“Our Worst Mission” WW2 Bomber Gunner | Memoirs Of WWII #24
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- Опубликовано: 4 июн 2020
- B-17 gunner Leon Waldman recounts several of his fifty bombing missions over German-patrolled skies, including one so dangerous that his survival left him with the feeling of being reborn.
Memoirs of WWII Website: bit.ly/2w60kGM
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Written and Directed by Joshua Scott
Filmed by Christian McLean
Edited by Joshua Scott
Post Audio by Lane Tarr
Archive Footage Sources:www.archives.gov/
Archive Photograph Sources:
United States Library of Congress
Royal Air Force
Matsumura Collection
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Army Air Forces
Musical Score Source:
artlist.io/
Artlist Songs and Composers:
“Wonder” by Tristan Barton
“A Glimmer of Hope” by Michael Vignola
“Scenes” by Runar Blesvik
“Daydream” by Ian Locke
“They Didn’t Believe Me” by Artie Shaw acquired from www.archive.org
#history #veteran #ww2 #military #wwii #mastersoftheair
My Dad flew with these guys. His plane was named "Roundtrip". He completed 35 missions. Miss you Dad. I'm 68 and I still miss my Dad
@MR. Allen God bless your father and you my friend. I want to thank him for his service to this great country and helping to keep all of us free. I'm sorry for the loss of your hero Dad when you were such a young age. Take care my friend.
@@spaceartist1272 his dad has accomplished more then you have in all of your years, so shut up and spread ur toxicity somewhere else
@@oceanwater1246 you mean he droped bombs on civilians without even thinking?
@suiterd62 Thank you to you and your Dad for helping to keep this country free my friend. I bet you had great parents. GOD bless you my friend.
@@spaceartist1272 Welcome to war dont harrass people who actually did something for this country
I have a similar story, I flew with the 92 bomb group, shot down on 2/22/44 on my 10th mission. I was the ball turret gunner on a B17, a POW for 15 months. Survived the Heydekrug Run and the 86 day German death march. After the war I tracked down the Luftwaffe pilot that shot us down, became friends and visited him in Heidelberg in 2012. Danish TV made a documentary of the event
Les Schrenk
A great and remarkable story and testament to the human spirit; THANK YOU and everyone who served in any capacity.
Thank you for your service sir.
One of the greatest Americana that ever lived. Thank you for your service sir!
Thank you for your service, is that Danish documentary on RUclips?
Thank you 4 your service
My dad died yesterday. 2nd Marine Div. WWII Age 95.
God bless all you warriors. Much love.... RIP dad 🇺🇸
Your Dad. A hero. 🥇 Thanking him for his service. May your family be proud of him and all his achievements. Be strong and comfort one another through this difficult time. Rest easy Marine. ✌
RIP
Rip
I'm so sorry for your loss, and Gods speed. To your dad, rest easy and carry on, Sir.
Amen and RIP to your Dad 🇺🇸
My Uncle, Paul Luvaas piloted the Bad Penny. His picture is top row, second from the left in the photo at 11:27. His son Paul likes to watch these videos. Needless to say he was completely shocked when he saw this video. He did not know much about his Dad's service. Pretty sure this is about the best Christmas present he's ever received. Thank you for airing these stories. Thank you Uncle Paul, and all the other heroes, that gave so incredibly for all of us during the war.
It's so wonderful that your cousin was able to learn more about his dad from one of these videos. My love and respect to your family. ❤
good looking bunch of young men, 11:27 in
Nothing is sadder than hearing him talk about his friends who have all since died. You can hear that he misses them.
My dad was a WWII vet who passed 16 years ago. I miss him all the time but take comfort in believing he is once again with his ETO buddies, the men he considered his best friends ever.
War Produces Brotherhood Like No Other Events In Life Will Ever.
@Hugo Holesch And whose fault was THAT?!?
It sounded like he was the last one.
@Hugo Holesch He said they targeted airstrips, munitions etc.Did german war machine house workers and others nearby? Harris after pleadings from his fellow officers pushed for bombings of german cities later in war. Germans indiscriminately bombed London and many cities in Britain. Sad to see german oldie's and kids killed for sure, murder in a way but V1 andV2's didn't care and neither did airforce about British men, women children on the ground. Germany started all this bomb cities bullshit.Didnt give a fuck in 1st war either with their poison gas and Zeppellin bomb raids over London and building "big bertha" to shell London. Bad war bro.
"I could get hurt on this job." Talk about understatement.
Innocent naivety..many had it back then
@@blazerman61 - When WWII got personal, America got busy. Japanese general said, "We've waken up a sleeping giant! Sure did.
My dad, a WWII vet (who managed to stay out of harms way,) would have howled with laughter at his compatriot's comment......
IKR. Made me chuckle a little. People are dying and he says that. Wow.
I worked with a man who flew four tours of duty (120 missions) over Germany in Halifax bombers. He was flight engineer. I never heard much detail from him because it was clearly too hard to talk about.
My grandfather was a ball turret gunner in the 100th bomb group. I never heard many of his stories since he passed away when I was young. He flew 32 missions over Germany. I have his distinguished flying cross.
Mr. Waldman, My Uncle Leo was with you on that fateful day 18th July 1944. He lost his life that day. He died for his country a brave 22 year old navigator. Thank you for sharing your story with the world. May God bless you and your fellow Airmen. May God bless my Uncle Leo and the other many Airmen that lost their lives that day and may they all rest in peace.
A 21 gun salute to all you brave heroes .The world is proud of you for helping tame the evil of the Nazis.God bless them and their families for their service .
most forbidden documentary. Europa The Last Battle at archive . org
Thank you Mr. Damson!! God bless you all!!!
Your uncle is a true hero, sorry for your loss, your uncle in a lot of these brave men is what made America for what it is, a free oh country. Unfortunately we’re going through hard times right now especially what happen with the insurrection, and with people trying to sabotage our country with lies,, God bless America.
God Bless him and all who fought and all who died!
"19, 20 year olds. That's who fought the war". Let that sink in....
Daniel D'alessandro - and still do.
@@navret1707 absolutely! Nothing but respect to those who serve!!
They had the maturity level of current 40 year olds. Nowadays, we think waiting in traffic or having slow internet is a real travesty.
Alot of 15 n 16 yrs olds too they lied about their age to join
My grandfather flew the B-26 Martin Marauder.
He was about 24-26 at the time.
The crew used to call him Old Man.
These men were a different breed - true heroism.
Yes, inspiring! Wohere are those kind of men (or women!) today?
I think I would be the only Indian to visit Normandy to see the History.
@@TheFlyingBeastFromHaryana Nah! I am Here!
Men who need to do heroic things will do heroic things.
yes and no: killing thousands of civilians can be hard for some, you smell the flesh burning. Hamburg suffered about 200.000 dead, expecially women and childrens.. American airmen who took part in the 1945 firebombing missions grapple with the particular horror they witnessed being inflicted on those below. Dropping firebombs (also known as incendiary bombs) at night on population centers, fire raids were probably worse than the atomic bomb. But I guess that's the price you have to pay for democracy and freedom.
My uncle Paggi, Hugo J., 2nd LT, 721st Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, downed 2/23/44 near Steiner Kirchen, Austria..You where never forgotten, everyone of your brothers and sisters including my mother passed on with you in their hearts. Now your all together again.🙏
My grandfather was a gunner too. He was about 6' 3" and told me how on a few occasions for some reason he was used in the small bubble on the bottom. He was crammed and cold and said he never been so scared in his life. A few years ago I went to an air show and I bought him a shirt with his plane on it. He said he could never wear the shirt because he was ashamed. He said they bombed a lot of factories and killed civilians so he wasn't proud of that part. He was also NYC cop for 30 years and Irish immigrant. This really is the greatest generation.
Strange isn't it, my granddad a kiwi flew Lancasters for the RAF and after seeing London bombed out he never had any regrets over Berlin.
im proud to have been represented and protected by you guy's granddads. past present n future. even more, in thst now there are those who think being anti-American is in vogue. it is utter dogshit and the current generation [of which im not a part, i am 35] is being sadly misled. not all, but many.
Sometimes those ball turrets just fell right off, what a nightmare that would be!
my great grand uncle, flight engineer and top turret gunner on a b 24, with the 44th bomb Group (The Flying Eightballs). shot down over germany in ‘44. POW and receiver of the purple heart. even though I never met him, he is still my hero.
Thank you for your service. Please don't feel shame think of all of the people of the world you hero's kept free from Nazi rule.
I remember knowing this nice old man in Linden, Tx. who was a gunner as well. He was so gentle and soft spoken. He was a choir and English teacher in the local high school. He would say that when he shot down a German plane, he’d look and watch for the parachute hoping one would open. He said years later he met a German pilot who said he did the same thing. They lamented how they felt sad when they didn’t see this parachutes come out of the planes. He’d tell me these stories, and it was hard to imagine this kind and gentle man ever engaging in such violence. I was incredibly sad the day he died.
A great book "A HIGHER CALL" tells of a GERMAN pilot, FRANZ STIGLER who allowed a SHOT TO PIECES B-17, piloted by CHARLEY BROWN , to escape certain destruction , and LIMP safely home. They met MANY YEARS after thw was over. TWO GREAT GENTLEMEN and a terriffic human interest revelation. ---NOTE-- You can GOOGLE the book OR their names for the story. YOU WILL NOT REGRET THE EXPERIENCE.
An American pilot who had remorse for shooting down a Vietnamese pilot that he saw eject but for years was haunted by not knowing if he was alive afterwards: www.bgdailynews.com/news/vietnam-vet-reunites-with-pilot-he-shot-down-in/article_ce736abb-a124-52e7-9e93-b785ead64967.html
As a 19 years old teen, im just tears right now. the bravery they all had its just inhumane. I salute you sir, thank you.
19 years old young and honoured man, actually.
@@FugieGamers wtf is wrong with u. they served their country and put their lives on the line. 1 of those teens is still more of a hero than 10 clones of you will ever be
@@FugieGamers your name is litterally live free or die, and that is what they did. they fought for freedom. so shut up and have some decency and respect
Great to see a 19 yr old watching these videos.
👍
My uncle was a tail gunner during the war. He passed from cancer I believe in 1982. God bless all these guys!!!!!!
My grandfather was a bomber gunner in the B29 Superfortress. Engaged in many dogfights. A bullet from a bogie struck him in the hand, went through his fist and it traveled all the way through his forearm and out his elbow/tricep region. Good man. Thank you all for your service. Not many WW2 vets left. God Bless you all.
Amazing bunch of injuries from one bullet. I hope your grandfather survived the war.
Did he lose the arm? That sounds like a really bad bullet wound!
I met a WW2 vet who fought in the pacific. He was a radioman and he fought in the retaking of the Philippines and he landed at Okinawa. I believe it was at Okinawa where he was shot three times, in the leg, in the waist, and in the shoulder. He made it through though, he's 98, almost 99 now and he still drives his truck and mows his lawn. Great guy.
That's so cool, God bless him.
There all built different. God bless ❤️❤️
My great uncle fought in ww2 and also got shot 3 times. I remember my mom telling me that he was put into a POW camp. I don’t know if he fought in the pacific or in Europe. If he was still alive I would ask him thousands of questions. Rip Uncle Willie 🇺🇸
nik marshall my great grandpa was drafted into ww2 I was too young to understand how important it was and didn’t ask him any questions about it. He died years ago. I feel you
god bless that man
Thank You Leon Waldman . My dad is 95 years old and was a waist gunner in a B-25 that was shot down over northern Italy on March 10, 1945.
God damn.
@@Sajovo Was using my Lords name needed?.
Wow. I bet he has some amazing stories should get some of his stories recorded.
@@packingten no one cares
@@packingten ok ,god Christian baby rage jesus fucking christ,holy spirit lol,virgin mary
My Dad was in NAVY 1939 - 1958. He was a Middway Island. Dad passed 5 years ago. 🇺🇸
I hope he rest easy 😢🙏
Your pops is a hero
Thats why they are called golden generation. They were dreamers, ingenuous and curious as all youth is, but as much as bold, courageous and strong. They deserve all respect and admiration.
Exactly
Not exactly. The depression was all they knew. Many were half starved and most were living hand to mouth. The non-white troops were segregated and were not allowed to be officers or fly. Many Japanese
American families were removed from their homes and businesses and put in prison camps in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully many African Americans sacrificed their lives to force the golden generation to give them their civil rights, something most of the Greatest Generation fought against. As late as 1962 the FBI would not hire anyone who was a member of a minority.
Depressing to think in a few years all veterans will be gone..forever
The next generation will at least have the stories of the BLM warriors who's rioting these days.
@@bobbybellingham2074 - Or how they successfully figured out which bathroom they belonged in, all by themselves.
@@bobbybellingham2074 They can tell us about all the good loot they jacked out of the mall.
All veterans?? Or all ww2 veterans?? There’s plenty of Afghanistan/ Iraq veterans
Well they will forever live by me till I’m gone.....forever, it’s no way you can forget these men they did so much for us THANK FOR EVRYONE OF THESE MAN SERVICE AND WHAT THEY WENT THREW AND HAD TO PUT ON THE LINE 🙏🏾
just imagine for a second how crazy world war 2 was. like, just imagine graduating highschool, going to a few weeks of training, and being sent to fight. it boggles my mind knowing the skies were filled with hundreds of bombers coming towards you. just imagine the sound of that... god bless those veterans
My mother was at that receiving end you mentioned at the age of around 10 and once was even attacked by an US(?) strafer while sledging down a snowy hill ... she is still uncomfortable when she hears aircraft flying. And she still feels no hatred or anger against the allied pilots.
@@void1968able It was rare for allied pilots to strafe civilians anyway, the Germans killed thousands in the east by doing that.
It's always the young brave men who fight all these wars. God bless them all.
My father was shot down over Berlin 4/18/44 on his 11th mission. I don't know how Mr. Leon made it to 50. God Bless him. Bless them all.
My grandfather was 452nd / 8th AF B17. He was the last of crew when he passed at 92 a few years ago. He was part of D Day soften up France and was also part of Operation Frantic
The video of the guy kissing the ground after landing speaks volumes to what must have been going through their heads. As a 23 year old Sergeant, I strive to have half the courage these gentlemen did if I'm ever called to combat. Thank you all for your heroic service to our country and the world.
Thank you for your service!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
There is a picture of my Grandfather, after he completed his 25 missions. Memphis Belle. He has a picture of him kissing the airfield mud
They say that to the Luftwaffe guys too you know..
I'm 19 years old right now. I can't imagine what those guys going through..hearing their memories makes me goosebump and tears in the eyes
War serves No good
Same here it’s wild
Beautiful. Please make sure this is show to the kids in highschool all over the USA. We can never forget why we have this great country
These guys are so badass it’s unreal, god bless all veterans (:
Get1pumped BS sad to know that all veterans will die in 10-20 years :(
Callum is shark yea but who knows, people are living longer every year..
yes, all heroes! my dad was a B-17 pilot. he died of cancer at 78yrs in year 2000
@@eandjanimations6643 There will always be heroes.
ww2 vets* U.S army after that spent most of its resourses on greed. Fuck em.
I love the understatements from these old vets, at 4:48 "I thought, boy, you could get hurt on this job..."
One time I met two Brother-In-Laws. One piloted a B-17 in Europe and the other piloted a B-24 in the Pacific. That was a very enjoyable talk I had with them. Once after that I met a Veteran who had been in the 82nd Airborne. He jumped into North Africa but not D-Day. He was also a joy to visit with.
Notice his manner of speaking and dry, even dark, humor: "You could get hurt on this job." I've noticed that that is a way for many military people to get through situations that are so difficult that most other people cannot even comprehend. Bravo, sir!
I know this comment is old, but as a current servicemember, yeah. Dark/dry humor is commonplace as a coping mechanism to deal with how, and pardon my French, shitty the conditions and situations can be.
It's funny and it's sad. And as a servicemember, I can truly relate to these people on some level. It's why I've made it my goal to assist them, volunteer for them, and just be around them in general while they're still alive.
When the last WW1 veteran died, it was a tragic day for humanity.
We're coming up on the day where our last WW2 veteran dies.
Humanity loses a genuine piece of history on that day. Appreciate what you have now, and always help others.
@@Callmedonks You’re my hero for serving our country, and caring for WWII veterans. Yes, I remember when WWI veterans were alive, too. They were living, breathing treasures, just like our WWII veterans. It will be a truly sad day when the last WWII veteran is gone. The Greatest Generation, indeed.
It brings a tear to my eye hearing what these men had to go through these men were the greatest generation ever if they weren’t here we’d be lost I will never forget what they have done for me and my family!
I'm from Britain and when I was 19 my job was lime washing old houses in the lakes.
I met an American B17 pilot who came over to us to talk.
He told me he was two years older than me when he was over in england and that we had the same short hair while rubbing it for luck.
He was such a nice guy
I wish I'd had longer to talk with him
That was in 1985, seems like days ago to me, and I bet it did to him as about the same time has now passed.
Hell of a guy, good men
My grandfather also flew in the 15th airforce in a heavy bomber. The stories he told to me as a kid I still cherish to this day. Greatest generation ever 🙏🇺🇲
Because of these guys, I get to slide into bed with my cat all safe and sound.
Dogs are better . 😌
@@christoffervik1467 They’re both great
Amen
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I had a great great grandfather who was a navigator in a B-17 flying fortress. He was shot down twice. That's all I know
Thats Is Enough You Know What Your Grand Father Was Fighting For > So Research His Mission and Salute Your Great Heroic Grand Father For Freedom & Democracy Please TY.
Storm Designs My great grandfather was in ww2 and i’m old enough to have kids... and my family didn’t necessarily marry super young either. Its 2020 and a miracle there are still vets around
Look up the Missing Air Crew Reports for the missions his aircraft was shot down on. You’ll be amazed at what they did!
Timmy Jones Why Did You Type Like This
@@timmyjones1921 thank you man I appreciate it. I'm going to try to carry out my family's history of combat vets.
Thank you, Leon, for your service. Thank you, filmmakers and producers, for this amazing and needed project.
No problem
Fifty missions. That is incredible. This man had what it takes in combat big time, and was blessed. That 20mm could have killed him.. Great story.
You did an outstanding job on this video. My uncle was a waist gunner on a B-17, 95th BG, 8th Air Force. He distinguished himself by shooting down a Bf109, a task that was very difficult to do. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for it. Sadly, he passed away in 2001. He was also my godfather, a position that he took very seriously. He was a simple man with a great sense of humor. I miss him.
My grandfather served in WWII as a radio man. He tells stories of traveling through Africa and up through Italy. He talked of losing his arm and being in a M.A.S.H. unit when Monte Cassino was bombed and hearing the explosions. I gained great respect for all of those soldiers who sacrificed their own time and lives. Thanks for the memoirs! Keep them coming. I was thankful when I found out that family filmed him sharing those experiences on video tape. Now they are digital recordings.
I once got a private tour of a B-17 and realized "how did they do it?" In such tiny, cramped, cold, noisey spaces. Unimaginable from the subsequent generation that you all fought to protect. Thank you Mr. Waldman.
Betterifitsfree Agreed! Unpressurized compartment, -50F? Wow, simply unreal!
Yes then on news saw some lousy PUNK set our flag on FIRE😡😡😡😡😡🐒
packingten: They are a bunch of morons!
Everything I ever learned about air combat over Europe, I learned from my grandfather, a Luftwaffe Ace with 47 confirmed victories and a further 9 probable, all against British and American.
He had to talk about it, not because he was proud or trying to gloat, but because it was his therapy, knowing that many lives were taken by his action bothered him deeply.
His stories is what convinced me to become a healer aka medical doctor.
Over the decades, I have had the opportunity to chat with veterans of war from different countries, or listen in as veterans chatted with a friend, and I have never ever heard one veteran celebrate the fact that they had killed enemy soldiers.
He’s a hero, every service man is a hero no matter the country. if he’s still around and kicking, thank him for me.
@@derekbaker3279
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
G.K. Chesterton
@@merlinck1976, I believe many Germans at the grass roots level where strongly mislead about what they were defending. Propaganda at its best, just like current U.S.
Mein Opa, my grandfather, left Germany while he could. He built aircraft that he knew were going to kill our relatives. I believe that knowing that was secondary as to the reason of why. Our grandfathers did what they felt was best and I find no fault in either. In times as such, you have to pick a side or get out of the way. Thank you for sharing a small bit of your Opa's story.
This ought to be a mandatory class in every school and every grade level just to be reminded how very fortunate that we all are.
I completely agree w/ you. My children are now in their 20’s, and WWII was “glossed-over” in high school and college. Both of my uncles fought in WWII…my father was the baby, born in ’39. As my uncles said, “We were fighting hard for our freedom.” Sadly, our kids don’t “get it” because our educational system failed them badly.
This guy Leon is about the best interview ever for this kind of Air Force action. What a great memory, what an interesting story.
Wouldn't call it great but a interesting memory
He's so chilled about it
I love his mannerisms and the way he talks. So matter-of-fact, no bull crap, and humorous. "I was facing forward out the cockpit and vomited... that's how smart I was at 18!" gets a good laugh out of me every time I hear it. He's a very great storyteller
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I love his little laugh. What a great man
I shed a tear when he started talking about everyone that died bro that hit hard
I'm 57 and most of my friends are gone. Including several I served with in a Army National Guard Field Artillery Unit in the '80's. I myself barely survived a horrible truck wreck 3 years ago. I'm pretty well a hermit anymore.
@@shadowwolf7622 God bless you. Hope you’re doing well.
@@lncas8424 Thank you very much.
Long live the fighters who have fallen but never forgotten may you still fly high. Much love to all.
This generation of men are so amazing. Notice how he remembers the humor of all of what he went through the best? My Dad was the same way. He was in the Marines, was in some of the most horrific battles in Marine Corp history but all we ever heard were the funny stories, never anything negative. Such a different culture back then.
Yeesh. It’s Marine Corps please.
Theres an old saying, "Some times,you have to laugh, to keep from crying."
As a Army Veteran I can honestly say that made tears flow. My men and these guys alike are 100 percent brothers to me. Even if we've never met!
My great grandfather is still kicking, 92...Harold Bates, served in the pacific as a shipmen, midway to post war Indochina, since his mind is slowly going his original Germanic Dutch is kicking back in, some words German and some English, I’m so glad I get to visit him...he lost a lot of his buddies in pele
Had a great uncle...he served in a B-24, a pilot, he let all of his crew bail but him, he’s still marked Mia over Europe...got a Purple Heart awarded to him, we actually found it recently with all the paperwork, Charles Eckart was his name...
...thank you for this video...
My father is 98. An artillery man for the Philippine Army. I never can believe his war stories though. He told me that he escaped three Japanese prison camps. Well, I just now found out from my 88-year-old uncle that my father was in ONE prison camp. He did not escape from it......HE WAS RELEASED!
God bless him, a real hero!
My Father, flew on many of the same missions this man talks about, he flew out of Foggia, Italy. He was a flight engineer, the top turret, was his combat position.
Thank you to all who had served. We owe you !!
I've often thought about how millions of people had their own unique experiences during the war and how most of them have been and will be lost.
Thank you for doing your part! I'll have to see how I can do mine. Subscribed.
Yes your right
Sadly most things never got in the history books.
And many things that were thought of as embarrassing got squished.
We know far more now than they did in ww2
I told some kids about something my family knew from XP and something from 90s news, I was called a shill a bot
The things we may never know would be far more interesting but many never got to tell their story sadly
My dad was a gunner on a merchant ship in the pacific fighting the japanese. Being he was on a merchant ship , whenever they pulled into port the sailors would give him money because he was the guy protecting them all. And he didnt have to trudge thru muck like the army or marines so he was happy with his experience. I've talked to others like 1 guy who was on a boat where the front falls down and guys wou lo d then run out the front and onto the beach to invade but his boat was in deeper water where the front opened up and a bunch of guys just sank to the bottom and drowned due to all the gear they had on. He was crying remembering. So yes many different stories and many varied experiences. Cheers
@@matthewguzda4075 In the UK sadly people didn't understand the risks merchant men took
They were easy pickings vs a british or american destroyer.
On leave they got beat up because they were "not fighting while others were"
Its sad as so many got killed and it was only in the 70s and 80s talk about it.
Stop buying MADE IN CHINA
A lot of the heroes are buried in France Omaha beach and if you really want to play you pay your tributes that’s where you go ,breaks my heart every time I think about that day and those souls lost
the way he casually tells this story is incredible, he's got a good sense of humor
He has a good sense of humor. You don't "get" a sense of humor, you're just a natural at phrasing and timing humor.
What a brave and humble man.
The Greatest Generation, an epithet well deserved. Whenever I think I'm having a bad day with trivial complaints, I think of people like this, best reality check ever.
Thank you for sharing these stories Josh. These old men were lions in their younger days.
But they didn't have to live though the trauma of today's kids. Like having to figure out which bathroom they belong in.
And to think how disrespected they are by some of the younger generations is disgusting.
You said it really well Sam W.
Respect from a Canadian whose father served in the Canadian Army for 5 1/2 years during WW2. That generation was the finest! Thank you for your brilliant service!
And the liberal thankedxthose brave souls by taking their guns!😡.
Respect from an Irishman. My great uncle enlisted in the British army from the Republic of Ireland, he served from Dunkirk through to Normandy where he was killed in action.
I've been listening to the British and US veterans stories and experiences all through the lockdowns. And every time I can't hold back the tears. I was a firefighter for 30 years, and thought I saw life. But I pale into insignificance compared to these giants.
The memories of a man in his old age, are the deeds of that man in his prime.
free four
Pink Floyd
Unbelievable work from you guys, the best ww2 channel on youtube !
Thank you for service sir !!!
endless respect from France
Very nice Charles, my great grandfather was over there in 1918. He fought in Saint - Mihiel and the Argonne. From America
@@andyZ3500s same here great grandfather fought during the war (i don't known the battles tho), and earned the french war cross
@@charlesedouardd5700 I wish that I knew more about what my great grandfather did in France. I know the two battles that he was in and that he was a runner (messenger). Being a recipient of The French War Cross is a big deal. If I remember correctly it is the Croix De Guerre. You should do some research if you haven't already, I've kinda run into a dead end on mine. Good luck to you.
@@andyZ3500s yes it's quit a big deal indeed. Jeez runner probably one of the worst assignement you could have. He had massive balls !
Brill channel ,check mark Felton too everyone
The other day I met a World War ll Veteran, was almost 100. And he fought in both the Pacific and Europe.
He fought in both? Damn...
I would have soo much PTSD after doing that. I'd probably be a sailor at pearl harbor then be done at that
How the he'll did he fight in both theaters that don't sound right
@@JimD410 Actually it did happen. IDK about this one but, some officers/soldiers were relocated between theatres if their skill / group's skill was needed to complete a certain mission / offensive.
@@JimD410 In the services,a man can be despatched to any area his particular skills are required, no union stuff in the military no questions, you just do as you are told. end of story, I've met guys who've been in three different battles in different areas, the fact that they've survived being a miracle, there are NO UNIONS in the military, not even in peace time.
Felt like I was in the plane with him damn good interview.
I’m so happy to see this soldier still alive and with it mentally. He’s clearly an extremely strong man. Thank you for your service soldier. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
[SALUTE!] .... thank you for what you did, Soldier!
Rest a while, you've earned it.
We had "The Mighty Eighth" ( USAAF) stationed here in Norfolk, UK. They are still remembered here, and treated with warmth when they visit. (Not so many these days sadly.)
Quite a few of them Rest Peacefully here.
Dad was with the 8th, dunno which base, and he was set to marry a local gal but was shot down and imprisoned. The Russians liberated him and he was repatriated straight back to the states, never to see England again, bet there's lots of stories like that too. Thanks for your kindness both then and now cousin.☺
A belayed "thank you" for the hospitality shown the American troops stationed there. My ancestors were glad to help the war effort from UK soil.
@@01sapphireGTS 🇺🇸👍🏼🇬🇧
@@BeachsideHank thank you. Coincidentally I was working at RAF Coltishall during 2003 and supported British and American pilots who were flying to Iraq and back. Strange how history repeats itself.
These are the kind of stories America needs to hear. We have so much to be thankful for and it was their generation which made it possible.
My hero's growing up. The B-17 is my ship. Fell in love with it when I was 9. I never looked at anything else, in the same way. My first book on my 11th birthday was on B-17s. Built many models of The Memphis Belle. Drew them, painted them, read everything I could on them. Years later I began to befriend pilots and crew, an climbed into my first real one at 33. Road on several air show circuits in them. When I started WW2 reenacting, my character was a B-17 Captain/pilot. When working programs at airfields for the public (we were window dressing for the birds) there were many other groups in period gear; the REAL WW2 crews would admit that everyone looked good, and correct, but they always said that I looked real, by the way I held myself. From the day one as a kid, I felt comfortable around that plane. Always made me smile, always happy to see one, and enjoyed taking groups through the plane, showing them everything and tell of the stories and history of the men that flew with her. I sometimes felt like I had actually flown in these during the war, but didn't make it back. Until now.
These memoirs humble you real quick.
That man looks like he is doing really well for his age, good thing.
Can never say thank you enough for the special breed of men of that generation. My humility and respect always.
My Dad was an Ensign in the Navy serving in the Pacific. He taught airplane recognition classes. He passed in 2020 at the age of 96. RIP Dad.
Great work...very inspiring. My father was shot down in a B-24 and was in a German prison camp and escaped then fought with the Russians against the Nazis.
Love hearing the stories of these men. Great grandfather was a b-17 gunner
Never gets old to hear the veterans speak of their experiences, have a uncle I never met shot down in a bomber and buried in France with Canadian Air Corps. Every November I think of him and I honour the men and women who sacrificed for all of us. Never forget your veterans!
It’s brave men like this who have gave us what we take for granted.
A debt subsequent generations can never repay. Maximum respect to them all.
Just awesome stories. My oldest son is named after his great grandmothers brother who was a navigator in a B17 lost in New Guinea. I feel a part of him lives on in my son!
Dude thank you so much for doing these. I can't believe the stories of these people. My Grandfather was a flight engineer in a B-24, Flying Tigers, China-Burma-India Theater. His plane got hit by lighting and he had to bail out over China, the Chinese resistance helped him get back to his lines and then later in the war his plane blew up on the tarmac killing his whole crew except him and one other man. He passed away years ago so these videos really hit close to home for me and I'm sure many others.
"Keep away from the bomb bay, Sir" Nice one.
Very nice! They don't make them like they used to :)
When he talks of his friends dying one by one.. it's so sad. I can only think of my grandfather. He is pretty much the last one and he fought in Korea... he doesnt talk about it much but it breaks my heart when he talks about his friends who have died. His best quote is "now I get to talk to a bunch of Vietnam veterans... jeez boys, you left me with these guys?!?!". Yeah. That's him. Sarcastic as ever for an 85 year old... thank you for your service Grandpa. Thank you for your service Gnr L. Waldman.
He told the co-pilot not to go near the bomb bay. I would say there was some bad blood there. I really enjoy these first hand story’s. Thank you for putting these together so well.
I don't get it.
If you go near the bomb bay, you just might “accidentally” slip and fall out of the plane.
@@motogp001 thanks. was thinking that, but was unsure.
Greatest generation!! Thank you!!!
You and your comrades are my heroes. You are the people who i most admire today, recognizing that it was you men that allowed me and my family to grow up in a free country. You really were the greatest generation.
Thank you, Leon, and all the brave men in the USAAF that fought for the freedom of our world in WWII. God bless...
One of my uncle's died in a B29 over Japan, a month before the war ended. Thank you, all of you, that paid the bill for our FREEDOM.
Makes you wonder how many stories we will never hear from those that never made it.
I have far more respect and admiration to the soldiers who fought in WWII than any celebrity or athletes that ever lived.
I watch alot ..and I really really want to convey most of my time on RUclips is watching WW2 docs and I've never been more impressed with a short story like this one. The editing , the narration and most important the account itself is top notch. I also appreciate his candor and demeanor. We tend to forget about time passage for these men. He has to re-live this every time he tells that story. He even threw homage to the Red Tails ...this is why ...him and all his cohorts shall forever be my heros. My generation has it so much easier and I don't know if we deserve it nor appreciative of it all. To him and all the other folks who have put this together. To the channel ,to the researchers,. to the one who glares at the screen deciding what to cut , to you all ...thank you so much. I hope you all stay safe thru this mess outside and thanks for keeping me safe. This i s something that could have been me outside hurt or contracting something....peace and love from the South Pacific and Ohio valley !
This is so heart breaking that we are almost at a time that we are losing almost all the veterans at a very steady pace. A few years from now and we will not have anyone to tell the tales of WW II who saw it with their own eyes and fought.
To Ammar Zeb: Especially the WW I Veterans. They have long since passed.
@@thehumanityoflife6460 are you trying to make the situation even sadder? :(
And the corona virus sent by the CCP I'm sure has taken a bunch more than we would have normally lost up to this time (07 Feb 2021).
I estimate that he's 95 y.o. in the video.
Told with great clarity and matter of fact honesty. A man who has my respect.
Like your respect is relevant or important to anybody.
@@GHound420 Don't give a Damn.
I'm with you Rusty and know what you mean. You meant the upmost respect with that comment, and I agree. This hero is a great story teller and was blunt! He deserves respect.
The world back then just had a tougher, more stalwart breed of people. People with this kind of fortitude are scarcely found compared to back then
Growing up in the Depression era made them tough fighting men.
What the WWII generation sacrificed and accomplished was extremely impressive & admireable, and I will be eternally grateful for what they did....but the truth is that the overwhelming majority of the young men who fought for the western Allies in WWII were like the gentleman in the video...they had no idea what they were getting into, they knew they'd eventually be drafted or asked to sign up, they saw that many of their friends & neighbours were joining, and/or felt obligated because their fathers, brothers, uncles, and/or grandfathers had fought in WWI or a previous conflict. It must be remembered that since his generation, a huge number of young men & women in many nations have answered the call, have fought in wars or supported the cause back home, have been just as skilled & courageous as the gentleman in the video. Furthermore, since WWII many fighting men & women have faced the horrors of war & risked/sacrificed their lives for their buddies beside them.. What makes his generation different was that a vast number of them were needed to fight in a war that involved most of the planet and was against enemy nations that had mobilized their entire populations. If a similar situation occurred again, and if the war was seen as a just war (as it was back then), I believe that today's young adults would step up to the plate.The only difference is that today's young adults are (on average) better informed about world issues, have friends & acquaintences who are in countries or fromm countries around the world & are less naive about politics than the WWII generation was, so they are less likely to blindly trust their political leaders a fight in an unjust war.
I didn't even know your Dad & I miss him too. We all should miss men like that. Very Brave, very young & extremely patriotic. Gentlemen all!
My Dad was i the army air corp except he went to the south pacific , I have nothing but respect for these guys. To say they did a lot was such an understatement.
It's nice to see something documenting the great memories and experiences of these great men.
jesus i’m so beyond grateful that i’ll never have too go through this during my lifetime. these men and women sacrificed so much for us future generations. Thank you everyone who served and everyone who’s serving right now. you have my up most respect and gratitude!
A true hero from the greatest generation. Many thanks for bringing us his story. Lest we forget.
All I can say is, THANK YOU!!!
Crips almighty that mission would make me wet my pants!! Have you been aboard a fortress since the war? Thank you for our freedom Leon.
Bless you Mr. Waldman. My great uncle was the telegraph man on a U.K. Lancaster bomber. His profession had a 50% mortality rate. He survived and is still alive today getting close to 100.
These brave men are the reason they are called "The greatest generation", we must preserve their stories before they are all gone. We must hear their experiences of war from their eyes so we may never have another bloody conflict like the Second World War again. It saddens me that in the next 10-20 years all of the Second World War Vets will be lost and to those brave men from the bottom of my heart thank you for your service to your country, your sacrifice, your valor will never be forgotten.
Let us hope no other generation ever has the opportunity to challenge that title.