Spitfire vs Heinkel 111 over England - Must See RARE Actual 1940 Footage

A Heinkel under attack, exploding into a house near Bournemouth, a crew member on his parachute, all captured on camera gun by a Spitfire. But what's the story behind it? The Wingleader team discover the full tragic tale of the men involved that day.
Narration by Jay Joel
Thumbnail illustration by Piotr Forkasiewicz
All research taken from the ongoing book series 'Battle of Britain Combat Archive' Volume 15 will be available in February 2024. To see the full range visit our website wingleader.co.uk/
Maps by Dennis Knight and Google Earth
Music used:
Long Road Ahead by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@Twister051]

My hats off to the Brits. All of them, the fighter pilots, the ground crew and the civilians.....all brave and stout as iron. I lift my hand and heart, a Yank from across the pond, in a warm cheer of "Well done!"

[@benhooper1956]

Can I just say what a beautiful and respectful video this is. This channel is the height of professionalism thank you for making the effort that you do. What a fascinating, tragic and ultimately humbling story. I am now of the age of many of the people featured in this story, and while I have always been a keen follower of history, especially aviation, it never fails to put into perspective just how precious this freedom is, and what it cost.

[@M-H433]

Yes I fully agree with you as well,very well done Sir.

[@steveperreira5850]

The best documentary I have seen in weeks!

[@jackpreston8762]

Similar comment to the other correspondents , a very good film, thank you.

[@ruthparker1140]

("Sgt.J."). "I haven't seen it yet. But, It's book mkd for s Later Viewing. Salute! 🏁

[@fresshell3411]

how many people get stabbed a day in England ?

[@zeus6793]

He crash lands his shot up Spitfire in a field, thinks "Well that wasn't too bad", and then suddenly, mysteriously, an English lady shows up next to his cockpit, with a cup of tea. That is the most English anecdote I have ever heard.

[@stephencrowther524]

British,not just English.

[@smythharris2635]

LOL😅

[@reverseuniverse2559]

Unfortunately it was laced 😂

[@alansalter1836]

There was a similar incident from a spitfire pilot from RAF Hornchurch a pilot shot down by me 109 and spitfire belly flopped into a field in Kent where he saw a family having a picnic they asked the pilot would you join us for tea ! He replied yes please we sat down and had afternoon tea. What this generation made I’ve no idea but bloody hell I think that’s incredible

[@patrickpowell9446]

How civil one can be, most British of her.

[@SanderAnderon]

That is by far the best, rarest, most detailed and utterly respectful air combat treatment I have ever seen. Just astounding all the hard research you must've put into it, just incredible.

[@markcollins7431]

in 1983, when I was a kid, I found a WW2 Luftwaffe officer's cap badge in the mud whilst out walking. A few years ago I mentioned this to someone working at a museum in Plymouth who told me a He111 crashed there during the war and it was probably from that. I still have the badge now.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

Great find.... and a great bit of local social history.

[@abestm8]

I was an Aircraft Mechanic in the RAF for ten years. DeMobbed in 1980 and got a job straight away at Filton, Bristol where I worked for 17 years until 1997. While there, one of the things I learned was the Air Raid you mentioned in this excellent Video. One of the air raid shelters on the site, took an unlucky Direct hit in its Entrance and sadly, every one inside was killed. Was a fantastic place to work in and such a huge amount of skill has been lost in recent years. It will never be replaced. Thanks for this historical treat. Excellent.

[@itchycooable]

I worked there (computers) late 1990s , when the runway was still active/open for landings (not now).The Luftwaffe used some delayed action bombs on this raid and they were going off whilst emergency services were cleaning up.

[@petertwiss4215]

I worked on the VC10's there in the early 90's. Impressive place.

[@saxdearing3395]

❤

[@notreallydavid]

and thanks for your great post, a All best

[@jerrymail]

As a Frenchman, I find it very British the way this woman came to calmly offer a cup of tea to a pilot in his cockpit, when he had just crashed his Spitfire ! Very nice video and very interesting, thank you very much.

[@josephking6515]

There was a story written by a pilot who has just been shot down and had bailed out. _I entered the bar at the Golf Club to call my station and let them know where I was. I stood at the bar getting a drink, flying boot torn with blood leaking out and nobody took any notice because I wasn't a member._ Just minutes earlier this hero was fighting for his life to protect these r-sole who were safe on the ground playing a round of gold and they ignored him. What a pack of self centred ignoramus [insert and very bad 5 letter word starting with *CU* and ending with *TS* here. Just place the *N* in the right place.]

[@jacktattis]

Incredible people in that era.

[@johns9652]

I look around at the world we have today, and I look back to pieces of history like this, and wonder how we got here. We have forgotten our heroes, we celebrate fluff and nonsense.

[@josephking6515]

Yeah. Some prat kicks a round ball on a field, gets paid millions of quid to do it and is called a hero. People have forgotten what the word *hero* really means now. P/O Miller and all his comrades in uniform, RAF, Navy, Army, Coastal Command, Merchant Marine plus all the others my feeble mind have omitted were and still are the heroes and not the clowns who kick a ball around. They may be champions but are sure as 💩 are definitely *not* heroes. _And they shall never grow old._ _They gave their tomorrow for our today._ *Lest we forget.* Thank you for reminding us.

[@mattsmith5421]

​@@josephking6515Nobody calls footballers heros and they get payed loads because they make their club far more money than they get payed.

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

@@josephking6515Well said, we live in a plastic society

[@Kongzi93]

@@josephking6515 I think I understand your frustration . But you are comparing apples with pears. Apparently society needs "heros" Wartime heros (like this), Sports heros( Jordan, Cruijff, Pele, Federer, Agassi, McEnroe, Tiger Woods?), Industrial heros( Honda, Ford, Tesla ,Newton?), Musical heros( lots of those), Economical, social, medical, scientific, political heros and so on. Childish and immature behavior. People seem the need to identify themselves with their heros . Most of the time the qualification "hero" is contributed randomly. You can agree or disagree with that. It al depends on your definition of the word "hero"

[@bordersw1239]

Many years ago, my uncle told me he had watched a dog fight somewhere near Bristol, the ME109 crash landed in the field next to him. The pilot dead, he ran over and removed his flight helmet. He went upstairs and returned with the helmet to show me. Some years later he showed me a book which contained the names of some of the German aircrew that died and one matched the name and number inside the helmet. I think he sold the helmet for about £200, not the most scrupulous person, my uncle.

[@miguelservetus9534]

Beautifully done video. Thanks. The ethics of war are incomprehensible. One moment a crew is dropping bombs on your loved ones and countrymen, then you are pulling them out of a plane to go to hospital. Man’s inhumanity to man has caused countless thousands mourn.

[@martinfrancis3285]

A moving tribute to "Our Greatest Generation." I sat for many moments in silence after watching this, remembering those who perished in this conflict and those, no longer with us, who gave every fibre of their being to allow us to be free. Thank you

[@james17654]

I am amazed at the photo of PO Miller as I had researched a young pilot called Geoffrey Gaunt from my home town of Huddersfield. He was killed on Battle of Britain day 15th September 1940 and is buried in a family plot in Salendine Nook Baptist church. He is on the same photo as PO Miller. I have the same photo as you have on this post except mine has all the names of all the pilots in 609 squadron on the photo.

[@Codbotherer]

The photo is from my archive and came from the family via a friend twenty years ago.

[@tedmustard2798]

Thank you for such a detailed analysis. I think my aunt Peggy was on nursing duty at Filton that day and had to enter the wrecked shelters looking for survivors. In the 1950s there was the wreckage of an He111 still visible in the mud just east of the entrance to Portishead harbour off Portbury.

[@smidon]

Great stuff guys. What hits me most clearly out of all this, is just how rare survival was for all involved, including home defence fighter crew. Air combat is a tough business.

[@BTillman48]

An exceptional achievement combining chronology research and film editing. I'll be back!

[@dizdizzy8937]

What wonderful in depth research you have recorded here. Excellent video! Thank you for your effort

[@avipatable]

The lady with the cup of tea, man how I love these stories. Thank you for your excellent work. I will never not listen or read of these first hand accounts. It's a shame Chatsworth house has been turned into something so unbecoming of such a name. I have read David Crook's book. It is a lovely book - a very good read. Sadly he too did not survive the war. I think he was killed in 1944.

[@oliverbourne9599]

Wow . . . just fantastic. So immersive, so moving. You're literally left feeling like you were there watching the story unfold before your eyes. Extraordinary presentation of true events. Makes the IWM look like they haven't got out of bed yet ! The comments section of this channel's videos is always fascinating as well. Another bonus.

[@davidbarnes241]

What a beautiful tribute to those two young pilot brothers 😢

[@stephenmcneill9289]

I work at the Filton factory, and one building I have worked in still shows damage to the rafters from this raid

[@cherudge]

Touched me as great granfer worked for BAC during the war at Filton. He used to work 7 days a week, 8 months without a day off for the war effort. The effort these people put in was astonishing. Great Grans brother was killed in a Lancaster. His son George Rudge my grandads Lancaster was shot down by a BF110 and two JU88s returning from Druisberg. All crew bailed and survived.

[@josephking6515]

Wow, the whole crew got out of the Lanc. That was quite a rare event. Nice. 👍

[@Justin_Kipper]

Great video. So many historians use claims without looking at the actual records. And this video went a step beyond to put actual human faces on the records. Great stuff.

[@paulmk2290]

It's a shame that so many of our young people of today know little to nothing of what these and other young men did for their countries.

[@TheSilmarillian]

I doubt they would in general be capable of either understanding nor repeating such deeds.

[@jj4791]

I don't know? There are at least a million gen Z playing War Thunder these days. And WWII history is at an all time high for interest here on KZbin.

[@TheSilmarillian]

@@jj4791 Playing War Thunder yeah right they would curl up in a ball and hide in a real firefight and become liabilities, I have seen it happen.

[@CptKnoedel]

It's great that so many of our young people today don't have to kill and be killed, losing friends and family, in the name of their countries.

[@pisswobble1571]

They simply don't care.... But they will.. Unfortunately

[@gordonj498]

Absolutely stunning video. Having you investigate a certain piece of film and the story that surrounded it brings the event and the wider Battle of Britain vividly to life.

[@simonpalling3215]

Amazing story. Too young to give up their lives even for their country. Two young sons lost mere weeks apart. Tragically heroic. Thank you to all of the few, to whom we all owe such a debt. Not to forget any of those that also paid the ultimate price, whether friend or foe.

[@Weareeverything2023]

Just to echo the numerous comments on the quality of this film, why the main broadcasters seem unable to match this is beyond myself. Well done to all involved.

[@countrichardvoncoudenhovek8855]

Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪,, what a lovely tribute, subscribed

[@bevstubbs5695]

Thank you for this video. My father, who was a draughtsman in the Design Office at BAC Filton during the war, was there on the day of the raid. Fortunately, he survived the raid but my future Mother-in-Law's brother did not. Another story my father used to tell me was that if the Germans had invaded, all the BAC design office personnel and drawings would have been taken down to Avonmouth where an RN destroyer was waiting to take them to Canada and my mother would not have known anything about it.

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

I haven’t had any goosebumps for quite a while. The beautiful poem really got me. I hate war.

[@cliffordcards3238]

An excellently well-told account of a glimpse into a time terrible for those who were in action in response to our national defence - and for those whose families were shattered by the events. Also a very well-written poetic ten lines - so expressive of friendship, skill, remarkable bravery, & tragic loss. My Dad was a Radar [Chain-Home] mechanic and operator on the coast from 1941-1945. His best friend, part of a bomber crew, was killed in action over Europe .... but never forgotten.

[@theallseeingmaster]

I knew right at the beginning, when they showed the old photograph of a handsome young man, that there was going to be a very bad ending for that young man; that their family name died, within weeks, with the death of both sons, is more than a tragic coda.

[@nev707]

Miller family losing two sons just weeks apart. Very sad.

[@twotone3070]

That's what I took away from this video, on the day when I got news of my newly born Grandson. "They shall not grow old..."

[@stevejauncey1461]

That poem was so moving

[@timeslip9]

From one film maker to another fantastic work you guys, congratulations...11/10

[@bristolfashion4421]

Thanks so much for making this film and posting it for us to have available. It’s a touching tale of the way that war blights the lives of so many…

[@Th.G.M.]

Very touching. Thank you for bringing this up to us!

[@mauricecaron5030]

Merci à tous ces braves pilotes qui se sont sacrifiés durant ce bel été 40.

[@andyduggan7810]

Thank you for this absorbing and poignant video. My parents were children in Liverpool during the War and experienced many bombing raids. It makes this period of British history still feel very immediate to me.

[@Pokafalva]

Rogers Miller collided with the Bf 110 C-4, 3U+FT, of 9./ZG 26 flown by Gefreiter Georg Jakstadt (pilot) and Gefreiter Emil Lidtke (Bordfunker). Jakstadt baled out into captivity; Miller & Lidtke were both killed in the collision. Jakstadt told me that the closing speed of the two aircraft was around 600 mph. Simon/Mark: guess who this is posting!

[@stanhauser]

I know who you are ;-)

[@Pokafalva]

@@stanhauser Tell me who, Stan. I don't mind...

[@M1sc3]

I just don't understand why they both clashed, as it was apparently intentional on one of the parties.

[@stanhauser]

@@Pokafalva C'mon, Joãozinho ...

[@Pokafalva]

@@M1sc3 From my interview with Jakstadt: both fighters came at each other head-on. Jakstadt decided to fly over the top of Miller's Spitfire; unfortunately Miller decided to do the same thing over the Messerschmitt 110. Hence they both climbed to avoid a collision, but only succeeded in colliding head--on. There was no intention to collide head-on at all.

[@martinevans9757]

Insightful, excellent research married to a thoughtful and professional presentation. Thank you very much for this fine mini-documentary.

[@philipharvey6720]

A superb and moving video, and what an excellent tribute poem at the end too. Well done to all involved in the making!

[@bikenavbm1229]

what a great account of just a fleeting few minutes of those climatic days

[@natural-born_pilot]

Thank you for bringing us this story. You did a great job producing it and super narrative.

[@robleary3353]

Lest we forget!. Great insight into part of the air battle that turned the tide of WWII. Nuff said.

[@davidsaunders2906]

What a well executed piece of work.Informative and respectfully presented.Thank you.

[@ronhudson3730]

Superb, as always. Thank you all.

[@seanhiggins978]

Great video. Please do more like this. I love seeing this level of detail as to what really happened and seeing the gun camera footage placed into such brilliant context.

[@brucecourchene8090]

What a wonderful watch, such amazing details, facts and footage. Absolutely brilliant, thank you.

[@jchowe07]

This was very well done, thanks for the efforts here.

[@eisirt55]

What an excellent post ! Brilliantly done .

[@matthewgreenfield360]

Fascinating story and beautifully put together as always!

[@unconditioned_ride]

Incredible, very nicely put together and how sad for the Miller family

[@MrTuftynut]

Totally wonderful and emotive video - Very well done to the Wingleader Team !

[@lorenzbroll0101]

I had a family member as aircrew in a He 111 who kept getting shot down and he said they were terrible things to be in even though they looked so streamlined. Noise, heat, lack of defence. They were really a liability.

[@axiom666]

Wow, that was amazing, finally an accurate account of such events, thank you.

[@wonderlabs_AI]

Some nice research and well put together! thank you

[@stevewhite1714]

Brilliant video and very interesting. Please keep them coming!

[@CarneyColours]

I was born in April of 1940 in Manchester UK, for the past 60 years on my birthday I offer a minutes silence in respect to all those that served and especially to those that fell

[@stevesick1]

Amazing video!! I can’t believe I’m only now discovering this channel!

[@davidaspinall496]

Superb photographs - thanks ...

[@eddisonfoncette9103]

Outstanding job !! I used to work in Croydon and passed the RAF memorial on the Purley Way every day. By and large it goes unnoticed like the trees it just there. That's so sad because the stories and the sacrifice of the men and women in Fighter, Bomber and Coastal Command need to be kept alive and told because without them we'd be living in a very different world.

[@jonathannorris8992]

So many young men gave up there lives so that freedom and democracy could be enjoyed by the generations to come. Unfortunately it seems that a lot of people have forgotten there sacrifices and now see there foe as the real heroes.

[@teeanahera8949]

Yes, why is it that Trump and the conservatives have made public their support for their adversaries. Donald Trump has lavished praise on authoritarian leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and North Korean strongman Kim Jong-un.

[@juliaforsyth8332]

The foe?

[@dianeunderhill8506]

@@juliaforsyth8332 Yes a lot of people, historians as well, seem to downgrade the allies and focus on the enemies of the time!

[@dandagenais7913]

Perhaps one of the finest descriptions of a non headline grabbing event but one of the cruicially important stories that occurred daily...more please.

[@user-kp4ts4mc8l]

Excellent research

[@prv808]

Great work. Very well researched and presented.

[@Sherpa199]

Superb footage and production. Thanks

[@PicRic]

Very nice to hear a story with such human depth on so many levels. And a new one to me too. More of these 'unknown' tales will be very much appreciated. PS E.J.Thribb has nowt to worry about!

[@MarekPaczkowski-ct6pz]

That's a very, very nice presentation... A fantastic tribute to those young flyboys.

[@jasonharryphotog]

Great video thanks for making it and telling the story so well.

[@Kongzi93]

Thanks for the upload. Each time I see a documentary like this I highly respect these young men who gave their lives in defending their country.

[@Mark_Bickerton]

The poem at the end was so moving!

[@anonnemo2504]

Many thanks for this excellent video. It is good that we preserve as many accounts of the heroism of the greatest generation as we possibly can.

[@vinivini8969]

Brilliant video! Thanks

[@lawrencemartin1113]

Wow. This had me in bits. What a fantastic story of courage and determination. Thank you for researching this story and helping to preserve the memories of such heroic and brave young people. "Lest we forget".

[@Pillboxer1940]

A brilliant clear presentation with good imagery and pitched just right.

[@resnonverba137]

Truly fascinating. Many thanks for your work. I find myself quite emotional.

[@targe762]

WOW....this is Fantastic!!! Love this idea keep it coming!

[@jeremyroberts39]

Great video, very informative and sad. These guys doing this at 20! I don't usually 'do' poetry, but the poem at the end was beautiful. Thank you guys. 😊

[@nickrails]

A very well constructed piece. Excellent work.

[@s.a.3882]

An excellent video that was very well researched.

[@passionworksbodyshop9738]

What an interesting channel! Loved it.

[@M1sc3]

Coincidences that are difficult to understand, today I remembered this gun camera video that I watched several months ago and I felt like rewatching it, I always wanted to better understand the story behind it and I came across this precious piece of research. It was worth every second!

[@mac22011964]

My Farther in Law was a WW2 Naval fighter pilot who was decorated twice for bravery. He had 3 brothers, none of whom survived the war. He died at the age of 94 in 2014 having a long and fruitful life…but those years and the loss and the impact on his parents never really left him. What a terrible waste of young lives.

[@mac22011964]

I am afraid he did. He was awarded the DFC twice. On one occasion he shot down a Condor…..it had some 8 crew on board, none of whom survived. The reason I know this last point is because about 20 years ago a WW2 historian wrote a book called Bloody Biscay ….he contacted my FIL and asked if the German families of the killed airmen could meet him….he declined. Not because of remorse….quite the latter….because he had none. He had seen first hand the horror the Uboats wrought on merchant shipping. A man of peace, humour, intelligence and grace….I think this disturbed him more.

[@Tesserae]

This was really done. Great detective work on the then/now details.

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Good job putting the story together with the pictures and film. I found it very interesting and entertaining.

[@luckyguy600]

That was a touching non-biased view of the war over England that day ... There would be many more before all the weapons were put away. Very sad all the way around.

[@SMAZVidoes]

This is a fascinating insight into the events of BoB. Great research. Thanks

[@teeguy100]

what an amazing document! Thanks!

[@peterhewson3216]

Done with fact, feeling and proper emotion - describing and illustrating perfectly just one incident in the Battle of Britain, not a famous one but one with bravery, astounding stories and unexpected tragedy, painted with actual footage. Professional and perfect.

[@DannyBoy777777]

The gun camera footage I'd never seen before. Great. I think I've seen stills of it when that 111 is attacked from the rear at close range.

[@Spitfiresammons]

Fantastic research and a touching and tragedy story behind the famous air battle I like to see more research of famous gun cameras.

[@paulbfields8284]

They are celebrated and never forgotten thanks to videos such as this that are available to those that care. Thank you. And God Bless these men these Millers..

[@ralphhowes]

Bloody good story telling. Subscribed.

[@cecielhelder5923]

That poem hit home. Two sons lost so close together.

[@johnstirling6597]

Loved the woman with the cup of tea, how British and understated.

[@sliderdriver1]

What a film! The bravery is inconceivable and the loss will be our debt forever more.

[@ohdehhan]

Really touching tribute! Excellent video!

[@fireabend_1226]

very interesting short documentary. Thank you for showing.

[@organicpaul]

Yes that was a superb video , well done indeed!

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro