First Gulf War: RAF Pilot John Peters Recalls Being HELD PRISONER In Iraq

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  • Опубликовано: 29 дек 2024

Комментарии • 1,5 тыс.

  • @kingcrazymani4133
    @kingcrazymani4133 3 года назад +830

    “People do bad things during war.” Spoken like a warrior. Best wishes.

    • @capncake8837
      @capncake8837 3 года назад +4

      @Sanction This Oh, shut up.

    • @SimonLX
      @SimonLX 3 года назад +5

      @Sanction This You realise this was the first Gulf War right? The one started when Saddam invaded and occupied Kuwait. Not the 2nd Gulf War which was illegal

    • @shakeybeatz
      @shakeybeatz 3 года назад

      @Sanction This behave yourself.

    • @eugene7145
      @eugene7145 3 года назад +1

      @Sanction This I love how pathetic you are.

    • @just_golds
      @just_golds 3 года назад +4

      He's a hell a warrior........dumping bombs on unarmed civilians mainly up in the sky in his multimillion pound jet,yeah real hero.😂

  • @edwardmorley5273
    @edwardmorley5273 3 года назад +164

    Met him some years ago and he was an absolute gentleman and a man who clearly had gone through a very difficult ordeal and went on to live a life beyond the armed forces.

    • @GMT439
      @GMT439 11 месяцев назад

      Proof of all CLAIMS Required.
      All Wars are Fake.

  • @CharlesVeitch
    @CharlesVeitch 3 года назад +603

    Plane: composite materials
    Balls: STEEL

    • @nowtelsematters
      @nowtelsematters 3 года назад +21

      "and this really irritated me" whilst recalling torture. True gent.

    • @homeskillet9802
      @homeskillet9802 3 года назад +7

      Plane: Aluminium and titanium actually.

    • @pippipster6767
      @pippipster6767 3 года назад +3

      Didn’t have a great deal of choice. Basically beat him up and he was beaten up. Horrible experience. But I suppose the implicit risk of war.

    • @w.k.5974
      @w.k.5974 3 года назад +1

      An ordinary thug.

    • @lewisricekrispy2
      @lewisricekrispy2 3 года назад +7

      @Atif Baig Are we talking about the invasion of Kuwait?

  • @harper277
    @harper277 3 года назад +745

    Wow, harder than any tough guy while being polite and a gentlemen, true class.

    • @sebxiou-lifestyle4465
      @sebxiou-lifestyle4465 3 года назад +13

      Yes, that struck me, too.

    • @bobbyguns100
      @bobbyguns100 3 года назад +19

      @@sebxiou-lifestyle4465 Men were different in the 80's and 90's, the tough guys I see now days act and are little loud mouth babies. It really is a shame to man kind !

    • @Zezezeze69
      @Zezezeze69 3 года назад +7

      @@bobbyguns100 yes hahah being loud doesn't command respect or show strength, it's the complete opposite

    • @MsAbdullah2002
      @MsAbdullah2002 3 года назад +9

      But your democratic countries have done more than that with the prisoners of the Iraq war, the prison of Abu Ghraib, witness and the greatest hidden, and the Basra prison in which 22 and twenty prisoners who were alive were killed and the stories that you did are a description of shame on you after the people were looking at you with the gaze of the compassionate educated who came to rescue the poor, so the media shed light on you. Let heroes bring you out and forget thousands of the oppressed and those killed with your fire, and among you who was joking to kill a poor person, the balance is broken in you, I dare you to adopt and adopt the crimes that your army did. I want you to pause your mind with yourself, and you have tried the grievance that befell you, so it was free for you to defend the needy like you

    • @okaunis
      @okaunis 3 года назад +2

      Dimwit. How is flying a plane against a third world country brave? Of course only a little girl would think like that or a dimwit.

  • @abduljabar8445
    @abduljabar8445 3 года назад +108

    The reality of war told by one hell of a wise and honest man. Respect him so much

  • @ANDY-py2nm
    @ANDY-py2nm 3 года назад +370

    Had the pleasure of collecting John and his parents from southampton docks,the most fascinating journey,i have ever had,a true gentlemen,on dropping him off,he went into his house and came out with a copy of his book tornado down and personally signed it for me,then his wife took a photograph of me with him,will never forget that day...

    • @yeshuas_follower
      @yeshuas_follower 3 года назад +8

      Aww Wow! That's a fantastic memory for you! I'd love to see the picture, he was so brutally beaten,i was so afraid of what they would do next 😞🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    • @jimbob1516
      @jimbob1516 3 года назад +8

      I remember seeing the Iraqi TV interview. It so wound me up.

    • @barbiecrocker7420
      @barbiecrocker7420 3 года назад +4

      So lovely. I just watched the Timeline documentary of this harrowing time. Love him and Nichol.

    • @ANDY-py2nm
      @ANDY-py2nm 3 года назад +4

      @@barbiecrocker7420 yeah,even for the small time i spent with them that day,great people

    • @dr.lexwinter8604
      @dr.lexwinter8604 3 года назад +5

      Andy, please, learn, how, to, use, commas. Reading that almost gave me a stroke. :/

  • @mentalneil
    @mentalneil 3 года назад +289

    I was a serving soldier at the time of the Gulf War, I was at a training depot as a driver and was put on standby to receive war casualties, I remember the news saying pilots and navigators had been taken prisoner, and thinking to myself I'm so glad I'm not in their shoes, thank you John for your service and I wish you and every POW all the health in the world

    • @chloekit4861
      @chloekit4861 3 года назад

      Are you serious? Did anyone you knew personally prisoners of war?

    • @benmacdui9328
      @benmacdui9328 3 года назад

      Lies

    • @mentalneil
      @mentalneil 3 года назад +3

      @@benmacdui9328 what are you saying are lies,

    • @gulfwarveteran3832
      @gulfwarveteran3832 3 года назад +2

      @@benmacdui9328 what lies prove it
      Desert shield Desert Storm Vet

    • @st.joanne
      @st.joanne 3 года назад

      Respect to this gentleman. Blessings

  • @nonamernobrainer846
    @nonamernobrainer846 3 года назад +505

    "and went: 'This will be the Iraqi Desert'"
    Goddammmmnn, how much more brit can you get?

    • @wakeup8052
      @wakeup8052 3 года назад +61

      To answer your question, I was in the Dominican 19 yrs ago and there was a dude in the pool doing the backstroke with one arm while holding a cup of tea in the other hand. Turns out, he was in the British airborne. Lol.

    • @brianbozo2447
      @brianbozo2447 3 года назад

      I say, is that a fish and chip shop over there ? might be a little more British!

    • @chiselcheswick5673
      @chiselcheswick5673 3 года назад

      @Sanction This ...so what are you going to do about it then apart from posting pathetic comments on RUclips?

    • @Awakeningspirit20
      @Awakeningspirit20 3 года назад +1

      How much more? The way he wraps up the interview lol

    • @notices_demons
      @notices_demons 3 года назад +1

      @@chiselcheswick5673 THAN not then

  • @formonthills
    @formonthills 3 года назад +129

    Had the privilege of meeting this man at Leuchars Airshow in 1991, and he is a true gentleman. While I was getting to sit in the front seat of a Tornado, he was casually telling me about how they were shot down and how it was not a difficult decision to pull the ejection handle. Much Respect Sir (and to all our Armed Forces)

    • @jonwatson654
      @jonwatson654 3 года назад +1

      Me too. Fond memories.

    • @jonwatson654
      @jonwatson654 3 года назад +3

      @Officer Slater He was doing his job. Personally, I was very much against the Western intrusion in Iraq and Afghan, to name two. I also have a friend who is a Falklands veteran. He's a hero. Whether we should've been there or not is irrelevant.

    • @matc21
      @matc21 3 года назад +1

      @Officer Slater the same Nazis who went around killing innocents and torturing and put them in death camps? Your comparison is no where near the same.

    • @bvrcavalera2786
      @bvrcavalera2786 Год назад +1

      I'm sure I met the other Guy around the same time at Finningley I think? , but it was in an F3. Like yerself, I got a sit in the cockpit and a little Polaroid pic taken 👍 Happy days

  • @smacka904
    @smacka904 3 года назад +221

    I still remember a quote from my own time in the military during our Combat Survival Course. We were told that if we were ever shot down over enemy lines that, “Your worst day as an evader is still better than your best day as a prisoner of war.”
    I’ve never forgotten that.

    • @alistuzlak
      @alistuzlak 3 года назад +6

      Nice how you guys always knew that you invade others nation but never questioned it.

    • @bobbyguns100
      @bobbyguns100 3 года назад +1

      We’re you a pilot Mark ? Wish go pros and stuff were at the stage they are now back than, I bet you guys would have a lot of cool videos to show

    • @smacka904
      @smacka904 3 года назад +8

      @@bobbyguns100 I was, but helicopters, not fast jets. And I totally agree with you about the modern video camera technology. Amazing quality from such a compact recording device. It makes me wonder what we’ll have available in another 25 years from now.

    • @bobbyguns100
      @bobbyguns100 3 года назад +4

      @@smacka904 flying helicopters in the military is just as awesome, bet you guys had some fun. Seems like those would be days a man would never forget

    • @steventan3656
      @steventan3656 3 года назад +4

      US created a genocide war in Iraq together England n alliances . Did US find nuclear weapons ..
      Genocide n no human rights in this Irap

  • @josepedroza3400
    @josepedroza3400 3 года назад +27

    He played the cards he was dealt, survived to tell his story. Class act would love to have a beer with this chap.

  • @MrWiggo91
    @MrWiggo91 3 года назад +103

    Usually like to dog the RAF being Army myself, there's always that inter service rivalry but credit where its due. This bloke is an absolute hero and it does make me think that whilst they certainly appear safer, when it goes wrong for air crew; it really goes wrong. Out by yourself, stranded and potentially surrounded. The stakes are high. He and the rest of his lot certainly have my respect.

    • @jagaloon216
      @jagaloon216 3 года назад

      Nah. Blue job mincers. I hated them when I was army and I still do. Still pumped a few of their wives though.

    • @OiOi-Jim
      @OiOi-Jim 3 года назад +14

      @@jagaloon216 With your attitude, I seriously doubt you’ve even applied for a role in the Armed Forces.

    • @Jackdaw5
      @Jackdaw5 3 года назад +1

      @@OiOi-Jim Or pumped anything....

  • @bthorn5035
    @bthorn5035 3 года назад +117

    I remember his TV image. Its been decades, I never forgot him. I'm glad to finally hear the story.

    • @jerryjc5
      @jerryjc5 3 года назад +9

      Me as well. I can hardly believe it has been 30 years.

    • @vanman757
      @vanman757 3 года назад +1

      Same... I was only 14 in 1991 but, I remember it well....

    • @peterdemkiw3280
      @peterdemkiw3280 3 года назад

      'Tornado Down' is an amazing book, definitely recommend.
      The story of what they sent through is truly amazing.

  • @Elfin4
    @Elfin4 3 года назад +165

    True British grit...I remember this very well. They were actually held in the same place as the survivors of SAS Bravo Two Zero mission.

    • @alexocean9196
      @alexocean9196 3 года назад +5

      Really, that's interesting

    • @AnonAnonAnon
      @AnonAnonAnon 3 года назад +10

      @@alexocean9196 There was footage of John Nichol sat at a table in Iraq waiting to be freed along with other POWs and some of them were British special forces. One of them wrote a book and said how he tried to hide his face from the media cameras. There's other footage of Nichol coming down an aircraft steps, fist clenched, smiling. The others coming down the aircraft steps were POW special forces.

    • @Elfin4
      @Elfin4 3 года назад +10

      @@AnonAnonAnon Absolutely...All brave people...

    • @alexocean9196
      @alexocean9196 3 года назад +4

      @@AnonAnonAnon Cant imagine going through that to be honest, really interesting though. I never knew that

    • @stevenorr9639
      @stevenorr9639 3 года назад

      Eventually yup.

  • @greetb9330
    @greetb9330 3 года назад +23

    Huge admiration for both John's. I can vividly remember the footage from the war and how much we all hoped they would return safely, happily they did. There are many brave people involved in conflicts on both sides, perhaps we would do well to harness these qualities in peacetime as well. Massive thanks to all who serve and have served.

  • @davisworth5114
    @davisworth5114 3 года назад +33

    As a Vietnam veteran, I have a great deal of respect for your courage and I understand the difficult path faced by all war prisoners and victims of torture. I wish you the Peace of Christ.

  • @yeshuas_follower
    @yeshuas_follower 3 года назад +43

    I remember this,watching him on tv battered,i cried for him,it was horrific to see him in that condition and the uncertainty of his future. Very brave gentleman,I'm so glad he got home and was reunited with his family and the other we should never forget.

    • @FlyinBrian777
      @FlyinBrian777 3 года назад +2

      I remember watching it on TV also it seems like not that long ago. I had two family members there at the time and it gave me some anxiety after seeing Mr. Peters condition.

    • @arasharam7264
      @arasharam7264 3 года назад +2

      He was there to kill women and children. Don't lie to your selves.

    • @jxckedgell3821
      @jxckedgell3821 3 года назад

      @@arasharam7264 good the more dead over there the better

    • @Z10895
      @Z10895 3 года назад

      @@jxckedgell3821 not all of them are aggressors, SOME WANT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES. Honest to God, Europe and USA are destroying the East, if you want more terrorist attacks, kill them more then.

    • @lewisricekrispy2
      @lewisricekrispy2 3 года назад +3

      @@arasharam7264 How many women and children served in the Iraqi army?

  • @biddyboy1570
    @biddyboy1570 3 года назад +93

    Nice to see him reunited with his wife and kids at the end.

  • @wodantheviking
    @wodantheviking 3 года назад +31

    I was lucky enough to listen to Squadron Leader Peters when he was a guest speaker on board the Queen Mary 2 in 2017. The talks were inspiring and educational. Well done and thanks for your bravery and positive attitude and also to your navigator John Nichol.

  • @lawsonransom8318
    @lawsonransom8318 3 года назад +6

    As an American, and ex-military, I feel a sense of allegiance with the Brits who are forever on our side, and beside us. We sometimes forget this, but when the bullets start flying, and the bombs start dropping, we are always on the same side.

    • @lawsonransom8318
      @lawsonransom8318 3 года назад

      @Lino Benetti we will kill anyone we wish turning villages into steaming piles of meat teeth and hair. So watch your attitude or you're next. 😉

  • @rodfair5698
    @rodfair5698 3 года назад +76

    It is men and women like him that make British forces the best in the world!!
    Quality over quantity!!
    Thank you for your service and sacrifice. I for one appreciate it very much.

    • @davidbuckland9194
      @davidbuckland9194 3 года назад +2

      👍

    • @redfox1984
      @redfox1984 3 года назад +4

      How did that quality work for the brits during the American revolutionary war & how were they doing before the Yanks entered the WW's?

    • @kev24444872
      @kev24444872 3 года назад +18

      @@redfox1984 you sailed and flew to Vietnam and got your arse kicked , you sailed and flew to Grenada and got your area kicked , you sailed and flew to Somalia and got your area kicked , we sailed and flew to the Falklands and we kicked arse !

    • @sirwi11iam
      @sirwi11iam 3 года назад +15

      @@redfox1984 the Revolutionary war was basically a British civil war, and the founding fathers were of British heritage, in a sense it was kind of British vs British. Highly unlikely the Continental army would not have won if it wasn't for the French who basically bankrupted themselves in the process.

    • @jb76489
      @jb76489 3 года назад +3

      @@JamesLee-ct2jw “america was neutral in ww2” starting off strong I see. Are you this dumb all the time or was this some special effort on your part?
      “British government sled for help” and got several billion dollars of supplies on the promise of payment
      “Us only entered cause of Pearl Harbor” and? Why is is the Americans responsibility to clean up your messes exactly? You guys have a habit of starting a lot of wars after all. And hang on, I thought the Americans were neutral, can’t even keep your own story straight lmao
      “Britain had been at war for 6 years when usa joined” uh, how long do you think ww2 lasted? When do you think the us joined it?
      “Your countries involvement went because of millions killed it was because they got attacked” remind me, when the British declared war on the Japanese, was it because of the Japanese invasion of China/Manchuria, or was it because the Japanese attacked the British?

  • @Steve264511
    @Steve264511 3 года назад +34

    What an incredible person! Such a calm and reasoned outlook on what happened to him. If only there were more of John Peters!

  • @henrycardozo7664
    @henrycardozo7664 3 года назад +27

    his resilience blows my mind as he failed to crack under the interrogation

  • @D.u.d.e.r
    @D.u.d.e.r 3 года назад +17

    Experience like that will never leaves you... it stays forever.

    • @johncarter6238
      @johncarter6238 3 года назад +3

      Between 1992 and 1995 I fought in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the freedom of innocent Citizens. With the UN Dutch Bat Together with UNPROFOR peace force. The war is over. but in my head the war is still going on today . Jonh C Freedom Fighter

  • @geo.m1639
    @geo.m1639 3 года назад +35

    I remember this guy coming home on the news

  • @huskvarsm
    @huskvarsm 3 года назад +62

    A courageous and amazing man just like his navigator.

    • @vanman757
      @vanman757 3 года назад

      John Nichol ¿..

  • @scotthamilton7856
    @scotthamilton7856 3 года назад +40

    Total hero John. Take care 🇬🇧

    • @shubirshergill2430
      @shubirshergill2430 3 года назад +2

      Can I plz know are you proud of the British Empire?

    • @jerryjc5
      @jerryjc5 3 года назад +2

      We Americans love the British people and the British Heroes! God bless you all!

    • @ClubTechNoir
      @ClubTechNoir 3 года назад

      No more wars for Israel

    • @harrythomas1252
      @harrythomas1252 3 года назад +1

      @@shubirshergill2430 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

    • @shubirshergill2430
      @shubirshergill2430 3 года назад +1

      @@harrythomas1252 what about the French Empire then? who killed ur ancestors... Well Good for u...

  • @jonniebyford
    @jonniebyford 3 года назад +20

    Almost brought a tear to my eye. I remember him on the news like it was yesterday. Two very brave warriors.

    • @Z10895
      @Z10895 3 года назад

      @chrome book True.

  • @aNicerPlace
    @aNicerPlace 3 года назад +27

    Nice bloke, John, a man with his eyes wide open to humanity and war. His book's worth a read too.

    • @vanman757
      @vanman757 3 года назад

      John Nichols' just written a book... He was just on BBC breakfast tele' talking about it....

    • @peterdemkiw3280
      @peterdemkiw3280 3 года назад

      Tornado Down, is amazing, definitely recommend book.

  • @PhantomMark
    @PhantomMark 3 года назад +77

    Feels uncomfortable watching this, making him recall and bring it all back from a place he would probably rather have left it. That's a real burden to carry on your shoulders.

    • @beaujeste1
      @beaujeste1 3 года назад +4

      He sounds ‘damaged’ - as you would be...

    • @garryleerob
      @garryleerob 3 года назад +2

      Hmm, I would look at 11.05 of the video. Making him recall? Where do you get that from? He'd have been asked if he'd participate and recount his incarceration. He wasn't made to do anything. He has a company, a management company advising on 'leadership and resilience'. Do you not think he would be exceptionally qualified because of his experience and as he himself said, you cannot forget it, I would think he would pull on that harrowing time and use what he experienced, how he dealt with it. He again said it changed him... he'd use that to instil in others what has changed and how to use that? An asset to help him? What better example of resilience is there than standing up to torture? Or bottle it up... which he has said he doesn't.

    • @TheDGAF06
      @TheDGAF06 3 года назад

      Boo hoo.

  • @alanmckeown5377
    @alanmckeown5377 3 года назад +20

    I remember watching these brave men as if it was yesterday and being really afraid for them, heroes!

    • @ياس1990
      @ياس1990 3 года назад

      These are cowards and not brave. All they did, they destroyed bridges, roads and facilities. Your media does not convey the truth. The day will come when we will hold you accountable for your crimes.

  • @myjeanification
    @myjeanification 3 года назад +48

    Wow, I have no idea how the UK treats it’s vets but I hope this man is taken care of as he has more than earned it.

    • @supersonicsid5930
      @supersonicsid5930 3 года назад +25

      Thousands of our ex military are sleeping rough on the streets . Illegal immigrants coming through Dover are pampered in four star hotels . Makes you think what the hell is going on .

    • @mbrah1181
      @mbrah1181 3 года назад +4

      Undsr tory government there treated like poop look at homeless rates etc

    • @mbrah1181
      @mbrah1181 3 года назад +3

      @@supersonicsid5930 blame the asylum seeks dont you think its you tory ukip master who could house them ?

    • @myjeanification
      @myjeanification 3 года назад +4

      @@mbrah1181 Thats a shame, they deserve better.

    • @supersonicsid5930
      @supersonicsid5930 3 года назад +7

      @@mbrah1181
      I’m a pensioner and I’ve seen both these two political party’s promises us a better life a better future for me and my children. I’ve seen these two party’s destroy this country . I detest both these parties because I can remember when this country was great, it was a hell of a lot better than it is today . Now I’m one of the white minorities living in London . I see gangs fighting and killing over turf wars , drugs are everywhere, no respect . My London has been turned into a toilet and I’m afraid the rest of the country will follow .

  • @artsimulation
    @artsimulation 3 года назад +13

    I remember clearly seeing him on the news and I felt terrible for him. I was sure he was going to die and am so glad he survived. What is somewhat comforting is that he is clearly a decent intelligent bloke and that he mentioned the fact that he didn't just act upon his orders but questioned then for over two hours. That is the type of military we want. Acting blindly on orders is what causes blind death.

  • @rusroydon8470
    @rusroydon8470 3 года назад +6

    Incredible inspirational guy. I was a young boy when I saw him paraded on TV as a pow, it always stuck with me.. have since since a few documentaries on him and always found it a fascinating story.
    Peters ,I salute you sir.

  • @thefreshprinceofdapto1668
    @thefreshprinceofdapto1668 3 года назад +4

    I was in the Army during The Gulf War. Thankfully my own experiences were pretty unremarkable. Kudos to John Peters for surviving his ordeal

  • @cmmhelmond
    @cmmhelmond 3 года назад +6

    Never forget getting home from work, sitting down and watching the news hoping for their release....

  • @ClassicFormulaOne1
    @ClassicFormulaOne1 3 года назад +4

    Imagine how much time he has told this story for the past 30 years!
    John Peter is one of the iconic faces of the 1991 Gulf War, at least for us westeners.

  • @mattdownes6361
    @mattdownes6361 3 года назад +6

    No bitterness, total integrity and honesty. This calibre of that man should be promoted to our children.

  • @daveyhofer7926
    @daveyhofer7926 3 года назад +3

    Hi Mr John. My name is Davey.i live in the center of North America. Me Canadian. I thankyou for your time and hard work for our Freedom. YOU The Man.i have a Respect for You.

  • @funkmcfingers
    @funkmcfingers 3 года назад +22

    I remember seeing him on the news when I was 10 years old and being acutely aware that my own grandfather was a prisoner during the 2nd world war. I thought about him every day until his release, I was genuinely scared for him. It's about time people learned to settle things peacefully.

  • @brettgardner7575
    @brettgardner7575 3 года назад +25

    I saw this man give an after dinner speech at the Tally - Ho in Birmingham , one of the most inspiring and insightful evenings of my life , a credit to himself and our country.

  • @daz6637
    @daz6637 3 года назад +29

    Big respect! Thank you telling it outside the military bubble,

  • @FrankC321
    @FrankC321 3 года назад +6

    Thank you Mr. John Peters for going down range and keeping the world safe for us.

    • @pipodekluklukmamalou824
      @pipodekluklukmamalou824 3 года назад

      In Iraq women could drive vote educate etc , in Kuwait women had no rights, you sound like ISIL.

  • @georgehays4900
    @georgehays4900 3 года назад +6

    I was lucky enough to be stationed at a US Army Field Hospital in Bahrain and passed an RAF Tornado squadron nearly daily. Stopped and talked with them occasionally. They were friendly and professional. I remember seeing the bizarre interview of LT Peters on CNN. He seemed angry and depressed as well as beaten up.

  • @christianrodriguez3793
    @christianrodriguez3793 3 года назад +6

    I remember watching this on TV as a kid back in 91 much respect to you sir and the mighty RAF.
    Men like you is why I later joined the U.S. Air Force. Hat's off to you good Sir.

  • @waynejfoster9860
    @waynejfoster9860 3 года назад +4

    I remember watching this on the news and I can remember feeling so angry that they could & would do that to one of our boys.
    I'm glad they were ok in the end & returned home.... alive
    Thank you for your service John

  • @jonwatson654
    @jonwatson654 3 года назад +7

    I had the pleasure of shaking his hand and thanking him for his service the year after.

  • @kaneplace8352
    @kaneplace8352 3 года назад +8

    This was a story of survival I will never forget! What an amazing man he is 💙

  • @veruspatri
    @veruspatri 3 года назад +16

    "It is, what it is"
    - Squadron Leader (Retd), John Peters. Iraq War POW survivor

    • @martinreynolds6027
      @martinreynolds6027 3 года назад

      Vetrus Patri - You mean 'He is what he is'? Full of BS.

    • @MutzHD
      @MutzHD 3 года назад +1

      @@martinreynolds6027 Interesting take, Jon.
      Care to share your reasoning?

    • @veruspatri
      @veruspatri 3 года назад

      @Sanction This Grow up child, your opinion is meaningless.

    • @martinreynolds6027
      @martinreynolds6027 3 года назад

      @Sanction This No one wants to talk about the hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens that have been killed by western forces (including babies and children). That's a massive tragedy. And a crime.

    • @meatiest1989
      @meatiest1989 3 года назад

      EEET EEEZ WHAT EEET EEEZZZ

  • @chriswilloughby5295
    @chriswilloughby5295 3 года назад +5

    Respect my man huge honour having people like you In society a great asset still in sure excellent man

  • @judas2891
    @judas2891 3 года назад +26

    In 1990, I was a sixth grader when Desert Storm erupted and I remember quite vividly the news story of these two British airmen and being quite shocked at their appearance on TV.
    I can still remember it quite clearly 30 years later.

    • @j0nnyism
      @j0nnyism 3 года назад +1

      Yea I was an A level student. When i saw their faces on tv I really thought it unlikely they would make it home. I’m sure they probably believed the same thing at the time. For civilians like me this is utterly unimaginable.

  • @jslfcs6655
    @jslfcs6655 3 года назад +14

    I remember those images. They showed him not looking straight at the camera and clearly you'd tell he'd been beaten up.

    • @j0nnyism
      @j0nnyism 3 года назад +2

      Yea just a bit!

  • @acoustic5738
    @acoustic5738 3 года назад +35

    Read his book. Both Johns really had a bad experience and really bad luck.

  • @wassollderscheiss33
    @wassollderscheiss33 3 года назад +5

    That's the most terrifying thing of our modern day wars, I guess. That fighter pilot is a great guy. My grandfather was in a sovjet POW working camp for 13 years without a medic, proper food or, for the most part, sunlight. So I still figure things are changing for the better after all.

  • @adamashley8820
    @adamashley8820 3 года назад +3

    True gent.. I served a 5 month tour in the Falklands in 1995.. met John Nichol in the gym there.. a great moment and another top guy who certainly had a story to share. 🙌

  • @R.Oates7902
    @R.Oates7902 3 года назад +4

    I remember when this happened to you and your navigator. It was all over the news in the U.S. I hope you have found some peace and been able to recover somehow. I can't imagine what you went through. God Bless

    • @peterdemkiw3280
      @peterdemkiw3280 3 года назад

      The book Tornado Down tells their story, amazing.

  • @bryanwiltshire5052
    @bryanwiltshire5052 3 года назад +15

    Great interview, thanks for sharing this

  • @EastCoastJeepSRT
    @EastCoastJeepSRT 3 года назад +1

    I served with the 3RD BDE, 3RD INF DIV, and am very thankful for the pilots that flew those sorties and softened up our objectives. A Marine Harrier off the USS Nassau was shot down near us, and the pilot “MAGIC-14” was KiA. I can still close my eyes and see the wreckage of his aircraft like it was yesterday. Those guys were like our Guardian Angels overhead. I can never fully convey my thanks to them. *Salutes*

  • @alexnunezramos1720
    @alexnunezramos1720 3 года назад +6

    Gulf VETERAN. Thank you for your service . John

  • @MrPrios1
    @MrPrios1 3 года назад +2

    That is why they are called Servicemen. They serve, not the other way around. It is great that most of them came back. "There is no greater love than giving one's life for another" That is service.

  • @DMWBN3
    @DMWBN3 3 года назад +6

    Remember the first day listening to it break out on the radio. Then seeing this fella on front of all the papers.

  • @hantykje3005
    @hantykje3005 3 года назад +4

    I remember this incident and the pictures of them on TV really well. I had just started school earlier in august 1990.

  • @tazzie165
    @tazzie165 3 года назад +31

    IMAGINE AFTER YOUVE BEEN BEATEN AND IMPRISONED
    some dude comes up and says "hello sir, how are u, the war is over, what can I do for u" 😂😂😂😂😂

    • @Z10895
      @Z10895 3 года назад

      LOL

    • @CuriousCat777
      @CuriousCat777 3 года назад +2

      Why is this funny? He suffered.

    • @tazzie165
      @tazzie165 3 года назад +1

      @@CuriousCat777 imagine suffering then someone coming to u the next day saying, hello sir how are you what can I do for u.

    • @Hhhlll7778
      @Hhhlll7778 3 года назад

      @@CuriousCat777 Yeah nothing funny about it

    • @williamperry5767
      @williamperry5767 3 года назад

      I think it’s funny

  • @ddfann
    @ddfann 11 месяцев назад

    Courage is revealed is so many different ways, and they both showed incredible courage during those events, but also in the manner in which they have moved on with their lives without bitterness.

  • @bigdarshan
    @bigdarshan 3 года назад +5

    What an incredible human, hats off to your sir!!

  • @Rogge73
    @Rogge73 Год назад +1

    Bless You Sir

  • @854Z
    @854Z 3 года назад +4

    I respect this man for saying it’s not the Iraqi people’s fault.

    • @rackcity5981
      @rackcity5981 3 года назад

      Lol. How could it be...

    • @gabrielphillips3551
      @gabrielphillips3551 3 года назад

      @@rackcity5981 feet

    • @PIasmaZombie
      @PIasmaZombie 3 года назад

      @@rackcity5981
      Didnt the iraqi people elect saddam hussein ?

    • @Adam-gf3jg
      @Adam-gf3jg 3 года назад

      ​@@PIasmaZombie My man, "Saddam" (Baath Party) came to power by a military coup. Iraq was a dictatorship. xD

  • @gilbertogonzalezr9353
    @gilbertogonzalezr9353 3 года назад +1

    Very humble man, true heroes are always humble in their hearts, feeling no hatred towards those who did harm.

  • @papasmurf5598
    @papasmurf5598 3 года назад +8

    He’s so lucky to have survived and I think it’s really because he was an officer and a pilot that they didn’t just really do horrible things to him then kill him. Anybody else they might put them into a wood chipper to kill them or behead them like so many others.

    • @arzra7224
      @arzra7224 3 года назад +1

      LoL do u have any idea what horrible things can be done to any prisoner if the captors wish to do so? Beating him with a shoe on his head is nothing. İt's horrible and traumatic but believe me they didn't want to scar him. Btw Iraq keeps pows and releases them in exchange, as did with thousands of Iranians.

  • @antonialeitz9179
    @antonialeitz9179 3 года назад +1

    An RAF hero. So glad you made it back John.

  • @chrisneedham5803
    @chrisneedham5803 3 года назад +82

    I remember seeing him on the news. It just made everyone angry with the Iraqis

    • @ggurwlcom420
      @ggurwlcom420 3 года назад +41

      Imagine being the Iraqis that lost their families and home for the war touted as liberating Iraqis.

    • @chrisneedham5803
      @chrisneedham5803 3 года назад +19

      @@ggurwlcom420 My Dad came across that problem in Normandy 1944. The French spat on him for destroying some houses and cows. Also he found the German prisoners 'mostly' very friendly. It's the people at the top that are always the problem.

    • @ggurwlcom420
      @ggurwlcom420 3 года назад +3

      @@chrisneedham5803 no if they're actual sane and upright soldiers they would've resigned or try to fight them. Like Bradley Manning.

    • @mattwordsworth9825
      @mattwordsworth9825 3 года назад +12

      @@ggurwlcom420 you hate a war blame the politicians who started it. The war was started because Bush suspected Iraq to have nuclear weapons (Which they didn't) so that part isn't defendable however it did lead to getting rid of a mad dictator, less of them in the world the better.

    • @ggurwlcom420
      @ggurwlcom420 3 года назад +8

      @@mattwordsworth9825 and who's the fools that break their oath to serve and defend their country and would rather going over to invade foreign country that did nothing to them as their dishonest psychopath politician paid thugs again ? Soldiers with integrity and honor would leave the forces or better try to stop them like Bradley Manning did.

  • @vgapmi1895
    @vgapmi1895 3 года назад

    That man is a real hero, he accepted what happened, does not hate an entire Country, and aknowledges bad things happen in war.

  • @nobodymanjustme2402
    @nobodymanjustme2402 3 года назад +14

    People like you make me proud to be British 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍💯

  • @gerryd7027
    @gerryd7027 3 года назад +7

    So interesting what a legend. Total respect to this man. 😎👍🤘

  • @robinmyman
    @robinmyman 3 года назад +8

    I remember your capture being reported...good man John.

  • @nigelscott1922
    @nigelscott1922 3 года назад +2

    What truly brave men the rest of us don’t know we’re born.

  • @Ghostdog4
    @Ghostdog4 3 года назад +4

    Much Respect Sir! You are a Hell of a Man!

  • @hersh6216
    @hersh6216 3 года назад +4

    I remember when it happened. That was a sad sad sight. Nice to see him home

  • @senakaweeraratna741
    @senakaweeraratna741 3 года назад +10

    When airplanes drop bombs on innocent civilians a great crime is being committed. Instead of focusing solely on the reception given to the captured pilot by the enemy, why not narrate the cries and suffering of the people on the ground. They are also humans. Their voice too must be heard as they are victims of a barbaric war crime committed by bomber crews.

  • @Jake-wl7mh
    @Jake-wl7mh 3 года назад +1

    Remember this well. I was a senior in high school. Glad this brave Brit made it home

  • @fifthof1795
    @fifthof1795 3 года назад +5

    The second Gulf War has caused a lot more trouble.

  • @thatguyfromcetialphaV
    @thatguyfromcetialphaV 3 года назад

    The thing that stands out the most is that Mr Peters is a dear sweet man who has no ill will to anyone. Classy man.

  • @Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab
    @Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab 3 года назад +4

    My heart sank & I felt physically sick when I saw those images first come through on the news...Hero is an over-used word...Only true heroes are ones who face this kind of horror and come through it with real dignity...this is true courage in the face of the most nightmareish circumstances. Your country, and all decent people salute you, sir.

  • @colwilliamnoydb4134
    @colwilliamnoydb4134 3 года назад +1

    2 of my crews got shot down. 1 died, 3 POW's. I flew in and had over 30 hits. Mostly small arms fire. I told my back seater, if we eject, we hit the ground running and always stay together.

  • @nervo6321
    @nervo6321 3 года назад +12

    Legend...regardless of what John thinks otherwise i personally salute his patriotism and call of duty...

    • @fghjjjk
      @fghjjjk 3 года назад +2

      Duty to what? Serious question what was any brits duty doing being in Iraq?

    • @Frserthegreenengine
      @Frserthegreenengine 3 года назад +2

      @@fghjjjk being part of a UN mission to force Iraq out of Kuwait?

    • @fghjjjk
      @fghjjjk 3 года назад

      @@Frserthegreenengine In the lead-up to the invasion of Kuwait, the United States’ ambassador to Iraq, April Glaspie, met with Saddam. According to a transcript of that meeting released by the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, Ambassador Glaspie told Saddam, “We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts, such as your dispute with Kuwait. Secretary Baker has directed me to emphasize the instruction, first given to Iraq in the 1960s, that the Kuwait issue is not associated with America.”

    • @Frserthegreenengine
      @Frserthegreenengine 3 года назад

      @@fghjjjk and later on she admitted: "Obviously, I didn't think, and nobody else did, that the Iraqis were going to take all of Kuwait." Saddam Hussain twisted her words as justification of invading Kuwait and Saddam even lied to her that he had no intention to invade.

    • @fghjjjk
      @fghjjjk 3 года назад

      @@Frserthegreenengine A young woman who gave only her first name, Nayira, testified that she had been a volunteer at Kuwait’s al-Adan hospital, where she had seen Iraqi troops rip scores of babies out of incubators, leaving them “to die on the cold floor.” Between tears, she described the incident as “horrifying.”
      Her account was a bombshell. Portions of her testimony were aired that evening on ABC’s “Nightline” and NBC’s “Nightly News.” Seven US senators cited her testimony in speeches urging Americans to support the war, and George HW Bush repeated the story on 10 separate occasions in the weeks that followed.
      In 2002, Tom Regan wrote about his own family’s response to the story for The Christian Science Monitor:
      I can still recall my brother Sean’s face. It was bright red. Furious. Not one given to fits of temper, Sean was in an uproar. He was a father, and he had just heard that Iraqi soldiers had taken scores of babies out of incubators in Kuwait City and left them to die. The Iraqis had shipped the incubators back to Baghdad. A pacifist by nature, my brother was not in a peaceful mood that day. “We’ve got to go and get Saddam Hussein. Now,” he said passionately.
      Subsequent investigations by Amnesty International, a division of Human Rights Watch and independent journalists would show that the story was entirely bogus - a crucial piece of war propaganda the American media swallowed hook, line and sinker.

  • @crabbyj
    @crabbyj 3 года назад +1

    Respect sir.
    You were never far from our thoughts.

  • @RJM1011
    @RJM1011 3 года назад +9

    Thank you John for what you did.

    • @pipodekluklukmamalou824
      @pipodekluklukmamalou824 3 года назад

      In Iraq women could drive vote educate etc , in Kuwait women had no rights, you sound like ISIL.

  • @st.roberts4295
    @st.roberts4295 3 года назад +1

    This is what a true hero looks like.

  • @ukdaniel2743
    @ukdaniel2743 3 года назад +5

    Mans a true warrior
    GB

  • @francissookraj3202
    @francissookraj3202 3 года назад +1

    I remember in the nineties watching
    the news of that torture image of John Peters, and feeling so sad for him , and I was praying they rescue him. It must have been absolutely terrifyingly for him. Thank God he and his friend survived.

  • @christhevancura9113
    @christhevancura9113 3 года назад +4

    Those 5 words..It is what it is . 💯💯

  • @jameslindley924
    @jameslindley924 3 года назад +1

    Ultimate Respect Mr Peters !!!
    There are no other words !!
    BUT !! -You Did it Lived to tell your story!!

  • @pauljones8149
    @pauljones8149 3 года назад +18

    Brave man , I would of probably told them where my commanding officer lived , drank and the route he drove to work and then asked for a new pair of pants and trousers !!

  • @cdp200442
    @cdp200442 3 года назад +1

    That day we were one nation. I Remember how bad I felt for you and all the pilots... are US my country held are breath through the opening days of the war. I’ll never forget seeing them on tv .. with all their injuries. Bless you men and thank you isn’t enough for your service and all in the war.

    • @j0nnyism
      @j0nnyism 3 года назад

      The feeling on this side of the pond is entirely the same. I’ll never forget how thankful my grandfather said he was of the US soldiers when they came to Europe to fight facism. Our nation was half starved and war weary. America came to our need when it was at its greatest. The people of Britain will never forget the courage and professionalism of the American servicemen who risked their lives for our freedom

  • @avslope8963
    @avslope8963 3 года назад +6

    What a man. Thank you for your service and inspiration.

  • @q8fly.
    @q8fly. 3 года назад

    Thank you from Kuwait. I was 12 years old in London watching the news & I remember it like yesterday.

  • @zororosario
    @zororosario 3 года назад +5

    Respect in the fullest to these Fellows. Brave beyond measure , I remember the photographs from those days and thought ! Oh My God?

  • @davidread7492
    @davidread7492 3 года назад +1

    Him and his like are the best of British. Thanks for your service.

  • @indiflynn7225
    @indiflynn7225 3 года назад +5

    Respect 👍 Thank you for telling us. God Bless You 🙏

  • @Alanvids
    @Alanvids 3 года назад +1

    Being recognised by his son was the highlight of his career. Wonderful