Female Luftwaffe Pilots in Combat 1945 

I'm sitting here a bit dumbfounded. I met and had my picture taken with Beate Uhse at 1 of her shops in Frankfurt on the late 80's. I still have the photo. I had no idea of her wartime exploits until i watched this.

I'm a simple man. I work, I cook, I sleep, rinse and repeat. The only real excitement to my day is when Mark Felton releases another fantastic video. Thank you Dr!

Flying to rescue her 2 year old baby… that’s just shattered my heart. I can’t even imagine how she must’ve felt. Thanks Professor, these videos are pure gold for history enthusiasts.

I talked with my maternal grandmother before she passed away, about her life during the war. The subject was not one she had revealed previously, having married a British army officer in 1952 and discouraged from talking about her past. At the age of 20, in the late summer of 1944, she was called to work for the Luftwaffe in Berlin. She recalled working in a unit under the command of a Major Howart of the Wehrmacht, in a mapping room near/in Kustrine Platz. As far as I could understand, her role was to plot the movements of Luftwaffe and Allied aircraft in the Berlin area, as news came in via her female colleagues, who manned the radios. In March/April 1945, she told me that an air raid siren had forced the women down into the air raid shelter, along with women from the munitions factory that was situated close by. A direct hit by an allied bomb decimated the shelter and killed everyone inside, except for my grandmother and a couple of her colleagues. She said that there was no blood, just bodies that looked like they were sleeping. A German officer appeared and released them from their duties, suggesting that they leave Berlin as quickly as possible. Discarding her uniform, she and a couple of others embarked on a 200 mile journey back to Paderborn, her home town. She recalled navigating her way through Berlin's streets, guessing the correct way out of the city (West), by the types of helmets lying on the ground, pushing a pram to collect and carry food and water for the small party of women. She made it home eventually and went on to marry an officer in British Intelligence, while stationed at army barracks in Paderborn. While my grandmother did her duty for her country during 1944/45, at the same time, my paternal grandfather was erecting and maintaining radar stations in Kent, England. War has its fair share of stories and ironies.

Imagine asking your grandmother what life was like during ww2 and she shows you photos of her in uniform standing next to her fighter.

Mark Felton - a light that shines on the shadows of history.

Being a trained pilot but never having learned to drive a car is like the most aristocratic thing ever.

I'm from the town where she settled, Flensburg, where eventually she became a real hometown hero (although it did take some time admittedly, at first the rotary club set wanted nothing to do with her). Even my grandmother who was otherwise very conservative always spoke admiringly of her. I love Mark Felton and I'm so glad Beate Uhse got her due in one of his videos! Her life story is just so incredible, the sheer audacity and bravery.

What truly stands out in Uhse' story is the genuine display of mother love.

Beate Uhse's story deserves a biopic. It's quite...unique.

Natural career transition honestly, moving from one cockpit to another

Mark Felton is by far the best producer of these documentaries, So much appreciated.

That actually showed some real determination come in on a single engine and then familiarize herself with a twin engine while it's being fueled then actually making it to her destination my wife will barely drive a few miles from our home without a co-driver

A story worthy of a movie. The world is a crazy place

Mark Felton has excelled himself and raised the bar yet again with this video. A captivating story about female German pilots during WWII, carefully cut with live action footage of various warbirds as they are mentioned in the narrative..

These are incredible short videos. I can only imagine the research that goes into them is not quit as short. Lol . Thank you for your hard work to entertain us for a few minutes

Female Luftwaffe pilots having such adventures no one would believe, You really are the best historian, who always amazes his audience. A Great Thanks!

A rather extreme version of 'Excuse me. Gotta run. I have to pick up my kid from daycare.'

This reminds me of my beloved godmother. She owned two light aircraft in the 1970s, had a private pilot’s license and never drove cars or tried to.

Beate Uhse's story took such a sharp turn that I feel like I got whiplash. Little histories and unexpected turns like that are what keep me coming back to Mark's channel.

I guess you could call them the "valkyries"

Beate Uhse's story proves that truth is stranger than fiction. Dr Felton's work is truly remarkable. It satisfies my hunger for history. Thank you sir.

I felt actual anxiety following the stories of these brave women-I was so glad to hear Beate Uhse managed to escape with her son and nanny out of Berlin! Amazing story

So I did some reading on Frau Uhse and discovered that she was raised in a pretty progressive household and she was given a proper sex education which came in handy postwar when Luftwaffe pilots were banned from flying. In the oddjobs she did to make ends meet she heard from the other women the problem they had with their husbands coming home from war and were basically incredibly randy after years on the front and the wives were worried about falling pregnant since, you know, their country was a smouldering wreck. So Uhse started a small business that put together "marriage guides" which gave married couples all the info they needed regarding sex and contraception and even came with condoms. The guides proved popular and she was soon met with letters asking about sexuality and she turned this popularity into her first shop for what she called "marital hygiene", arguably the world's first sex shop. This woman was amazing

Those female Pilots stories should be made into a movie. This is a incredible story.

7:30 Well that was a twist I wasn't expecting

My God, what incredibly courageous women! I'm sad that the Grafin von Stauffenburg did not survive. I, also, would have loved to see the general's reaction when he learned that his plane had been "commandeered". However, I will admit to a case of whiplash upon learning of Beate Uhshe's source of wealth after the war! So glad that she not only survived, but thrived. Wonderful presentation Dr. Felton!

I clicked on this just seeing the title "Female Luftwaffe Pilots in Combat"..... a few seconds later I see its by Mark Felton. I instantly hit like and watch the video..... and you never fail to enlighten and entertain me.

Dr. Felton should be recognized more in our society, the content on this channel is just amazing. I would do anything to study under him.

Me: Expecting something about Operation Barbarossa Dr. Felton: Female Nazi Pilot Sex Shops Touché

Hannah Reitsch's insane flight in and out of Berlin is the stuff of legend. Even the Soviets were gobsmacked.

So many WW2 documentaries get churned out but you never hear about stuff like this.

I believe Beate Uhse started her business selling a pamphlet/booklet that taught women to calculate their cyclus, meaning how to determine when it was safe to have unprotected sex, without the risk of pregnancy. Ingenuity in a post-war period of austerity.

From being one of the few female Luftwaffe pilots to a successful sex shop millionaire. Now that is an unexpected turn of events. Edit: Thanks a lot for the likes!

1.33 million subscribers! Im genuinely so happy for you, and the 1.33 million other people who will learn and be entertained so much. Thank you for all of your videos and books

I met a women in the Luftwaffe. Her name was Betty Hass. She was captured by the 'Ivans' and walked home from Russian in 1948 to discover her home town Dresden destroyed.

Interesting fact: Mark's most memorable works will often feature German woman in Nazi uniform but this is the first that discusses sex shops. That being said, I really like how Mark says 'sniiippurs'.

Me: Uhse sounds like a badass, I bet she had an extraordinary career in the new Luftwaffe Mark: She opened a successful chain of sex shops, becoming a millionaire Me: 👁️👄👁️

My father, a WWII TBM pilot in the Pacific would have loved this…he had such admiration for women pilots and avidly studied history. He also taught me I could do anything a man could do!

I remember seeing these stores all over Germany. I figured she was just a retail wizard. Never knew her story was so amazing before she became that.

"She discovered to her horror, the Arado was destroyed. Searching around for a way to get out of Berlin she ran into a Luftwaffe Air mechanic she know who told her about a Seibel EH-104..." Anybody else think there's a movie in here somewhere? Lesson: Don't underestimate what a Mom will do for her child!

So she went from being a pilot to starting and operaring stores that cater to "Adult" themes??? Hell of a carer change, but what ever pays the bills.

I am so impressed how Mark keeps finding these fascinating stories. This one could make a great movie.

MARK Felton is my best source of WW2 info since the Time Life Ww2 cards I used to get as a kid in the 70s.

I love the history that you cover it’s so informative and educational

I can't even imagine how awesome Mark Felton's videos would be, if he had 1/1000th of the budget and the resources that the TV channels have. They are already much higher quality than so called History Channel etc. Well done, Sir!

Dr. Felton never disappoints. Excellent and very informative video.

Beste Uhse was famous even to us kids in primary school and yet we never knew about her time as a pilot.

Boy, I bet that General was PO's when he found his airplane was "Borrowed" by Ushe. But I will cut her slack, becasue she saved not only her son and nanny, but three others. I'd lay odds the general was going to just save himself and maybe his mistress and cognac collection.

Hanna Reitsch was a very famous german female test pilot, an ace of the air! She flew rocket planes, jet planes, V1 missiles, helicopters, fighter prototypes...not shure she did kills in combat too.

...Bringing obscure..but just as important..snippets of history to us all...another round of applause for you sir...you keep history alive, interesting and above all with a flair that is sadly missing in other more mainstream “events”

Mister Felton, you surprised me again. Beate ushe, the name rang a bell but, then you showed the adult shop, I had a true "oh my god" moment. Thank you for that!!!

2 interesting things about Beate and Hannah. Beate felt especially after her wartime career that women where being repressed into their prewartime roles and duties. Even in the late 1960's German wives were required to have permission from their husbands in writing for the permission to work and get a driver's license. The sex shops she opened were also for women who could not alter their post war housewife roles but could have a personal sexual freedom since toys by the 1000's were mailed in unmarked boxes. Hannah was the 1st woman helicopter pilot, stuka test pilot and the 1st person to fly faster than the speed of sound in the rocket plane ME-163. The plane went faster than the measurement devices could register. The plane was badly damaged breaking the sound barrier. Since it was wartime she couldn't be awarded the title of faster than sound and later was given the Chuck Yeager. She won the respect of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy and was invited to the White House many times.

I'm a massive fan of all your videos Dr Felton. Keep up the good work!

Thanks. This is one of the best channels and you’re one of the best narrators on RU-vid.

I’ve been watching and loving your vids Mark for several years I love your balance between information and anecdotes that bring alive the detail always take notes thank you for all your hard work 😓

Anyone else get super excited when they hear Mark say "..but that'll be the subject of a future video" ?

Well, the end of Beate Uhse's story was totally unexpected

I am flabbergasted by the quality of Dr. Felton’s content. It’s incredible. Bravo 👏

Always enjoyable to listen and watch. Great production quality, narration abs documentation of subtleties.

Wow Mark. I was reading about this earlier what a day

Damn, I didn't know that the sex shop chain founder used to be a pilot in the war. What a life!

Loved this episode. Was like a mini movie; very interesting and hope to see many more episodes presented in this manner, Mark.

Another fine Mark Felton Production.

Mark Felton never ceases to amaze me with his stories even if I am on a deep dive of ancient Rome at the moment and possibly making it my career specialty it is good to know that the WW2 field continues to be in the best of hands.

Great to see you doing so well Mark; richly deserved. Cheers from Australia.

Thank you again Mark, amazing histories...love your presentations!

I love this channel. Dr. Felton seems to have an endless supply of fascinating stories from WWII, bravo and encore! I will be back again no doubt!

Uhse’s rescuing of her son and escape from Berlin would make a hell of a movie

NIce, a minute ago, Please make more of these videos mark felton Please make more! It is so acurate and fun :)

Mark Felton never ceases to amaze me. I've heard of Hanna Reitsch and her many heroic exploits were legendary stuff. But I've never heard of Beate Uhse till now. Great job Dr Felton!!

Those 262's still give me a chill.

Crazy. That's the kind of stories i could listen to for hours.

Thank you Dr. Felton!

Thank you so much for all your wonderful and unique war stories.

Amazing. So many stories to tell. Thank you for your research. Much appreciated. Thanks for sharing.

Who needs The History Channel when Mark Felton has your back.

Excellent👍👍👍.... although I knew of Beate Uhse.... who doesn't when having lived in Germany .... I never knew she was a ww2 pilot. Having been a glider pilot I have read the autobiography of Hanna Reich.... worlds 1st female helicopter pilot. Whilst her sympathies were wrong she was an aviatrix of note and a pioneer of flight. She even flew the rocket ship ME 163 which nearly killed her. I look forward immensely to your video of her. 👍👍👍

All I have to say Mark, is that your channel just gets better every day. You are the best historian on WW2 I have come across. The stuff you find is amazing and teaches me stuff I never knew, and I thought I had a reasonable grasp, yet you keep astounding me. Another great story. Cheers from Australia.

Thank you Mark Felton for your awesome videos. Your efforts to report and record true history are appreciated. I plan to watch more and order your books. You a pioneer in the preservation of WWII history. As a former educator of history, your videos are superb and avoid politicizing history and presenting events as they happened. Bless you for your efforts.

mark felton, thank you for posting these videos for free. It is always interesting to learn about history and especially unknown history like in this video !

I can't believe it: Switzerland has a bunch of these shops and since they sell sex gear, I figured the name "Beate Uhse" was a wordplay on "Beat Us", a reference to sadomasochism.

Great video. This channel explains every detail of key historical events that other sources never even mention. I am from the Czech Republic and we never learned anything close to this level of detail! Imazing!

My Mother's best friend drove tanks during the war. She was awesome!

i was wondering why her name sounded familiar. I grew up in Germany in the 90's and her brand was well known amongst teenage boys, haha.

Thank you, Mark!

Mark Felton never ceases to amaze. I learn more here than from my bookshelves of WWII history books and my history minor in college lol

Beate = "Bay-Ah-Tah" As always, another great video by Mark

Amazing, another excellent video- thankyou Mark!

A wonderful story indeed.Thank you Mr. Felton for all of your research it takes to make a great video such as this one.

Maybe it's worth to have a closer look on Evelyn Künneke *1921 +2001 The famous german singer who called herself EKII and her father (Eduard Künneke) EKI performed some successful ferry flights for the Luftwaffe. As far as I know her flying career was protected by her father's friend Hermann Göring .

Amazing History .. ever a master class . Thanks Doctor Felton .

To find out my 10 year old daughter loves world War 2 history and have the pleasure to introduce her to Dr Felton 🇬🇧🙏

Loved this one, thank you Mark!

My second time thru, I’ve learned that, at least I, need 2 or 3 views to get everything out of your presentations. Newly diagnosed with cancer I need to keep my mind occupied with other things and your videos are just what the doc ordered (pun intended). I’m glad you stay true to history and don’t blur images you include. I think content reporters who use blurry images are too lazy to look for appropriate images, use what you must to tell the story truthfully and accurately. Kudos sir.

Hanna Reitsch was portrayed in the WWII movie Operation Crossbow testing the early rockets

Woman in Dictatorship: fighter pilot Woman in Democracy: sex Shop owner

Very cool. My GF and I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Neither of us, for all our education, knew that any German women, let alone women at all, flew for any reason during WWII. Thanks for producing this work!

Another excellent video, everytime I watch one I learn something new. Thank you for posting!

Who is the woman in the thumbnail?