Bomber Crash In Switzerland

Ernst "Ernie" Feibusch was a waistgunner on a B17 who survived 24 harrowing bombing missions, including Berlin, Merseberg, Schweinfurt and Regensburg. But it was his 25th mission to Stuttgart, Germany that had the greatest impact. Flak damage to the engines made it impossible to get back to England. They had to make it to Switzerland. Why? Because Ernie was Jewish and German - born outside Berlin. Bailing out over Germany was not an option. Listen to him - WARNING: Ernie uses very "colorful" language - describe getting over the Rheine and crashing in Switzerland.

[@jamesprice4647]

This is a wonderful series and I wish my late father could have watched it. His brother survived a full tour on Lancasters (as a bombardier). Thanks, Raymond.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@djomegaminus]

Man, do I ever love these old war stories!!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching.

[@jamesmason8052]

I enjoyed listening to Ernst almost as much as he enjoyed telling his story. 🤗

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lunamae4718]

Raymond, thank you so much for this fantaastic series of WW2 veteran interviews. Nothing out of Hollywood comes close !

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

Agreed, and you did an excellent job of interviewing Ernst. You let him talk without interruption, but asked good questions.

[@jroch41]

Really enjoyed this interview with Ernst Feibusch who summed it up perfectly: "I'm one lucky SOB."

[@paulp96275]

Great interview I bet he never took a clock home thanks for your service👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@raymondmcfalone26]

No clock, just a soccer ball (UK translation "football"). Ernie was so good as a player/coach that in 1984 he was inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame - here's a link: www.nationalsoccerhof.com/builders/ernst-feibusch.html Also, right after the war Ernie worked in the UK translating German technical documents. He loved the UK so much that he named his son "London". Thanks for watching.

[@NickVenture1]

Thanks for sharing. I wonder if allied interned soldiers happened to meet their german counterparts. I guess there must have been a few cases. Probably not many though. Interesting to hear that the maps of the neutral countries were not on board. That despite all the routines and check-up the crew had to deal with this unexpected situation. Also the Swiss Anti Aircraft guns opening fire.. and the US Fighter planes shooting down the Swiss Airforce interceptors.. Much to learn here.. and do a little bit of further research with google.

[@loveshisharley]

Thanks for this great interview. This is another facet of the perils our airmen faced over Germany in WW2 and pictures the lives of those who were able to land in a neutral country.

[@Snaproll47518]

Ernst’s mannerisms are so German that it made me smile.

[@mitcha1065]

Swiss have a dark ww2 history. I'd love to see what's hidden away in the basement vaults of those Zurich banks.

[@paulp96275]

Raymond fantastic up date thanks very much top lad 👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@terryvivian9062]

This is fantastic 👏 😊 thanks

[@jameswebb4593]

Ernst cleared up one thing for me as how the 8th bombed Switzerland so often , the navigators were too busy reading the maps of Sweden, Spain and Switzerland.

[@joeturnip4216]

How could you not love that guy...?

[@raymondmcfalone26]

I agree. Ernie was so funny, interesting and endearing.

[@tzisme]

@ 15:55 this man became my hero.

[@howitzer8946]

Thank you sir. Salute.

[@jamesmcgee1311]

isit the 390th bomb group museum in Tucson at the Pima Air And Space Museum. it's fantastic.

[@iamnolegend483]

Interesting

[@patrikholy3267]

....that guy rocks...

[@iamrichrocker]

Ray..why this series of videos has not been noticed by the History Channel or other outlet..just incredible, heartfelt stories..makes me appreciate this era of Men and Women..truly, the greatest generation..

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for the nice feedback - much appreciated. And thanks for watching.

[@fergalohearga9594]

Totally agree, absolutely priceless discovery, so thankful for it.

[@daleolson3506]

They don’t want real good stories,they want cheap crap drama.

[@CaptainGyro]

The History Channel is a joke these days -- stories about Big Foot, Loch Ness Monster, Nostradamus, space aliens...

[@kennardjohnson7875]

Interesting man heck of a life story.

[@MrTumbleweed22]

Great interview with a really interesting man

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Yes indeed, Ernie was an interesting extraordinary guy. Thanks for watching.

[@tommyburt6207]

Question for Raymond McFalone
My Great Uncle was in the 15th AF
301st BG, 32nd BS… stationed in Lucera,Italy.
He was there during “The BIg Week” but he and his B17 was shot down on 25Feb1944. He was the ball turret gunner and didn’t make it…. 42-38076
No known/identified nose art.
I see a bunch of interviews you have with the guys station in England.
Is there anyway I can search to find any interviews you might have had with 15th AF crewmen?
I did see one interview you had with a Foggia based crewman
Thanks
I do enjoy watching your interviews!!!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Tommy - our interviews were with men who served in the 8th out of East Anglia, England. We only did 2 or 3 interviews with guys that flew with the 15th. So it's unlikely we interviewed him. You could check with the Veterans History Project - they have a data base for interviews. Here's the link: www.loc.gov/vets/ Best of luck to you.