"The Men Who Went to Warsaw": The Warsaw Uprising Airlift 1944

70 Years ago, 13 August 1944; the first South African Air Force Liberators took off on a suicidal mission to Warsaw. This was the start of arguably one of the most daring and tragic series of missions ever flown by heavy bombers as they had to fly at night only 450 feet high at landing speed over the enemy infested city.
This documentary was produced as a donation project in memory of all the aircrew and ground crew of SAAF 31 and 34 squadrons who served in 1944-45.
I spent hundreds of hours to eventually finish this film just in time for the premiere screening at the Warsaw Uprising museum in Warsaw on 31 July 2014 as part of the 70 year Warsaw Uprising anniversary.
a Detail credit list is included in the film but I must again thank the three war veterans interviewed: Bryan Jones, Michael Cauchi and Doug Matthews. Also a special thanks to my friend, Neil Pugh, who spent hours to skillfully interview and record the stories of SAAF 31 and 34 squadrons war veterans in the UK.

[@skyjack1ifly]

Big respect for those who despite very risky and danger operation to help Warsaw fulfilled the mission! We Poles always remember about you lats!

[@niri_diary]

my great uncle in in this video! his name is Michael Cauchi. He would be so happy to hear your sweey words. Lots of love 💗

[@TFXZG]

Warsaw will never forget these Heroes! God bless them all!

[@aniawarner9909]

Big respect and best regards to the brave South African Pilots. Thank you. Dziekuje from the bottom of my heart

[@craigmcdaniel5733]

That last comment got me. I flew in the USAF and the ground crew loved me. That’s not ego talking, it is what was real, and while I flew I always remembered that the ground crew was waiting. And I loved them!

[@shaggygabe728]

These airmen shall allways remain heroes in the hearts of the Polish people. Thank you for helping my motherland in its time of need. God bless!

[@ptwodz]

Well done! We in Poland will never forget those brave men who despite of all circumstances tried to bring help to fighting Warsaw.

[@a.p.3004]

I agree with you. But also remember and respect those 600,000 Soviet Soldiers killed on the teritorry of Poland fighting the germans. Along side with those Soviet soldiers were Polish soldiers. One Soviet Marshall who was Polish, from Warsaw. Marshall Rokossovsky.

[@ptwodz]

@@a.p.3004 nobody invited the Soviets here.

[@a.p.3004]

@@ptwodz You seem to have a selective memory of history. They didn't want to go to Poland, but Poland was on their way to Berlin. Not your fault, but not their fault either. You shouldn't have "listened" so much to British promises about gurantee given by Britain, and you should not have collaborated with Hitler in the destruction of Chzechoslovakia. Poland took two provinces. Anyway can someone tell me why was the Polish border prior to 1939 just 20 min from Minsk. It seems to me that Poland was also fighting for teritorry which didn't belong to it. Three bigger powers played with Poland, GB, Nazi Germany, and USSR. Unfortunately when the war started your government went to safety of London, while the population of Poland was massacred. I feel sorry for Polish people, but the first they can blame is geography, and second their government, which was also a military dictatorship in the '30's.

[@ptwodz]

@@a.p.3004 you don't seem t

[@ptwodz]

You don't seem to be informed properly. Your knowledge of the history is rather superficial.

[@WitoldLiliental]

These men were great heroes. Poles will never forget their courage and sacrifice. Thank you South Africans. Baie dankie Suid Afrikaners

[@MrBothandNether]

AN AIRMAN'S PRAYER By Eric Impey, 31 Squadron, South African Air Force, killed over Warsaw, Poland on the night of 16/17 August 1944: soon after composing this poem. MY GOD, this night I have to fly, And ere I leave the ground, I come with reverence to Thy Throne Where perfect peace is found. I thank Thee for the life I've had, For home and all its love, I thank Thee for the faith I have That cometh from above. Come with me now into the air. Be with me as I fly, Guide Thou each move that I shall make Way up there in the sky. Be with me at the target, Lord, When danger's at its height. Be with me as I drop my load, And on the homeward flight. And should it be my time to die. Be with me to the end. Help me to die a Christian's death. On Thee, God, I depend. Then as I leave this mortal frame From human ties set free, Receive my soul, O God of Love, I humbly come to THEE.

[@jjkosinski]

God Bless.

[@mrmorgan8867]

I read this poem at my grandads funeral bless you

[@wojbla01]

Tinus le Roux, the first one who described those missions as the "suicidal ones" was Air Vice Marshall Slessor. He did forbid them. After intervention of the Polish Govnmt who claimed that at least Polish crews should be allowed to fly to their homeland RAF changed its policy.. "volunteers only". It was late Aug 1944, and what we gather it was not only Polish crews that did volunteer.. many SAAF and RAF .. and that is what never will be forgotten. Another interesting story.. crews approaching WAW were fired upon not only by the Germans but also by the Soviets, considering that Soviets denied them landing rights, and also did fire at allied airplanes approaching Warsaw, in the months following the uprising airmen took their revenge. As ordered to drop MkVI mines behind the German troops retreating along Danube, they did drop them them just in the front of the approaching soviet Danube Flotilla causing them quite few casualties..

[@GrahamMolyneux]

Last night I was fortunate enough to sit down with my friend and nieghbour Fred Mathews who is ibterviewed midway through this terrific documentary, he is our Hero in our community and at 91 years of age we will continue to keep an eye open for this distinguished friend, nieghbour and hero and we feel gifted to have this highly honoured airman in on our island. From deep in our hearts we thank him and his comrades who were there to to put their lives on the line for the sake of all others....!

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

Dear Graham, please convey my regards to Mr. Matthews when you see him again, I last saw him 1/8/2014 in Warsaw at the commemoration, thanks!

[@GrahamMolyneux]

Tinus le Roux he is a true gentleman and I am so proud to know him and his family

[@GrahamMolyneux]

Mr Mathews told me a story about his time as a rear gunner, he asked his ground crew mechanic to remove the bullet proof glass from his glass turret. The ground crew questioned this saying he must be crazy, his response was simple ... The bullet proof glass distorts the view and if his view was distorted then he may not see an enemy fighter until it was to late so he would rather be cold and have a clear view that a distorted one.

[@yakeosicki8965]

He is still alive. You tell him thank you. We will never forget !!! I'm crying watching this movie. CZEŚC I CHWAŁA BOHATEROM!!!! HONOR AND GLORY HEROES !!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/joe5e2SLaZpqe8U They will always be part of Polish history!

[@mrmorgan8867]

My grandad flew in this mission to Warsaw on the rear gunner of the liberator great video he would’ve loved it

[@El-vi6lg]

God Bless him. A forever grateful nation.❤

[@joshlawrence1073]

Thank you for this incredible doc. My grandfather was an airgunner with 34 squadron, he flew 4 supply drops over warsaw ,still have his logbooks,medals,headgear,clothing etc.

[@2serveand2protect]

Still watching this after a year - it's twentieth time I've watched it...and it STILL IS AMAZING. BÓG / HONOR / OJCZYZNA DIO / ONORE / PATRIA DIEU / HONNEUR / PATRIE GOD / HONOUR / FATHERLAND Thank You South Afrikan Air Force!

[@steven21736]

Did the communists in Poland acknowledge the uprising and South Africa's role in the airlifts?

[@steven21736]

www.canadainternational.gc.ca/poland-pologne/highlights-faits/2014/Aviators_Exhibition-ExpositionAviateurs.aspx?lang=eng

[@yakeosicki8965]

I watched and cried today. This is a special day. The day of the Warsaw Uprising

[@El-vi6lg]

God Bless you, Sir.❤❤❤ Forever grateful from Poland as my great aunt perished in the Uprising. Thank u for your courage and sacrifice.❤

[@j.goneforallallforone9174]

God bless you for your bravery !! Polish patriot

[@misio200]

Thank you for the film. Warsaw was grateful for the help. And the mission was really impossible...Thank you all the heros

[@shaunmatthews6889]

Speechless, thank you for this

[@stewartlumgair9482]

My first flying instructor had been a flight engineer on the Warsaw flights, later on I met Jack Van Eyssen a Pilot of a Liberator that was shot down and then years later met Col. Dirk Nels daughter who had become friends with my wife at Art lessons. It surely is a small world.

[@j1bc]

Incredibly brave men. Thank God at least some of them made it home.

[@Mysticpuma]

Tinus, this is an exceptionally well documented and put together short film, my congratulations to you on it's completion. I know only too well the difficulties that can be faced in making a 'short' film, but you have absolutely nailed it. I was very pleased to be involved and appreciate you contacting me to help. Cheers, Neil "Mysticpuma" Pugh

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

Thanks Neil!!

[@yakeosicki8965]

I thank you for everything. Glory to the heroes

[@adrianrokosz1054]

As the Pole from Warsaw I'm very thankful to South African pilots for what they did. Glory to Heroes! We remember!

[@saafaportalfredbranch9220]

Thanks Tinus for making such valuable contributions to keeping the memories of the SAAF alive

[@marcinkaczorowski1100]

Great job. The documentary brought tears to my eyes,.especially the poem. We remember. Glory to SAAF heroes! All the best from Warsaw!

[@johnappleby405]

These are excellent pieces. I recommend a visit to the Warsaw Rising museum which displays a replica of a Liberator among many other fascinating exhibits

[@kelvinyoungs6110]

Wonderful film - thank you.

[@burtthebeast4239]

Thank you all, and God bless...

[@blady51797]

A premium class documentary. Thank you. Mission complete, boys. Warsaw is free now.

[@MartinA-vp5bt]

Thanks Tinus for keeping the Springboks relevant at a time when they are being forgotten for the bravery and deeds they pulled off as S. AFRICANS.

[@lonw.7016]

Whenever i remember my harrowing escapades from my war... I close my eyes to see as Lt B. Jones

[@eradeklerk]

Thank you ever so much for this stunning docu.

[@majawagner-nawrocka2427]

Thank you for this documentary, and thanks to the brave men who wnet on these missions.

[@GNBcorporal]

fantastic documentairy top class

[@barflyfx1557]

Great documentary and interesting story - Good job, definitely!

[@traxel14]

Once again, absolutly great work! Keep it up. "Make war, no more" Greetings from Germany

[@michaejlt]

Very well done Tinus. Superb production and historical documentary. Enjoy it very much. Best Regards, Michael

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

Thanks Michael!

[@c.w.johnsonjr6374]

This should be a movie!

[@CaliforniaGirl-qk5kq]

During Warsaw Uprising 200,000 people, mostly civilians, women and children were murdered by Germans and Warsaw was razed to the ground.Thank you South African pilots. Churchill and Roosevelt failed in their commitments to Poland (actually they had no commitments at all to Polish government in exile and they sold Poles to Stalin. Russian troops were 40 miles away but they decided not to help They preferred Warsaw to bled out instead.

[@mrmorgan8867]

My grandad Ken Todd flew in this mission and lived To tell the tale

[@2serveand2protect]

PS. At the last minutes they state that those flights "WERE TOO COSTLY AND OF NO BENEFIT", so I HAVE to reply to that. I just feel COMPELLED to do it. FIRST: The COSTS of those flights was immense, but it was never paid by the hisorians debating and blattering (especially those up until these days in "love" with communism). Neither was it paid by the politicians. It was paid by the Pilots and Soldiers who fought and died there, so there's little to talk - only to shut up and bow your head in front of the Bravery of Men like these. SECOND: WERE those flights "useless"? ABSOLUTELY NOT! NEVER FORGET that the Poles fighting and dying on the ground were fighting a 2 months extremely bloody uprising - against all odds - overwhelmed by 20:1 in men and even more in equipment and materials. YET! - they FOUGHT LIKE LIONS. It has to be said that those flights - made by the South Africans, Polish and American Flyers, were the ONLY SIGN for the Poles fighting on the ground that the world had not forgot about them, so - IN FACT - that was of TREMENDOUS VALUE for them. The soviets could have do the SAME - EASILY! However they preferred to stay put, waiting for the Uprising to fall, after a few days. Yet - after the people of Warsaw refused to just "DIE" and simply "DISAPPEAR INTO DARKNESS" - after WEEKS OF FIGHTING the Uprising became an embarassment to Stalin (and Churchill & Roosvevelt, too to say the truth). So they decided to take action. The "cost" of this action was to be paid by the uppermentioned pilots from the "Western Allies". When the soviets decided to finally do something (just to have AN EXCUSE to be able later to say they "did anything was possible" - they started to drop old Mossin-Nagant rifles in simple sacks thrown out of the cockipts, while in other sacks they dropped the ammo for rifles like the PpSha & other - ammo that WAS NOT EVEN FIT TO THE RIFLES THEY WERE DROPPING - FURTHERMORE - they wouldn't even attach parachutes - just "DROP IT OUT" with the result that ANYTHING that was of ANY potential fighting value, would have fallen and broke, crashing on the ground to bits!... THOSE WERE OUR "COMMIE ALLIES" - THE SAME SWINES THAT BURIED THOUSANDS OF OUR OFFICERS IN KATYN, KOZIELSK AND STAROBIELSK GRAVES! The ONLY ONES that actually DID something for the Poles were the Men in uppermentioned flights - FARM-BOYS FROM SOUTH-AFRICA that probably didn't even know where Poland was before the war. ...so HEAD-DOWN and Thank You all once more!...

[@louisemee3080]

Mr Tinus le Roux, on behalf of our family, I wish to thank you so much for this video. My sister is researching our family history and stumbled across your video. Our father was one those brave heroes who flew to Warsaw. Our mother received his medal from Poland as he passed away May1994. On the photograph he is in the front row in the middle. If possible we would really appreciate it if you could inform us where we could see this photo. Regards Louise.

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

my pleasure: send email please: [e-mail]

[@a.p.3004]

Lt. Col. Derk Nel hit the nail on the head "Churchill should risk his own life for his political future and NOT the lives of South African airmen". Can't be put better than that.

[@lislisser6036]

respect and thanks

[@mjanik8]

Thank you Tinus for your videos.

[@234cheech]

thanks again you have done a great job on theses films thank you again Tinus

[@Robin6512]

Thanks for making this very nice docu Tinus.

[@psmiddx2096]

Your documenaries are great, Tinus, do keep this up for everyone, much appreciated/thanks! ;o)))

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Excellent, well made documentary - one minor problem on the map which is post war Europe and not the borders at the time!

[@2serveand2protect]

PS.2 > You made a "little jewel" here, "Tinus"! Big thanks for uploading.

[@tallbloke70]

Well Tinus I had to watch it again mate after losing gramps last week great documentary mate x

[@mvt1313]

Tinus, baie dankie vir al jou moeite en tyd wat jy ingesit het om sulke puik werk te doen. Dis 'n riem onder die hart om die dinge te sien wat ons voorvaders gedoen het. Geen bang haar op hulle koppe nie. Ek het ingeskryf op jou kanaal en hoop om nog te sien. Weereens dankie!

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

+Martin vT Groot plesier!

[@genosseschmitz7555]

And this is sad. It was a massacre, that´s why they stopped flying. cause they loose in 3 nights about 220persons. During this time in Warsaw every day died thousands!

[@genosseschmitz7555]

Genosse Schmitz thanks FOR THOSE PILOTS who stand up and tried! Thanks BOYS!

[@dumnylach]

Rusians closed their airports fro aid and brits werent eager to send support, rather to use our piots to guard their sky against v2 rockets. That was the truth, too

[@danperin]

Amazing work! Congrats!

[@2serveand2protect]

PS. There's one thing I feel COMPELLED to add. Those missions were so dangerous, as they were, also because of stalins REFUSAL to make the Allied planes land into soviet-controlled territory, to refuel/repair and rest. Actually - on many occasions - it was proven that the soviets AA guns were firing at the British or Polish aircrews. Many of those would have preferred to risk a crash-landing BEHIND NAZI LINES, than parachute themselves over communist-controlled territory. The soviets have NOT "forgotten" about the Polish Home Army. They were just letting the SS and other "special units" doing the "dirty work" for them. These were our "EASTERN ALLIES".

[@mauricerobertson1944]

Hi. Tinus, I have an original photo of the Lib with the call sign "K" that you are using in the video. My grandfather was one of its AG's.

[@mauricerobertson1944]

this is the one. My grandfathers plane.

[@mauricerobertson1944]

thanx for posting the stories. I always feel sad not spending many hours with him before he past away.

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

Maurice Robertson Hi Maurice, thanks for your message. Is there possibility that you can contact me: wcmilling@iafrica ? thanks. Tinus

[@kidneymcsecrets8402]

Did I hear right? The captain of "K" for King just bailed without mumbling a word? I'm not going ask his name, but does anyone know what happened to him? What sensational material for a book.

[@Vlcounek]

Top stuff, very good job sir.

[@justynagorka3972]

Thank you for the impossible. May God bless your souls in heaven.

[@Lambchop1421]

Wonderfully done !! The SAAF did a fantastic job !

[@yakeosicki8965]

We will never forget !!! I'm crying watching this movie. CZEŚC I CHWAŁA BOHATEROM!!!! HONOR AND GLORY HEROES !!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/joe5e2SLaZpqe8U They will always be part of Polish history!

[@ktos337]

Anybody know what number and letter code of plane was personal aircraft of Flt.Sgt Douglas Matthews and Flt. Sgt. Michael Cauchi?

[@2serveand2protect]

"...maybe the russki's have forgotten you, but we did not!..." Thank You, South Africa and British Airmen! From a (proud) Pole.

[@dominikkoscielny5317]

Great!

[@berthalloway9953]

They did something that nobody else wanted to.

[@pacthug4life]

I think that it is important to note that those missions were so dangerous because Stalin forbided the allies from landing on territories occupied by red army. If those pilots could simply fly to Warsaw and then land eastwards to refuel many lives could b saved.

[@a.p.3004]

Politicians.....Stalin....Churchilll....the same.

[@JohnJones-ct9pr]

Tinus --- you are awesome boet

[@HUMAYUNKK2002]

which music in starting background? thanks

[@crafter170]

Balls of steel.

[@piotrwisniewski8793]

Chwała Bohaterom! Glory to the Heroes!

[@a.p.3004]

For Churchill, he omly thought of Poland whenever it suited him to upset the Russians. So for him the Poles were a playing card that he could use in his strategy whenever it suited him. And they fell for it. Polish soldiers and pilots in England were not even allowed to take part in the victory parade in London after the war so as not to aggrevate the Russians. Lesson : Never trust any politicians.

[@paultrickett9691]

On 14th August 1944, Churchill met with commanders Slessor (RAF) and Durrant (SAAF) ordering them to increase flights to Warsaw as there was a 'Debt of Honour' to repay Poles

[@paultrickett9691]

At the start of World War II Great Britain was a superpower. Within a few years, the country was bankrupt and needed American money and supplies to continue to fight. USA and Russia were the only superpowers left by 1945. The Victory Parade was a disgrace to the bravery of all Poles who fought for freedom.

[@a.p.3004]

@@paultrickett9691 That was political BS.

[@BGivka]

Due to politics, Warsaw uprising was mercilessly crushed. They asked for help repeatedly, and received negligible minimal help. Thats not the fault of these brave pilots and men who helped when allowed to do so.

[@AtlantaBill]

Both General Heinz Guderian (German side) and Marshal Georgy Zhukov (Russian side) testified in their memoirs that the Russian forces lacked the strength for a successful assault on Warsaw and had to halt and regroup before attempting it. A Polish brigade with the Red Army was allowed to try an incursion on their own but was unable to make any headway because of determined German resistance.

[@bmozdzen1]

In July 1944, three weeks before the Warsaw Uprising broke out, the Polish Home Army (Britain's and USA's ally) turned their weapons against Germans in Vilnius to liberate the city in the military operation coordinated with the Soviet army (Vilnius was the territory of Poland in 1939 when the WW2 began). Soon after Vilnius had been taken from German hands, the Soviets took the Home Army soldiers prisoners, disarmed them, sent many to remote locations in Siberia for slave labour, some shot dead. Over July and August 1944 the same occured in all places in all parts of Poland wherever Home Army took up action against German occupiers. Warsaw was by no means a single, isolated case, it was not the beginning; it was the final and bloody stage of the persistent Soviet Union's policy to destroy independent Poland. To submit Poland to their control, Stalin's Soviet Union would use any method . Invasion of Poland hand in hand with Wehrmacht in 1939, slaughtering over 20, 000 commissioned and non-commisioned POW officers in spring 1940, prove what real intentions were. Only if you see the above mentioned background, you can judge how much Guderian's and Zhukov's opinions matter.

[@AtlantaBill]

@@bmozdzen1 Thanks for your regurgitation of Pilsudskyite anti-communist propaganda. I don't think the Poles were anxious to see the return of a Pilsudkyite fascist regime in Poland, however anti-Hitler it had been. It isn't the opinion of the majority of informed Poles today.

[@mirnarijo559]

Heroes!

[@contactohn7982]

Any word on the captain that bailed?

[@paultrickett9691]

Lt. William Norval became a PoW. Widely believed his nerve cracked after the B-24 was badly damaged by flak. Post-war he never claimed any of the medals he was entitled to

[@kamilsakowski6397]

English Trough everytime help , and at this time.

[@s1nb4d59]

Not into docu dramas,plenty of actual footage they could have used.

[@husarzpl93]

Thank you all for the nice comments. Thanks to such comments, I feel that our history is appreciated, it's a shame that they are trying to make our heroes of murderers, and such Nazis or german heroes :(

[@guttormurthorfinnsson8758]

werry good give me more plese

[@TheBluntMan]

haha British should help in 1 Sept, 1939 .....not in 1944....

[@pilotmvm]

+Michael Dwojewski how are they gonna get through germany? they didn't have italy or france captured at the time.. also they didnt have b24's

[@TheBluntMan]

that was they problem....

[@enigma647]

+Pilots its been proven by many historians that WW2 couldve ended in 2 weeks would britain & france attack september 39 and not after attack on france.

[@Hyperus]

Proven? in 2 weeks? Against a full build up Army with supreme close air suport? How, tell me

[@theblasphemousgospel6824]

Wtf why would a pilot bail out in his crew

[@a.p.3004]

Do you ever wonder why the British never sent RAF but they sent SAAF ?

[@paultrickett9691]

incorrect insinuation. 178 Squadron RAF flew multiple ops to help Warsaw which included losing five aircraft between 13-16 August 1944. 148 Squadron RAF also involved.

[@paultrickett9691]

Also, each SAAF aircraft contained an average of two or three RAF airmen, they normally flew as gunners. Hundreds of RAF airmen flew to Warsaw, many were killed.

[@a.p.3004]

@@paultrickett9691 Don't forget even in the RAF itself were serving, Canadians, New Zealanders, South Africans, Cyprus, etc so even the RAF was not a homogenous entity. Some nationalities i haven't mentioned. So some of those sent to Warsaw could have been multi national units of the RAF. I'm not saying that British RAF men were not involved or were not brave. They certainly were and for those that were lost we've got nothing but LOVE AND RESPECT. I'm insinuating about the British govt policy which was in many times devious especially for army units, sending, Indian, Australian, and others, even making the Americans take heavier casualties than what the British did. Behind their mind was what happened during the first world war. Soldiers and sailors and airmen were brave people but many officers and parts of the establishment acted with alterior agenda.

[@tostosaatos1940]

Allahu AKBAAR!

[@tostosaatos1940]

+mieder mieser Be careful my friend, Allahu akbars are everywhere!

[@tostosaatos1940]

+mieder mieser u are lucky my friend!