One Flying Boat, Impossible Odds! Discover This Hidden WWII Tale

[@CalibanRising]

Liked the video? Keep the good times rolling by buying me a pint! 🍺 Tip with a Super Thanks or via PayPal: bit.ly/47p3xNT - Your support means a lot! Also check out my new channel membership.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

There was, of course, the story about a Lancaster pilot, 'rested' after 30 ops by being transferred to Sunderlands out of Pembroke Dock. On return from patrol, he nearly landed at a land aerodrome and was only stopped by an opportune, last minute warning, reminding him that Sunderlands didn't have wheels...... On returning to Pembroke, he apologised, saying it was damned silly, forgetting it was a flying boat, just before he stepped out of the cabin door..........

[@trevorstephenson5766]

Finest generation ever

[@davidduval8681]

@@JohnDavies-cn3ro wow! Pretty funny

[@Ob1sdarkside]

You have a real flair for telling a story, and keeping the crews names alive for another generation.

[@CalibanRising]

It's such a joy to be able to trace these men through the archives where you can get a sense of their journey through the conflict. Then when you stumble on their untimely death, it still hits you like a sledgehammer, even 83 years later. This was just one of 5000+ combat reports held by the Public Records Office...

[@tracya4087]

hear hear

[@martinhogg5337]

Sad that many of the crew were later to perish. Brave men!

[@bushyfromoz8834]

Theres a similar story of a RAAF Sunderland from 461 Squadron over the Bay of Biscay. Attacked by 8 Ju88's, they manged to shoot down 3 and drive the rest off, losing 1 crew member killed. They managed to ditch the aircraft somewhere near Cornwall and the aircraft was broken up by the surf overnight. There's some fascinating parts of that story, the alcohol filled compass being hit in the cockpit ans showing the pilots with flaming alcohol, radios blown away including the radio direction finding gear so the navigating who was waounded in the legs ended up in the astrodome getting a sun fix before he collapses from blood loss. There was some kind of marker buoy being struck and filling the cabin with aluminium powder that was part of the pyrotecyhnic sustem and the hydraulics of the rear turret being shot away with the gunner having to use body pressure to aim his guns and still managed to shoot one of the Ju88's down. After the 88's left, one of the crew members crawled out into the wings afterwards to plug holes in the oil tanks with rags and inspecting the fuel tanks to make sure they were still intact. And then after surviving that, most of the crew went MIA a short time later on another sortie and never seen again. Theres a book by an Australian guy names Ivan Southall whho was a part of RAAF Sunderland crews (i think 10sqn) who wrote a book with a collection of RAAF Sunderland stories called "Fly West!" that has an entire chapter on the action.

[@wbertie2604]

In that instance they were Ju-88Cs, from what I've read, which had significant forward-facing armament including cannon.

[@raypurchase801]

I've read this account elsewhere. Thrilling.

[@7ismersenne]

The book "Fly West" is well worth reading. It conveys very well the campaign against U-boats in the Bay of Biscay.

[@dillieisawesome]

I've still got a copy of that book. I may or may not have permanently borrowed it from school.

[@michaelamiss1828]

They beached at Praa Sands. My father, J C Amiss, was 2nd pilot on N for Nuts.

[@dulio12385]

Diving to 50 feet was ingenious move. It goes against every aviator's instinct to claw for altitude which can be traded for speed but by diving for the deck they can cover their vulnerable belly with the sea and no angle of attack doesn't have at least two machine guns covering it.

[@ronyap9746]

These are highly trained and determined men fighting for the freedom of mankind. The world owes them for this. Bravo

[@raydonica6723]

So brave. So sad to hear that these brave warriors were lost.

[@CalibanRising]

Apologies for my narration in places, I've had a heavy cold the last couple of weeks and had a short window to get my audio recorded....the joy of parenthood! 😆 Anyway, hope you all enjoy this fantastic story taken from a combat report about the actions of N. 9046!

[@silicononsapphire5102]

No need to apologise. Great video and keep up the good work ;-)

[@michelmendoza1769]

You did a splendid job!

[@watchthe1369]

The problem ain't a cold, it is the Hyperbole. Fewer 50quid word for the sake of the words.

[@StoptheHateJustDebate]

The narration was great! This was a great video! Well done!

[@thatcanadianwhitetrashguy]

Good Girl My favorite Boats

[@bobroberts6155]

The steadfast viewers were apprehensive but calm as they bravely prepared for an avalanche of gushing hyperbole. As the onslaught began, the skill of the listeners in surviving the relentless barrage of verbiage became apparent. With stoic resolve and the indomitable spirit of the enthusiast, they endured the outpouring of overblown narration to pay tribute to these brave heroes of Coastal Command who fought so courageously in the leaden skies of the North Atlantic, ever mindful of their duty and the freezing grey expanse below that waited patiently to swallow them up with an uncaring indifference.

[@CalibanRising]

lol

[@hiho59ish]

Where's this taken from ...??

[@bobroberts6155]

@@CalibanRising Great story, hope you didn’t mind the leg-pull. Do the joys of parenthood mean you are now CalibanEarlyRising?

[@bobroberts6155]

@@hiho59ish It’s not a quote, just taking a rise out of the narrative style.

[@MarsFKA]

@@bobroberts6155 It's a bit over the top, isn't it? Actually, it's a lot over the top. I haven't encountered so much laborious over-the-toppedness since I read Alan Deere's "Nine Lives", and that was when I was a teenager. In the finish, I just muted the video and made up my own commentary.

[@elennapointer701]

Fun fact: the Luftwaffe's nickname for the Sunderland was "the flying porcupine" thanks to the number of defensive guns it could carry.

[@skychief7716]

I guess I am wrong, but I’ve always heard that the B-17 flying Fortress was referred to as the flying porcupine because of its numerous weapons.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

​@@skychief7716Maybe the luftwaffe pilots called any aircraft with a lot of defensive armament "porcupines" ? (German "stachelschwine")

[@WardenWolf]

"Tightened their resolve." I would imagine that's not the only thing they tightened. . .

[@daniellebcooper7160]

This engagement inspired the Airfix box art of the Sunderland back in the 1970's. Its a great tale, and thank you for helping it to reach a wider audience.

[@CalibanRising]

It's a fascinating story but with a very said conclusion.

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

I do have it. Omg what an old kit !

[@justinloretz5691]

Great video. My Grandad was WO/AG on Sunderlands (also Leigh Light Op) over Western Approaches/Biscay. He was kind, unassuming, and brave beyond words, just like all of those who signed up to defend freedom on our behalf.

[@silicononsapphire5102]

Another true story regarding the Sunderland is that of the tail gunner who had both thumbs shot away. Another crew member ran down the fuselage and asked how he was doing. The tail gunner turned around as if to put his thumbs up and both were missing and smiled at his colleague. He and anyone else with access to a gun kept firing and survived the attack. Brave men.

[@michaelpielorz9283]

So no Sunderlands dropping A-Bombs on Berlin?

[@bobroberts6155]

“Tis but a scratch”.

[@hiho59ish]

Different breed those lads

[@michaelphillip8850]

How is the surname of Flt Leutenant spelt? Philip or Phillip. Mine is spelt Phillip. Thanks for the video loved it.

[@markhindmarsh2811]

I heard this story before but I enjoyed the articulate narration I just think its a shame that most people would not have heard of Coastal or Transport Command . Not taking anything away from the fighter jocks or the bomber boys The Sunderlands who guarded the precious convoys or the Walruses that saved downed pilots from a watery grave A salute to these chaps

[@41708]

Very true

[@AntonyBall-hm4jo]

My grandfather was a front gunner in Sunderlands throughout WW2 (mainly 201 squadron 1939-46). Countless stories - getting attacked by ME109's, attacking a U-boat in the Med, ditching in the Irish sea (due to fuel filter blockage) and being towed back to Pembroke, escorting the Queen Mary doing a dash across the Atlantic etc... He survived the war (never claimed his campaign medals - he didn't want them) and i have many fond memories enjoying his company. An unsung hero in my mind.

[@knutdergroe9757]

The true Warriors, are the quiet men that seek either fame or glory. That did their job, finding no pleasure in the death and destruction that was all about them. They stood tall and firm, showing courage by being dependable, not needing a thank you or reward. Truly, the kind of men we should all work hard to be.

[@IRLangmaid25]

If you have his logbook and paperwork to you can claim his medals posthumously which I have done

[@AntonyBall-hm4jo]

@IRLlangmaid25. - Thanks for the info - my mother still has his logbook but, as he had not wanted them in the first place, the decision was taken not claim them.

[@tracya4087]

yes he is

[@hiho59ish]

If I may be so humble to suggest that you could claim them then donate them to a Coastal Command Museum with the back story....if for no other reason than for people like myself that would be able to see them ....Read about this hero and give thanks for him and and others like him.... However it is ultimately, a family desicion and to be respected....

[@Calilasseia]

A good many enemy combatants underestimated the Sunderland. Big and lumbering it may have seemed superficially, it was surprisingly agile in skilled hands ... and became known as "The Flying Porcupine" because it could bring no less than EIGHTEEN guns to a firefight. Sensible opponents soon learned to treat it with just as much respect as a Spitfire.

[@AntonyBall-hm4jo]

As already mentioned above, my grandfather was a front gunner throughout WW2 and was attacked several times by the Germans - mainly ME109's. The flight crew were vigilant regarding fighter attack and were rarely caught off-guard - so when they were attacked they would have have alot of lead firing directly at them and then as they passed would have alot of lead flying up their posterior. My grandfather said they were lucky as most bullets passed through the aircraft and didn't hit anything vital. He said the good thing about the Sunderland was it's lack of speed (I think around 180 knots - half of the 109's) - so the 109's only had a fews seconds to directly attack them. He said they never attacked a second time as they knew there would be alot of lead flying at them.

[@hkins1]

Not sure where you get eighteen guns from? Sunderland Mk I/II had 7 a piece ) -1 VGO (Vickers Gas Operated) in Bow Turret, 2 in Upper hatches and 4 Brownings (.303) in rear turret. Mk III had similar, though the two hatch guns were replaced by a turret with two guns, with possible addition of two galley guns and same 4 Brownings in rear turret. Later Mk IIIa had two bow turret guns, two upper turret and 4 Browings in rear turret. Mk V had similar though, later versions had two 50 Calibre firing through hatches aft of wing, and the 4 brownings in rear turret. Later versions Mk III/V had 4 fixed brownings firing through slots in the bow section , which were more for staffing vessels on the surface, than downing enemy aircraft.

[@Calilasseia]

Just checked ... late versions had 4 machine guns in the nose turret, plus 4 fixed forward guns operated by the pilot, 4 in the rear turret, 4 side guns and 2 in the dorsal turret. Total of 18 guns. Basically, late model Sunderlands could hit an enemy aircraft with a wall of lead. It was actually to the advantage of the crew to head for the deck and keep the underside unavailable as a target, so that whatever angle you approached to from, you were facing its defensive guns. Hence the "Flying Porcupine" nickname the enemy gave it. Being big enough to carry a substantial bomb or depth charge cargo, and enough fuel for long endurance patrols, as well as being able to use the ocean as a landing strip, made the Sunderland a powerful package. Some U Boat crews found this out the hard way.

[@hkins1]

@@Calilasseia Sorry to rain on your parade, but wrong person to try and tell about the operational aspects of the Short Sunderland. I grew up on a Sunderland Flying boat base, my father serving on them, I got to go on board in service Sunderland's while on the water, and see things most people can only dream about. As far as Sunderland armament goes. I also have the Official manuals for all marks of the Sunderland, and I really don't know where you get your information from. Later marks Mk IIIa and V, were the only ones to have 2 Guns in bow turret (never ever 4), 4 in the rear turret. NOT all Mk IIIa/Mk V had the upper turret, (they were deleted from production), the Mk V having two 50 Calibre guns in aft hatches behind the wing trailing edge. As far as the 4 mounted guns in the bow, only Britain based Sunderland's had those (Sunderland's serving in Africa/Ceylon etc didn't have bow mounted guns). so never 18 guns

[@peterrollinson-lorimer]

This is a fascinating story which I had not been aware of. Respect to all, including the Sunderland.

[@thomaswoodman6332]

A fascinating account from an aircraft not seen as well adapted for combat but in the right hands prevailed .

[@hiho59ish]

The best narrative I've heard yet ....great channel...concised yet delivered with such respect and reverence for our fallen.....

[@CalibanRising]

Thank you for your support!

[@williamkrusejr1846]

Thank you for telling such a great story about these very brave men , they all were all heroes

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for watching!

[@dunstrugglin]

I remember Sunderland's flying into Wellington, Evens bay I was a Sea Scout our Den and boat shed was the old Sunderland workshops! The Sea Cadets got the dismemberment lounge the Sunderland's were flaying in in those days ,an orsum sight laned /splashed down ? The old Kapoc filled rubber was still there the last time I looked!

[@muss8587]

aghhh the totally underrated Sunderland attack fighter....the wave skimming undeniable death from below top notch piece of kit😎🇦🇺🌹👌 RIP to these legends🌹🙏

[@41708]

Many thanks for the history, we should never forget these men, you have done your best.

[@gudgengrebe]

How brave those men were and how skilled! If their descendants are aware of this, how proud must they be?

[@moosifer3321]

That`s why the Sunderland was dubbed `the Flying Porcupine` by the Germans, another excellent Video. How do you think they could have performed with better equipment, the 303 WAS, later proved to be inadequate? Deserve a new T Shirt, I`m in the Queue!

[@CalibanRising]

Based on this combat report, I think even a couple of .5s in the back would have led to an even pricklier Porcupine. 😃

[@moosifer3321]

sorry, great `plane, maybe Catalina better, B24 Lib? Thanks Yanks, `Bit Late, the VLRL sorted it, Bomber H and the Yanks WASTED resources, the MOSSIE, cheap,VERY Fast, (Drop Tanks, fly on one Merlin in flight refuel, NO

[@imperialinquisition6006]

@@moosifer3321Schizo posting. Waiting every day for people >50 to stop POSTING like THIS, . Because ITS really ANNOYING.

[@moosifer3321]

If you could spell maybe I`D pay attention, remain behind after SKOOL!@@imperialinquisition6006

[@BrokenandRestored]

Incredible story of tenacity and sacrifice! Thanks for the research and history!

[@GnrMilligan]

As a recent subscriber, I must say I am not disappointed with the content at all. Everything I have watched has been well presented and very interesting. Often stories I have never heard.

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for this comment and for your support. I really appreciate it!

[@wendyharbon7290]

RAF Coastal Command, did a bloody good job in World War Two, they are wrongly look over by many, for what they did in World War Two and that was across all the Worlds Oceans and Seas in all WW2 theatres as well.

[@edwineliel]

Glorious how everyone pulled together against some heavy odds of coming out alive. Sad ending on their tales after everything they went through

[@2011littlejohn1]

My dad flew in Sunderlands he said they were an amazing aircraft and nicknamed the Flying Porcupine due to its fire power. Once he flew it around my mum's flat in the Isle of Man.

[@jonjorstad2061]

I loved the flying boats that protected the Panam Canal during and after WWII… they ascended from the harbor from Coco Solo with a roar that rocked the communities and stopped all conversation

[@playstationgroup3413]

🤗🤗A well made documentary to immortalize this crew and their experience! Great work! Wish I could say more . . . Just wish KZbin and gaming platforms would allow use of the swastika emblem on historical aircraft like the ones which we have seen in this video . . . 🤔🤔Looking forward to the next one!

[@aussieandy67]

My Grandfather served in the Australian Division of the RFB (Royal Flying Boats. He served in New Guinea and then Darwin revoking the Japanese. Thanks mate for your amazing work

[@CZ350tuner]

A similar battle occurred over the Bay of Biscay, in 1942, between a Sunderland and 4 x Ju88 bombers. The Sunderland managed to shoot down two Ju88's and damaged a third.

[@michaelpielorz9283]

the comment just before you tells the same story but with 8! JU 88.heroism seems to double everytime this story is told (:-)

[@anonnemo2504]

An extraordinary story, brilliantly portrayed; many thanks.

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for watching!

[@F4Wildcat]

The crew of N 9046 is one of the reasons Iron maiden wrote the song "tailgunner", i bet!

[@CalibanRising]

😀

[@jimihendrix991]

'' "Tailgunner" is sequel to Maiden's 1984 song "Aces High." It depicts the battle from another perspective. It was co-written by Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris. Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson explained the original inspiration for this song: "The title came from a porno movie about anal sex. Then I thought, well I can't write the lyrics about that, so I write it about real tailgunners. I had some words which began 'Trace your way back fifty years, to the glow of Dresden, blood and tears.' I know we shouldn't mention the war but it's about the attitude of bombing people. It was real death in the skies back then. But there aren't any tailgunners on planes anymore, it's all done by computers using missiles. At least it used to be man-on-man, but now it's machine-on-machine. Who uses bullets anymore?" ''

[@TheBigDanois]

It mentions the Spitfire and the B-29, Enola Gay.

[@theflyingfool]

Thank you for this eloquently narrated story.

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for listening

[@exharkhun5605]

Beautifully told. A sad end.

[@markstott6689]

A wonderful story about a fantastic aircraft. RAF Coastal Command don't get enough love on KZbin. I'm going to be building a Sunderland in the near future. It will be based out of RAF Mountbatten (Plymouth) a place I know well after fishing off of the breakwater many times whilst at university there. Thanks for bringing this story to life. 😊😊😊❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@hawnyfox3411]

^^^ Newer "Italeri" or the old 1959 AIRFIX kit - I've got both, but they're stashed away for retirement age !! Interesting to hear your 'breakwater' fishing story there - BTW, My Dad is part of a Jazz society & his closest mate who he knows, used to be a Short Sunderland mechanic airframe fitter during immediate Postwar within both of No.210 Squadron & 230 Squadron

[@biscuitninja]

Fight where you are with what you have... and fight with all your might!

[@Revolver1701]

Very nicely done. Good narration, regardless if your cold. Please do more videos. I subscribed. 👍

[@CalibanRising]

Cheers mate, I appreciate it!

[@lilibethdoherty295]

A well built and well Flown Aircraft with a Strategy for success wakes it a triple Win For them !

[@mehere8-32]

I advise you to read " They Shall Not Pass Unseen" by Ivan Southall. An account of a simillar incident is mentioned. 8 Ju 88's from occupied France and a Sunderland from 461 Squadron RAAF. Cheers

[@CalibanRising]

I will put it on my wish list, thanks!

[@jp-um2fr]

Thank God the DFM and DFC are combined in one medal. I have often wondered why a medal is not struck for the whole crew, be it an aircraft, ship or tank. So many times you hear the recipient say it belongs to all of us. The George Cross can commemorate even whole civilian islands like Malta.

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

My late father who was awarded a DFC with bomber command shared your opinion entirely. He never wore his DFC and when asked why it was awarded he would say "We were a crew, we all did our job like all the other crews, some of us were just lucky enough to come home" I believe this was the typical attitude of the allied air crews in WW2

[@DraigBlackCat]

Didn't realise AC, SAC & Corporals had been part of aircrews, when my father joined up in 1943 volunteering for flying duties (he was a WOp/AG) got you promoted to sergeant Were the aircrew pre-war?

[@kymvalleygardensdesign5350]

A great story I knew the Sunderland was formidable but who knew this story until know, hats off to the crews that flew them.

[@stevehewitt9412]

Quality content, kudos CR

[@RemusKingOfRome]

Excellent video. The 303s of the Sunderland were only short range weapons, gunner Lillie knew this probably.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

Since they fired the same .303 British round as the Lee Enfield rifle...which could accurately volley fire to 2000 yards during WW1.... the gun's range (Browning Machine guns) range would be well over 100 yards... but the sheer number of rounds on target hitting hard at 100 yards would be devastating. Had this Sunderland come up against the later marks of JU88 with forward firing cannon...it might not have survived letting a cannon armed enemy aircraft get to within 100 yards...

[@charleslindsay3201]

amazing story and amazing men--hero's all

[@robertwoodroffe123]

We had floats from Sunderlands in our front yard! As a kid ! Surplus!

[@MartinHarvey]

I think this is a later Sunderland with a dorsal-powered turret and not waist midship single gun positions? This would be consistent with an earlier comment about 2 gunners as the waist gunners I believe only manned these guns if and when needed so didn't count as gunners. Ah, the image at c. 11:20 confirms this. Accordingly, the Sunderland was nicknamed the "flying porcupine".

[@wbertie2604]

If facing a 1940 Ju-88, the tail turret had as many guns as one of attackers, and even more so given not needing to reload every 75 rounds. The Ju-88s were out of their depth

[@CalibanRising]

If you'd like to hear the original combat report, here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4iVnouwZrKabNk

[@ondrejdobrota7344]

I found it. N9046 was serviceable for non-operational flights until like 18.4.1940 and was flying again operationally on 21.4.40. Damage wasn't that serious.

[@jayhopkins6990]

Don't have to I trust you.🍁🙂🇨🇦

[@anti-Russia-sigma]

Thanks for featuring Coastal Command aircrews.They are quite the unsung heroes.However,I would appreciate a more realistic depiction of warriors in wartime.

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for the comment and the feedback. This was an experiment in script writing, but the source was a real combat report so the essence of the story is 100% true.

[@24934637]

Bloody good skills, and massive balls! Well done to them! Huge credit to the RAF! Thank You for letting this amazing story be known!

[@CalibanRising]

Thank you for watching!

[@24934637]

@@CalibanRising Subscribed too. :)

[@bernardedwards8461]

In June 1940 a Hudson light bomber returning from Dunkirk saw some British ships under attack from half a dozen Ju 87 Stukas. Though he could have quite hnourably have ignored them and proceeded to his base, the pilot handled his bomber as though it were a fighter and flew to the rescue, his gunner shooting down at least two Stukas and dispersing the others. If I remember rightly. the pilot and his gunner were each awarded a DFC.

[@johndublyoo2553]

My late mother's cousin Henry Morton served in Sunderland T for Tommy in the Periscope film Coastal Command which is on KZbin. Henry is the sergeant observer the skipper refers to as Jamie and on a later mission took over on one of the machine guns after the gunner was badly wounded, he was decorated for his actions and gained promotion to flying officer but was tragically posted MIA some months later and he and the crew were never found. My mother told me many stories about Henry and how devastated she was when he never returned home, she idolised him, I recorded part of the film I referred to which was shown on C4 in the late 80's and played it back to my mother a few days later, she gasped and said "my God, it's our Harry" and that's how I came to put a face to the name of the man we all came to respect so much. RIP Henry Morton DSM you have never been forgotten.

[@byronbailey9229]

I was the navigator on the last military Sunderland flight Fiji to Auckland ( RNZAF Hobsonville ) April 1967.

[@skylongskylong1982]

Any records in the archives of Sunderland seaplanes in a dog fight with the FW. Condors, as shown on the Airfix model kit box ?

[@CalibanRising]

I've not come across it yet, but you could probably find an account by searching the AIR 50 dossier on the National Archive website then just narrow it down by squadrons who operated the Sunderland. If it comes up I'll try to comment again with the right file for you.

[@BigSteveBlackpool]

my father was a tail gunner on Sunderland's patrolling the Bay of Biscay from Pembroke Dock

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Later in the war Sunderlands took a tremendous toll on German U-Boats. They had radio direction finders that could lead them towards a surfaced boat. Once close, they used radar to home in and finally a pair of searchlights. Submarines were taken out with ruthless efficiency.

[@michelguevara151]

love the youtube logo on the Ju88 stabilizer, it's very apt..

[@datamek]

Great video, thanx!

[@CalibanRising]

Glad you liked it!

[@James-pb1st]

Wonderful and beautiful plane Short Sunderland.

[@watchman4todayreloaded192]

what a fascinating story!

[@tracya4087]

very brave men , an example to us all

[@tracya4087]

hear hear

[@magnuslauglo5356]

Wow, and to think this was before Norway was even invaded. Just over half a year into WWII, during the so called phoney war - this sounds as tense and terrifying in its horrible own way as any of the combat accounts from the years that followed.

[@thelemming54]

This is very well done

[@olesuhr727]

There's a reason why the Sunderland was known as "the flying porcupine".

[@cliveremma3345]

a well earned nickname

[@MrSmegfish]

It was designed by a witch doctor

[@johnparsons1573]

Fantastic story

[@CraneofBoulogne]

It's a great story!

[@SteveDonaldson-r5k]

My dad was a Sunderland pilot in the far east and the Korean war. He had trained on Lancasters during WW2. Unusually he had medals for WW2, Korea and Malaya. He told me a funny story about Malaya; sometimes they would fly cooperation missions with the army over the Malay jungle armed with empty beer bottles. They couldn't see the enemy from air or ground, so they would fly over area they suspected the enemy was and throw out the empties; they would make a whistling sound as they fell, which the enemy interpreted as evil jungle spirits. They would break rank and run away from the noise, toward the British infantry who would ambush them in their disarray.

[@simonjones3863]

Good video. Well done. ++ Now do the Wellington!

[@iansneddon2956]

One encounter I would like to hear more about was the A6M Zeroes vs the Fairey Albacore reconnaissance aircraft during the Indian Ocean Raid. One of the Albacores was able to return, damaged, to its carrier. Curious about how the highly maneuverable A6M struggled trying to shoot down a plane with a top speed of 169 mph.

[@coreydarr8464]

Thank you!

[@royharkins7066]

I felt such pride for theses brave souls , as if it had happened this morning .. I heard another story about a flying boat were the ss were closing in, it had to wait whilst folk boarded , then over rev it’s engines as it dropped into ravines , a hell of a tale was it on your channel ?

[@patrickrose1221]

Brilliant! p. s. Get some Sudafed young un 😉

[@julianmhall]

Hi Phil.. welcome back :) At 5:00 you said there were two gunners, but the Sunderland had three?

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for the correction Julian. I didn't catch that in my edit. I should have said "gunners". There were 4 dedicated gunners on this version of the Sunderland. Honestly, I'd been concentrating on the front and rear gunners in the first part of my script and that's probably why I made that mistake. Cheers!

[@julianmhall]

@@CalibanRising you're right Phil.. actually I'm puzzled now. If there were two guns at the waist (I think there were) and three turrets - I was wrong, three /turrets/ not gunners - that makes five. Maybe one of the crew doubled as a gunner as the Wireless Operator did in Bomber Command so there were four /dedicated/ gunners.

[@CalibanRising]

@@julianmhall As someone else pointed out, the Sunderland I had to use in the game footage was a Mk III but N.9046 would have been a MK 1. There wasn't the mid-upper turret in the earlier types apparently. Looking over the crew manifest, 0:34 there was also AG1 Garth aboard who was the dedicated relief for Cpl Lillie in the rear turret. So again I'm wrong, there were 5 gunners aboard. 😀

[@spudmurphy764]

My late Mum (WAAF) worked on the Sunderlands at Wig Bay in the late 40s.

[@AnthonyUpson]

My father flew in these aircraft as a flight engineer though the war till 1962 when they were finally disbanded at Seleter air base in Singapore.

[@jamesdouglaswhittaker4612]

A wonderful, fascinating tale of skill, courage and determination . Shame about the disruptive ‘music’

[@thegreatchimp]

An exceptional tale. I'm very surprised the Junkers attempted to bomb another aircraft in flight. I wouldn't have thought there'd be much chance of landing a hit, even on a large plane

[@russellmarriott9396]

This story is captured in a fantastic picture on the cover of The Victor Book for Boys 1972.

[@geoffreypiltz271]

The air battle over the Bay of Biscay on 2 June 1943, when eight Junkers Ju 88Cs attacked a single Sunderland Mk III of No. 461 Squadron RAAF: EJ134, squadron code: "N for Nuts" was even more epic. Can we have the full story please?

[@jamesboardman7048]

This feature reminded me of one I read about in the book. The war in the air,the royal air force in world warII. By Gavin Lyall. That was flight n461, it was eight ju88. The book is full of fantastic story s about the air war.

[@cchplays8182]

Visit the memorial stone on the cliff top at Praa Sands between Helston and Penzance, after the action over Biscay the Sunderland in a badly damaged state was deliberately beached at Praa.

[@dondouglass6415]

Fantastic story...

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for watching

[@MarkkuKoljonenwTinja]

Thanks!

[@StephenGlencross-yg4nt]

All these Sunderland pilots and crew were heroes.

[@oldesertguy9616]

That was fascinating.

[@Saint_Vincent1735]

The Sunderland was as tough as the town that gave it its name.

[@MrSmegfish]

Toon army

[@robbiekingston9055]

My father lived in poole harbour and often saw them coming in at low level after being in a fight. I believe it was standard practice for them to head for the “deck” when in a fight as it made their opponents come in at a defended angle rather than the unprotected belly. I also believe one held off some fw190’s for a time but not sure when.

[@1961kickboxer]

I always knew the Sunderland was a great aircraft ,how brave her crew.

[@Beemer917]

A couple of the crew would actually live aboard those things when they were not on patrol. They had bunks , a galley, a wardroom and a big flatscreen tv set up for gaming. Well , thats what I heard! Ok maybe no tv but it had the other stuff.

[@ramonzzzz]

The crew did actually destroy two Ju-88s. One crashed immediately into the sea while the other suffered damage that caused the pilot to crashland it in neutral Norway. The aircraft burned out and the crew were interned. Source: Fledgling Eagles by Christopher Shores and four others. It covers, in great detail, aerial combat over western Europe and the sea prior to May 10, 1940, and that which took place during the invasion of Norway and with German aircraft based in Scandinavia till August 15, 1940.

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for the additional info!

[@ramonzzzz]

Another flying boat combat worthy of mention took place on September 8th, 1942 over the Solomon Islands. A Japanese Mavis crew shot down a B-17, which crashed on Rendova Island with the loss of the entire crew. Amazingly, the Mavis was hit only four times in reply.

[@Coyotehello]

Hi, great episode, great story! What is the software you are using to make this video? MS Flight SIM??

[@CalibanRising]

Thanks for watching. It's an old game called IL-2 Sturmovik 1946.

[@Coyotehello]

@@CalibanRising wow 2006! But it seems nice I might just get it. Thanks!

[@abzzeus]

nicknamed the flying porcupine this was a portend to what Sunderlands would do later in the war

[@davidrussell8689]

Wonderful story . Brave men indeed . The Sunderlands were known as “ The Porcupine “

[@MortRotu]

Loving the use of the YT logo in place of certain algorithm unfriendly plane markings

[@CalibanRising]

lol

[@paulpaul246]

Amazing yet sad

[@rockymountainlifeprospecti4423]

"Forged in the crucible of combat " well said, Godspeed 🇺🇸🎗

[@robm4834]

In my opinion (based upon the meager information provided) that either the whole crew or each man individually should of at least, been honored with a "mention in despatchs" ; or a unit/crew citation !!! After all this was a spectacular achievement, a feat so astonishing and miraculous, it sounds fictional. Captain Roope got a V.C. but glowworm and her crew. Were also recognised/rewarded. Precedence proven. give em a gong!!