WW2 Spitfire Pilot: Jack Spencer

Jack was a Spitfire fighter pilot serving in Italy 1943/44. He was with SAAF No. 1 squadron but was shot down at the end of his tour and became a POW at Stalag Luft III. I did this interview in 2012 at his home in Durban. Thanks Jack for this interview :)
Here his tribute web site:
saafww2pilots.yolasite.com/jac...

[@andrewrobinson4902]

My great uncle was and air gunner in the SAAF and served in North Africa. He was shot down and killed in action on 12th February 1944 and is buried in Egypt. I have so much respect and admiration for those that served in WW2. Great to hear this story from Jack. What a hero!

[@jennyhoward704]

Uncle Jack ..... We miss you terribly!! RIP You continue to Inspire me, today, as you’ve done my whole life. Very Special Memories ,,, Love Les, Jen & Kate Howard (Now in Dublin, Ireland)

[@AG-zx5iy]

Makes me proud to be South African. So sorry to the family for your loss. What a special man.

[@Max_Hamman_]

Jenny Howard , hey Jenny , yes this is an interesting story, people fought for freedom✊🏻

[@MALESICILIAN]

Ms. Jenny Howard: Your sincere comments brought tears to My eyes. God bless You and Your Family. ‘Uncle Jack” is a Hero, may he rest in eternal peace. Hand salute....

[@Lidds1973]

I'm English but have a massive family connections to SA and have spent loads of time all over Southern Africa. Much love & respect to Uncle Jack. You must me very proud x

[@mekhijoaquin1436]

i dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a method to log back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb lost my password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me.

[@Girlwatchingtheworld]

My grandfather was a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater of war. He rarely spoke of his time in the service. I think it was just that he hated having to do what was asked of him and harm others. He was a peaceful man. It saddens me that these men had to what they did, but I am glad they had the courage to do it. So it is a honor to be able to listen to them speak of their experiences...we can never repay them for the sacrifices they made so that we may live in a world freedom we enjoy today.

[@7belowzero]

Just one word from England.... RESPECT!

[@ChristopherDB83]

My uncle was at Stalag Luft III from 42-45. Thanks for this.

[@FreeWorldAllDay]

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. That statement will stand true for eternity. Had the Royal Air Force faltered at the Battle of Britain the country, the United States of America, where I reside would be a different place. I thank all veterans, whether domestic or international, who have gone on the worlds behalf to preserve human freedom. But it is the British who I really thank because against all odds, a very small Royal Air Force was able to stop the mighty German Luftwaffe. May the hearts and souls of those young British Fighter Pilots never be forgotten.

[@sarkiesarkie4918]

FreeWorldAllDay : actually this man is a South African pilot. They joined the fight the day England declared war on hitler.

[@tww1491]

I caught the accent. My father was sent to South Africa in 1936. We lived there until 1957 when we returned to the US. I was 16 when we left.

[@chardtomp]

There's a great scene in A Piece of Cake where the squadron adjutant informs the pilots of Churchill's remakes. One of them says "What did he mean by that?" And another says, "He must have heard about our mess bill!"

[@simmo2745]

chardtomp thats a great book/series that next to know one knows about - classic tale, with great humour and realist action, from a brilliant author ‘Derek Robinson’

[@MrCarlSykes]

You speak such a simple truth. Freedom is not a god given right, it was, still is and always will be bought with the blood and sacrifice of a very precious few. Hopefully each generation will produce those special heros who are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the of those they love. Please accept my deepest respect and acknowlgement. Carl

[@athaidream]

Sir,I am part of the immediate post war generation (1949) and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making sure that my life has been free of the tyranny and oppression that was Nazism. Like you my uncle Len at age 19 joined 222 squadron in Oct 1940 and flew spits and Hurricanes and I grew up listening to his tales of his and his friends exploits during WW2 being told matter of factually,I was so impressed that i joined the RAF in 1971 and became a pilot flying the Lightening and later the Jaguar. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us sir,i salute you and thank you for my freedom.

[@rickvassell8349]

Only to be handed to Islam

[@troycarpenter4462]

@@rickvassell8349 yes. It's a crying shame isn't it.

[@johnmoss6631]

@@rickvassell8349 wah wah wah

[@MrCapKorzeniowski]

These interviews with veterans are not only very interesting and exciting stories about a world at war, but also an important document for the future. Thank you Mr. Roux :)

[@rolandolsson8985]

MrCapKorzeniowski X

[@lincspeed]

Excellent interview with a real soft-spoken hero. My Uncle flew for the RAF (Spitfire) and was one of the first American pilots shot down (1942) and he too ended up in Stalag Luft III for 33 months. He was the senior ranking American pilot there and after being liberated went on to wear three stars and be the superintendent of the US Air Force Academy where he buried. Read his book "My 33 Months in Stalag Luft III" AP Clark.

[@richardh3547]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this wonderful, brave and interesting gentleman. My father always said the SA forces were excellent to fight alongside during WW2. This little film backs him up.

[@dannyarcher1754]

He is Rhodesian

[@richardh3547]

@@dannyarcher1754 Sadly, a country that no longer exists. The contribution by Rhodesia was enormous on land and in the air. All conveniently forgotten...

[@michaelrobinson4677]

I'm sitting here in Detroit, Michigan. Watching this video and thinking about my father's time in WW2. Thank you sir for your bravery! Awesome video!!

[@papagorgio23]

"I have nobody else, my wife died got bless her soul" "nobody else will talk to me" "i was one of the finest pilots in WW2" Cheers to the man that is still living....you have a story, and i want to hear it.

[@kenney5454]

papagorgio23 I'll talk, my hero and grandpa was a pilot into Normandy

[@craigkirk3171]

The fact that you did your part and made a difference, and have a precious story to tell - who wouldn't want to listen. Thank you for what you did; I'm still serving and have nothing but total respect for you.

[@bluemarshall6180]

papagorgio23 We Could talk sir.

[@MrTowton1461]

Total respect for this brave man that we owe so much too. Thank you for all you went through for me and my son's.

[@Hawaiian80882]

Thankyou for your service SAAF Officer Jack Spencer, your generation free'd millions….Thankyou Sir.

[@philinthesouth]

God bless you. Your efforts in life made mine so much better....thank you

[@bama1usaf]

Well said

[@luisortizgervasi3820]

“There’s always a short, little guy that causes all the trouble”. My life experience tells me there’s some truth in that.

[@ant1010]

True,look at Napoleon.

[@luisortizgervasi3820]

@@ant1010 And HItler, and Franco...

[@davidh6300]

It's called short man syndrome. There are people at work with this affliction.

[@luisortizgervasi3820]

@@davidh6300 Thanks, David....¡ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_complex

[@medusashubby804]

L.M.S.- 'Little man syndrome'. Oi-oi Johnny!

[@TONYPARAMOTOR]

when i was younger and learning about life. i didnt quite understand the true meaning of "RESPECT" but i liked watching Britain .our small country stand up to whats right. and while watching i began to understand the meaning of " RESPECT.". as time passes by. we all live in a far different world. these people fighting for there lives. then i learnt the word HONOUR. i wont forget until i die. " HONESTY".. FAIRNESS. RESPECT.. INTEGRITY. IAM NO ANGEL .. .BUT I STRIVE FOR HONOUR EACH DAY..

[@rachelnash2679]

Mm mmk mm in mmk

[@tedhernandez2394]

Tony Lawrence, I strive to live that life myself. No angel when I was younger. But I was lucky enough to make it this far in life to learn so many things. To have integrity and be fair with all. Not a bad way to live either. This gentleman Mr. Jack Spencer is an example to that idea. Good for you Tony! That you have the where with all to be a good person.

[@TONYPARAMOTOR]

@@tedhernandez2394 thank you... i rather be good then bad.

[@mrdfac]

I found this quite by accident. There are happy accidents. Many many thanks and please accept my respects. That was wonderful.

[@eccy269026]

i could listen to this guy tell his life stories all day long , what a legend

[@brookesmith7248]

Thank you for sharing this. I love listening to these WWII vets talk. They have been through so much. Watching these reminds me that the things that i worry about sometimes are small compared to what these vets have been through. There is a man who works at the post office in my building who is 95 years old and flew 26 missions on a B-17 as a gunner and radio operator before he turned 21. I try to go down to talk to him every week on the day that he works and he has told me some really crazy stories. I consider him a good friend now. He’s absolutely amazing. I respect the hell out of him!

[@stevensteelman3030]

Thanks Brooke you are an angel and great companion to this American Veteran hero. I have always loved WW2 history. It was bravery and strategy back then. And big time Allied Patriots. Praise Jesus Christ for the men and women who died to give this world what it has today

[@terrycarter4459]

A great story from a pilot I admire and me a wannabe pilot of this period. I have read nearly every book about spitfire and bomber pilots form the age of 12 yrs. I became an amateur pilot of microlights and light aircraft. I do not underestimate the fear and death that could so easily happen to these guys, but I feel a great affinity to them. I was born in 1946 I hope this makes sense about my feelings for these guys. My greatest thrill was to fly with an ex- Hurricane and spitfire pilot who was also a microlight pilot in his later years. The spirit of these old pilots is unbelievable. God bless them all.

[@anonymousbosch6700]

It is very telling that he spoke most about the people in his life during those events. Not about the war, his actions or the politics. The people he share these moments with is more important than the events. He is clearly a selfless man. To the producers: Please keep up this work. We're quickly loosing these men and these stories mean so much to our history.

[@thevelointhevale1132]

My Great Uncle, Alan Brown, was a Beaufighter & Mosquito Pilot ( Rank Sgt P/O A ) for both RAAF 456 Sqd, RAF No 46 and No 108 Sqd in the North African/ Med campaign - one of 4 Australians in a Unit ... 108 flew Night Fighter patrols over Egypt, Libya, Malta, Greece and the Aegean generally. His personal file shows the destruction of Ships, Trains, motor vehicles and a Heinkel HE. 111 among other victims. T Through 1943-44, flying out of an airfield in Athens - after the HE. 111 was intercepted and destroyed - records state his Beau harassed a German retreat by strafing Railway and Motor Transport following this up with nightly 'Intruder Missions' over the wider Aegean ( Salonika, Crete, Rhodes, Melos, Leros and Cos ) Thanks for the story Jack and God bless them all!

[@Nalski2007]

Fantastic, entertaining, interesting and historically invaluable. Thankyou Jack Spencer and all those brave lads n lasses and thanks Tinus le Roux.

[@1madcanuck]

every veteran should tell their story on screen like this...what a wonderful personal account of history.

[@KiwiKaosAgent]

In the near future these old veterans will be all gone, the greatest generation we will ever know like my Grandfather who left us in the 1990's thanks so much for your work in preserving their stories. This is history that deserves to be remembered.

[@crashmatt1]

Tinus thank you for compiling these wonderful gentleman reliving their war and their experiences, real history at its best.

[@talboters44]

There many great young men flying for the Allies during the war and one of the great pilots doesnt seem to be mentioned anywhere online. He was Capt Eric Brown of the Fleet Air Arm GBE BSC AFC . HE STUDIED IN GERMANY AND WAS IN 1939 ARRESTED BY THE GESTAPO THEY DID RELEASE HIM NOT KNOWING HE WAS A PILOT IN THE RAF VOLUNTEER RESERVE. HE JOINED THE FLEET AIR ARM AND WENT ON TO BE THE BEST TEST PILOT IN HISTORY. FLYING MORE AIRCRAFT TYPES THAN ANYONE . HE WAS THE ONLY MAN ALIVE WHO HAS FLOWN EVERY MAJOR COMBAT AIRCRAFT OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR AS WELL AS EARLY JETS. A GERMAN SPEAKING AIRMAN HE WENT IN 1945 TO TEST GERMAN JETS AND FLEW THE DANGEROUS ME 163 ROCKET PLANE . HE WAS A SCOT FROM EDINBURGH. WHAT A MAN !!

[@bermudatim4817]

Your last mention of him test flying an Me-163 not only shows this Individual packed balls the size of basketballs BUT also, ALL of his testing work/flying was accomplished to the absolute highest standards which is what led him to test the enormously dangerous dangerous enormously Beast in the true interest of furthering aeronautical flight!!

[@lewisbloom]

thankyou for creating and sharing this. Beautiful and hopefully now online never forgotten. Cheers!

[@stephenhowlett6345]

I can't imagine the change from sitting in a pretty spitfire with awesome firepower one minute and then stuck in a bloody prison camp the next. I wonder how many of these guys never told their own personal stories, we really should make an effort to get them all to tell or it'll be like the men from the first war, to late, none left to tell, I think Harry Patch was the last ww1 soldier and can you imagine being him, of all the millions of soldiers , to be the very last one must have been almost impossible to contemplate.

[@johnboy384]

Your interviews are a delight to view. Snapshots of history. Thanks Tinus and thanks to your interviewees.

[@hankgs]

These Men are the treasures of our time- Unfortunately, time is running out.

[@cptairwolf]

So sad to think that in a few years we'll have lost all of our amazing ww2 vets. So thankful we have many of their stories. Unfortunately my grandfather suffered from ptsd and alcoholism for decades after his return from ww2 so we never really got to appreciate his contributions as much as I wish.

[@davidparry1982]

Wish I had a record like this of my grandfather - he was a merchant seaman in WW2 and told me a lot about it - only later realised that he never talked about it with his son (my uncle) or my mother - probably too raw so close to the war.

[@roblouw3038]

Wonderful - just wonderful - in 2012 Mr Spencer must have been around 85 years old - I wonder if he is still alive? To these gentleman and heroes we do owe a huge depth/debt of gratitude - thank you Tinus.

[@swede5209]

Let’s hope that the world never forgets these men. WWII warriors saved the world.

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Amazing story! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍 The reality of war...but...he was well treated and lucky in the end to get back home.

[@64mustangfan]

As always Tinus, another gem! You are doing history a great service, thank you. I love hearing that familiar accent. Groete.

[@edspencer7121]

Thank you for your service Jack, from another Spencer.

[@j1bc]

wonderful story. Jack Spencer is a hero. Thank you sir. God bless

[@AG-zx5iy]

These heroes make me proud to be South African. Thanks for your efforts to immortalize these important stories Tinus. What a privilege to interview these guys in person.

[@darioraschi230]

Can't understand why 21 people gave him the thumbs down he was a spitfire pilot serving his country I enjoyed listening to his story to fly one of those Fantastic aircraft is enough for me to feel proud of him

[@vanrooyen100]

Thank you for publishing the stories of these men and sharing them. Their stories are fascinating and one could listen to these men all day and what stories they have to tell.

[@andrewmvenegas]

What kind of person “dislikes” a video like this? Some people lack a moral compass. Lovely oral history. A war hero.

[@ronnyfurst5511]

Jack Spencer .... I salute you! Thank you for your service! Thank you for all you have done.... because of men like you,I can have a life in freedom.

[@Lidds1973]

Thank you for your service. My GF served as a Nav in Coastal Command during WW2

[@jon2burd]

1915 - 2015 THANK YOU

[@wekapeka3493]

Thank you for recording this priceless interview.

[@medusashubby804]

Good on ya Jackie boy! Thank you for what you did for us. I hope you are still with us here brother💜🖖

[@gilwhitley6810]

What a wonderfully-classy production, thank you so much for this!

[@tonyde6423]

Great story brings history alive when watch listen to a every day bloke retelling a special time in his life cheers

[@brucemacallan6831]

It's great listening to their stories. People forget how good they have it, until they hear what all the young people had to go and do during those times...

[@TheYogi1707]

Many , Many thanks Mr le Roux for these video's and what an absolute treasure being able to hear first hand the tales these hero's share, we salute all servicemen / servicewomen for what you and your mates have done for our respective countries in keeping us free, Lest we Forget , God Bless.

[@imadumas2]

Thanks for all these!!!

[@garysymons3930]

I remember my Dad talking to a friend , Don Pike was his name, from Port Elizabeth, and he told us how he was shot down in his Spitfire on his 21 st birthday , I was only a youngster at the time but was totally in awe of this

[@bama1usaf]

Thank you Sir for what you did for the Free World. God Bless you

[@ZantiMisfit198]

Thanks for everything Mister Spencer.

[@markfryer9880]

Group photo of four POW's @ 10:17 I believe shows Battle Of Britain Hero, Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck wearing cap, shot down and captured 28 January 1942. RST, who was in Stalag Luft III and then several other POW camps, which he tried to ecsape from, until 1 February 1945 when he successfully escaped along with a Polish pilot. He eventually made his way to the British Embassy in Moscow and then by ship back to England. Of interest is that one of the cannon shells from Tuck's guns ended up going down into and exploded, splitting the barrel of the 20 mm Flak gun which had shot him down.

[@richardh3547]

+Mark Fryer Thanks for the post on RST. Yes, I knew I knew who he was but just couldn't place the face!

[@markfryer9880]

+richardh3547 Yeah, I looked at the photo and thought; "I know that face" so I did a quick check to confirm it was him before I posted the comment as I thought others would wonder.

[@sputnikspinoza7399]

What a time to be alive. Thank you for this wonderful story.

[@daveybalmer]

Guys like Jack, speaking simply and honestly, about his wartime experience, always gives me pause. For what he and men like him did, one day November 11th is not enough. At the time, as many of them have often said, "it was all a big adventure". But in their older years, when they look back on the reality of what it all meant, it must take on a vastly different significance. Their bravery, the slaughter of their friends, and the daily grind of enemy bullets at twenty-thousand feet must make them see how incredible it is that they survived such carnage. But here is Jack, calmly recalling those youthful days and making it all so interesting without exaggeration. Some people I know, do not have any idea of what occurred and of the debt they owe to such valiant people. No, November 11th, is surely not enough!

[@lesliedeacon2121]

Thanks, Jack......for your story.....forever indebted....Les

[@MrMspidyM]

Amazing pilot...and what a story.....my question is....why are there 10 dislikes to this?

[@neddyladdy]

Thanks very much for posting these videos. I have seen quite a few now and I find them fascinating. to hear these elderly chaps speaking of their experiences without rancour is fantastic. I an not South African and I had never heard much of South Africa's efforts during WWII.. This begins to fill the gap. thankyou again. cheers

[@FliegerOffizier]

Another wonderful interview, Tinus! I think this was, in my opinion, perhaps the most engaging story of all your series of SAAF veteran interviews!

[@divyajnana]

What an incredible bunch of guys!

[@vancetrigger]

great men who should not be forgotten

[@critchley3819]

A very lovely man, when are we humans going to wake up..

[@GizziMoD]

+brian critchley Amen!!

[@bama1usaf]

Great question. I'm guessing never.

[@thejanusproject32]

Trebors right, He's not wrong. It'll be never. History is filled with violence. Enough said

[@Desertduleler_88]

When everyone wakes up to Jew subversion.

[@music9556]

ya cus war is stupid

[@gorealain7897]

Respect total !.. merci Monsieur SPENCER ....... ❤️

[@xvsj-s2x]

Thank you for sharing your story, service, sacrifice and courage ❤️❤️❤️

The most captivating interview to now, Tinus!

[@davecarkeet5691]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderfull story, Tinus

[@dgodrummer8110]

Thanks for making this video. Great stories, from a great time.

[@hayabusabart]

what a fantastic story .. what a fantastic nice humble chap.. I am glad that he survived the war .. RIP Jack Spencer .. Thank you for your service

[@rockers2rockers616]

Men such as these brave men are much needed now.

[@cherylbaker8878]

Thankyou for your service , and sharing your story.

[@johncrucchiola5779]

what a nice guy,he must be fun to talk to.Hope he is still alive.

[@alexenns3203]

Thanks for sharing your story and thank you for your services

[@bign3ck]

We owe them everything, and they sacrificed everything.

[@user-uf7jn1um8y]

bign3ck ふ

[@sarahhanlon5762]

Sir. Thank you for everything. God bless you.

[@Sludgepump]

FANTASTIC! Loved hearing your exploits, Jack! Thanks for posting this! Such essential history! ;)

[@zoelife13]

That was just fantastic! Thanks.

[@curtisjordan9210]

Thank you for your service Jack.

[@johnsonricky007]

God bless you Sir and Thank you for what you did

[@leonidyevseyev888]

This IS a Real Hero! Thank you! Thank you for serving so bravely for Freedom and Humanity! Respectfully, admiring.

[@callsigntoma]

We can't give enough respect to you, I'm sorry because I can't fight with you. We are proud to you Heroes of war!! Respect from Hungary.

[@BawlzOfuzz]

Awesome to hear this real story. Thank you Sir 🇿🇦❤️🇿🇦

[@susannewilliams]

thank you so much for making these. essential treasures, these stories.

[@Whalebone471]

I absolutely loved his stories, god bless you brave men !

[@bill4094]

WOW!! Fantastic effort, thanks Jack.

[@TheArtimusMaximus]

Great interviews. Thanks.

[@kurtbjorn]

I've always appreciated the generally good treatment by the Luft Stalags towards Allied Airmen. Likewise, the Allies treated German POW's very well. A breath of fresh air in a very ugly war.

[@Idahoguy10157]

Maybe the British and American Officers. Not the Russian prisoners!

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

KurtB. _ Hmmm. Ever hear how the real "Great Escape" ended?

[@mkoschier]

101327 that’s a myth he is on the record asking his asses - believe is was Galland - why not shoot bailed out pilots in the air, when Galland denied that heavily, he bounced back and said it was a joke

[@kurtwk]

According to the picture at 10:32 , looks like the Germans gave some prisoners excellent, very warm, German army issue camouflaged parkas ! ...when you think about how short on supplies the Germans were in 1944 , is a pretty generous gesture to give to POWs !

[@carlarthur4442]

Great respect for these men , my uncle was a spite fire pilot in W W 2 he moved into Bombers and went missing in action latter on he was only in his 20s .

[@mikegallegos7]

Thank you, Jack Spencer; thank you.

[@tonyhaynes9080]

Soon all we will have left are these videos.

[@sammylacks4937]

What a hellofa war bird. I love the wing design of the Spitfire. Looks like a hawk or falcon shape. Nothing but praise and respect for the brave young pilots, often outnumbered. Never outclassed.

[@lotharsawalt8620]

Also his name will liveth for evermore!!! My deep respect to him. Really a lovely man, as Brian Critchly said it!!!!

[@Ethercruiser1]

Wonderful to hear real stories about what some pilots went through in WW2 complete with photos of the events.

[@AltheRad]

Bringing history to life, excellent. Shows the "Spirit of Survival" which surfaces in people. Also shows that not all people are evil. Too bad we do not learn "not to repeat mistakes of the past." We waste so much on devices, measures,countermeasures etc. when if this amount of resources were put into the betterment of all humanity we could be so much more advanced ... These remembrances should help show us these things, Our present is based on the sacrifices made by our ancestors. Thank you.

[@smacurface]

What a nice 'ol toppie. A gentleman to the end. Nothing but respect.

[@olekbrzeski]

What an amazing story!!!!