Robert Stanford Tuck

In his words:
At the age of 19 I accepted a short - servicecommission in the Royal Air Force in September, 1935, after having had two years at sea as a cadet. I was bored and wanted to fly. After training at No. 3 F.T.S. at Grantham, flying the Avro Tutor, Hawker Hart, Hawker Fury and the Bristol Bulldog, I was glad to pass out with the highest rating available "exceptional" in my log-book.
In July 1936, I was posted to my first Fighter Squadron, No. 65(F) at Hornchurch where I flew Hawker Demons, wich were replaced by Gloster Gauntletts, then Gladiators, and finally Spitfires, which we received in late 1938, being one of the first Squadrons to be equipped with this revolutionary aircraft.
Consequently, by the outbreak of war I had flown several hundred hours on Spitfires and was thoroughly familiar and confident in it. A tremendous advantage later when going into combat.
On the 16th May 1940, I was instructed on a top secret order to fly to Hendon with two other Spitfires. We were to act as fighter escort to an un-armed twin-engined Flamingo, carrying Winston Churchill and a small staff to Le Bourget, for his final attempt to prevail on the French to hold out a little longer.
Churchill realised the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk was imminent. After the retum flight to Hendon the next day, Winston thanked us for our escort, but from his expression he left us in no doubt that he had been unsuccessful.
My first aerial combat took place over Dunkirk on 23 May 1940, as a flight commander in 92 (F) Squadron. I couldn't have got off to a better start when I destroyed an Me 109; later the same day I shot down two further enemy aircraft, both Me 11O's.
I continued to serve with No. 92 Squadron on Spitfires, commanding one of the Flights throughout the Dunkirk battles, the large air battles which followed over the Channel in the build up to the Battle of Britain.
I was still with 92, during the first half of the Battle of Britain, when I was posted to take over command of No. 257 Hurricane Squadron, which up until this time had suffered heavy casualties. I commanded this squadron until half way through 1941, when I was given command of the Fighter Wing at Duxford.
I spent October 1941 in the U.S.A. lecturing on air combat, and flying all the American fighters as part of an Air Ministry assessment for the Lend-Lease programme. I returned to the U.K. to take command of the Biggin Hill wing of four Spitfire Squadrons. My air combat career finished when I was shot down by ground fire during a low level attack over Northem France, in January 1942 and was taken prisoner by the Germans. I was credited with 29 air victories.
However, in 1978, the Aircraft Recovery Group excavated the remains of an Me 109 22 ft deep in the marshes, (sadly still containing the remains of the pilot, Lt. Wemer Knittle), and subsequently, after considerable research at the M.0.D., it was decided that it was an aircraft I had shot down, but had only claimed as "probable" at the time. It was duly accredited to me, bringing my total to 30.
I spent the next three years as a P.O.W., but managed to escape in January, 1945, and made my way via Poland to meet up with the advancing Russian Army. Back in England by April 1945, I completed a refresher course on Harvards at Digby before flying Vampires and Meteors at Tangmere and West Raynham.
In 1946 I became Station Commander at Coltishall, and after a spell in Singapore, retired from the R.A.F. in 1949.
Commands:
No. 65 Squadron RAF (1935-1940)
No. 92 Squadron RAF (1940)
No. 257 Squadron RAF (1940-1942)

Awards Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Flying Cross
DFC
AFC

[@Hoovercat]

The use of the word 'heroes' when applied to idiots like David Beckham etc is shocking...... Robert Stanford Tuck and those like him are heroes and deserve the utmost respect.

[@davidh6300]

You are absolutely right.

[@paulp5775]

You are absolutely correct, they put their life on the line …. What has Beckham and the like (world over not just him) done ….

[@davidthomson692]

Knighthoods should be scrapped for there are none left worthy of anything but reducing it meaning

[@kevintracey4644]

Heroes, one and all.

[@spitfire32100]

These people are precious to our country like so many whom fought so bravely God Bless❤

[@gritzah]

Stanford Tuck exudes dash and elan all while maintaining a practical outlook. It's an effortless cool.

[@JWRFE]

Robert Stanford Tuck's autobiography is a must read - an absolute classic!

[@anonymousdude9099]

Borrowed Fly for your Life from a friend. Can hardly put it down!

[@Skyprince27]

I read it three times when I was a teenager.

[@Gamble661]

@@Skyprince27 So did I and I still have it. It's part of what made me become a pilot myself. I have a copy of Tuck's logbook as well, it was for sale on the internet back in the 90's shortly after his death, it's an exact copy, very cool.

[@Skyprince27]

@@Gamble661 I’m sure 😎. Kudos!

[@ABC_DEF]

It's a biography by Larry Forrester, not an autobiography.

[@woooster17]

A quite magnificent generation of young man, never to be forgotten. RIP gentlemen.

[@Gamble661]

The Greatest Generation. Sadly most are gone now. Robert Stanford Tuck was one of the best of them.

[@P8290970]

One word.....LEGEND !!! I remember meeting Stanford-Tuck, Bader and Galland when I was a lad, I was in awe of them even though I was so young. Its funny how the younger generations idea of heroes changes over time..... I've had the privilege of meeting many WW2 pilots and aircrew over the years, These three will always stand out BUT Neville Duke and James Goodson were the best in terms of being very humble and just so willing to talk....All heroes !!!!!!!

[@Saunter92]

Robert Stanford tuck is my great great grandad! I only found out about his history last year!

[@stephenconnolly3018]

You must be very proud of him.

[@spitfire32100]

Lucky Tucky!😊

[@jacktuck69]

Stanford was my great grandfather

[@harveystanford8161]

Hes my dads dads cousin?

[@jacktuck69]

Your granddads cousin?

[@harveystanford8161]

@@jacktuck69 yeah

[@harveystanford8161]

So whats ur name?

[@harveystanford8161]

@@jacktuck69 u got ig?

[@TheMightyHartley]

What a great bloke. RIP Bob.

[@thelonegroover]

Many thanks for posting this. I have never seen these images before...fantastic! RRST has been a hero of mine since I was a young lad (and that wasn't yesterday). One of my prized possessions is a signed letter of his dated 19th December 1973, in which he replied to one I had send him some weeks previously. We, the British people should never forget that we owe Wing Commander Tuck and his like a great debt.

[@bodieofci5418]

Mr Stanford Tuck's book is a cracking read.

[@PhotogsHangar]

Holly crap!!! At the end their are several of my child hood heroes gathered!!! Bader, Tuck and Galland! I am not given to false worship but I can honestly say that if I was at that gathering tears would be in my eyes, and my jaw would be on the floor. These are VERY VERY BRAVE and perhaps even brilliant men!

[@MyUpandaway]

What brave men! And to think that even when they were in combat in the skies they had the utmost respect for each other, and continued to respect each other way after the war had ended. Truly remarkable men!

[@quantumaudioandvisual]

Childhood heroes having read their books in the 1950s and '60s. Unfortunately young people today don't many such heros, the odd footy player and film star.

[@gageshumaker6539]

Have you read fly for your life?

[@idleonlooker1078]

I dont think a footy player or film star is in quite the same class as these men! Fighter pilots like Tuck fought knowing they could be killed at any moment - whereas footy players and film stars do their job, knowing they're earning obscene salaries for doing bugger-all by comparison!!

[@trojan6806]

I wish I could meet the heroes of the Battle of Britain even though I was born In 2006

[@ducatiboy6668]

A true British gentleman one of my childhood heroes from that golden generation. I was privileged to have met a couple of BOB pilots including Douglas Bader amazing men of courage and integrity.

[@roystonoakley2035]

What a gentleman utmost respect for him and his fellow pilots.

[@michaelgibson4705]

Robert Stanford- Tuck the epitome of a 20th century English gentleman and a brave aerial warrior.An outstanding man

[@A14b19]

Here is a man well forgotten . Highest scoring ace quiet but ruthless not a legless wonder who seemed publicity and fame .my mates dad of 4000 hours flying on all types of plane combat never liked legless as they called him but high respect for tuck 👍💥💥

[@spitfire32100]

Thats just rude and disrespectful!

[@clauderebello2850]

A FEW WERE PUT ON THE ..PROVERBIAL..PEDESTAL.. BUT MANY MORE..OF THE FEW.. SHOULD NEVER BE ..FORGOTTEN.. AND THIS ..GENTLEMAN..IS ONE OF THOSE.. I SALUTE THEE..SIR..!!

[@pinnychet2681]

My hero when I was a kid. The British fighter pilot in a nutshell.

[@stu111352]

thank you for putting this on here. I read the Larry Foster biography of Tuck. He was an amazing man and in my opinion a true British legend. I actually wrote a screen play just because it would be great to see a movie about him.

[@kevinwhitaker119]

BOBBY TUCK IS MY ALL TIME HERO ....THEN AGAIN 😁 THEY ARE ALL HERO"S GOD BLESS THEM ALL ...!! THEY SAVED OUR BELOVED ENGLAND....!!!🇬🇧🇨🇦🇦🇺🇬🇧👍🤨🍺🍺❤️❤️

[@longkeithdiablo8812]

Actual heroes, god bless them all

[@CJEF1996]

Its really cool to see footage of Tuck, I'm currently reading 'Fly for Your Life", the story of his life. By far my favorite book. Really gives you an understanding of what he was like! an amazing man

[@terrycarter4459]

I read his book when I was thirteen. I was a fan of his forever after that RIP Sir.

[@omepeet2006]

Really excellent footage, highly appreciated as ever! Thank you Sir.

[@tragicrequiem]

The man standing to the right of Adolf Galland in the painting sequence was Douglas Bader.

[@chrisparkhurst771]

I met Tuck several times while at RAF Manston great man

[@markgrice8088]

RRST was a total legend,you were so lucky to meet him :)

[@jrussell4711]

Watch as Bader wobbles on his artificial legs. What great men both he and Tuck were.

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Marvelous gentleman,, his words are true to this day!! When I was in Iraq 🇮🇶 and we were subjected to ambush and constant road side bombings, my fear of death was nil, however it was the manner of death that mattered to me,, I didn’t want a painful prolonged death, but rather a clean quick one ☝🏿 Rest In Peace Sir!!

[@stormbringerII]

This is fabulous footage, thanks. Tuck wrote a great autobiography of his war years called "Tuck's Luck". It's an amazing story and a great read.

[@JeffGR4]

It would be best for the world if every man emulated Stanford Tuck.

[@maxwellfan55]

Agree completely. This marvellous film is evocative of a generation now gone, (like my father, ex RAF), who possessed charisma, sacrifice and dignity. God bless them.

[@geoffgeoff5586]

I met Bader but the one I really wanted ro meet was Bob Tuck. What a gentleman.

[@minutegongcoughs]

Nice upload. You don't see many copies of "Fly For Your Life" signed. What a presence Bob had. The story of how he received his scar is amazing. Your video is a delight.

[@pinnychet2681]

You met those guys ? Crikey. Tuck was my hero as a kid growing up in the 70's - with all those other names, Bader, Johnson, Kingcombe, Malan, Frantisek etc

[@markpagden8502]

well posted....respect to these boys on both sides

[@RupertDBayer]

In 'Fly For Your Life', Tuck says he was displeased that press took the piss out of the Italian raids. He thought the Italian aircrew were very brave.

[@davidwheatcroft2797]

Great bloke! Read his book, "Fly for your life." I ended up flying with the RAFVR at University. Major fun! RIP, sir! CAVU skies!

[@johnnytenjobs]

I'll read the book as soon as I can. The story about "Good Shooting Tommy" sounds incredible.

[@coolpilot007]

I have a letter written to my father ...from his brother who was a serving R.A.F plt officer..in the 79th night fighter squadren ...which mensions TUCK arriving at the base in early 1941... to give a moral boost to the Pembrey (SOUTH WALES)According to the letter...he was a "GOOD TYPE"..And he raised the sprit`s of our lad`s..

[@davidtaylor4039]

I have friends in Eastry who knew him and say he was such a gentleman. Respect Sir!

[@sharonwill4264]

Robert Stanford Tuck was my Greatgrandfathers uncle.

[@avrolancaster4776]

Sharon Tuck .Congratulations Sharon. your uncle is a heroe. I made aircraft of england II WAR WORD in scale. 1/48. the Hurricane of Robert. best regards from Santiago of CHILE.

[@badmattam]

Fascinating...a true gentleman hero as they, as part of the greatest generation, all were. The 'few' that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to. You must be so proud.

[@missionpassed4584]

Pat Learmond my Great Great Grand Fathers nephew was in the 92 squadron and was shot down and killed over Dunkirk 23rd May 1940 he was also close friends of Allan Wright

[@finnstralian]

Cool. The copy of 'fly for your life' (which I haven't read since the early 90s) arrived today and it's a hard copy first print. Wasn't expecting that.

[@richardtierney7724]

Legen indeed but he had a dark side too... He, during the Dunkirk operation, flew low over a ME110 he had just shot down and the pilot stood at the side of his aircraft fired at him with his Luger, the bullet put a hole in his canopy. He turned around and strafed him killing him. He said the anger he felt for the Nazi overcame his decency for a downed opponent. On another occasion he sent his squadron home and flew round a downed JU88 crewman in the freezing North Sea, with little hope of rescue. He said he felt quite sorry for him, so he strafed him and put him out of his misery... These incidents are recorded in his autobiography "Fly for your life" Fabulous book...

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

"overcame his decency for a downed opponent"... a downed opponent who according to the story nearly blew his brains out. If its true, good riddance to the nazi.

[@Mannock]

It's an honour writing to you. RST was, and is, my hero.

[@freakyflow]

Names like Stanford, Gallant, Franz stigler, great stories and acts of heros in a time of death and sadness

[@robpelick7460]

This man is the epitome of cool

[@Bomberguy]

No interviews, only the famous shot of him lifting his leg into his Spitfire

[@pinnychet2681]

I'm sure I can remember LAC Hillmans name from Larry Forresters book about RST How cool is that ? your grandad must have been an outstanding mechanic and we all owe him a big thank you.

[@Jonny2Jags]

interesting...thanks for posting.

[@stormbringerII]

Thanks for your info Broaster, I went out and bought Fly for Your Life based on your recommendation, and it is, as you say a great read. Pictures in it too...cheers!

[@michelleroberts5472]

Most of his kills were in the Hawker hurricane. My point being ,what an underrated aircraft it was and still is

[@SpitfireMkVII]

Nice upload!!. I also read the Larry Foster biography of Tuck (and others: Closterman, Paul Richey,Hans U. Rude,l....), it's fantastic. Greetings from Spain!

[@t-larsen]

Amazing. Thank u!!

[@minutegongcoughs]

Would also like to add that IMAO this is one of the best videos up on YT. Bob's first name was actually Roland I believe.

[@stevewebster317]

Robert Roland Stanford Tuck.

[@sailordoc2007]

Loved the bit at the end - Legends all

[@tutor4011]

thankyou sir

[@blewburyfudge]

Pride does not any higher than my admiration of these superb men I am currently reading First Light Geoffrey Wellum and will be buying the DVD George Fryer Blewbury England

[@5ch4rn]

Amazing footage. Stanford Tuck was a hero of mine when I was a lad (I'd read the book).

[@ducatiboy4951]

I met DB but I would have loved to have met more true heroes and real gentleman.

[@markgrice8088]

RST ..total legend

[@xxmarkpipxx]

Fantastic Thanks very much.

[@rattussapiens2854]

5:02 I’m pleased - and had a wry giggle - that Stanford-Tuck found his way after the war with mu… no, you have to watch it

[@Rikki0]

I highly recommend all of these books to any aviation history buff. Wing Commander Bader's book is also an excellent read ( though I personally disagree with his concept of the Big Wings during the Battle of Britain ). But I have the benefit of years of hindsight and aviation history. He was doing what he did on the spot. He was a great man.

[@freakyflow]

Robert Stanford Tuck Didn't like the limelight however him and gallant were asked to help in the making of "The battle of britain" movie

[@blattspitze]

Unbelieveable, but he was shot down and became prisoner of war from January 1942 till 1945.

[@BAGHEAD1995]

King

[@freakyflow]

Could you imagine the stories from both men I even heard the story of Franz stigler a Flying mate and friend of Gallant Franz stigler is on youtube amazing story and a surprize to it

[@VerityFrances]

@cigreen68 RST was my grandfather!

[@Rikki0]

Yes, hoadmaback. Being a WWII aviation buff ( I don't consider myself a true historian, but an avid buff ) I recognized General Galland immediately.

[@chopperking007]

His book is good.

[@gjlindrouin]

Well done with this. Excellent footage and a great historical record. Where on earth do you dig them up??

[@felipfelop8220]

Johnson,Bader,Malan all loved the limelight,and soaked it like sponge bob squarepants,,yet others just got on with the job,they all glam those that seek it,he was under rated in my opinion, a great man,my respect goes to the night fighter pilots more,Cunningham and the like,we owe our gratitude to all of them,being no matter colour or creed

[@aerodynamic1]

Technically, he was shot down though. On more than one occasion he either was forced to bail out or crash land because of damage inflicted by an enemy aircraft.

[@harryplummer6356]

SO?1

[@mrrolandlawrence]

a truly interesting character & far more objective than Bader.

[@merston77]

There was another aspect to his courage (and this will probably infuriate some of the people who post comments here), Bob Stanford Tuck was Jewish, think what would have happened to him if he had been captured by the Nazis. כל הכבוד

[@PepalaPow23]

he was captured after being shot down in 1942

[@b1battledroid72]

He was

[@Rikki0]

Indeed aerodynamic1, Fly For Your Life was a great book. If you have done so you might also want to read " Der Ertsen und der Letzen ", General Galland's book ( English version is called " The First and the Last ". It's also an excellent history and give some great insight into Lutwaffe operations. Wing Commander Bader's book is entitled " Reach for the Sky ".

[@Broaster07]

I have another of Tuck's bios "Fly for Your Life" by Larry Forrester. Another great read; this battle was well documented. "Cowboy" Blatchford had a difficult time with those Fiats!

[@MarsFKA]

How strange things turn out - I looked Cowboy Blatchford up when I read this post, having read about him as a teenager in "Fly For Your Life". It's amazing - I have a couple of degrees of separation from him. He was killed on 3rd May 1943, when flying escort for a New Zealand Ventura squadron (487) raid on an Amsterdam power station. The escort arrived early and got into a fight with local Luftwaffe fighter squadrons and had to leave before the bombers that they were supposed to be escorting arrived. Before he was shot down, Blatchford, the Spitfire wing leader, tried to recall the bombers, but couldn't contact them. The eleven bombers were attacked by the by now thoroughly stirred up German fighters and only two made it through to the target before being shot down. The squadron commander, Leonard Trent, who bombed the target, baled out and was taken prisoner, being later awarded the Victora Cross. Seven New Zealanders died that day. One of them: Andrew Counts, from Whakatane, was a friend of my parents before the War and when I was born after the War, they named me after him.

[@MikeNC2371]

Thanks again, BG. Anything on Douglas Bader?

[@GooRouix]

As a student pilot, my hero is someone who can land a Spitfire in that lovely British weather. Pip pip, cheeri-O, and all that rot.

[@mrmister7645]

Different days. Different Britain. "its a pity Hitler didnt think of it when he was still a corporal".

[@vapormissile]

amen, sir. Litvak, Budanova, Richtofen.

[@Froghood1]

@thelonegroover - Amen to that.

[@bryanhurd9955]

I was not aware that the ...huns..fought in burma,I thought it was the Japanese

[@harveystanford8161]

Hes my 3rd cousin

[@mandykhoo2473]

Read the book then try moaning about late trains

[@debrawlins6790]

Little did he know that whole way of British life has changed for the worse now , I don't know why my granddad and my dad bothered, people are invading my country with the help of the government

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

You're not alone feeling that way Deb. Country being destroyed by globalist filth run institutions intent on destroying all sovereign states as a precursor to a future one world government.

[@davidhunt8571]

What,like we invaded theirs?

[@modelleg]

Tucks Luck

[@peterg2yt]

Very good fortune for him that his nazi captors after getting shot down didn't realise he was Jewish or he would not have made it out...

[@Froghood1]

If you consider Galland and his Teutonic chums heroes, you are of course free to do so. May I just remind you that he did his utmost to enforce a bestial regime that inflicted untold cruelty on countless millions and would have enslaved Britain like they did mainland Europe. If you want to consider him a hero, you go ahead and do it.

[@paulbradford8240]

They were doing their job, just like the Allied pilots. Just fighting for the Germans did not make them Nazis.