Coastal Command | A day in the life of a Sunderland flying boat (1942)
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- Опубликовано: 27 июн 2023
- The work of Coastal Command is illustrated by this story (published November 1942) of a single (fictional) operation, and of the various ground and flying personnel involved, particularly the crew of Sunderland 'T for Tommy'.
The crew is introduced in the course of a routine convoy-escort patrol, which is uneventful for them though their relief (a Catalina) sinks a U-boat. The main story concerns the shadowing of a German raider (the Düsseldorf) and the Coastal Command attacks which leave it ready for a naval death blow. The raider's attempted break-out is first spotted by a Catalina, which watches a torpedo attack by Beauforts from Iceland before turning for home. 'T for Tommy', the relief 'shadow', briefly loses the Düsseldorf but then guides in a Hudson bombing strike. Flying low to spot damage, the Sunderland is itself damaged by flak; returning home it is attacked by four Ju 88s. Rescue arrives, first with another Sunderland, then four Beaufighters. 'T for Tommy' gets home with two crew members injured; a closing sequence shows its departure for duty in West Africa.
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My father Alistair James Murdoch was a rear gunner in a Sunderland flying boat in the RAF. He was only 18 at the beginning of his time with the RAF ,from Scotland and was based at Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, Wales. He survived the war. He met my mother in Milford Haven on her boat. I am very proud of him. Sadly he passed away 6 yrs ago along with my mother. He was 95. Joy Murdoch.
Thank you Joy, for your grace, sharing this was probably not easy, and I am glad you found a respectful channel which honours history. I am sorry for your loss, they both passed in a short time of one another, very hard for you. Some time ago, but it must have been a daunting blow. I admire you for honouring them and respecting your Father's service.
@@stephend4909well spoken
I used to frequent a pub in the UK when I was 16, taken there by my friends older brother. One night we sat with some older blokes, one of them was a Coastal command gunner on a RAF Catalina. What an absolute privilege to meet such a guy and hear the hardships and close calls. Attacking a surfaced U-Boat with bombs and MG. Incredible.....Lest we forget their strength and determination. God bless them.
God bless
I used to be in Oban a lot when I was a youngster, there were plenty of locals around then who remembered the wartime seaplane base there,Stranraer had one too. In fact Stranraer had loads of wartime installations, nearby Cairnryan was military port no 2 complete with 14 miles of newly built railway. It was also where most of the U boats were taken from and scuttled at the end of the war in the Beaufort Dyke. The Military were still there in the sixties.
Thanks for posting this.
I have been privileged to have met some WW2 veterans and yes privilege is the only word. It really chokes me up to think that all of these brilliant, brave and marvellous people have now all gone, perhaps we could do with their like today?
It's to bad that kind of experience is lost on most of the mill, gen x, and gen zee rs. The y don't know and don't want to know, eff em.
The sergeant observer is my late mother's cousin Henry Morton who was posted missing in action later in the war. He was promoted to flying officer and decorated some months after this film was made when their aircraft came under attack and he took over one of the machine guns after the gunner was wounded. An interesting fact is that Henry was born and raised in a small mining village only 6 miles from the town his aircraft type was named after, the Short Sunderland. RIP Fg Officer Henry Morton DFM
Respect.
🫡
My uncle was a flight engineer on Sunderland’s operating out of Castle Archdale on anti U boat patrols. His plane hit a submerged log landing after a patrol and he was badly injured being thrown into the Perspex of the front turret (it was his job to moor up to the buoy after landing). I saw his log book entry of the crash and it simply said “shaky do”. While recuperating in hospital the rest of the crew were all killed flying into a mountain in low cloud. As a kid he told me one of his duties was dropping foot long million candle power magnesium flares at night out of the flare chute in the tail. They were detonated by a detachable cord so many feet under the aircraft. Sometimes they’d hang up under the aircraft and could literally melt the tail off the plane….which was one of his big fears. After he recovered he was posted to Oban as an instructor. A lovely bloke sadly no longer with us.
I would have loved to have flown one
His log-book would be very interesting transcribed into a narrative, but I'm sure a lot of guys would just love to read scans of it!
@@anaxis The log entries were very brief. The story above is as it was relayed to me verbally as a kid by my uncle now passed away. One of his kids has the logbook.
Good stories to hear from you're uncle.
You honour his memory.Thanks.
My family was born in Germany. Thank you for showing me this movie,.
My dad was 17, when he went to war. My mom was Born in Berlin. Her mother died birthing her❤️. She was German and Jewish. I still cry over THEIR pains and sufferings. My mom had horrible nightmares, screaming about running away from the Russian soldiers that were chasing her. Until her last week of Life 96 years old. My parents were so good to me.Thank you GOD for your forgiveness. My dad was a paratrooper. My grandmother
Was a R.N. and Pharmist. My grandfather was a soldier. In WW1. My parents were in WW11. They taught me to NEVER judge a person of their nationality. Don't JUDGE.
GOD BLESS EACH of YOU.
Liebe Alinawarne, thank you for your comment. What you say is full of grace and strength and courage.
I am awed by the trauma you carry, You are clearly courageous to inherit without a choice, and so bravely face; such pain and horror, and to carry yourself forward with love and intelligence. I want to reaffirm your faith that people can (potentially) be wonderful, you taught yourself this. I am sure you also learned that people can be practically satanic. Leide leide.
You seem to be an astute and extraordinary person, I bet you were a teacher once, and if you weren't, you should have been, you are teaching me respect. God bless your heart and your family. Truly.
About 20 years ago my son and I visited the museum in Southampton where they had one of these on display. These things are HUGE and as it was off season they allowed my 12 year old son to sit up in the cockpit. He didn't talk about anything else for days. Fantastic pieces of kit,
My father served in Coastal Command, the " kipper fleet", as he jokingly referred to it. He was a rear gunner in Sunderland flying boats, 228 squadron, Mentioned in Dispatches. He had a particular dislike of Junkers 88s, and Arado196 floatplanes, armed with 20mm cannon, versus his .303 Brownings. He would have enjoyed seeing this film very much, so, many thanks for posting.
My father was a Sunderland pilot, who spent a part of the war with 228 and, likewise, I'm sure would have relished this film
@@chrisg6086 .Chris G, I think my father flew mostly in Sunderland U E - L ? He said he'd flown ops in the one preserved at the RAF Hendon (?) collection too. Best regards.
@@rsitarsi4804 thank you, and best wishes
👍👏
Really kicked Hitler in the balls, these guys! Or, should I say, "ball".
These are the men and women who actually did the job. These aren’t actors. My deepest respects to them all. Jolly good show everyone
My Dad was an airframe mechanic on the Sunderlands, with 422 Squadron RCAF. Dad just turned 98yo.
Believe it or "Not?" back in these Days "Actors" from Hollywood GOT SUED from their Studios for Breach of Contract for Joining the War! Jimmy Stewart is One of MY Favs!
@@davefellhoelter1343 I find that very hard to believe. Evidence? You need to remember there was conscription, and laws, which would constitute _force majeure_ in any contract litigation. The studios wouldn't have had a legal leg to stand on, let alone any appetite for the public oppobrium such lawsuits would have attracted.
@@EJP286CRSKW you can Find it Hard to "Believe" but it's all TRUE! just watch "And Five came Back"? or study jimmy Stewart? He lost his son in Nam and flew combat missions in WWII then went on to be Instrumental in the founding of the USAF post war while ascending to a Top Leadership position with the USAAC In WWII while LEADING from the front.
This is WHY he HATED the Fonds's! and Me TOO!
"these aren't actors". Either that, or the stiff-upper-lip performances are even worse than usual.
Jolly good show!..I'm very envious of the way the pilot commander speaks English...the others too give us all a lesson...a very correct and serious generation of people thankfully.
Pilot and another crew member died a little later. Did not survive the war.
Many thanks Georgie.
@@georgielancaster1356Yes, both were killed later the same year this film was made - 1942.
I've watched this movie at least 6 times it's always enjoyable well done by the men putting their lives on the line
I know it's not the focus of the film, but I love that little dog.
So do I!!
What a Beaut
It reminds me of our childhood Jack Russell. Love a war dog..😊
Stupid, gut happy. 😂
Reminds me of Scruffy from "The Ghost & Mrs Muir."
My grandfather was a radio operator on a Sunderland in the Mediterranean, went down and was one of only two survivors after being dragged out of the sinking wreck unconscious by the other survivor, coming to on the rescue raft
The music of Williams really does go hand in glove with these films - what a treasure he was, too.
My mum was in the WAAF, she was stationed at RAF Pembroke Dock where Sunderlands were based. She was, under supervision, was allowed to move the Sunderlands around. She never sat her driving test until she was in her 70’s, on her first lesson the instructor asked did she have any driving experience, the reply ‘Sunderland Flying Boats’ was unexpected!
That's a great story! Kudos to your mum!
Class
My Dad was at Pembroke Dock too, with 422 Sdn RCAF. He was an airframe mechanic on Sunderlands.
I would have loved to see the instructors face when she told him that!
In my terminology, one of my son-in-laws had a drivers license for B-52's, NO SHIT! U.S. Air Force, B-52's, maintenance, crew chief. Yes, they were most likely pulled around by tractors, but sometimes ....
What a fascinating old movie! I love the old English war movies, to me they're a refreshing change from our American movies of the time. This was somewhat like being along with the crew, imagine what theater-goers at the time felt like as they saw how/where their fighting men were doing their duty to defend the Free World. Very, very enjoyable .. thank you!
Hi, I am with you there. I see a lot of contemporary American criticism of British films of the era because of lack of character development. They totally missed the point that it is 'Everyman' being depicted, that the characters could be anyone that the audience knows.
Excellent comment mate. I'm from Australia but I also look at it in a similar way. I found this to be well made and totally absorbing: they had a different sense of decency in those days, but yes, they were at war.
It's a documentary or docu-drama not a 'movie'. They're actual servicemen not actors.
Most of the warfilm scores are bombastic and sentimental beyond mental. This film has a marvelous score. Real Brits doing coastal patrol is a delight.
The music is by one of the UK's finest classical composers, Ralph Vaughn Williams. That explains the high quality.
@@ProfessorPille - we have a Yank named John Williams whom makes my bones hurt. Ralph Vaughn Williams, thank you Prof.
Trivia: See at 34:15 the Lockheed Hudson light bomber. On its starboard side see the inscription: "Spirit of Lockheed-Vega Employees." There's a big story to that plane:
In December 1940 a 21-year-old workman from the Lockheed-Vega named Burton Griffin found himself unable to shake an exciting idea that had taken hold of his imagination. The man was working on the line at the company’s Burbank, California plant helping to produce the Hudson bombers on order from Great Britain.
However, playing a role in producing the bombers wasn’t enough for young Griffin. He wanted himself and his fellow workers to VOLUNTEER their labor and wages to build a special employee-donated Hudson as a Christmas gift to the people of Britain.
Lockheed-Vega executives loved the idea. After Griffin’s idea circulated, nearly all 20,000 Lockheed-Vega employees donated two or more hours of their pay toward the effort. A mere three weeks later, on December 25, 1940, a Hudson bomber inscribed "Spirit of Lockheed-Vega Employees" flew to Montreal's St. Hubert Airport where it was handed over to British forces. Upon its arrival in Great Britain a week later Lord Beaverbrook, the minister of aircraft in Britain, called the gift “a message of immense encouragement” and swiftly put it into service under the RAF’s Coastal Command.
Heroic Action
As pictured at 34:15, on August 27, 1941, as part of the RAF’s No. 269 Squadron, the "Spirit of Lockheed-Vega Employees" bomber joined other Hudsons in being the first aircraft to capture a German submarine, when squadron leader J. H. Thompson dropped a series of depth charges around a surfaced U-boat near Iceland. The remaining Hudson light bombers quickly circled around the U-570 sub, delivering a spray of gunfire, which promptly led the German crew to wave the white flag of surrender.
I noticed that inscription and wondered about it. Thanks for explaining - fascinating
Thank you, great information.
is that the one they got the enigma code book from?
Thanks so much for this amazing fact!
No, the Enigma code machine was recovered by a RN officer and seamen who bravely entered a captured submarine in danger of sinking. They managed to stabilise the sub and brought out the fabulous prize complete with codebooks.
I saw this as a boy (around 1972) at the Imperial War Museum’s theatre when I visited with my father, himself a WW2 veteran. I was absolutely glued to my seat watching this! I eventually got an Airfix model of the Sunderland which I treasured for years. Alas, I no longer have it or my other models, all lost to the mists of time. Thank you so much for uploading this wonderful movie, a real trip down memory lane for me and reliving the shared times I had with my, now late and much missed, father.
For me it was a Catalina model.
"Mists of Time." Great line!
Time to start building again. So many wonderful tutorials and examples here on RUclips!!
Parabéns por ter tido esta MARAVILHOSA experiência de ter assistido este ESPETACULAR documentário de dentro do Museu Imperial você teve a melhor das melhores experiências um vídeo tão fascinante em um local que guarda a história deles uma local praticamente sagrado e se eu fiquei totalmente fascinado assistindo aqui na minha cama fico imaginando a sua emoção neste dia, PARABÉNS.
The constant endeavour of the of RAF Coastal Command's 'Few' made a very great contribution to the winning of the Battle of the Atlantic....
The longest continuous battle of the Second World War.
My Father used to fly in the Sunderland (230sqn) during WW2. He was a radio operator. I took him to Pembroke Dock in the 1990's for a sqn reunion where he met up with other crew members. They talked for hours about their experiences during the war (and after). It was awesome for me to just sit there and listen to their stories.
I hope they sent the Aussies to West Africa at the end too. They aren't at home anyway and are accustomed to warmer climes. The movie never said either way.
It's also not clear to me why the Aussie Sunderland returned with T for instead of proceeding to find the Dusseldorf after the 88s left. And where were the land based patrol aircraft like Whitleys and B-24s? I would have like to see them.
Hello Peter, my late Father was also a radio operator on the Sunderland during WW2!
@@neryshaynes9149 My Father's crew were very close, keeping in contact and occasionally visiting each other. I took him to 3 reunions around the country in his remaining years. Which sqn did your Father belong to?
I remember as a kid going to an RAF open day about 1955, when there were still Sunderlands based in Pembroke Dock. I've never forgotten that day. Wonderful machines; I had an Airfix model of one for years.
Thankyou, my dad was a rear gunner on the Sunderlands…he was with RAAF 10 squadron… I know he flew out of Oban at some point and he tells of a rescue where the military they rescued were so joyful but all the crew were really concerned with the big seas as to whether they would actually be able to take off. Dad was full of admiration for the pilot who got them airborne…
My uncle was a Sunderland pilot, he was stationed at Oban. He was a very modest man, I’m sure he could of told many interesting stories but never did. When he was alive I was too young to appreciate what a hero he was. After the war, many of his contemporaries entered civil aviation but he just settled into a mundane job.
10 SQN RAAF is one of the few RAAF SQNs still flying from WWII. For many years with P3 Orion ASW aircraft and recently transitioned over to P8 Poseidons. They fly out of the airbase nearby me, RAAFB Edinburgh. I also understand they were the first RAAF SQN to fight in WWII as some of their personnel were already in England to receive the new Sunderlands when the war broke out.
The six stars are the real treat; Sunderland, Catalina, Beaufort, Beaufighter, JU88, and blink and its gone, the P40 on the ground. The service men and women (representing all parts of the UK, USA, and Commomwealth nations too), all put in sterling performances too.!
No Hudson?
@@jamesbugbee9026 SEVEN STARS, just testing to see who was paying attention.
This is excellent. Just excellent. Thank you for this story. The production is totally effective, excruciatingly well made, delicious to watch. Brilliant. Thank you for this brilliant piece of history!
My grandfather Ron Cunold-Cook was a New Zealander flight sargeant who completed one tour for Coastal Command flying Armstrong-Whitworth Whitleys (dubbed "Butterboxes"). Highlights for him included helping paratroopers carry out the Bruneval radar station raid, the first ever use of British paras in combat, after the bottom gun turret was removed for them to jump out of. Another log entry was seeing three JU 88s approach when patrolling for U-boats in Bay of Biscay while he was based out of Lossiemouth. He reports diving into a cloudbank and, when he emerged, they had gone. Just as well, because a Butterbox was no match for even one JU88. Unfortunately he drowned in a boating accident, and is buried in Kinloss Abbey.
Beautiful Flying Boats these. And their crews heroic. Inspiring music (Vaughan Williams?) and cracking photography. A testament to the might of Britain in dark times to bring light again. Spendid!
The Coastal Command is often overlooked in favour of the fighters and Bomber Command.
The Catalina is still one of my favourite aircraft.
The men in the 'Stringbags' or Fairey Swordfish remain the bravest of them all in my book.
Slow, lumbering aircraft holding a steady speed and height to launch their torpedoes in the face of incoming fire epitomizes the bravery of the Swordfish crewmen.
What a great way to showcase the jobs these men and women had keeping the convoys safe.
They was u boat hunters more than convoy protection...
@@wor53lg50 Hunting enemy submarines *is* convoy protection. A sunk submarine will not attack convoys and these pesky submarines are known to be drawn to convoys to attack them.
@@advorak8529 yes and no, thats why sub chasers and fleet air arm carriers accompanied convoys, these literally went out looking for subs before they formed up into a wolf pack, or surprise them taking on fresh air and charging batteries, or resupply usually at night, dusk or dawn..it would've been the milche cows the high valued targets for coastal command, another reason they stuck sometimes 5 sets of flak zwilling and vierling on them...
@@wor53lg50 _thats why sub chasers and fleet air arm carriers accompanied convoys_
Sub chasers were cheaper than DDs and almost as good at this task. And escort carriers - think full sized carriers that were not fast, 19kts or so, too slow for the fleet - were perfectly fine for hunter-killer groups. Not so much doing convoy duty, though, because at first they were rare and stuff like CAMs and similar experiments were floated, and later became HK groups were more effective.
_these literally went out looking for subs_
Like coastal command, yes. It’s called patrolling.
_before they formed up into a wolf pack_
I am not sure you completely understand what the _Rudeltaktik_ was. “All” it was is having a number of submarines roughly organised in search strips and the first to find the convoy not attack but report and lead other submarines to the convoy. Such a wolfpack would either be organised by vectoring boats in onto the presumed track of a reported (aircraft or submarine, typically) convoy or on intelligence about a convoy being formed etc.
The submarines operated independently from each other on the convoy and rarely even knew where the other ones were.
_or surprise them taking on fresh air and charging batteries_
Hence snorkels, radar absorbent covering, radar warner, larger batteries, …
_or resupply usually at night, dusk or dawn. it would've been the milche cows the high valued targets for coastal command_
There were only ever 10 of them commissioned, and the _Milchkühe_ (singular _Milchkuh_ ) were indeed and rightfully priority targets, as they enabled several other submarines with fresh food, fresh bread (there was a small bakery on board), fuel, lubricant, and a few (4) torpedoes.
_another reason they stuck sometimes 5 sets of flak zwilling and vierling on them..._
You are mixing up the type XIV (milk cow) with the _Flakfalle_ experiment.
The XIV was unarmed (no deck gun, no torpedo tubes) except for AA self defence: 2x the ubiquitous 3,7cm SK C/30U (practical RPM: 30) and 1x 2cm SK C/30 (practical RPM: 120, 20 round box magazine).
The _Flakfalle_ submarines were modified type VIIC with little fuel (Bay of Biscay operation only), no torpedo reloads (5 torpedoes in tubes) nor deck guns as they had to house all the additional crew. They had 2x 2cm quad mounts, 1x 3,7cm and a number of morale-boosting machine guns.
This anti-aircraft trap concept worked somewhat at first, but the RAF fairly quickly used their own form of wolf pack tactics against them - 3 planes attacking from 3 directions killed and wounded most of the people on deck, the only officer left capable of action was the doctor (which was not usual on normal type VIIC submarines, you had a corpsman, the milk cows had a doctor and a small infirmary).
They dived on orders of the badly wounded commander, (despite no officer qualified for underwater operations was left) and with the limited nautical knowledge of the doctor made it back to port. The bridge was manned by the doctor, 2 radio men, the electrical chief engineer and a torpedo mechanic. They could not even read the flag signals when the harbour defence tried to communicate with them … nobody left. (U-441 as U-Flak 1, 1943-07-11, returned to port on the 13th)
The _Flakfalle_ experiment ended after this; normal U-boats gained more AA, reducing the gap anyway. And even the quad 2cm was likely too weak - as one sailor reported: “I saw the projectiles actually strike and ricochet off of the cockpit!”
Nothing is more beautiful than a Sunderland in all varieties and painted schemes...the valiant crews of Coastal Command and their heroic deeds must always be remembered...
Foot note - opening sequence Ralph Reader singing " we are sailing along on the crest of a wave " later founded the boy scout gang shows
What a treat. Sunderland Catalina Beaufort’s Beaufighter’s, Hudson’s P40. Real Stuff.
I've loved the Sunderland since I was a boy when I was on holiday in Wales and we went to Pembrokeshire. I was taken to see a Sunderland which was then on display and you were able to go inside it for a small price, I don't know what happened to that one.
What I like about this film is the music, by Sir Ralph Vaughan Williams and the acting by real RAF Coastal Command people. Yes its a blatant propaganda film and the story rather unlikely but its great stuff. The best bit for me is right at the end when the Sunderland flies down the main street of its base at little more than rooftop height, absolutely marvellous.
As a movie, that is not what I am talking about. As historical footage, that is still not it. As footage of flying, operationally flying, Beauforts, Hudsons, Catalinas, Sunderlands, (update: Beaufighters), and others, I am in hog heaven! Thank you, so very much. And inside and ground crew views as well.
In "Sink the Bismarck", Swordfish! In "In Which We Serve", Junkers (Ju 88's). Aah, the internet. A touch different then a 10 year old in 1956. Libraries, books and some black and white TV. I am truly blessed to live in this age, even with the graft and corruption. I am thankful.
Fantastic film. My great-aunt helped build Sunderland airframes at Short Brothers in Belfast during this time in the war. Maybe even the ones in the film, who knows! She walked the wings doing quality control to make sure the rivets were secure and that none rivert holes were missed. She told me it was a huge beast of a machine. The exhibit in the RAF Museum is superb, highly recommended.
About time this vital contribution got a bit of screen time…..
The Sunderland was an amazing aircraft that never really got the recognition it deserved.
It's a long time ago but thank you for your service. All of you.
A timeless episode of courage inspiring for all times
I worked with a gentleman who had been a tail gunner on Sunderlands. Some of his best stories came from how they were trained on RAF fast patrol boats. Apparently the gun turrets were the same as fitted to the aircraft.
Most of them have probably gone by now, but nevertheless, thankyou for your service.
Great film for its time. When I was a kid I remember seeing Sunderlands landing and taking off on the Berlin Wannsee during the airlift. Magnificent bird the Sunderland.
What a great little film. Seeing the Sunderland from many angles up close and personal is a real treat, as are the natural sounds recorded live at the time. Those flying boats sound so good! Thanks!
Sim eu assisti pela primeira vez hoje e fiquei totalmente maravilhado.
Lovely detail at 21:17 showing a flightpath North out of Strabane NI avoiding a flight over Donegal in Neutral Ireland. In actual fact a secret air corridor existed over Donegal due west into the Atlantic but the British had to keep it secret because a German Embassy with full diplomatic relations existed in Ireland at that time. Only late in the war did Ireland start cooperating more closely with the allies. In spite of neutrality thousands of citizens from Ireland joined the UK and US services and took part fully in the war, among them Brendan Finucane from Dublin and Eugene Esmonde who was a Swordfish pilot shot down during operation Cerberus, the Channel dash by the Kreigsmarine from France to Germany.
“Paddy” Finucane - fighter pilot
Irish neutrality in WW2 and our full diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany was a national shame that will forever stain our history.
The Atlantic and the Arctic seas are big pieces of real estate. In those days, if for some reason your plane ended up in drink, you were basically screwed. No bail out and an extended stay in a POW camp. BTW, the bloke who plays the skipper of the aircraft was actually KIA before this film was released in UK cinemas.
A phenomenal film because it was produced in the middle of the war and they were all real military personnel. Also, it captured the natural stoicism of the British character, perhaps illustrated in the music of Vaughan Williams. Finally was some of the cinematography, the closing sequences particularly.
If you made it with these blokes today people wouldn't think they were real
Good film about a part of the Atlantic war that often doesn't get much attention. Nice shots of the Sunderlands, Catalinas, Hudsons, and Beauforts.
@@spikespa5208 On tv quite recently. I believe the people in it were real crews
@@redf7209 You are correct, the sergeant observer in the Sunderland was my late mother's cousin Henry Morton who was posted missing in action later in the war and never found.
My father worked on the Sunderland .He used to work on the blisters and windows. He got into the fleet air arm and spent most of the war in the Pacific and didn't get home for years.
Bloody good show. Great way to do Fourth of July. “For I AM Welsh, you know.”
I watch this and think of my father who was a pilot in 300 Squadron in New Guinea flying Beaufort bombers. This showed me what he would have gone through fighting the Japanese. It was very well filmed. Thankyou. 👏😁🇦🇺
Thanks. I hope to find material to cover those Australian operations eventually
Everybody knows about the Battle of Britain. Coastal Command has always been underrepresented in the media. You should post more content concerning this topic.
I intend to
The way they found U-Boats is amazing. Very clever and extremely efficient.
my father lived on board a Coastal Command Sunderland from 1940 to 1945 as a navigator/radio operator
In the early 1950s the local garage was run by three ex RAAF mechanics, and they told me about No10 Sqn RAAF. They went to the UK to collect the Sunderland Flying Boats that the Australian Government had purchased. When war was declared the Government decided to leave the Squadron over in the UK and they didn't return to Australia until 1946
This is a brilliant film, and remarkable for several reasons. The composer of the music was Ralph Vaughan Williams (his only film score), and the aircrew "actors" were in fact real coastal command pilots and servicemen. A well preserved Short Sunderland is on permanent display at the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon, London, UK. I believe that Luftwaffe aircrew nicknamed it the "flying porcupine".
No CGI very refreshing
It’s was indeed nicknamed the Flying Porcupine literally bristled with guns hence the name.
Roger Hunter, who played the skipper, had already been killed in action by the time this movie was released.
The Navigator, 'Jammy' was played by Flight Sergeant Charles Norman Lewis who was killed in the crash of the Sunderland carrying HRH The Duke of Kent.
Not many (if any) of the crew of Sunderland T for Tommy survived the war.
Vaughan Williams' only film score? Ever heard of Scott of the Antarctic? 49th Parallel? And many more.
@@jimmyhillschin9987 Sorry to say, I didn't know he scored those films. Thanks for enlightening me, I clearly have some urgent homework to do....
My two favourite flying boats, Sunderland and Catalina. As a kid I was enthralled watching one the last post-war Sunderlands flying out of Durban. Those long range reconnaissance flights must have been quite something - hours of boredom when any lack of attention could result in a missed sighting.
I don't know if you have seen that the Americans have updated the Catalinas engines and the design is going back into service. A Google will probably find the articles written this year 2003. Apparently with the engines updated electronics added to the basic design with improvements no other aircraft of its type is equal.
These are capable men, strong, brave, intelligent gentlemen. Matters were in good hands, on all levels.
Contrast with Bomber Command comrades who held a battle position for whole sortie. Airborne for 12 hours, patrolling a merciless sea with a range of 2000 miles plus. Always aware of roaming JU 88 with 20mm cannons against .303 pea shooters. Wave top height when threatened to protect vulnerable belly. Brave, resolute lads protecting our supply lines and sinking 200 plus u boats.
Wasnt they twin vickers though on the blisters sides? the same as the sas and commandos used on their jeeps which they did get of aircraft surplus?, in theory your more likely to hit something with them than a single?, even a 50 with those having higher rate of fire than the 50 ,but lacks the damage at distance, but the cupola's had licencec browning 30 cal in, apart from the nose which later on in the war had twin 50's in...
Thank you for extending my knowledge. Really having a swipe at .303. Condemned by Master Bomber John Searby in his book Bomber Battle for Berlin. Once out of harness commanders can speak freely.@@wor53lg50
I'd imagine cracking enigma helped narrow the search area. My Grandfather was a first officer in the Merchant Marine and married a British woman who had lost her first husband to war. She worked in a hut at Bletchley Park, just watching for a signal and then marking it.
Belles images de l'hydravion Sunderland Catalina, un film rare dont je vous remercie.
Bravo, Bravo, vous êtes des héros. Mes respects pour vos sacrifices. Vous restez dans nos cœurs à jamais. Un français. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍👍💞💞💞
In the late 1950's or maybe early '60's, I used to watch the Sunderland landing at Evans Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. It was a regular service and as young boys we'd bicycle down to the Bay to watch the crew coming ashore in small dinghy's and then when they'd gone we'd swim out to the mooring. They were huge aircraft.
1st Time Ever Seeing This Flic, Thanks n God Bless 🤗 Gary.
Thank you for that. I lived in Penang 1965 to 68. My Dad was RAF Police. Dad mostly patrolled the mainland around Georgetown. He was teamed up with an Australian military Policeman (Fella named Bob Lord). The Australian air base, RAAF Butterworth had Sunderlands. Amazing to have been around when these huge planes were in service.
"Господь Бог сказал Нетаниягу: всеми силами проводи реформу, и ты увидишь чудеса и небесную благодать". Об этом в очередном уроке сказал известный израильский раввин Нир Бен-Арци.
Судя по публикации, весь урок раввин посвятил юридической реформе, которую продвигает правящая коалиция во главе с Биньямином Нетаниягу. Раскрыв "божественную сущность" реформы, Нир Бен-Арци поясняет, почему ее нельзя откладывать ни на один день.
"Меньшинство не может контролировать большинство - это не демократия. Не откладывайте реформу ни на один день: есть много высокопоставленных чиновников, которые брали взятки и делали плохие вещи. Теперь они боятся что их раскроют, если реформу примут. Поэтому выступают против".
Соединенные Штаты и Европа, по мнению раввина, выступают против реформы потому, что это помешает им контролировать израильский Верховный суд, а следовательно - все решения израильского правительства.
Среди божественных откровений, которые наступят после утверждения реформы, раввин перечисляет следующие: "Проведите реформы, и я исцелю вас. И сделаю так, что больше никто не причинит вам вреда".
Всевышний голосом раввина Бен-Арци также говорит, что любой, имеющий высокопоставленный пост, не имеет право протестовать в брутальной форме. Также требуется закон, который остановит поток денег для противников реформы.
Напомним, что ранее раввин Нир Бен-Арци пророчил всяческие беды руководству США, если в ближайшее время Биньямина Нетаниягу не пригласят в Белый дом. По его словам, каждый день промедления с приглашением израильского премьера в Вашингтон будет иметь тяжелые последствия для Америки.
"Будут у них невиданные проблемы - как в Европе, так и в Азии, - пообещал раввин. - Всевышний хранит Израиль и не даст его в обиду. И нет такой силы, которая способна перечить Всевышнему".
По мнению раввина Бен-Арци, "мы выйдем из всего этого более сильными". "Нечистота погаснет, чистота возвысится - и придет Машиах", - заключил он.
Кто такой Бен-Арци
Нир Бен-Арци - потомок мигрантов, прибывших с острова Джерба (Тунис). Он несколько месяцев прослужил в ЦАХАЛе, работал трактористом в Гуш-Катифе, но открыв в себе (по его собственному признанию) "сверхъестественные способности", пошел по духовной стезе, сплотив немалую группу восторженных почитателей. Они, среди прочего, абсолютно уверены, что экс-тракторист предсказал теракты 11 сентября, но американское руководство не прислушалось к предупреждению.
Против раввина-провидца выступили несколько авторитетных раввинов, в том числе Элиягу Бакши-Дорон (бывший главный сефардский раввин Израиля). Однако среди его сторонников оказались не менее известные раввины, в том числе Шмуэль Элиягу и Меир Мазуз.
В 1999 году Бен-Арци подал в раввинатский суд иск против раввина Шломо Авинера, который называл его "фальшивым ребе" и "лже-Мессией". Суд закончился компромиссным соглашением - Бен-Арци дал слово не величать себя больше Машиахом, а также не заниматься врачеванием, а Авинер - прекратить "травлю" Бен-Арци.
Тем не менее Бен-Арци увеличивал число сторонников. Он организовал йешиву высшей ступени, институт раввинатской подготовки, женскую семинарию, сеть учебных заведений. Пожертвования организации, возглавляемой раввином, достигают миллионов шекелей в год. По данным Forbes, в 2012 году в распоряжении организации было имущества на 100 миллионов шекелей.
Напомним, что Биньямин Нетаниягу, правительство которого было приведено к присяге 29 декабря 2022 года, до сих пор не получил приглашения посетить Белый дом, хотя по традиции израильские премьеры вскоре после вступления в должность "почти автоматически" отправляются с визитом в Вашингтон.
I have read the story of a German U-boat base in Panang... heard of it? See it?
I was in Penang in the mid 60s Paradise in the daytime a pain in the backside at night because of the Curfew.
My brother and I were thrilled in the late 1950s by the Southern California Coast Guard airplanes, red and white PBY Catalinas. The aeroplane was named after Catalina Island, 26 miles from the port of Long Beach (same distance as Britain from Calais). We jumped and screamed with delight as the Cat cruised in impossible stall speed and appeared to be suspended in time.
It was actually named by the British when they ordered their first batch. The U.S later adopted the name.
@@kwakagreg - and I supposed the Brits named the Mustang, the Jug...Brits come up with the coolest warbird names in history. Irony was that the airplane was designed and built not too far from the island of Catalina. Thanks.
@@dennismason3740the jug is a p47 actually not a mustang...
@@wor53lg50 Yes, I was listing airplanes with British nicknames. The P-47 is my ride, homie. A Mustang will go down while the Jug flies on and on...20 mil takes out a piston? No problem!
@@dennismason3740 Well yes the P51 was ordered by the RAF to a MOD specification and who named it Mustang. Although it didn't live up to that name until it was fitted with the Merlin engine.
Bloody wonderful. Thank you.
WHAT A WIZARD BUNCH OF CHAPS, GOOD SHOW!!! Brave men.
Fantastic movie restores your faith in the RAF thanks for posting it
Great drama, and sadly overlooked from a history of film point of view! Two of the crew, including the skipper were killed in action later the same year. Respect.
How did you find that out? I told my wife Peter Seller's "Group Captain Mandrake" must have been fashioned after him.
@@demiurgiac I Googled it, I did a deeper dive wayback, and if I recall correctly about half the crew didn't make it through to '45. Hear what you say about Mandrake, but don't forget Sellers was in the RAF at that time, so must have bumped into many similar types.
Always happy to sight a new Armoured Carrier film on the horizon
Only a republish. I can't produce my audio memory / clip compilations fast enough to keep the updated RUclips algorithm interested in my content ...
My Dad was in the RAF from 1946 to 1955 and for most of the time was with 205 sqn who flew Sunderland MkVs from Seletar, Singapore during the Malayan Emergency and Korean War. During the latter they flew from Iwakuni in Japan where they came under US command.
My uncle died in 1935 when the Sunderland he was in crashed in Sicily on its way to Singapore.
It is likely that my dad would have known yours ! My father was a Sunderland pilot from 1943 to the mid 50s. Served from 1940 to 1966. Iwakuni, Seletar, Singapore. Korean War and the Malayan Emergency.In 205 and 88 Squadrons. He flew Catalinas too during WW2.
God bless you all from Adelaide Australia with love and gratitude ❤️🕊️🙏🇦🇺🦘😊
My Nan used to work at Short Bros on The Medway making The Sunderland’s ,she used to connect all the wires and leads for the controls joysticks etc 🇬🇧
A great legacy indeed.
Indeed, indeed solid heroes in the shape of real men and tough women...
The fuel leak helps explain the value of self-sealing fuel tanks that came later.
scary --- one spark -- plus the vapors
A very good movie! Thank you...
Excellent film, great photography and “acting” ! many thanks for uploading. Very impressive aircraft, especially in takeoffs.
Thoroughly a great movie of a different time amazing what these men did day after day.
First time I've seen this aspect of the war, very good film 🎥.
Most 1942 WWII War movies are yarns... some worse than others. This was in a class by itself. Best in class!
And music by Vaughan Williams. What a treat!
Superb film, thanks to all for making this viewing possible. An often overlooked arena of the duties of the RAF in modern times. A reminder of the work and sacrifices made by the men and women of the allied forces who fought for our freedom.
The pilot is a total gentleman and charmer. His dog too.
Pilot and another crewmember were killed a little later. I hope someone took his dog and looked after it. Often they were just dumped in a village because the air crew thought they were unlucky. Almost nobody took on dogs because of rationing.
The dog even had a rank and waited to be let into the briefing room, well disciplined.
Never in the Field of Human Conflict has anyone spoken so clearly, so slowly and so poshly.....😜 I had this film when such things were sold by “After the Battle”. An Army Cadet Force Officer borrowed it and several other films, to show to his Cadets and oh how they laughed....har fings ave changed....😎
I was in a B17 in a museum. This airplane is HUGH in comparison! OMG, you could play rugby in it!!! I never knew that they had to go back over and over to sink this boat!! I guess we had better bombs and torpedoes later in the war! And they said "okaydoke" a term still in my lexicon. I always thought we YANKS invented it! Thank you so much for allowing me to see this movie!!! KUDUS!!!!
FANTASTIC movie!
Great movie....Love the flying boats....
I love these old films. Also it's interesting to hear how accents have changed since then.
These are the men and women that saved us from the NAZIS. ❤
Great quality ! beauforts, Sutherland's ,catalinas , fantastic ! and..hudsons
Just like it happened in the Channel Dash. A morale booster film.
Thank you 🤩🤩💖
Nice footage of the Beaus and Hudsons.
Fabulous. A woefully overlooked branch of service. Deeply interesting. Hope the lads all survived the war
I think the pilot died in action before the film was released. God, war is a stupid thing. Sadly, the best way to prevent war is a combination of vigilance and the ability to apply overwhelming power.
The pilot and another crewmember were killed
Five Avengers was at Midway. One made it back. Devastators did bad too. Gives me nightmares the losses. The dive bomber worked. Who knew not to use that other stuff. You would think Devastators would get through. Ouch.
Terribly good show chaps. I hope the Cat. Camara man was strapped in. Possibly not. Brave lads all, including the terribly terribly good show officers. Another time.
One funny story from my grandfather who was a front gunner with 204 squadron - each year they used to have annual target practice, which involved shooting at a drone being towed by another aircraft.
My grandfather's crew were the best shots in the squadron for the first 3 years of the war and were held in high regard - that was until the top brass realised something was amiss when they started to measure the distance between each bullet that hit the drone - they were too closely pack for the distance they were supposed to be firing at.
He was lucky to have the same crew for the first 3 years of the war and if they kept to the correct distance for firing at the drone - he said they were 'average' at best! - so to assist them, the captain would swing in close to the drone and let them have a 5 second blast before returning to the correct distance!
I spent 47 years of my life in aviation . Great film .thanks for posting it
Great film, 1942 vintage of coastal command!
My late Father was stationed at RAF Calshot as a National Service Man from 1947 to 1949.
Love this film...
It's a simple film but I love it..
FYI guys:
During the Second World War Coastal Command's important contribution was the protection of Allied convoys from attacks by the German Kriegsmarine's U-boats. It also protected Allied shipping from aerial attacks by the Luftwaffe.
The main operations of Coastal Command were defensive, defending supply lines in the Battle of the Atlantic, as well as the Mediterranean, Middle East, and African theaters. It operated from bases in the United Kingdom, Iceland, Gibraltar, the Soviet Union, West Africa and North Africa.
It also had an offensive capacity, in the North Sea, Arctic, Mediterranean and Baltic, strike wings attacked German shipping carrying war materials from Italy to North Africa and from Scandinavia to Germany.
They were also in charge of the photo recon units and IIRC the Met flights as well.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. You do such a great job .
You read a lot about the flying boats and the great work they did, it's really nice to see them up close and personal.
It was interesting to note how nautical their terminology was even though they were RAF. Literally flying a boat.
Stolen from the fleet
@briannochalas2757 I don't know that it was so much that they stole the terminology as two other factors apply:
1) The terminology is just plain practical. I've seen a lot of people get on boats and try to use regular language -- right and left rather than starboard and port -- and it's impossible to communicate effectively with them.
2) Due to the lack of good landing fields and an abundance of lakes, rivers, and harbors, flying boats were a common form of early aircraft, and many of those flying boats were built by, or in cooperation with, boatbuilders. Port and starboard don't just apply once the boat is built. It's in the plans. For example, one might see a drawing of a boat with a note "Berth P&S," meaning "Berth, Port and Starboard." It's common usage among boat designers and builders.
@ps5801 I didn't mean to imply they stole the terminology. I was trying to convey how a flying boat used naval terms even though it was RAF. Things like the scene where the crew masters in the ward room, which is, as far as I know, something you almost exclusively find on a warship. I was in the army and we always referred to it as the officers mess, or enlisted mess.
I thought the terminology really made it seem as though they were flying a boat.
@@briannicholas2757 Yeah, I know what you meant. Sorry if I came across as accusing. I didn't mean it that way.
What a great film..
One of my work colleagues was in the merchant Navy he was sunk 3 times when you took to the lifeboat, they stop your pay his mother knew something was wrong when her allotment from her son stopped.
I remember that from ages ago.
Plane very spacious inside compared to a Lancaster. Coastal command not as glamorous as other commands but sank a huge number of U boats. Jerry hated them.
The big game changer was the adoption of the B24 Liberator which could close the atlantic gap and not allow the U boats to stay anywhere on the surface to charge their batteries adequately. Half the Uboat crews were lost in WW2. Sunderlands were built in Belfast by Shorts Brothers and were a huge employer in that city.