesn't put a tad of fear into me one bit . I'd challenge man on man Infront of all . He's no Honourable German.

[@pagodebregaeforro2803]

Eh, normal bad eyeing. Not scared at all.

[@AdmiralBlue]

It looks chilling because we know who he is and what he’s done

[@WascallyWabbitt]

It's sensationalism. The film speed is slowed down as he walks past the camera. In real speed, it would just be a casual glance.

[@ASmallPartofHistory]

During his time in the Luftwaffe, Heydrich flew various aircraft, including fighters and bombers. His aerial abilities were recognized, and he even participated in several airshows and aerobatic displays, showcasing his piloting prowess to the public.

[@schizoidboy]

Heydrich was also an avid fencer, I read of an account where he got into a match with a doctor who beat him, and there were some of Heydrich's people muttering "Doesn't he know he was supposed to let him win?" Fencing is quite the martial art in Germany especially with their history of dueling societies, and he certainly wanted to create this image of him being a fighter. In some ways it explains why he got killed, his need to prove or show he was a fighter. He had no bodyguards when the Czech agents attacked him, and he tried to fight them off by himself with a pistol he carried. Most professional bodyguards would have recognized the threat and gotten him out of there, but without them and his own ego getting in the way he ended up dead. He was asking for it.

[@ronaldmessina4229]

Always have a backup

[@tapsars7911]

It was nobody's loss when he died . Germany would have lost the war anyways with or without this cross eyed weasel .

[@Om3gon]

Or... He lived as he died, as a warrior.

[@piked261]

​@@Om3gonan evil prick😊

[@hb9145]

Wife beater logic.

[@Clipgatherer]

It may have been brought up in other of Mark’s videos, but Heydrich was a champion fencer and an accomplished violinist, in addition to his flying skills.

[@user-uf1qh4im4z]

Don't forget Nazi and mass murderer

[@leemichael2154]

Also an acomplished piano player

[@hydorah]

Accomplished liar too, as revealed by Dr. Mark in this vid

[@wilshirewarrior2783]

He would have enjoyed practising his violin in the presenceof his victims while his minions murdered innocent people. Heydrich took up flying so he could get an opportunity to be awarded the Iron Cross by one of the Luftwaffe sycophants. PS One did just that.

[@cammobunker]

Also a big damn deal horseman with the Nazi Equestrian badge in gold.

[@jackuzi8252]

He was like the Darth Vader of Nazi Germany.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Perfect! I wish I'd thought of that one!

[@AlreadyTakenTag]

Except Heydrich had no redemption

[@user-uf1qh4im4z]

In far too many ways

[@morganwartman8507]

@@AlreadyTakenTaghis “redemption” was death 😂

[@Willy_Tepes]

Based!

[@Kray83]

Fascinating, as always! Many thanks to Prof Felton. I remember reading Andrew Mollo's To The Death's Head True which had an interesting anecdote of the accidental way Heydrich first came to Himmler's attention. Perhaps one day Prof Felton can bring that story to life.

[@leemichael2154]

When Himmler first met Heydrich he asked him to sketch out a working state security plan which he did and indeed was adopted leading to the essential gestapo as we know it

[@wolfmauler]

​@@leemichael2154Upon the urgings of his fervently Nazi wife Lena no less lol...

[@MrXFIELD]

I nearly enjoy and appreciate your history channel like the war storys of my grandfather. Fighting from 1939 till close to the end of the war! Thank you very much for bringing me back this experience! Since he died in November 1999.

[@henrik3291]

If you read about psychopaths and their recklessness and they willingness to seek out danger to relieve their boredom, this behaviour would be totally within Heydrich's psychopathic personality. This is the same kind of recklessness that eventually got Heydrich killed.

[@paulkoza8652]

He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The entire plot could have backfired.

[@richardkammerer2814]

It really was unfortunate he didn’t linger on for a few more years, then.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Quite true. While Hitler went through the public mourning and funeral services willingly privately he was furious with Heydrich for being so reckless. "Driving around in an open car with no security escort? What was he thinking? Pure irresponsible bravado! It's the opportunity that makes the thief!" Adolf wrote the book on that last sentence! Takes one to know one...

[@ktipuss]

@@paulkoza8652 No. He took that same route every day to get to his office in Hradčany.

[@javiergilvidal1558]

No. What got him killed was the British-instigated attempt. Of course, the ever-innocent Brits didn´t know the kind of response the attempt they devised would elicit from the Germans amongst the Czech population.

[@dirtyeric]

Looking at Heydrichs' eyes as he stares into the camera in the clip 11:39 is a bit chilling. Pretty much tells you why Himmler and others were intimidated by him. Another great vidja Dr. Felton.

[@redstar1408]

Such amazing content! Well done Dr. Felton!

[@djRichieOrlando]

Dr. Felton you never seize to Amaze me. You are my favorite historian and i love hearing that intro... I know im gonna learn something everytime I hear it.

[@jimc.goodfellas226]

Heydrich has got to be one of the most sinister looking figures in world history

[@stc3145]

His collegue Ernst Kaltenbrunner as well, 2 meters tall, a deep voice and scarred face.

[@js70371]

I’d say one of the most sinister in actions as well. Everything about the man fits nicely together.

[@DinJaevel]

Looking?

[@TattooedTraveler]

Because he is.

[@TeresaEliz]

His face seems abnormally long. I’m always amazed at how Hitler and his Evil inner Circle could promote the perfect “Aryan Ideal” when none of them came close to it. This guy might be tall with light hair and blue eyes but, he looks like a horse.

[@cdl0]

All pilots keep formal logbooks, which are often validated and countersigned by a superior, so I wonder what became of Heydrich's. Does anybody know? They would certainly be of historic interest.

[@aryanscience]

Strange how the Germans are said to have kept detailed records of all their evil deeds but have no record of his flights!!

[@brittakriep2938]

@@aryanscience : Can be stolen by someone as Souvenir. Other context: In my german homeregion many civilian organisations , for example Sports Clubs, musicans Clubs, have a lack of documents before the war, because US occupation troops also confiscated the archives of nongouvernement/ private organisations.

[@martinhills6859]

Thank you for all your efforts, research and productions.

[@NaticzkaKaminskaHenryDolphin]

Greetings! I love your videos, professor! I'm from Poland and I cordially greet you! You are doing such a fantastic job educating thousands of people about a very important period of world history, I am grateful. I always watch your videos, I'm such a fan, and this one was great! I would love to see such a video about the Polish Operation "Kutschera" - a successful attack by soldiers of the Kedyw - a Polish special unit of the Home Army, and underground army fighting the Germans during the occupation - on Franz Kutschera, commander of the SS and Police in the Warsaw district of the General Government, made on February 1, 1944 in Ujazdowskie Avenue in Warsaw. The operation was the most important and successful combat action against a high official of the German terror apparatus, which was carried out by the Home Army during World War II in the General Government. Or, equally, I'd love to see such a video about Action at the Arsenal - an armed operation of the Assault Groups of the Gray Ranks - another Polish organization fighting Nazis, but this time, it was a youth organization - carried out on March 26, 1943 near the Arsenal in Warsaw. As a result, sub-scoutmaster Jan Bytnar "Rudy" and 20 other prisoners transported after interrogation from the Gestapo headquarters in Aleja Szucha to the Pawiak prison, were freed. It is one of the most famous and dramatic war episodes of the Nazi occupation of Poland, and in Poland, countless books and movies were written and made about it. It was incredibly dramatic because these prisoners were heroic people who fought Nazis since the day 1, many were very young, including Jan Bytnar, and altho he was freed from the prison and Gestapo, he was so badly beaten and tortured that he died 2 days after. The description of his tortured body is shocking and shows the price people in Poland had to pay, for fighting against Germans or helping Jews. Of course, this one requires deeper research into Polish history and the history of the German occupation of Poland, especially in Warsaw, but it is for sure great and fascinating material for your next videos. Just a suggestion. :)

[@karlantonius5385]

Hi are you on instagram ?

[@markfryer9880]

I am sure that Jan Bytnar, though dying from his injuries, was comforted by being with his own people rather than as a prisoner of the Germans! The Price of Freedom is never cheap as we are witnessing right now in Ukraine! Mark from Melbourne Australia

[@ivannovotny4552]

​ @mark Well said and thank you.

[@YMC888]

Wow I didn’t know this history! Thanks for sharing Dr Felton! Have a great weekend ahead!

[@flamewarrior8172]

Got the shivers when Heydrich looked straight into the camera during the intro! Great video as always Dr. Felton!

[@maico4903]

Agree, he seems somehow able to look beyond the grave. A great pity he wasn't taken out in a genuine flying incident thus sparing those 1300 innocent lives.

[@obersturmfuhrer88]

I read a lot about WW2 and watching these videos further helps me understand different people and times of the war. This channel is filled with treasures.

[@jeremySJThompson]

Great work from Mark Felton as usual. What a legend!

[@michaelmurphy6869]

Thank you again Mr. Felton for another very well produced and narrated video. Your quest for detail is unsurpassed. The last bit of film footage especially at time stamp 11:39, when Heydrich was walking out the building to his staff car and he looked at the cameraman one could see in his eyes a black hearted, cold blooded, dark souled man almost as if you were looking at the devil himself. I could why he was so feared by his peers and by the people he ruled over. Thank you again Mr. Felton for the great work that you do.

[@philt4346]

That glance chilled me I must admit.

[@beniaminorzechowski9913]

great content as always dr Felton. Thank you for these brilliant videos

[@JackM.05]

Wow, I don’t think I’d have ever leant this had you not made this video. Thanks Mark, I love your work.

[@craigstaehr3251]

Thanks, Mark once again. Your stories are doing wonders in educating a younger generation about WW2 and its various subjects, factual with no fantasy like a Hollywood movie.

[@mtnvortex]

If only you knew how bad things really are.

[@Xeemix]

I really wish we had a Channel like yours for Italy's history in this era. Wonderful stuff as always!

[@e-curb]

Maybe one day Dr. Felton may run out of topics. Then he might learn Italian so he can delve into the Italian subjects.

[@jerrydeanswanson79]

Thanks Mark...always a good watch. I appreciate all your efforts.

[@vger9084]

Too bad a wandering Spitfire or Hurricane didn't get him while photographing, would have saved the Czechs a lot of bother.

[@Nickgroenewolt]

Another interesting subject in this video. My knowledge about the second World War is increasing every week thanks to your great research!

[@Badreddine404]

Thank you, Dr. Felton. Fascinating, as always!

[@ChristinaMitchell-USA]

Hollywood could not have produced a more outstanding, highly professional documentary than this video by Mark Felton. Many kudos!

[@selfdo]

Heydrich, his unsavory deeds and reputation not withstanding, was a gifted, hard-working man. He'd probably have gone far in the Kriegsmarine had he not pissed off the wrong Admiral by diddling around with another girl while engaged to the man's daughter. That, if anything, was his greatest failing, rather common among the high-ranking Nazis, his own arrogance and big mouth got him unnecessarily into trouble. It was Himmler that, when Heydrich was cashiered from the Navy, that gave him a job with the Party, I think that was in 1931, and he was initially grateful, as he had a young, pregnant wife (Lina) to support. Although Heydrich did indeed deserve the moniker "Butcher of Prague", he was also known for doing things to win over the Czechs, and it was THAT which caused the SOE to send a couple of Czechs as agents to assassinate him; they feared, rightfully, that war industries in the "Protectorate" of Bohemia and Moravia were contributing ever the more to the German war effort. BTW, one of the AFVs that had done a lot for the Panzerwaffe was the Czech-designed and built 38(t) light tank, and when it was out-classed, simply too puny, to be effective as a main battle tank on the Eastern Front, the Tatra factory, under German management (they also had, prior to the war, a dispute with Volkswagen over the "KdF car', or "Beetle", which Hitler promised to "settle", and in a few months, Czechoslovakia was taken over by the Reich), built several types of assault gun, tank destroyers, and an anti-aircraft vehicle based on the reliable 38(t) chassis. Later on, in 1944, the "Hetzer", a low-slung and highly effective tank destroyer derived from the 38(t), was produced, which served in several post-war armies, the last being the Swiss until 1971! So it was felt that getting Heydrich out of the way would put a crimp in this Czech "cooperation". Interesting that Heydrich, with his ability to pilot a combat aircraft, was an overgrown Gauleiter instead of serving in a combat role, for the "glory" of the Reich. It seems to me that Himmler was trying to keep a lid on his protege, and, for all we know, may have known about the assassination plot, but elected to not interfere, as the Brits and Czech were going to take car of his "problem child." I don't have any evidence that Himmler allowed the assassination, but the motive is obvious.

[@joeviking61]

Excellent points. My compliments

[@wolfmauler]

Heydrich was actually stable and not perceived to be in critical condition, until Himmler put him in Gebhardt's care...

[@selfdo]

@@joeviking61 Thank you.

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

What's interesting about Heydrich's policies is that he won the support of some of the Czech policy. While he instituted a reign of terror, he also increased rations, luxury goods, provided entertainment and bettered working conditions. The classic carrot and stick methods. Czech industrial output increased under him, and not solely due to force. It is for this reason, and not humanitarian ones, that the British decided to kill him. To be succinct: Heydrich was too efficient and too successful at turning Bohemia and Morovia intel vital economic assets.

[@Occident.]

Czechs thrived under the Protectorate. Living standards surged.

[@MVProfits]

I'm sure the British wanted to kill him for many reasons, including this one you mentioned, as it was fact. The number one though was likely that his arrogant recklessness made him am accessible target.

[@Jasmine1991forever]

Ok, Nazi

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

@@MVProfits Also yes.

[@onetrueevan6992]

From what I had read about him, that's a most accurate comment regarding his time in Czechoslovakia, and the british motives behind his death.

[@jonathanmeazza427]

Yet another well researched and presented piece from Dr Felton. My go to for war history.

[@garfieldsans967]

Another great video! Thanks Dr. Felton!

[@markcollins7248]

He didnt need the intimidating facial scar he was already sinister enough.

[@TattooedTraveler]

Crazy that his grave was robbed only in 2019, someone on the black market is walking around with Heydrich loot. I also learned this from Mark Felton.

[@js70371]

Really? I’ll have to dig up that episode and watch it. I had always thought that after the war his tomb was destroyed his remains interred in an unmarked grave in an undisclosed location like those of Himmler.

[@TattooedTraveler]

@js70371 it was unmarked but they figured it out. He linked the video at the end of this one

[@shearwave7885]

I love you work Mr. Felton! Great content!

[@AUTiger1964]

I had heard pretty much everything Dr. Felton reported about Heydrich EXCEPT the Luftwaffe pilot bit! Another good one, as usual, Mark! Keep them coming!😊

[@lowellwhite1603]

I have known that for a long time. A British publication from the 1960’s had an illustration of his Bf 109E. An article at the time suggested he may have lived longer if he had remained in the Luftwaffe as a pilot. If so, he still may not have survived the war as the attrition rate of German aircrew was extremely high. The emblem on his aircraft was that of Jagdgeschwader 1, not JG 77. I think the tail markings indicated he claimed 7 kills.

[@tomaskoupil5994]

I read (don't remember where tho) that he was quite bad fighter pilot and the other pilots would 'serve' the kills for him. It takes time to get actually good at it and if you do it only as hobby, you don't get enough flight hours, practice, accuracy and so on.

[@paulbeesley8283]

I was wondering if he ever actually shot down any aircraft. If the tally you mentioned is correct then, technically he was an "ace." However, if so, I cannot help but think that he would never have allowed people to be unaware of it.

[@barftrooper102]

Always a great day when Dr Felton posts content. That intro never gets old.

[@-.Steven]

Indeed! I click on the video and immediately hit the like button, then relish the intro while anticipating what's to come.

[@keithwortelhock6078]

Endlessly fascinating content. Thank you!

[@stevenhershman2660]

Mark has been "on fire" with so many Great Videos !

[@karlp8484]

I'm actually quite amazed at how many senior German officers flew planes. Field Marshal Kesselring said in the Nuremburg trials he had been shot down 5 times (!). Field Marshalls Udet and Milch routinely went on recon/combat missions. Rommel could fly, and often did short recons in a Storch, or just move quickly from place to place.

[@philsharp758]

Excellent stuff as ever. Maybe you could cover two lesser known actions of WW2. The heroic fight of HMS Li Wo ( similar to HMS Glowworm;s epic story) and the RAF sinking of the SS Cap Arcona which killed over 5,000 concentration camp prisoners. As always, keep up the sterling work.

[@MatSpeedle]

As usual a superb history lesson on much lesser know details of a very infamous man, one of my favorite things about your content. Thank you Dr Felton.

[@scottthomas3792]

Every Mark Felton video is consistently excellent....well presented , informative and entertaining.

[@cior8837]

Another Lesson from the great Dr Mark Felton, thanks as always!

[@gavinbennett1849]

Imagine being in cell , and in walks this man, offering you a cigarette, before wanting to "ask you some questions "

[@js70371]

You’d do yourself well to remain calm, look him in the eye, and tell him exactly what he wants to know in as much detail as you’re able to provide it I’ll reckon lol

[@russwoodward8251]

Thank you again. Great research and background video.

[@TheDewayne69er]

Wonderful video as always thank your Mark.

[@odilonlopes2903]

It was quite interesting that Doctor Felton did not mention Heydrich’s constant combat against those who rumored he had a partially Jewish ancestry. Or maybe it was mentioned and I just missed it. From what I read it had a major influence on his behavior, a fiercely persecutor of Jews, trying to prove to himself he had no “Jewish blood”.

[@FixedFace]

his family tree was well known. quite sure this "constant battle " you mention is a hollywood trope

[@jayjayson9613]

I was correct in my guess on the community post! I'm so glad you're covering this. One of the most powerful men in the Reich was missing for 3 days behind enemy lines. How did he make it back, how did he survive? Amazing stuff.

[@balancedactguy]

As always...Excellent Video Mark!😀👍👍

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Thank You once again Dr. Felton.

[@shannonquinn8687]

Never ones to let the deaths of innocent civilians get in the way, the British were well aware that there would be severe reprisals for Heydrich's assassination. They knew this from having witnessed the German reprisals against the Cretans a year earlier. And this blatant disregard for innocent lives would be demonstrated again on a massive scale in the bombing of Dresden in 1945.

[@e-curb]

If you just look at the numbers, the 1300 innocents killed in reprisal seems like a bargain considering the number of people he would have gone on to kill over the next 3 years.

[@flamebreaker4340]

Unfortunately dresden was a military target ,was the transport cross to the west to the east also very important to transport the trops .

[@wolfmauler]

For further information, I suggest "Hitler's Hangman", by Robert Gerwath, "Iron Heart" by Tina Gayle (If you can find it) and the always entertaining Charles Whiting's "Heydrich". For behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Heydrich from inside the SD, read the fascinating "The Man Who Started the War" by Gunter Peis, which documents through interviews, the SS career of Heydrich's protege, Alfred Naujocks, who organised and led the attack on the Gleiwitz radio station to kick off the Polish invasion. The stories about Heydrich's escapades at a bugged SS Brothel are hilarious...

[@badbotchdown9845]

I have read in French long ago in the 70's the book from Naujock he explain well his role in sudentenland as an agitator for letting people believe they are persecuted. And his main role at the head of the operation "GLEIWITZ" the false attack on the german civil radio station for starting the war against Poland with killed prisoners wearing pole's uniforms Very interesting to read as I can remembered that I've described above

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Thanks again, Mark! Have a great weekend!

[@parnalysis4228]

Some of your best work here Dr Felton and thats saying something.

[@17cmmittlererminenwerfer81]

9:30 - fascinatingly unique marking on his 109 - only one I've ever seen with a Siegel rune. I guess you could call his the only SS fighter aircraft of the war.

[@johanankarback6821]

That´s very interesting. I´ve never heard that he was a pilot before. They missed (or skipped) it completely in the movie about him (the man with the iron heart).

[@Darkmatrix22]

Great video !!! Ive been waiting for some Heydrich content. Make more Mark!!!

[@michaeld2716]

Very extreme details. You covered what I knew, and alot more. Thank you.

[@ShamileII]

Great and informative video as always. I always enjoy learning new things about Reinhardt Heydrich. He was a brilliant organizer and ruthlessly efficient. He was probably the most impressive Nazi.

[@boathemian7694]

Another amazing video Mark! Any chance you might look into IBM’s part in their indispensable part in the Nazi war machine?

[@foamige]

Great content as always Doc.

[@frankyakro246]

Brilliant video as always.

[@leighrate]

The Allied refusal to target Hitler, Himmler, Goring et al had absolutely nothing to do with reprisal's. If killing them, any of them, would have shortened the war, Britain at least would have done the uttermost to do so. Leaving them alive actually shortened the war. Heydrich was far more competent than Hitler, Goring or Himmler. That made him extremely dangerous to the allied cause. So he had to be dealt with.

[@oveidasinclair982]

Hitler just made God awful decisions, Goring was a over weight drunkard of a man by the 1940's, but back in the 20's & early 30's very capable, Himmler was more of a sniveling coward who performed badly under pressure. Heydrich was the real deal, the man had drive, perseverance and was highly intelligent, plus balls of steel. If you knew Heydrich, you feared Heydrich, that man got things done. A wise man would leave those first three right where they were though out the war, a man like Heydrich you do a full court press to take out ASAP.

[@Occident.]

Nonsense. The British had Hydrich assassinated, you can bet your life Hitler and the rest were in their plans. Those Traitors who tried kill Hitler in July 1944 were probably in touch with British intelligence. Plus Himmler didn't commit suicide in May 1945. Churchill had him murdered. Suffocated.

[@user-pn3im5sm7k]

That makes no sense. Heydrich assuming command of the Reich would not magically spawn oil and steel that America alone had 20x more of. The Axis cause was doomed from the start because of this and the Generals&Admirals of Germany & Japan knew this which shaped most of their doctrine. For example, Japan, specifically Yamamoto said the nation only had enough supplies for 6 months, which is exactly when Midway occurred and the war shifted against them. They fought for 4 years on no supply. Great fighters but it is oil and resources that win wars. They had the courage and bravery to win battles, but again that does not matter if there is no rigid supply line to fuel said warriors.

[@kleinweichkleinweich]

zutreffende Analyse

[@ralfklonowski3740]

The tactical marks on his bellied 109 are unusual. A chevron and a beam would be a group adjudant, IIRC. Never saw a chevron combined with a S Rune, but then, these markings sometimes varied from wing to wing. In any way, he belonged to the staff sqadron of his group.

[@petercollingwood522]

It was likely unique to his plane.

[@ralfklonowski3740]

@@petercollingwood522 Agreed

[@kevinoliver3083]

They didn't do much to conceal who Heydrich was, did they? The chevron was the mark of a senior officer and a sig rune half the SS insignia.

[@ralfklonowski3740]

@@kevinoliver3083 Most likely his own idea. And in some ways even logical. He was a guest with that unit, didn't hold any position in the staff. But his very senior rank and probably also his perception of his own importance wouldn't go well with designating him just "pilot nr. 11" in some squadron. Also, the group commander and his staff might have wanted him to be taken care of by other pilots, so he head to be recognisable to every pilot in that group.

[@blemonn]

Looking forward to another excellent video!

[@jackavery7179]

Thanks for the awesome historical information

[@freddymars2014]

3:46 What was the "ungentlemanly conduct" that lead to the discharged of Heydrich from the navy? Just curious.

[@PalestinianAmerican]

He promised a woman he was sleeping with marriage and then ghosted her. Legit reason he was discharged from the navy

[@hawlikd]

He died from blood poisoning from horse hair in the car seat. What luck eh!

[@midnitemike]

Excellent video - I can’t wait for next part

[@sealove79able]

A very interesting great video as always Mr.Mark.Have a good one.

[@GenXMafia]

As an Army military policeman in Germany during the 1980s, the criminal police were still called creepo!!!

[@js70371]

*Kripo

[@datadavis]

Everyone quietly agreed the wrong enemy had been fought in 1945

[@jean6872]

@@datadavis *_Everyone???_*

[@datadavis]

@@jean6872 yea, apparently, since this whole cold war situation i grew up in happened.

[@GenXMafia]

@@js70371 yes I am aware. Spelled it that way so everyone else that wasn’t knew what I was talking about. They are the equivalent to detectives in any German city. You have the regular Polezei, and then the Kripo. They were a cool bunch of guys. They loved American Mag Lights and would give you anything for them! Came home with a lot of cool souvenirs!😀

[@MVProfits]

I know this clip at 0:05 is shown everywhere but still, what an icy glance. That's a stone cold torturer & mass killer. He was out of norm for sure in both his skills and depravity. Skilled musician and fencer too.

[@reinaldo1fy]

Fantastic video ! Thank you. Regards from Brazil.

[@Andrew08893]

Love your work mark

[@michaelcorleone2794]

Professor, please do one of those magnificent documentaries on KorvettenKapitan Reinhard Hardegen.

[@highdesertutah]

Heydrich probably would have survived the assassins if he had stayed low in the car but he pulled his pistol and stood up to shoot at them. The bomb blew horsehair from the seat covers(?) into him which gave him the infection that killed him. That’s the story I heard anyway. He was a remarkable man.

[@stevetournay6103]

"Remarkable" sounds a bit laudatory...

[@pagodebregaeforro2803]

I wish he had the same destiny as some berlin women in 1945 if you know what I mean... a platoon of pants dropped soviets would be enough for him..

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Thanks, love your videos, great topic Heydrich always fascinates me!!!

[@mattgeorge90]

Thank you for sharing!!!

[@tomawen5916]

I always considered Reinhard Heydrich a terrifying individual by both his competence and lack of compassion. I was aware of his earlier military service in the Navy but to learn that he was a competent warrior only just adds to the horror of Heydrich being, literally, the Aryan superwarrior. The living embodiment of competent evil. Thank the SOE and the Czechs for killing him in 1942.

[@shidder_mutt]

Gotta give the guy credit. Could have takin a safe secure desk job but chose to fly recce and combat missions.

[@Occident.]

Balls of steel. We need men like him now to save Europe.

[@alanwayte432]

@@Occident.hat a racist homophobic narcissistic rapist that shot small Jewish children...are you comfortable with that

[@therealuncleowen2588]

Thank you doctor, this was a very interesting piece of information about a real bastard. Heydrich is in my opinion alone among the highest-ranking Nazi's for having been the only one to die a suitable death, lingering in what was hopefully terrible suffering for nine days before succumbing to his wounds. At least I hope he suffered greatly.

[@johne.8939]

He no doubt is suffering greatly right now.

[@badbotchdown9845]

He have suffering three days before sinking in the coma for finally dying.

[@iftikharfaridy2974]

I wish a pray that war criminals and monsters like Churchill, Stalin and Roosvelt would suffer the same pain and misery in the life here after . .

[@George-romanul1918]

Cool topic as always! ❤

[@randylahey1232]

Another superb production

[@atilllathehun1212]

That stare in to the camera from Heydrich gets me every time I see it. Chilling.

[@skittlesandfriends5710]

While I knew that he was a Pilot, I never knew how extensive his flying career was, Can you imagine the Silence that must have fallen over the Pilot’s lounge when he was introduced as a member of their squadron. This was a man who could have them and their families killed in a heartbeat if he wanted to.

[@kalle911]

I doubt even he could have branded *any* luftwaffe pilots with a reasonable cause for getting shot, even after the assassination attempt.

[@davesteadman1226]

Or so we are told.

[@thegreat_I_am]

Well, the narrator says that he was friendly and light-hearted when off duty. It would appear that he was a very different character as a Luftwaffe pilot, than he was as Chief of Police.

[@stephenbridges2791]

Excellent, as always.

[@majorkursk780]

Such interesting information about this individual. Well done!