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

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

Plane: composite materials Balls: STEEL

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.

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

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

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...

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

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

He had the decency and self-awareness to admit he wasn't an innocent angel being abused by evil people.

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)

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

I remember this guy coming home on the news

Great interview, thanks for sharing this

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.

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

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. 🙌

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

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.

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.

Total hero John. Take care 🇬🇧

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

A courageous and amazing man just like his navigator.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

One of the most interesting videos I've ever watched on RU-vid! Thank you Forces News for sharing, and Mr Peters, thank you Sir. When the time arrived, you did your duty...and more! From being there when your Country asked of you to enduring the unfortunate complications attributed to being captured. War is War, it's been said so many times, in fact the term is perhaps an "umbrella" for "anything goes", but I guess that is dependant on the type of War. Like many others may have felt when seeing both you & Mr Nichol displayed on our screens, I for one, turned into the Incredible Hulk (for want of a better phrase) and just wanted to get over there & do something to help. It's the thought that counts ;P, but from the myriad of other coalition forces involved, each with their own set of hero's (everyone a hero as far as I was concerned) we knew the wrongs would be righted & out of the many, both you & Mr Nichol are among the few who are of an exemplary legendary inspiration. Per ardua ad astra "Tornado Down" stands proudly on my shelf, thanks to both of you.

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

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

Respect sir. You were never far from our thoughts.

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

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

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

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Eternally grateful for everything you went through my friend

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

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.

Massive respect to you sir .. you are an absolute hero a true hero .. I hope your ok now I’m very thankful and grateful that a true veteran is here to tell his story

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

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

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.

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

Brave thoughtful dignified, thank you for sharing with us and your service

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.

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.

That last minute is really powerful stuff. Really doesn't let it get to him is mindset I really admire.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

I remember watching this on the news crazy respect ✊🏻

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*

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.

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

Very brave men. I can’t imagine the stress of what they went through. It’s amazing he survived.

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

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.

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

Thank you for your service Veteran. God Bless you.

Great storyteller too. Respect.

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.

Thank you John for what you did.

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.

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.

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

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

A courageous pilot with a great forgiving heart for his captors who tortured him , saying that this the fallout of " war " that brings about such unpleasant insensitive situations for all involved .

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.

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.

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

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

Simply. Thank you

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

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.

I got introduced to John peters at an air show by a mutual friend I had a copy of his book tornado down which he signed for me he was an absolute gentle man

Thank you for your service Sir!

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

Mans a true warrior GB

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

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.

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.

I read his book and its just eye opening and horrid at the same time....

Respect to that pilot, can only imagine what he went through wow thank you 🙏 sir.

Respect sir.

I remember seeing him as a captive on the news. I was 11.

Those 5 words..It is what it is . 💯💯

I read his story in a Reader's Digest magazine published in 1996 .. Amazing man amazing story

My father was in a tank regiment during the gulf I remember visiting him in catterick before he left