The Enemy Plane The US Refused to Destroy

The Battle of Britain was underway. July 1940 was not faring well for the Britons as the skies of London and other cities were under siege by the German Luftwaffe.
As dawn broke, sleek Heinkel He 111 medium bombers emerged from the London fog, ready to ravage the skies and devastate British anti-aircraft positions. Seven accurate MG 15 machine guns manned by skilled gunners were ready to deal with any upcoming threat. Carrying over 4,500 pounds of bombs, the squadron of He 111s approached the city for a swift low pass run.
Anti-aircraft fire erupted, but neither the bombers nor their pilots flinched. On the contrary, they raced through the smoke and hail of bullets and dropped the bombload without hesitation. The fighters then swarmed the Germans in a desperate bid to protect their city.
The German bombers turned back with their enemy behind their tails. A storm of bullets flew around them when the gunners finally opened fire, their barrels running hot with accurate bursts.
Some British fighters were driven off, but others pressed on, and then a direct hit sent shockwaves through one of the German bombers, sending the damaged He 111 to the English Channel.
Surrounded and firing like a cornered beast, the bomber's maneuverability was put to the ultimate test in its battle for survival….
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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.
As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.
All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.

[@cyrilthompson1846]

A member of my family saw He111s coming up BelfastLough during the Blitz on Belfast . She was a schoolgirl at the time. She told me she could see the pilots they were so low.The drone of their engines was unmistakable .

[@jimmeryellis]

How frightening that must have been.

[@elroyfudbucker6806]

I wasn't aware that the Germans bombed Belfast, but I suppose the port would have been a strategic target.

[@terrysmith4831]

I'm just glad the this He 111 was persevered and not scrapped as was the fate of most german aircraft and tanks.

[@xfirehurican]

preserved 😊

[@AnimalsVehiclesAndMore]

@@xfirehurican I heard that there are only 5 original German-built Heinkel He. 111s in existence, but none of them are airworthy.

[@nicholasbell9017]

What do you mean by "persevered"?

[@steventaylor3884]

@@nicholasbell9017 pretty obvious what he meant.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

A lot of BF-109s went to Isreal after the war

[@lynnwood7205]

@5:03 The narrator misspoke, not the island of Guadalcanal of the Solomon Islands, but the city of Guadalajara of Spain.

[@BillyJ244]

I noticed that too. I thought maybe I misheard it. I hope this is not an AI narrator. I've been watching this channel quite a while and that's the first time so hopefully not.

[@shastaham7630]

Yeah, that got me to stop and rewind several times. However, considering the crap we have to endure from other channels, I suppose we can forgive an occasional gaffe on this great channel. If this is the worst mistake this otherwise outstanding narrator makes, a pass is definitely in older!

[@BillyJ244]

I agree. This is a good channel. It's entertaining and informative. Usually it is pretty descriptive and sometimes I even learn something.

[@shanemossmoss]

Another example of a yank putting their spin on the history of WW2 they sat on their hands and let the British and her allies fight. If the Japs hadn't kicked them in the crutch they would have sat back and sold arms and let the rest of the allies die

[@keithdurose7057]

Personally, I would prefer it if 90% of the adjectives were deleted. Another point is the bomb load. 75 ×100lb bombs externally? I doubt it. Bombs, torpedoes, and V1 flying bombs were carried externally, though. Otherwise, it's quite interesting.

[@Idahoguy10157]

Most He111 left are actually Spanish copies built under license. With British engines. Watch the movies Patton and the Battle of Britain. Both 1969 movies. The aircraft are flown in both

[@stonefox9124]

Nice, I wondered why they seemed to have so many available

[@CaptHollister]

The thumbnail for the video actually shows a Merlin-engined Casa. Probably taken from a still of one of these movies.

[@Idahoguy10157]

@@stonefox9124 …. Several thousand were built. Most were destroyed. A fifty would be a huge number. If there’s that many still flying

[@davidelliott5843]

The Battle of Britain film only ever shows three Casa 111 at any one time. I believe that is all they had available.

[@Idahoguy10157]

@@davidelliott5843 …. Good use was made of them

[@nairbvel]

Some years back, I got roped into a solo assignment in Albany, NY. Driving around in boredom one weekend, I recognized two amazing and highly distinctive warbirds parked at the airport: a Boeing B-17 and a Heinkel He-111. They were there as part of a tour on their way to a major airshow elsewhere, and were open to the public (static display only, no flights). The Heinkel was actually built in Spain in 1946 (possibly ''47, I'm no longer sure) but had been "tweaked" to match the general specs of its earlier Luftwaffe brethren. The view through the front greenhouse was amazing, and even though it was just as spartan/utilitarian inside as the B-17 parked nearby, it somehow felt more "futuristic" due to its streamlining. I have just a few photos (this was pre-digital cameras & smartphones) but clearly remember what the 111 looked like inside. Quite an engineering feat.

[@brianjschumer]

Thats where the B-29 "leapfrogged" all bombers of that time

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Good on the American boys for recognising the quality of the aircraft and wanting to preserve it. They did history a big favour.

[@americanpatriot2422]

Beautiful aircraft.

[@paulricketts1089]

...I always thought so too.........

[@johnathandavis3693]

I think it's very cool with the ending of the story of this beautiful aircraft living happily ever after at the RAF museum!

[@christianb.mortensen1199]

Why are you showing a Condor suddenly...

[@matleb92]

“The tail section featured a single vertical stabiliser and horizontal stabiliser, enhancing the distinctive appearance of Heinkel’s bomber” This isn’t a school assignment with a minimum word count 😂

[@johncunningham4820]

Indeed , the Heinkel - 111 was the Luftwaffe's MAJOR workhorse throughout that conflict . In My opinion one of the Prettiest , Large Aircraft , ever built too . Like the Mosquito , it just " Looks Right " .

[@cole1407]

If they couldn't figure out how the lower their landing gear how did they take off in the first place and raise it?

[@poetpilot]

It's HI nkel not Henkel! Plus in minute 2 you're showing a Spitfire production line. Plus some flying shots are of a Messerschmidt ME110. And an Italian SM79 bomber. And a 4 engined Condor. Oh dear.

[@frankmitchell3594]

Henkel is a German chemical company (detergents, adhesives etc.) not an aircraft manufacturer

[@JelMain]

@@frankmitchell3594 Hinkel's a Jewish name.

[@wilkybarkid]

This channel is infamous for using unrelated visuals. The actual story is about 1/20th of the overall duration..

[@minhthunguyendang9900]

⁠@@wilkybarkid Not alone in using unrelated footage, this channel. By the way I’ve always been puzzled by this footage of Dunkirk @ 9:31 -> Looks like from a movie made in Hollywood during the war, perhaps by 20th Century Fox. The scenes of the troops under bombing look very realistic. Some others show British troops piling up in rowing boats in panic. I’ve seen extracts of this movie featured in various documentaries, but surely it’s not authentic footage. Can you please tell me ? Thank you.

[@pizzaguyvlogs1630]

You must be new here every video uses stock footage and it is not always accurate to the mentioned vehicle

[@xfirehurican]

Having a 'personal' He-111, with fuel, BRAVO ZULU, Yanks!

[@jairustheadventurer3935]

I love when the history is preserved!

[@geoffallert1921]

Love stories like this. So much history.

[@TigerBoyRS]

What a flash! I do remember that He 111 at the RAF Museum, still treasue some photos of her. Just loved the history, the preservation and care in the museum, when visiting London in the summer during the 1990s (93, 94 and 96). Back then, when the UK, was still worth it… Cheers

[@matthewjay660]

There were no German planes at Guadalcanal. I say this as a teacher, it's "HIGHN-kel," not "HEEN-kel." Thank-you for your efforts, Dark. 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@Rotorhead1651]

It's also "Loo-twaffuh", not "loof-waffuh". I'm no teacher, but I'm a student of language and linguistics, and I've heard it pronounced by actual Germans.

[@Angeliter]

@@Rotorhead1651 It's neither, but something like "looft-vaffuh". Oh yes, and "Hynkle".

[@user-og1ux8nr3i]

No better way to test equipment and techniques than a small war.

[@steveneldred8928]

Here we are, all these years later, and we haven't learned anything about civility yet.

[@havocgr1976]

Nice crazy story, seen it in the RAF museum but didnt know all that.

[@jamesbrown9736]

Gotta love Aviators and their ingenuity.

[@1mauitodd]

That was a great story!! Thank you.

[@rickm2573]

Great story.

[@americanpatriot2422]

Great video

[@BodleyFludes]

It could be mentioned that 'later versions powered by upgraded engines' used Junkers Jumo engines rather than DBs (Battle of Britain models onwards).

[@dx1450]

Makes me happy that that old war bird was saved and preserved, even if it was an enemy plane.

[@martentrudeau6948]

I'm glad they saved the He 111, it's a beautiful plane.

[@davidraborn3654]

I like the Style that they executed the plan with. Just walk away.

[@marvwatkins7029]

A strange one.

[@rogergoodman8665]

I'm guilty also by posting this, but, People commenting about his "errors" are doing exactly what he wants....there are no " "errors" in his videos...everything is deliberate to get more views and comments. Even a negative comment is $$$ for him. I usually just listen anymore and don't really pay attention to what (usually unrelated) flashs up on the screen because he's been operating like this on most of his channels for years.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Thanks - it's not just me who thinks it's all dodgy stuff here !

[@eddiebruv]

Guadalcanal?? Is that right?

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

You have got to start Googling something before typing... the Island was named after the town in Spain. Remember, the Spanish were in control of large parts of the Pacific at one point.

[@matthewjay660]

He meant "Guernica."

[@eddiebruv]

@@robert-trading-as-Bob69 I doubt that the German Condor legion were attacking islands in the pacific. Logic would dictate otherwise. Google is entirely unnecessary in this case. 🙄

[@eddiebruv]

@@matthewjay660 That’s the place. So easy to get confused with Guadalcanal! 😄

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

@@eddiebruv Sadly, there is a town in Spain called Guadalcanal... sucks to be as stupid as you. Was it bombed? Fuck knows.

[@woodrowsmith3400]

Good story, but could have used more film of He111, and less of Fw200. Most of us can count...and four engines just don't fit this story. Busted! 😂

[@trekkeruss]

Sometimes I think this channel is intentionally riddled with mistakes, to generate comments and attract even more viewers looking to spot the mistakes.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@trekkeruss Good theory, but it's just careless composition and editing. Accuracy is not its strong point . . .

[@surgery6865]

Great ch !!!

[@SwanOnChips]

Awesome story as you tell it!

[@MichaelWinter-ss6lx]

These He 111 were also used as an alternate for launching the V1 _flying_ _bomb._ Attached under the right wing, it could be brought nearer to its destination and be released at 2000m height. The technic was later used by NASA to launch the X-15. 🚀🏴‍☠️🎸

[@ezrabrooks12]

Good Video/Info.

[@proveritate9312]

In a parallel universe Germany defeated Russia and the West defeated Germany. It would have been a very different planet earth after 1945. Imagination 😎

[@c_lo01]

Color me surprised a country would say hey we got your back only to test their own weapons for future battles. Almost like they still do this today.

[@jean-emmanuelrotzetter6030]

Excellent as usual. But please: pronunciation is HEinkel, not Hinkel.

[@j.bradleyheck1589]

Hì-enkel( phonetic).

[@scottmoseley5122]

@@j.bradleyheck1589 Thanks I never knew. I have been saying: "He-enkel" all these years!

[@user-cw5cz5vr5i]

Don't think I would class the acquisition of enemy tech as "stolen".

[@BrentHolt-oy3eg]

That’s awesome they didn’t destroy it and put in the museum great video

[@user-ni2zo5zo3c]

I generally appreciate your videos. The title of this one is more glib than factual: the "U.S." did not "refuse" to destroy this Heinkel H-20 Aircraft.

[@phhdvm]

The " strange" stolen plane from the title appears at the 13 minute mark.

[@propman3523]

Great story!

[@terrywiltshire7622]

How about covering the 5 engined Heinkel 111, the Zwelling. That would be an aircraft worth researching.

[@DrivermanO]

Zwilling

[@deandmellow944]

I think he met Guernica, not Guadacanal. But he said Guadacanal. Maybe these were the same German planes that bombed Pearl Harbor referenced in the comedy movie Animal House.

[@richardletaw4068]

And “Hinkel” instead of “Heinkel” throughout. Put my teeth on edge.

[@cdrkennon]

How cool!

[@vincedibona4687]

Nice.

[@stankygeorge]

What a wonderful story!

[@lhkraut]

How do you mispronounce Heinkel?

[@andrewcomerford9411]

A merlin-powered Heinkel ? Strange indeed.

[@draconian6692]

They saved it❤

[@tombrunner8181]

"Part of his debts" 6 million soldiers were held captive as slave laborers in France, and at the same time tens of thousands of children starved to death in Germany This was not a "contract"

[@daveoatway6126]

Cool story!

[@dosrios9517]

Henkel makes adhesives. Heinkel manufactured planes ….and cars ..

[@andrewfletcher5584]

So glad she wasn't cut up.😊

[@salvagedb2470]

Best looking variant was the Spanish built Casa's , they maybe Merlin powered but a better looking Aircraft ..

[@1969Risky]

Henkels!! What type of bloody pronunciation is that!! I never knew the Luftwaffe were fighting in Guadalcanal during the Spanish Civil War That's 16,180 km from Spain. How could you mix this up with Guadalajara?

[@johnpowell5433]

Heinkels . . . "emerged from the London fog". At 13,000 feet?

[@richmorg8196]

I think that the Ju 88 was a better bomber and the Dorronia as they had more defensive guns and did not have so mutch glass in the front dome

[@brealistic3542]

Much better. Designed right from the start as a very manauverable high speed bomber. The He-111 was a compromise to hide its true function.

[@guyh.4553]

Especially when they strapped on those antitank cannons!

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Dorronia ? Dornier perhaps ?

[@CaptainQuark9]

Why. all of a sudden, are you mispronouncing the name Heinkel? HENkel is an chemicals and consumer products company, and is completely unrelated to the aircraft manufacturer, HEINkel. What surprises me is that you have pronounced it properly in previous videos, so why now...? Also there is only one Royal Navy - no need to say "the British Royal Navy".

[@natquesenberry6368]

The Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal New Zealand Navy all fought in World War II. Edit: I see what you meant. Royal Navy almost always means the UK one. But, I think the Aussies, Kiwis, Canucks, and Dutch deserve credit, too!

[@CaptainQuark9]

@@natquesenberry6368The Royal Navy IS the one and only British navy. The others you mention are indeed 'Royal', if only due to the fact that all, except the Royal Netherlands Navy, are former British colonies, but they are referred to exactly as you mention - they are not THE Royal Navy. Oh, and the same goes for the Royal Air Force too. 😁

[@natquesenberry6368]

@CaptainQuark9 fair enough. That makes sense.

[@steveconkey7362]

5:30....The skies of Guadalcanal? Really?

[@hughjohnson2674]

I suspect you meant Gurnecia.

[@lynnwood7205]

5:52 the woman of blonde hair holding a bayonet while shouldering a rifle.

[@JeffBrazeel-fe4wc]

Pilots Discovered the Deadly Flaw of the Henkel, Attack STRAIGHT IN THE NOSE, Defense weps couldn't aim straught ahead, and the See Theu Nosecone that German Pilots and Bombadiers Loved up till they Reaized.

[@michaelpipkin9942]

I can't imagine the relief of being on the ground, hopeless. Then you hear that familiar sound above and realize your brothers and sisters in the air got your back.

[@TimtimzroyalXx]

Is yhe narrator of dark skies AI? I can't quite put my finger on it

[@Guitar6ty]

Another good presentation ruined by background noise masquerading as Muzak.

[@desertduck10]

" Guadalcanal"? Guernica..even if I spelled that later correctly, I know my history.

[@mileshigh1321]

Guadalcanal is in the South Pacific, I was thrown off by this too.

[@donmitchyt]

I think he mispronounced Guadalajara.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@donmitchyt He really doesn't know the stuff he speaks about. It's mostly fluff.

[@user-wx4rd3bs6f]

The title of this is sort of misleading

[@jonathangehman4005]

Guadelcanal? Perhaps the AI narrator couldn't pronounce Gaudalajara

[@jimb.942]

Guadalcanal?????

[@user-McGiver]

Cowboys will be cowboys... lol

[@michelleeden2272]

The title is grammatically incorrect. You might say: The Strange Luftwaffe Plane Stolen by the US

[@robt5818]

It is pronounced HINE-kel.

[@auro1986]

you steal anything if good or not, isn't it?

[@tommytwotacos8106]

The Spanish version is super pretty.

[@Brian-nw3mp]

Please correctly pronounce Heinkel (like Hine kel). Otherwise excellent!

[@guillermojensen1332]

How did the Germans fly from Germany to Spain since they wouldn’t fly over France?

[@MonochromaticLightsource]

Over the Alps, turn right when you reach Italy?

[@richardsawyer5428]

Thanks Yanks🇺🇲🇬🇧👍

[@oscarolie5743]

The clickbait picture is showing a Casa 2.111, not a Heinkel... And while you are talking about the He111 I see Bf110, Fw200, SM79, Do217 and/or Ju88 cockpit, Ju290 cockpit, and more... Again you succeeded in a sloppy post, mate! Its not just about the story, the visuals have to match there. If not, what can we believe is really true then???

[@JelMain]

Hinkel? Oy veh!

[@scottmurphy650]

Why did you include footage of the Fw-200 Condor when talking about the He-111?

[@scotttait2197]

2:56 ... the he70 and 111 where two different aircraft, tje 111 had design elements of the blitz , not as worded in your rubbish script

[@Nilguiri]

It would have been nice if you had learned to pronounce 'Heinkel' and .Franco'. It us not 'Henkel' or 'Fronco'!

[@CaptHollister]

Not even the thumbnail shows a He 111... it actually shows a Spanish-built Casa 2.111 in fake German colours, easily identified by its Rolls-Royce Merlin engines in lieu of the inverted V12 Daimlers

[@Deltawhiskeymike]

Well after last night (14/April/2024), welcome to wwiii y'all.... (Poland, I'm talking to you right now, cause "SOMEBODY'S" knocking at your door too/just sayin'!).....

[@jamesthornton9399]

Click Bate. What planes were stolen.

[@mileshigh1321]

Great history! And excellent story!

[@arrjay2410]

You took 15 minutes to tell a 3 minute story.

[@TheHateSpeechChannel]

Grammar

[@stonefox9124]

Oh yes that wonderful distraction for children...

[@ryanrogers5435]

I'm simple. I see german airplane. I click

[@lysanderkrieg5474]

Maybe waste less time on shit we already know and spend more time on what you profess to know. And it wasn't worth the wait.

[@terrychapman5466]

Your commentary is often inaccurate. You frequently mis identify aircraft and waste time with irrelevant footage. The use of click bait in titles is misleading. Please stop alienating viewers who could be loyal followers.

[@jjmcrosbie]

I was born close to midnight in North London, during an air raid. Thank you for eulogising those who were trying to kill mothers and their children. Anyway, your video was riddled with errors both spoken and visual. I've seen many of your videos, they're usually better than this.

[@user-ez2tq4vi8f]

@8:15 not a He-111 your work is so sloppy

[@jimmeryellis]

Not 'Hinkle' but 'Hynkle', please get your pronunciation correct.

[@richardletaw4068]

For God’s sake, man: It’s pronounced “HINE-kul,” not “Hinkle.”

[@jlk313ify]

This guy's videos would be much better if he didn't add so much unnecessary commentary. The war stories are already captivating, the information about weapons and military vehicles, aircraft, ships etc., is already interesting and the videos are decent if not better but the over-narrating makes them corny and if not unbelievable. I wish he'd stop trying so hard.