The Jewish P-51 Fighter Pilot who Fought the Nazis | #7
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- Опубликовано: 18 май 2024
- A sincere interview of Bill Lyons, a WWII P-51 fighter pilot. William S. Lyons (Bill Lyons), has a unique story to tell as one of the few Jewish fighter pilots who flew in the United States Army Air Force. Here he describes combating fighters of the Luftwaffe to include Messerschmitt Bf 109s to Focke-Wulf Fw 190s.
Bill Lyons flew with the 357th Fighter Squadron, and 355th Fighter Group.
Recording Date: 9 August 2023
___________________________________
This interview was made possible by Bill Marshall. He kindly reached out to us and help us set this up.
If you know of a retired aviator whom we should interview, please message us on Facebook or email info@flightlinemedia .co (not .com).
Marshall also wrote a book on Lyons’ squadron and fighter group titled:
•Our Might Always: The 355th Fighter Group in World War II
Consider purchasing here:
tinyurl.com/43e593j7
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Credits-
Animated Visuals (P-51D): Greg Rader
Footage: US Archives and Peter Randall
Photos: US Archives, Bill Lyons' and Bill Marshall's Personal Collection and Air2AirTV
Artwork:
•Tiger's Revenge (P-51D Mustang) by Ronnie Olsthoorn (this was the thumbnail artwork)
www.aviationart.aero
•John D. Tiger's Revenge by John D. Shaw
www.johnshawart.com
•Bf 109 G-10 vs P-51D © Jerry Boucher
www.the-vaw.com
Thumbnail: Ariel Horton
Director: Andrew Horton
Videographer: Caleb Stopa
Editor: Shawn Zhen
Special thanks to Jack Cook, Peter Randall, Bill Marshall, Greg Gordon, and Carol Kinzelberg Lyons.
*We do not make any money or commission on any of the art or books listed in the description.
#history #aircraft #military
That was a great video. It's the first time I have heard of a Dora out turning a 51, I think Mr. Lyons was right about the fuel load being a big factor.
Hey Greg, I have a question you may be able to answer since you've done quite a bit of research on P51 mission's in Europe, why is it that some P51 escort's didn't return to England but instead flew to Russia (or Russian occupied territory anyway) and refueled then returned to England? As far as I know P51's were the only one's to do that although it might be that I've just never heard about P38's and P47's doing it but either way I can't figure out why they'd have done that.
Along with hearing about it from another source I can't recall there's a P51 pilot in an interview somewhere here on RUclips talking about him and his wingman doing that, if he gave an explanation about why they did I sure don't recall but I do remember him talking about how the Russian crew at the base they landed at screwed up and fueled their P51's with the gas that was a mixture of their low octane with US high octane instead of straight up US high octane and how he couldn't run his throttle past ⅔rds or so after they took off because the engine would start messing and carrying on (detonation I'm sure) and how he thought to himself that if they'd have run into German fighter's on the way back his goose would have been cooked, luckily they didn't though.
I would also agree, fuel load can make a significant difference as it can often make up 20% of a piston fighters gross weight. (30-35% for jets).
@@dukecraig2402 you have to realize, in order to make it back to the UK from Berlin (or beyond) the aircraft had to be operated in an optimal manner at every moment of the flight. It was not uncommon for pilots arrive back at base with only ten minutes of economy cruise fuel remaining.
If anything went "wrong" on the mission, it was over. There was no getting home. The typically had 10 minutes of dogfight (full power) fuel allotment. If an arial engagement lasted 30 minutes, or even if it took place at the wrong altitude, it would reduce your range by several hundred miles. Landing you short of Normandy or in the English Channel.
G'day Greg,
Thanks for the steer,
Pointing me here.
This bloke's testimony has the unmistakeable
Ring of Truth.
Having nursed 2,000 Vets of Conflicts from 1914 to '84 for an average of 5 days each...; I developed a bit of a conesseur's ear, when listening to Veterans is concerned.
Thus man is a rare example of one who is willing to tell their story, who has a story well worth paying attention to ; if that makes sense.
Thanks again.
Have a good one...
Stay safe.
;-p
Ciao !
The P- 51 on a normal fuel load could out turn and out climb both FW 190 and Me 109 , but sometimes they where overloaded with fuel the fuselage tanks not empty yet , on just the wing tanks they were considerably lighter.
Great interview letting this pilot tell his story. His eyes were closed most of the time like he was re-living the aerial duels all over again. Thank you for all your efforts.
Thank you!
Outstanding interview! My late Uncle, Bill Cullerton, served along side of Tiger Lyons in the 357th Fighter Squadron. If you are able, please tell him that Bill Cullerton's nephew send his very best regards...my Uncle always spoke of him fondly!
We will definitely let him know. Thanks Tim! We saw PLASMO built Miss Steve too a little while back. Love the 357th liveries!
THANK YOU!
Amazing, he could fly fighter's in combat but he couldn't drive a Jeep. 40 years later in the 1980's I was definitely in the same army he was, we had some guy's like him that'd never driven a car but they could drive an armored tracked vehicle.
You.. are. An. Outstanding. Man....
Incredible stories! Wow! Thank you so much for making this.
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Amazing! Thank you for this video
Glad you liked it!
Wonderful! What a gem he is. The video was spellbinding and heartwrenching. My Dad was from Brooklyn, Jewish, enlisted and flew B-25s, so this had extra meaning for me.
Andrew, Great video!!
Thanks!
Outstanding Production, Andrew...
Thank you sir! It took several months and a patient team.
Enjoy Your videos, refered by Greg (airplanes and automobiles) liked and sub ed. Rock on!!!!!!! My family lost an Uncle in 15th Heavy bomber, his Brother made it back but He was severely broken, He disappeared several years after the war. He was never seen again, He was a Army Medic in the Pacific. Both stories are heartbreaking!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for watching and for subscribing!
Ya, when we would practice air to air, say in my F-16 against the F-15s say, you can tell if the guy is going to shoot. You see his nose out in lead and part of the bottom of his nose and airplane. It makes you uncomfortable! If his nose is pointed at you or you can see the top of his airplane, he can’t shoot you with the gun anyhow. Robin Olds famously dropped his tanks and his engines quit as he took a shot and scored on a 109
Three Hundred combat hours.
"Greg sent me."
The valour and the horror ...
I get the feeling this story is a trap for strikes😂😂😂😂😂
Great interview thanks, but. Lets cut the crap. He was an American fighter pilot first and foremost. End of story.
That's true, but we put that there because of the significance of a Jew flying and fighting over Nazi Germany. He found it likely he'd be killed if he were to go down.
8th AF FC doctrine for pilots - per carrying personal arms was 'not smart, German civilians were more likely to react adversely if you are armed'.
Bill Lyons, as a Jew, had no illusions about treatment if shot down. He always carried his 1911 in a shoulder holster
@@flightlinemedia I chalk that up to pre-war and wartime propaganda which was largely created by this man's ethno-religious group. Unfortunately this same group has gone all in in perpetuating the false narrative of German villainy throughout the post-war period, profiting hugely from this misinformation aimed at the American public. If only most Americans were aware of all these lies and gross exaggerations decades ago.