WWII P-51 Mustang Combat Ace on Dogfighting Germans | Joe Peterburs
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- Опубликовано: 20 май 2024
- Joseph Peterburs had plans to become a Catholic Priest, but with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of World War II he instead joined the US Army Air Corps and began an aviation career that would span three wars and make him an 'ace' pilot.
During WWII Joe would join the 20th Fighter Group, 55th Fighter Squadron, flying P-51s, escorting B-17 bombers on their missions and defending against German fighter attacks. He flew 49 missions and logged 269 combat hours.
On his 49th mission, 10 April 1945 the Group was escorting 450+ B-17s to targets near Berlin. Just as the bombers were unloading, a swarm of Me 262 turbojets hit the formation. Lt. Peterburs was flying high cover and saw a 262 slicing through the B-17s. Peterburs had considerable altitude advantage and pulled into the 262s 6 0’clock with his six .50 calibers blazing. Sixty years later he learned the damage he inflicted on the Me 262 resulted in the engine disintegrating and the pilot bailing out; the pilot was Walter Schuck, a top German Ace with 206 victories. Shortly after Peterburs started strafing an airfield before being hit by ground fire. Unfortunately he was unable to make it back to friendly lines and had to bail out over Germany, was captured and became a POW. He escaped, linked up with the advancing Russians, and fought with them to the battle of Wittenberg on the Elbe.
In December 1951 he was assigned to the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron of the 18th Fighter Bomber Group flying the P-51D in Korea. He flew 76 missions over North Korea sustaining battle damage on several of those missions including a .50 caliber round through the prop of his P-51.
In the fall of 1967, Lt. Colonel Peterburs was assigned to Vietnam as Staff Operations Officer responsible for Command and Control in the war zone.
Interview recorded on November 2, 2023
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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Megan Maggi
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This guy literally got shot down, captured, escaped , fought alongside the Russians, and got sent to Korea! HERO
Amazing to hear a WWII fighter pilot calling the bomber crews “the bravest of the brave”! What a story! Great interview!
He knew the attrition rate. It was HUGE. Like flying in formation into a meat grinder.
My dad's brother, (Uncle Jim) was a nose gunner on a B-24 in WWII. He never spoke about it and I never knew about it until after he died. His older brother, my Uncle Pete, was a tank commandar in North Africa under General Patton. He earned the Silver Star for holding off German tanks until reinforcements arrived. I never knew about it until after he died. I knew
they were both in the war, but they never spoke about it and I never asked. I kind of wish I did.
Brave to bomb Dresden? Or any civilian center? Stoppp. More like a psychopath
Wow! I was a controller in the USAF back in 1969 and served with WWII, Korean, Berlin Airlift and Vietnam Vets. My hat is off to all of you! One gentleman I met had been a glider pilot and landed in France on D Day. All of those people deserve the respect of all of us today.
ATC, TACP, or CCT?
@@mikejrSAA ATC
@@mikejrSAA BBC
My sons and I met Joe about 15 years ago at the annual Wings Over Camarillo airshow. My son, as a young teenager, had nominated a friend of Joe's, Art Fiedler, to the show DOGFIGHT! and Art had appeared on the show. Once the show aired, my son was a VIP as far as Art was considered. He recruited Joe to come to the show one year, introduced my sons and I to him, and we were surprised that he rememberd our names the next year. And that was about 15 years ago. That's right, at age 100, we expect to see him this year in August at the show. Joe is an amazing man with old-school values. He's extremely kind, patient, and surrounded by family who cherish him. He's a true blessing to the aviation community, and a great mentor to youth.
Jeff, you know we love you and the boys too. I'll be there this August with him. We'll see you soon. Thanks for always being so kind to him!
I have a 5 year old son. My father was military and we grew up in Camarillo. Been going to that Airshow and Port Hueneme air shows since I was 5. Grew up around WWII vets and I want my son to meet one. It would be an honor if you’d allow it. You can’t miss my kid he’ll be in a green pilot jump suit. Thank you for your service Sir!
Wow! That generation was the greatest. What an incredible life story. It was a privilege to hear it.
It's really fascinating that the enemy pilot he shot down, Walter Schuck...they met again in 2005. Remained close friends for a further 10 years until Schuck passed away.
Colonel, sir, it’s our honor to hear of your service. Thank you for sharing.
From the bottom of my heart...thank you for giving these heros a voice before they're gone. RIP Grandpa Sgt. Donald Sprague. Mortarman who landed on Utah beach. Your generation will forever be the greatest. ❤
So he left the aircorp to work in banking and finance. He returns to the military to serve in Korea. Has to fight the Sullivan rule to continue to risk his life for 73 more missions. Then tells us at the end it was his greatest privilege to serve. This man and others like him are my ancestors. I am so proud and so grateful for their contribution and dedication. These videos should be required viewing for high school students. Thank you for sharing this.
What a great guy and so clear in his remembrance of past events. Good bless this gentleman and thanks very much for your service to our country. I am proud to have him on our side.
The greatest generation ever!! From one veteran to another I salute you Sir. The best health to you Sir. My dad fought in the Pacific.
Wow this man's
story is a movie in itself!
These memories, remembrances are very important to hear. Living History.
This guy is the man. I could listen to him talk all day.
Salt of the earth this generation. They don't make em like this anymore. Which is a shame.
Thank you sir 🫡🙏🏻
Great to hear his story. Thanks to all our veterans who served. Semper Fi.
Amazing man thank you sir for all you have done for our country
Thank you for your service to our country and it’s a pleasure to hear your stories sir, God Bless you and your family!
Fantastic interview. My dad - tail gunner in the 491st and the 44th BG. He did not talk much about it but he was so thankful when the P51 was able to go to the target with the bombers! He loved those guys!!
Thank you for your service, Sir & bringing the reality of war to all.
Outstanding story. Fantastic career Sir.
Salute
To The Too Few Left WWII Veteran...
Thank you Sir
For your service
Probably one of the coolest ones I heard
Thank you for your service. God bless
so lovely to hear their stories !!! and hear first hand what they did so we could have our freedom , won't be long before we can't hear them anymore and that will be one sad day believe me !!! thank you Joe
How are there any of you guys left man. Almost a century old. Im glad you are and I'm glad you told the story
Is a real american hero. Thank you sir. My father was a world war two vet. He was in the ambulance core.
His job was to remove wounded and dead off.The b seventeens on returning from bombing runs. Didn't talk.
About it much.❤
My Grandfathers on both sides served in WW2, and many of my aunts and uncles were there too. My maternal grandfather was in the SeaBee’s and he built airfields in the Pacific. There’s a picture of him next to the Enola Gay which I never even saw until his funeral, so I never got a chance to ask him about that one. But he might have been there when the Ebola Gay took off and landed. Maybe he even built the airfield itself. Heavy stuff. But I meant to tell you that my other grandfather worked on b-17’s as a mechanic and he saw a lot of the same things that your father saw. My grandfather didn’t talk about it much with his family either. He was in rough shape after the war and I think it definitely affected him for the rest of his life. Just thinking about what those planes would look like, and how the blood would freeze from the low temperatures high up. I’m a virtual pilot myself (I fly German Bf 109’s and Fw 190’s on Digital Combat Simulator) and I know the kind of weaponry that was on the German aircraft. They not only had 20 and 30mm cannons (along with 13mm heavy machine guns), they had mineshells which were cannon shells uniquely constructed with thinner walls to hold more high explosive. So a 20mm cannon shell was closer to a standard 30mm in power. And the 30mm were like a 40mm, or even a little more. They were devastating and could easily take out a bomber with one or two hits. These guys were in danger every day no matter what job they did. They’re all heroes.
Thank you so much American Veterans Center for all these videos. Amazing pieces of history. This guy is an American hero
What a story…thank you sir for your service! 🇺🇸
Awesome man and story , greatest generation
Respect. God bless you and your family .Thanks to you we enjoy the freedom that we have. Best pilot flying the best plane ever!
Thank you sir for your service. So many stories so many brave men. My Father was part of this "silent generation" and also had a long 35 year career in Naval aviation 1936-1971.
Thank you Sir for your service ❤️🇺🇸
Its incredible to hear such an amazing story from the main character himself, a 100 year old vet who has his memory as fresh as when he was young
Another well done interview of an amazing American. Thanks for your service Col. Peterburs! AIM HIGH
THANK YOU SIR!!!!!
God bless you and thanks for everything you’ve done for our country and us
Thank u so much for ur service ur A true American hero the appreciation and the respect I have for all our veterans is more than any words can say God bless
They don't make em like this anymore.
Pure class.
Amazing man, so sharp minded
What would take these videos to the Next level is if you added pictures of the men in their younger days and maybe some video of the action they are talking about.
I would love to use these in my history classroom! The kids love the visuals as the guys are talking.
Great stories. Thank you for sharing and for your service.
Quite a record of outstanding service!
I bet my grandad and him ran across each other in Newfoundland. He was a pilot assigned there at the same time. He was a b17 copilot 388th bg 563rd who stayed in and made a career out of it. Wow!
Thank you so very much for your many years of service, and for telling us your story
So few of these amazing men, pilots, and especially aces left (though I don't believe Mr Peterburs was an ace with five or more kills). Thank you for your service, and your sacrifice.
A very humble, brave and interesting gentleman.
I am91 - Korean War Vet USAF - Thia Man Col Joseph Peterburs Was Amazing Beyond Amazing
This was not meant to be printed - It was an earlier comment
I had an awesome privilege to meet this BAMF!!
There is no way this guy is 100 years old
It's almost as if they had video recording capability back in the 1990s. How dumb do they think we are?
@@cblse
The dudes name (commenter above) is handicapped, he's young and ignorant and over assertive with his nonsense; he's learning still... Lol
👍 Confirmed victory cblse 👍
@@cblse
Sweetie , Give yer selfie a swirlie 🚽. . .Until you flush all that nonsense out of yer lil head.
A lil research will PROVE to you that you do need help understanding HOW this was filmed.
Good health to you , talk to more veterans & STOP making ASSUMPTIONS , educate yer self .
@@cblse: nevertheless, why more cognitive than old Joe!!
I talked to this man last August at an airshow in California. He is just like this in person, and yes he'll be 100 in November. This video was shot recently.
He remembers all the cities that were targets. Amazing guy.
Amazing interview thank you. What a hero!
Wow, just wow, in this age where we honor victims and not heros, you can thank a veteran like the colonel, for your freedom that you have today..balls of steel,injured, captured by an enemy, held in a pow camp, then an unfriendly Allie, later korea and then Vietnam..makes for a movie
😊
"They were going to Paris, and I thought 'What's better than that?'." 😊
COL: So I dove my plane under another plane while he fired at me so my Team Lead could take him out.
Also COL: The bombers were the bravest of the brave.
That humility is something only heroes could have.
My father had a framed photo of his Flight of P51s on their first combat mission in North Africa. All seven of his mates were shot down and none ever came home. Before he passed I discovered that we both handled PTSD the same way. Badly.
Thank you Sir
Wow, what an amazing story sir thank you so much for sharing
100 years old? He has the mental sharpness of a fighter pilot.. wow.
I love these guys. The best of all veterans.
Very brave chap!
Thank You so much for your services and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA!!!!🙏❤❤❤❤🤍🤍🤍🤍💙💙💙💙💯
Just banged my knee against the tail of my plane after bailing out in a dogfight...no biggie. Love these vets man. Don't make em like this anymore.
Nice humble man
I am in my 50s my great uncles of all served. I have met many veterans of the second war war but the one time I came upon man wearing a Tuskegee airman cap that flew P 51 red tails ! I melted in my shoes. It was like I met a God.
Amazing
Is this gentleman still alive he would be 99 years old is this a recent interview?
Yes he is
Three wars. Wow
WOW! What a guy.
Great story.
1500 Bombers and 900 Fighters.... imagine hearing that coming
Then the enemy resistance....
My God that's a lot of material and men in the air.... Remember Rosie Riveter!
♥️🇺🇲🙏🗽🦅
Crazy how he fought with the Russians
Very interesting indeed 👍
He had to convince them for him to be a fighter pilot and right after they finally agree he does 76 missions he says casually. Then he's laughing
🎉. .🎊. . 1 very fortunate soul to convey so much insight to such events . Nothing short of AMAZING 🎯
* A V C , No info. on When this was filmed , why ? ( Did I miss something 🤔. . ?
Would you consider adding such info. in the description box in future posts ?
Wonderful job , Thank - you to all contributing to this post ! United WE STAND 💘🤺
these dudes are total bad ass's they dont make men like this anymore
good background story on this one
Chuck Yeager went head to head with a Fw190 and had to walk to Spain to get out of France.
These are incredible to hear first-hand. This is from 2023? So, this man is 98/99 years old here, that's great genetics. He looks and sounds about 70.
I wonder how bad hitting the tail affected his knee. Both objects moving fast. I guess the speed difference would determine the impact. Of course a falling body is slowing down much faster than a gliding fighter plane even without power.
love how the Germans try to say they had no idea what was going on! they knew! they were just hoping they would win!
Nobody is talking about how this man will be 100 years old in November lol 😎
great story
I wonder what he was flying during his ground attack when he was hit... a P-51?
Thank you Colonel! Where’s the movie on this hero?
Awesome interview. Just wish you showed their achievements at some point. He wears them on his coat, but most dont know what they are.
The greatest generation
Thank You for your service in Korea. In Europa you fight on wrong side.
Someone retrieved a lot of film footage from German fighters gun cameras. How badly they chewed up those B17s and B24s was horrific. It was sad to watch.
What a story. 3 wars, fought with the Russians. Fought with the infantry. Wounded in action 2 times. Fought against the first jet fighter NORAD service. Unreal! Oh yea, don't forget his escape from the Germans!
100 in November ?
The Luftwaffe pilots were not members of the Nazi Party.
Many were. The Luftwaffe had more Nazis in its ranks than other branches of the German military.
♡
Don't we romantisise this generation. For good reason, too. Probably the last generation that still wore hats and, more to that, would tip them to ladies and men they deemed worthy of their 'respect' or /gratitude'. Then, confronted with the greatest conflagration of ordinance, violence and horror, took to it without a second thought. I have nothing against these U.S. servicemen, from all the forces, but your politics kept you out of the beginning which, had you been there from day 01 that horror would likely have ended a lot sooner - off the point, mind. There're still men and women of character today who'd and do step up when needed but the chivalry that entirely permeated that time and that generation will never come back. As Brooks said in Shawshank Redemption - "The world went and got itself into a big, damn hurry" and that's what we live with today. - Mark, Australia
Why did you cut him off at the end? Jesus the man tells all these incredible tales and then you don't let him express himself when he's done? Disgraceful.
🫡
I am 91 Korean War vet USAF - This Man Col Joseph Peterburs , Amazing Heroic Air Force Veteran, Was Almost A Catholic Priest - What He Did Was A Devotion To GOD And Country - - "GOD And Country" ? - Sounds "Corny" Today. - In The 1940- 50 Era, God Was Real and A Part Of America ! GOD - How I Miss those Days ! GOD Blessed Col. Peterburs Life - I Pray For GODS Return To Our Country -
there were no nazi pilots
What were they?
What were they?
I was expecting a picture of Biden as if this is one of his stories.
I think your confused. It's the former guy that makes stuff up (read lies) all the time. Do you manage to find a partisan maga crack to divide further in every youtube video?
Why??? You're on Mars via the Space Force!!!!
@@user-mr8ep9lv1i because this sounds like something Biden would say to get vet’s votes. Sorry if I hurt your feelings, cupcake.
😂 Lol this comment is so righteously funny. If memory serves me correct, Ole Joe was in fact a lead WW2 fighter pilot.
I'm about 3% positive that he and Corn-Pop dropped the atomic Bomb on Shanghai in 1947
Not funny, show some respect by not bringing up either clown that is running for President