World's First Air Hijack - Allied Aircrew's Daring 1942 Escape

The world's first air hijacker was a South African Air Force pilot serving with the RAF. Find out how he and his British and New Zealand crew managed to free themselves from Italian captivity by the novel method of hijacking the aircraft that rescued them!
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@thequesomanishere]

Bringing brandy and red wine to a combat zone and enjoy with the enemies. Never change, Italy.

[@nimrod9524]

>Hijacks Italian Aircraft >Jumps Onto Wings >Gets In Boat >Italian Gets our bottle of Red Wine >War is War

[@studinthemaking]

Reichsfüher - SS Leichttraktor It’s the story of war

[@ppumpkin3282]

He did the Italians a favor. They might not have fared so well when the Nazi's took over.

[@marcquesnel1324]

Great true story. Ted lived in Haenertsburg in NE Transvaal South Africa and I had the honour of flying with him in his Cessna 182 in 1986. He told me the story first hand. Thank you for sharing this.

[@benjammin5055]

Wow just wow

[@SlideRulePirate]

A most philosophical, sanguine and sporting attitude from the italian pilot.

[@UnclePutte]

Sanguinely vinous.

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

He was probably so done with the war at that point.

[@dambuster6387]

If it was not for the war the Brits and the Italians would have been good friends.

[@achillebelanger989]

SlideRulePirate Catcha 22.

[@cdamauser1963]

@@dambuster6387 sadly people like Musollini and Hitler rise to the top and ruin things for otherwise friendly neighbors.

[@artofwar7262]

I just like how chill the Italians are about it afterwards.

[@itsjohndell]

Probably very glad to be out of the War.

[@tanzanos]

As a Greek I know that the Italians entered the war halfheartedly. The general population of Italy held no animosity towards the allies. Many Italian soldiers stationed in Greece married Greek girls.

[@tillbuschmann7222]

The Italians reaction put a smile on my face

[@pingwenhung8327]

OMFG.....The Italians are so Nice XD Pulls out a Wine and say "War is War" xDD

[@psikogeek]

I've heard that Italian soldiers get the best meals.

[@Mr3344555]

Italians are lovers, not fighters hence their tactics in WWII lol

[@brainyskeletonofdoom7824]

@@psikogeek not so hard to beat British cuisine

[@finntastique3891]

Of course they do. Hey, who can argue against Italian cuisine, yummy!

[@BELCAN57]

In war gaming, Italian troops carry extra water so they can cook pasta.

[@alexandrianautocruiser8024]

I do really want to thank you for the new prespectives and topics you bring us that aren't common when I read about history, or not displayed in typical historical documentaries, so thank you.

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

I agree. Which adds some entertainment to sating one's curiosity, doesn't it?

[@brainyskeletonofdoom7824]

Talking about Italian seaplanes: did you that there was actually an Italian gunner... ace?? His name was Pietro Bonnanini, he became famous at first when his slow and obsolete scout plane was intercepted by the Raf. Ground control though that the plane was lost, until they reported that the gunner was able to gun down one plane and scare the others off. After this Pietro managed to repeat this feature multiple times, scoring 8 confirmed kills and 2 unconfirmed, against hurricanes and spitfires. A new rank in the aviation was created just for him, as they didn't know how to promote him and the Aeronautica wanted to recognise this particular hero

[@somebloke3869]

What a good sport the Italian pilot was.

[@zenden6564]

And deserved a medal of some sort too :)

[@sophrapsune]

Extraordinary. The Italians also come out of this story looking pretty decent. Kudos all round!

[@rasdread0989]

When you captured some dudes as prisoners of war but you ended up becoming a POW

[@KorianHUN]

Italian: "You are POW now!" This guy: "No U!"

[@kenney5454]

Great History! Thank you for sharing, hopefully the Italian crew were well treated and survived the war playing cards and learning cricket

[@griffinwoods3291]

They where probably taken to Ireland,(where 90% of them stayed after the war) where almost all Italian POWs captured by the British where taken.

[@bradwatson1142]

Probably left in sea to swim

[@morrisminor56]

Wells in Somerset had an Italian pow camp,their children and gandchildren still live there.

[@MrRedsjack]

Italian captured by the British died in large numbers as the British just treated prisoners, even children and civilians like shit. I have a friend which is still alive and was a teen son of a civil engineer working in North Africa. When all his family was taken from their home by the Brits of 6 people 3 survived starvation and disease in a British prison which lacked food, toilets, clean water and was extremely hot. Generally the soldiers that fought the hardest in Africa where the Italians that got freed by the Germans after their advance specifically because British prisons conditions were so bad. The Americans were better.

[@Brecconable]

@@MrRedsjack Well where you would rather be then? A Soviet Gulag?

[@ivanstrydom8417]

From a fellow South African pilot, I have to say your videos of these unknown stories of history are truly captivating. I thank you.

[@TheTeoras1]

Your videos are so much more interesting than most bigger channels :)

[@uio890138]

A tri-engined flying boat, man those Italians know how to make something sexy and exotic!!

[@knutdergroe9757]

Truth be told, I think the Italians had the best attitude in WWII. And do not get the respect they deserve.

[@nickmoore385]

They can fight very well when they want too. E.g WW1. I wouldn't fight very hard for a loon like Musso either.

[@akishot6735]

@Oscar Trent01 Well yeah.. I don't think anyone is trying to argue their ability as a capable military. Their troops were good, but in both WWs they lacked leadership, up to date equipment, training, and more.

[@fazole]

Read or Watch the quote from the old italian man in "Catch 22" .

[@stormydriver]

@Oscar Trent01 not about how they fought, but their morals I think is what he meant. most italinas didnt want to be in the war prob

[@peterongan9655]

@Oscar Trent01 Yeah, it went pretty bad for the Italian's and the Nazi's.

[@cinilaknedalm]

Someone could easily create a TV series based on Mark's stories. It's just unbelievable how many amazing true stories of heroism are there

[@OchotaJack]

Viva Italia! (Sorry if misspronounced). Poles were on opposite side but always found Italian soldati to be respectful, sympathetic and humane.

[@xxxpoiled]

Jacek Łu viva l'Italia u miss article

[@brainyskeletonofdoom7824]

Fun fact: the Italian knew about the fate of their plane only when they captured another British crew (this time of a Beaufighter) which told the story to the surprised Italian officers. This time the pow didn't manage to escape tho

[@hermanmoore3301]

Being a South African I find this daring escape very interesting and would not expect much less from a fellow South African.

[@otakuwon]

The Italian crew should have all gotten some kinda medal for being a "good sport" about the whole thing.

[@davidaitchison1455]

Wilkinson masterminded the escape plan and executed the actual hi-jack. Strever simply held a gun on the pilot (after Wilkinson took it from the Italian guard and passed it up to him). Strever got the DFC cos he was an officer. Wilkinson got the DSM, a lesser battle honour, because he was just a lowly sergeant. Apparently this caused a bit of bad feeling at the time among the air crews in the Beaufort squadrons on Malta.

[@a_brit_in_tx9603]

These videos are so informative and interesting without being overly long-winded - they also give a very good balanced perspective. I am totally baffled how anyone could down-vote these videos.

[@rztrzt]

They're 'we gonna get them gators' type of people...

[@williamhogan4031]

@@rztrzt probably italians...

[@crafter170]

What a cracking story .WOW........My old Italian neighbour told me his dad was in charge of 20 trucks during the North Africa campaign. He was told to turn left towards the German line .He turned right and handed everything over to the Allies as he and his pals detested Mussolini so much.He said as a kid he used to jump off the bridge into the last German truck and throw a few boxes of food out .Said it was dried food that expanded well into a sort of bread mix .Brave kid I thought looking at his now old face .Anyway another fine video from Mr Felton.

[@160ron]

Those are the chillest Italians ever

[@sueneilson896]

My home town in West Australia is partially populated with the descendants of Italian POWs, who returned after they were repatriated in 1946. They were well treated and respected as prisoners, and were keen to make a new life out of the mess of post war Europe. All now part of a model multicultural society.

[@Trek001]

Now this sort of thing is why I happily donate, Mark... I said it before and I will say it again - I've learnt more from you in a few months than I ever did when at school over 15 years ago

[@artkoenig9434]

A ripping yarn, sir! Thank you!

[@rapperc18]

That sea plane was gorgeous! Great story as well.

[@jesso777]

What happened to the Italians? Did they open a restaurant in Bayswater?

[@n_xvember]

“Low and slow, ready to fire a torpedo!” That should be a proper quote

[@BrassLock]

Well, that story kept me on the edge of my seat 'til the very end, thank you Dr. Mark.

[@bottcherimmobilien4864]

Hijacking the plane that rescued their life? Risking the life of their rescuers and their own when trying to reach Malta! These are really ungrateful cowards!

[@PolakInHolland]

Great story. One almost feels sorry for the Eyeties. Still at least they survived a war they probably didn't really want to fight.

[@atatexan]

As an adopted South African, I loved Ted Strever’s hijacking. Fabulous, Mark.

[@rouged6566]

Why do i feel like watching a TV documentary show/film, man this is so underrated this is one of the best channel who has a good history telling videos

[@F-14DSuperTomcat]

Never clicked off coolmathgames as fast as just now

[@PanzerBuyer]

Never miss a new video!

[@epikmuff1n]

hooda math is superior

[@samiam619]

epikmuff1n But not as good as a well told story!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Your vids are different from most You Tubers. It's the little things that make up the entire history of WWII, and you have a wonderful magnifying glass here with your channel. Thank you for these stories.

[@brianmoore1820]

I had just read this account in the book by Philip Vella - 'Malta: Blitzed But Not Beaten' an extremely well documented account of Malta's survival.

[@olesuhr727]

Now that you are on the topic of the air war in the Mediterranean and South African pilots, perhaps you would consider doing a video about South African pilot flying for the RAF, Acting Squadron Leader Marmaduke Thomas St John "Pat" Pattle, DFC & Bar, who was shot down and killed over the harbour of Piraeus on April 20 1941 with a personal score of 50 enemy aircraft.

[@buntspecht5180]

I also consider the effort of Ian Smith quite entertaining. One of the only Rhodies in the RAF fighting in WW2

[@Tbonyandsteak]

Spitfire: "Oh it is friendly plane" "Dosnt matter I need this kill for my stats career" And he fires at it.

[@chrisloUSA]

InRangeTV brought me here, they spoke of other channels which they follow and yours was one of them. I only subscribed in the last few days and I love the content. Keep up the good work.

[@e-rj8984]

Another new and exiting history! And also unknown to most of us I believe. Thanks Mark for sharing this with us 💖

[@shreddedwheat5977]

I love you channel and am so happy I found it! Absolutely love hearing strange stories from WW2!

[@chrisguthrie3082]

That is awesome, I’ve read from a couple different sources that in North Africa the Italians were very friendly to POWs giving them great food, wine, and treating them with much respect especially compared to their German counterparts.

[@TioDeive]

Another great video with outstanding material, starting from the soundtrack to well...just everything. Thank you so much.

[@nikshmenga]

Reminds me of "The best of enemies" movie with Alberto Sordi and David Niven, though one must say that hijacking - at gunpoint no less - the very people who saved your lives does not seem like good form and rather against all the tenets of British good sportsmanship.

[@michaelhowell2326]

The Italian conducted himself quite well. I don't know that I would have been so gentlemenlly.

[@mrdfac]

I'm a patron. Your work deserves it, Mark.

[@laurentiad7488]

Straver got the distinguished flying cross and the 3 spitfire pilots who couldn't shoot down an unarmed seaplane in friendly airspace got K.P. for the remainder of the war!

[@aaronlopez3585]

Amazing true story sir. When I think I've heard it all, you surprise me. Thank you so much for quality material you manage to dig up!

[@__qux4705]

This is the kind of thing that i subscribed for

[@philbyd]

I guess this is an example of who dares wins

[@dagsterblaster4973]

How on earth does this have 61 negative thumbs down? This is the kind of history everyone loves.

[@northernleigonare]

I do hope the italian's got even better treatment as they seemed amazing in this.

[@UnclePutte]

Half-convinced the Italians were completely prepared to be on the scheme from the get-go. Hope they weren't subjected to british cuisine while on malta.

[@Dave_Sisson]

Malta was still under siege and almost starving at the time. People would eat anything they get without complaining.

[@Hatuey-vw2gb]

Dave Sisson Still better than British food

[@bigchungus4349]

Bro your content is lit! You make great content and your like ratio is great! Keep up the good work!

[@britishmonster8855]

Holy Shit your videos are amazing. Keep up the good work.

[@MatSpeedle]

Love these stories! Proof that there is true honour and respect between soldiers from all sides! Fantastico !

[@gat569]

This story is told really well in Ralph Barker’s book “Down in the Drink.”.. along with a bunch of others. Because he wrote it in the 40’s or 50’s much of the information is from first sources/interviews. Great resource. Ralph wrote great!

[@jb6027]

Another fascinating bit of history from Dr. Felton!

[@gunnerr8476]

Holy shit I don't believe it. I actually read this in Reader's Digest couple of years ago. Thanks for bringing the memories back. The title is "We were the World's First Skyjackers" They sent the Italians to Belper in Derbyshire, a prison camp of course.

[@JoeFlation]

Thanks for sharing, every time I watch one of your videos, I learn more about WWII. You are keeping the memories alive for another generation

[@jimmy37591]

Love how casually British your readings of death defying heroism are.

[@bennybenitez2461]

Brilliant piece of aviation history. Great presentation.

[@shawngilliland243]

One of your most interesting stories, Mr. Felton - and that is saying something! Grazie!

[@Boatswain_Tam]

I'm from SA and this really brought a smile to my face. We did the first hijacking! Shocker! 🤣🤣🤣

[@robertbeermanjr.2158]

Brilliant Dr. Felton and company. Had to view this one twice. TY

[@Raftjumper07]

If only all wars went this way! Thank You so much for posting this video!

[@dbennett5965]

You never cease to amaze me Mark with your seemingly endless supply of outstanding presentations!

[@JustMe-gh7ib]

Please keep these amazing stories coming! Thank you!

[@williammiller8317]

Wow, that was really exciting! Thanks again Mark!

[@MeshFrequency]

Coming across this channel was like striking a gold mine!

[@karlaiken6152]

Another quite interesting WW2 story. I really enjoy many of your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@jackgrump]

Amazing footage on this one, and a great job matching it to the narrative. I really think it's one of your very best (and I've seen a lot)!

[@Charlesputnam-bn9zy]

Mark Felton Productions, love your videos, thank you !

[@TheFunkhouser]

Mark Felton is the guy we love the best!

[@MartintheTinman]

Beaufort footage was actually RAAF aircraft in New Guinea. 217 Sqdn RAF is MW. Aircraft shown has SK. Mk V Spitfire footage is from Malta

[@KalinkaValletta]

Dear Mark, thank you for uploading this video. I am Maltese. When I was still a young boy, I remember my grandmother (God rest her recently departed soul) recounting how she was swimming at St Paul's Bay once and a massive enemy seaplane landed right next to where she was swimming. She recounted how Italian soldiers (captives) were then taken out of the plane. According to her they were wearing beautiful white uniforms and smiled at the swimming Maltese girls. The Italian POWs were then escorted away and had to be protected by the British soldiers as a Maltese mob tried to attack them. Do you know where the Italian seaplane mentioned in your video was landed? Could it have been the one my grandmother was referring to (the one landing in St Paul's Bay)? I remember her telling me how she always wondered what that event was all about... she would have probably loved to see your video were she still alive. The only problem I see in reconciling these stories is that I remember her referring to the aircraft as a "Dornier". Could it have been a separate incident?

[@philklein]

one of the best rarely told aviation stories. thx!

[@mrgreen2570]

Thanks a bunch Dr.Felton,great story as usual.

[@shoeshooey5464]

Man you do good work.

[@robertcieslak1861]

Good photography! Great story! Thank you for the presentation.

[@theadamtron]

Amazing story! Thanks for this video

[@thelizardking3036]

For a second there I expected their names to be Biggles, Ginger, Algy and Bertie. Great true story.

[@sarjim4381]

What a great story! I thought i had heard about all the strange stories from WWII but this is a new one on me. Probably a good thing they were going up against the Italians though. I don't think a German pilot would have had a bottle of red wine in his kit.

[@mrgreen2570]

Nope,beer

[@jeremymerrifield7244]

Mmm.. Britain stood alone ? Oh with New Zealand and South Africa And several others. But great video yet again. I would have just gone to Italy and enjoyed the red wine and pasta .Balls to hijacking

[@TheJonkerr7]

Canadians and Australians in particular

[@iqbalzaidi353]

Another enchanting documentary by mark Excellent galant work by Italian rescuers but more daring attempt of British airmen

[@russeljohn3471]

Interesting and informative video, thanks Mark. 👍👍

[@madjackblack5892]

A great story. Thanks for another fab video.

[@matthewpfeiffer6107]

As always fantastic content, thank you!

[@keithbrown8893]

You should do a story on a neighbor that I had before he passed away, Captain Bill Overstreet and The Berlin Express..his P51 Mustang. He shot down a German fighter flying full speed under the Eiffel Tower. He also had the only fighter in the European Theatre with red wheels and white wall tires. He ones tried to get credit for a German plane he had shot down. Only problem he had traded his ammo for vodka and the pilot did bail out and it was on captured on the gun camera. This story was told to me personally by Capt. Overstreet, oh, by the way... his squad members...Bob Hoover and Chuck Yeager ring a bell?

[@dbaider9467]

This is brilliant. Who could make this up? A great story yet again, sir. (doffs cap)

[@thomaslove6411]

I love how you present your videos. Expertly dione and with a great voice.

[@ambianknight6816]

Great story. Your channel is criminally under subscribed.

[@mattjenkins7216]

I so enjoy your work. It's refreshing to learn a new story, not to hear yet another version of the same few retold standards.

[@1sublime]

an absolutely brillint story! Tribute to the humanistic attitudes shown by all....sporting if you like

[@cdamauser1963]

True leadership. Take the intiative and turn things to your advantage.