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Amazing , love to hear about the Tempest's of Newchurch! thanks

My dad air gunner in Lancs rcaf didn't talk about it much

What a great man. Thank you and the crew. All brave guys.

I hadn’t realised that night fighting had developed to such an advanced level as early as this. Thank you for this insight.

What a character, great spirit!

One of the hardest ones to listen to/watch. Thanks for preserving this.

Cheers steve.

The sangfroid of this man is extraordinary. An amazing recollection of misfortune and good luck. Thank you.

Gord was a real true gentileman. Corresponded with him at lenght back in the 90's about his evasion experience when I was very involved in a study of the subject. Had the great privilege of meeting him twice and sharing a couple of beers while attending the Comete Line reunions in St Jean, SW France/Spain. May GOD BLESS HIM wherever he is flying today.

Not bought this one yet, but it’s next on my list.

Had the pleasure of meeting John at one of your signing events. Came across as such a nice bloke.

A wise man.

Anyone who knows the story of how these men were and still are treated by our Governments understands that it is an absolute disgrace. 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧✌️As with the P.O.W.’s held by the Japanese who were made to sign disclaimers for compensation it all boils down to politics.

So not long after almost crash landing on his first flight in a Hawker Hurricane, in the 2nd of the 4th month of the Battle of Britain, he engages the enemy that has been perfecting its tactics for 5 years.

Spitfire - The Plane That Saved the World ruclips.net/video/oZ1IdPxLLsU/видео.html

Steve . .. you have not posted anything for a year.Trust all is well with you and your spirit dedication remains the same. Have personally spent, with much satisfaction, well over 35 yrs, a much very dedicated focus on several areas of focus : 78 Sqdn RAF 'Preston Own' history, attending 2 reunions in UK (from Canada) and conducted a long on going correspondence with former members - my CanUk uncle was with them, but shot down and killed with all his crew on 24/25 May 1944 on his 22nd Op. Adided from involvement in revovering his Halifax III a/c (LV 905) and 5 crew still with it from a polder in 2005, ended up recovering the crew stories of all 29 British Forces lost that night together with the hstories of the 6 German Night-Fighters that FTR, including the crew that hid in fear after crashing in 'uncertain Holland). An eronious report of the Nav surving and reaching Paris where he was killed, led to a very intense study of the all the 18 airmen who survived that night uncaptured and went on in efforts to evade. As it happened, 12 ended up on a very remarkable 'false' Abw managed escape line (176 evading airmen captured in 6 mths) and were ultimately captured. This led to a study of absolutely all involved in evasion matters, thanks to both KEW & NARA records of all the folks involved. In turn that led to a deep study of all 6,000 Brit-Yank evaders, those that helped them, those who betrayed the 'Also Rans' (the best of all accounts by boys who saw the war from all sides) those arresting them (mere humans all) and leaned a lot about human nature), studied their 'betrayers' and got to know a great deal of the German security forces working against them (some of whom I have come to admire because they were very human). The study experience made all effort and extradordinary initial expences, a mere cost incidental in life. It fullfilled and delighted my active days collecting matter I believed important. Now reached the age where life vices and strong genes are competing and regret a life long dedication to my parents generation will be lost (my sons don't care) as each of my last days reveals them selves. Please contact me if you can. Will not cosy you a penny but may use your time in 'Time Travel'. Can we work together and explore where I have been ?

When was this interview as Dave Fellows passed away exactly 7 years ago? Rip Sir

It’s because of truly great men like David and his generation that we are able to have good lives now- Never take it for granted and never forget what those great boys did.

What a remarkable man! You did us all a great service to record this interview.

Thank you for a most facinating interview. My uncle Reg was rear gunner on a Halifax. The pilot Benny saved the badly damaged plane and the close knit crew survived. This is so humbling as we remember those who gave their lives for us.

Darlow trying hard to make Mr Fry to be all sorrowful about the German casualties . Kudos Doug for putting him in his place. My father called up in 1939 , sent overseas in 1940 , came back 1945 . Never set eyes on my dad till four and a half. I worked in the 50's with a chap who was captured at Dunkirk . The worse treatment he encountered was from the Belgians who spat on them and threw stones as they marched through villages. Other men which everyone of my era would have met , suffered greatly during the war . And it sickens me when I here worthless do nothings hold the moral sword over their heads , Dresden was nothing exceptional , but the Libs have seen it as a straw to cling too.

Very , very pleased with this even though I've just now tunned in. Mellor & I were once correspondents. We finally met in St Jean (twice if memory serves correctly). He truly was a good very humble man who humbles me by comparrison. May God bless him wĥerever he is now !

Had an uncle KIA on Ops on his 22nd but was on standby and all that entails on 10 others. Active service from late Nov '43 till 24/25 May '44 (all crew killed). Have his 28 'action' graphic letters to his mom, his service, all the squadron records, attended 2 of their reunons, flew in a private a/c with 3 still surviving hut mates & toured the route of evasion in Holland & Belgium (captured there) with another man shot down the same night (collected in detail the stories of all 29 BC a/c & 6 night fighters lost that night). Corresponded with ca 350 former 78 Sqdn RAF Vets & ultimately participated in the recovery of Halifax LV905 & subsequent recovery of 5 of the crew thanks to the incredible Dutch people who made the recovery possible after three attempts. Went on very deeply into other related subject material over a 40 year period, specializing in evaders, would-be evaders, their helpers, betrayers, and the folks tasked to hunt them down, inspired by the fact that 12 of the 18 surviving airmen who escaped initial capture ended up on a 'false escape line in Antwerp. Went on to study all European evasions in the war. Expect all participants are dead now. WARNING! Beware of 'friendly' Ghosts. They will haunt you for life if you pay them any attention . . . and will certainly introduce you to others who will take up your 'well sent' life on earth. A failure, the best I have done with all that collected past memory is this post . . . That is the most haunting element that remains . . . Absolutely love this kind of 'Gen'.

Outstanding- I’m very glad I found these films -:thank you Steve

Captivating. Good on you for recording his memories. My Uncle was a Wop/Ag who was lost 25/7/44. I never got to meet him, but did my best to record every detail about his service through contempary accounts in books and by researching his flight log book. To hear first hand what his role was like, through an interview like this, is spellbinding. My Uncle was killed when shot down, but his RG survived and went on the run. So hearing the account of capture and prison life is also important to me. The RG died before I found him. He was in Stalagluft 7 after Frankfurt Dulag interregation centre. I never got to meet anybody who remembered his crew, even after contacting their squadron association members. So I do honestly appreciate the importance of this recording. One thing to remember about Wireless Operators is that it was a very intense course to master. Only one in thirty who tried, made the grade. So many bright young men were killed. Over 55,500 out of 125,000 in Bomber Command. . . And none were thanked at the end of the war by our Country.

Incredible memory for names of places he went to

RIP

We used to sometimes play dod fights coming out of the NAAFI too😅😂

My first posting was Binbrook in 77. I used to stand on the apron and imagine Lancasters instead of Lightnings, flown by the Aussies stationed there in the 40s.....

Thank you for making this! Absolutely fascinating.

I wonder if he meant RAF Metheringham which was FIDO equipped to enable aircraft to land in foggy conditions? Coningsby didn't have FIDO. Fiskerton was also FIDO equipped and closer to Bardney than Metheringham. They could have got to either for the same fuel used circling their own base. C'est la vie.

Fascinating video and it makes me feel so bad that I didn't make the time to do this with my father who was an RAF regular from 1935 and volunteered for Bomber Command in 1943 to become a Flight Engineer. The training and factory assignments took over 18 months and he took part in his first Op in a Halifax in May 1944 with 51 sqdn at Snaith. Interesting point not talked about much is that if you didn't complete the mission and had to return early (aircraft fault/shot to ribbons, etc.) then they didn't count it as an Op. My father's crew did 46 (more than a tour and a half) but only had 43 awarded, including once having to turn back after take-off as both starboard engines were jammed on full throttle. After dispensing with the bombs the Halifax was effectively crash landed at excessive speed, but all the drew survived thanks to the skill of my father and the Skipper keeping it straight with speed reducing manoeuvres and port engines manipulation. They went on to 78 (Breighton) and 171 (North Creake). My father died in 1998 and I have been very lucky (thanks to the internet) to locate three of his old crew, one of whom still survives to date (Oct'23) at the age of 98. How my father would have loved to met up with them. These were a special generation and they had a resilience that is almost totally lacking in succedding generations. Excellent video.

If only I could hear the interviewer, if there is a conversation both sides must be audible. Just a mild point. EDIT: fun option, turn om subtitles and read the interviewers questions

This is a fantastic interview. My great uncle was Flight Lieutenant James Pickering AFC who was also one of the first into Malta for the BoB. I am desperately seeking any footage/ interviews of him if you are able to help it would be hugely appreciated. He was reported to of flown over 80 different aircraft during his time as a pilot for the RAF he was from Hinckley in Leicestershire.

Back again. Absolutely offended that over 2,500 people viewed this and less than 100 bothered to like.

Oz@War site for 460 sqn also has several reports on Operation Manna, as flown by 460 sqn.

HOW can 994 people view this, and only 49 bother to even like!

I really wish all these old WW2 Chaps got a bonus 50 years of middle age. It took too long to realise what we were losing. We lost far too much from the 60's onwards. I look back and want to weep.

Respect my Mother served in 305.

That's my great grandad I plan on watching this entire interview thank you for making this we miss him very much.

Ja immer schön lachen. War echt voll witzig wie ihr die Menschen in den Städten terrorisiert habt. Dieses ständige Gelächter ist wirklich unpassend für diesen traurigen Teil der Menschheitsgeschichte.

fun fact: Bill green is my great great uncle!!

Where is pickering interred?

Communism won World War II.

A terrorist.

Great interview. True hero. Such a valuable testimony❤

Don't forget the Australians; a significant part of Bomber Command. It wasn't a totally RAF show.

RAF Bomber Command were terrorists like ISIS.

Twenty Cabbage Crates Coming Over The Briney Sir. With thanks to Monty Python.....

Really interrsting interview, thank you for sharing. I was wondering if Doug gave some points about the Stirling as a plane? The Short Stirling tends to fall in the shadow of the Halifax and the Lancaster, being retired from frontline duties already before the war ended due to it’s low ceiling and bombload capacity, and is often just remembered for being the first of Bomber Command’s four engined bombers. There’s actually not much out there about the aircraft to be honest. As far as I’ve understood it was popular by the crews and quite manuverable. It would have been nice to have gotten Doug’s insights. /Pal