What a wonderful video and interview ! My late father was a flight engineer on Lancasters and often spoke about Ginger and other RAF personnel he admired from that era. Apparently Ginger lived in Flamborough Head on the Yorkshire coast and the local fishermen often left fresh fish on his doorstep for him as a means of showing their gratitude.
Glad you enjoyed it John, please subscribe to my channel I have made a couple of films about Lancaster's. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
As an American who's read and watched so much about the war for the last 50-odd years it's great to hear one of the best of the British, as well as see this awesome footage. Never had these kinds of things back when I was a kid, so it's really something of a blessing to be able to watch and hear from those who formed not only British history but world history. I've seen probably 90% of the WWII movies but of course movies are someone's fantasy and not normally historically accurate. These kinds of documentaries are what I search for now.
Well said. These video interviews are critical to keeping history from digressing into hollywood myths. I grew up surrounded by WWII pilots and their testimony, then learned real details once I was in uniform and sat with vet pilots at mess dinners. Port tends to bring out all the truths when the right questions are asked.
Danke für das super Filmmaterial,und das tolle Interview,sehr interessant 👌 Schade daß wir uns bekriegt haben! Im Gedenken an alle Piloten beider Seiten!
Vielen Dank. Ich fühle mich jetzt viel besser, ich habe in Hamburg und Berlin gearbeitet, es war eine tolle Zeit, es waren die 1980er Jahre. Bitte abonnieren Sie meinen Kanal. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Great pilots but 54 squadron in their mk5 spitfires raf hated taking on the Japanese zeros ! Just as well RAAF pilots like BobbyGibbes Clive Caldwell Mick Grace Bluey Truscott got them out of trouble if need be !!!😅
What a quote: 'I don't know what you mean by chivalry, if it meant 'give a man an even break' the answer was there was no chivalry at all. I much preferred to kill someone without him even knowing I was there. His first indication that he was being shot at would be when bullets started coming out of his chest.'
The top aces were hit and run merchants. They came in high from the Sun, with their wing man, clatter the enemy and use their dive velocity to get away.
@@am4793, I know, my comment was merely a reference to the brutality of the quote. People often think of air fighting as a gentlemanly way of waging war when it was anything but, it was every bit as ruthless as infantry or mechanised combat, dog eat dog, kill or be killed.
@@Pete-tq6in Of course. War is Hell and what people do is unspeakable even when no war crime is committed. Young people don't get it until they experience war or live long enough to understand the implications.
I hadn’t realised that snowflakes were around back in the 70s. I think SL Lacy was astonishingly patient with the interviwer’s awful PC leading questions. Thank God it was Lacy and his generation who were called to arms, not the useless hand-wringing fools of today.
thank you so much for the post absolutely stunning. their names should never be forgotten Thank you all for sacrifice 🙏❤️ royal navy veteran in Suffolk XX
Thanks Geoff appreciate your kind feedback. Please have a subscribe to my channel and check out some more wartime history. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
When I was small I met Ginger Lacey and got his autograph, it would have been in the early 70s. Living locally, he was opening a fete in Sewerby, I think. I remember being impressed by his courtesy and by his beautiful writing.
How interesting many thanks for taking the time to post up your experience. Please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
What a marvelous footage of Czechoslovak squadrons getting ready for action. It was a pleasure to watch,keep up your work. My neighbor,back in 1973, was a navigator in 307 squadron(Polish),flying Mosquitos over Germany,as a bombing campaign went on. Thank you
Many thanks Piotr I have other films on my you tube, the Czech crew who lost their lives in a crash in a B24 near Salcombe and another on the Czech pilots at Exeter, please subscribe. Chris.
I agree winelover but it was interesting to hear what Ginger Lacey had to say even with a dopey interviewer, please consider a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
Man, you gotta love the Brits! They went toe to toe with the Luftwaffe and kicked their asses. Never has there been an organization like the RAF during the Battle of Britain. They used what they had to the fullest. The Spitfire and in particular, the Merlin engine helped win the war in Europe. It's amazing how Mr. Churchill was able to rally his people and his fighters. Of course there were some rubbings like the nonsense between Patton and Monty or the failed Operation Market Garden. We all took those hits as Allies and we all took the glory and joy of VE Day. If it were not for the amazing people of the RAF and the British in general, Hitler could have invaded the UK. The RAF and the Radar screen decimated the enemy and forced Hitler to back away from a cross channel invasion. I'll always keep a spot in my heart for the British. Hell, I went to Radar school with some Limeys and those people we tops. We always had a great time with our Mates as we slugged back some pints!
Interviewers beware! "You must have written letters home and all that sort of thing"..."not really, it wasn't that popular...I just was tired all the time"
Absolutely wonderful thank you! My Mum was civilian ground crew (first line servicing) in The RAF during The Battle of Britain and the remainder of the 2nd World War. She served on a Hurricane Squadron, refuelling, rearming etc. similar to what was shown in the video. As an aside, my Dad served at Bletchley Park during the War. He was a Radio Technician.
Oh! To me,that is more exciting than a relative with a title, a rock star, a movie star! Bletchley Park AND servicing hurricanes during the BoB! Did you know that Bletchley Park was part of the divorce settlement of Anne of Cleves, the luckiest, most wise, of Henry's wives. She outlived them all, pleased herself, did not risk her life, giving birth - kept Henry happy, had a good relationship with all the children.
A superbly interesting video, so many thanks! Great to hear the words of one of our greatest fighter aces, and so down to earth, as one would expect from a Yorkshireman. Generations come and generations go. I am one of the "boomers" but Mr. Lacey was one of the rightly named, "Greatest Generation". We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
Love the description of “hobby protestors” referring to the protestors who protest for the sake of protest. His description of many of today’s youth is so accurate.
Thank you for posting the video. Somewhat puts the actual 'dog fight' time-frame into perspective when Ginger Lacey said it was one to one and a half minutes. ... Life, injury or death for some and all part of the 'day job' for the fighter pilots participating on both sides during the actual time. What I thought the video also shows well, is all the other work going on at the airfield, the intrinsic participation of others, the maintenance, etc., all comprising a contributing factor towards the 'sum of the parts'.
I'm certain the Polish Spitfire pilots knew exactly who the Germans were and what they represented. The Allies were fighting fascism and we're grateful for all their sacrifices defeating fascism. WE will never allow fascism to flourish.
We can only be thankful for Squadron Leader Lacey and all the men and women of that generation. WIthout them where might we be now? Something I don't like to think about
I agree seadart but Ginger Lacey's replies are very direct and honest no nonsense. Please have a subscribe and take a look at some of my other films 186 to date. Chris.
Tremendous, Chris. Both the archive footage which is magical and the interview. I spent nearly 30 years in yorkshire and you can certainly hear the accent coming through and the matter-of-factness of the description of events. I haven't heard before this sort of detailed first hand account of what it was like to be a pilot No attempt at all to glorify it and no attempt to elaborate on chivalry. Look forward to RAF Portreath. I spend holidays every year close to Portreath and wondered what sort of top secret installation was at the top of the hill on the north/east side. It's now clearer.
I loved seeing the volunteer Reserve badge on there uniform . My Uncle (mams brother) was a VR in the Navy Minesweepers, sadly like a lot of others he was lost just off the DDay beaches, sunk by UBoat, all crew lost. I have no favorites all, Army, Navy and Air Force were the bees knees. Men and Women. We owe them so much and all who paid the ultimate price. RIP.
I am very sad for your loss. My father was in Sherman tanks, he survived but was never quite the same when he returned. Thank you for your feedback. Chris.
That was rather an odd interview! He took a very long time to get around to asking him anything about aerial combat, and the responses were very brief! And how about asking him how many friends he lost? Not a word on that subject. Very strange really....
That was Norman Tozer interviewing Ginger Lacey back in 1978, many have remarked similar about the style and content. Do please ponder subscribing to my channel. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Absolutely bloody marvellous. The stunning thing is Squadron Leader Lacey wouldn't see himself as a hero but a bloke doing his bit for Great Britain .Thanks to him and thanks to you and god bless the pair of you ,happily subscribed .
Thanks for this film . My grandad was in the RAF and like so many people in the war never spoke about it . I use to ask him what he did but he always changed the subject , even my mum never knew. Would love to find out his part in it all but never will as he died in '91 still keeping quiet. Thanks Jim
Thank You Jim, my father served in the 13/18th Hussars in Sherman tanks and went right the way across Northern Europe to liberate the town of Bremen. I can understand why they didn't speak of the horrors they experienced how would anybody back home even begin to understand and many did not want to remember the horrible time by talking about it they just wanted to try and forget it all but I guess that would be impossible. Best Regards Chris.
You should be abled to find out from his service records if you know what regiment he was in , I have my fathers records , but many peoples got lost or whatever , but records will or should with his regiment , good luck .
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Amazing! My uncle was in the 15/19th Hussars... killed Winsen, April 14th, 1945, south of Hamburg by panzerfaust. My dad had landed the day before to join his brother's regiment. Dad ended up in churchill crocodiles, and only spoke of it's horrific effect on the enemy on his deathbed......... I'm 66 now, and even though I understand why that generation did not shout about it, we should have been taught this history at school.... So grateful for your recognition of an unforgettable time, that has been forgotten by too many!!! Just look at the mess the world is in again!!!! (sorry that I haven't seen your posts before now.....)
Was in the RAF myself, always been fascinated by the Battle of Britain for obvious reasons and like most people, had an overly “romantic” view of aerial combat. Listening to old pilots from all sides it is obvious that war represents human kind at its absolute worst. Sadly to survive one must function at the “kill or be killed” level.
My view of war was not romantic because I lived near Northolt airfield. 303 squadron, Polish pilots flying Hurricanes. I used to watch them returning from a fight streaming glycol or with only one wheel down or holes in the rudder or similar. Tough times for all our fighting forces.
True that. Agressiveness was key to being a fighter pilot. There was no latitude for being emotionally frail. It's still that way as part of the recruiting/selection/training process.
The story of how the Brits lost their Empire... The big picture... And of all the "big pictures", this is the biggest of all... The worst choice of all was ignoring the reality of how Europe had been "set up" to protect the British Empire. The British Empire was actually protected in Europe by uniquely "balancing powers" on the continent. [Search for London's Policy of Balance of Power] For more than 100 years, "balancing powers" on the continent, kept these powers opposing each other, unable to divert military or economic resources to affront the status of the British Empire as the nr.1 in the world... According to the logic of this policy, completely ruining a power on the continent, would lead to an imbalance, which could then be directed at the British Empire... Therefore, totally destroying Germany was neither wise nor in GB 's interests. Concerning WW2. Firstly, a 100% collapse of Germany as a power...was a dream condition for communism (Moscow) and US corporatism (Washington D.C.). After WW2, there was no strong Central Europe to "balance out" the rise of communism (Moscow). France broken, pissed off by Mers el Kebir and slipped under Washington's wings... Germany = alles kaputt Eastern Europe = overrun by the commies... GB was no longer the boss. Nothing left to "balance" with... Sorreee. That's just how it goes if your eternal "balancing" games on the continent go south... Washington got tired of bailing GB out, and decided to become the "balancer of powers" in Europe herself. And down went the British Empire too...wind, wind, whirlwind, hurricane, game over...
Thanks for this fascinating video. My only suggestion would be fewer questions about emotional/philosophical matters and more about what the encounters with the enemy were like.
Thanks Rick that interview was back in 1978 I did cringe at some of the questions, please take a look at my next upload and consider a subscribe. Chris.
My Mums cousin, Alec, 18, was called up, RAF, did training on bombers - first flight out jerry had determined he wasn't to come home and has lain in a Berlin body yard ever since.
We should pay our best attention to this old warrior. We would not put up with somebody else owning our homeland... well, have our politicians put us in exactly that position, now? Britain needs her defence industry as much now, as we did then but our essential infrastructure has been sold off and our industry dismantled. Now russia is attacking us and we must build it back, fast. We must not allow Britain to lose all that they fought to protect
Wonderful footage of magnificent aircraft beautifully told by a man who was there. Love the war weary camouflage of those stunning spitfires. This is i believe how they should look when restored and flight displayed, with the display pilots wearing appropriate head gear and clothing , including correct type parachute . There are some very poorly executed , glossy paint finishes applied to some historic war birds. This seems particularly evident with regard to some US war birds. To me this simply doesn't look right , and takes from the overall appearance and purpose of the aircraft. Congrats also to the interviewer. Excellent.
Happy you enjoyed the film Barry, I have put together a film on Douglas Bader the early years from his accident to becoming squadron operational. You may like to subscribe and check out a few of my other films. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I always got razzed by some fellow kitbashers that most of my 1/24 & 1/32 scale Spitfire and Hurricane builds were forever way too combat fatigued in the way I painted them to completion..them,the wafflers, waffling on that they looked 'almost out of servicable capability'..or that I painted these warbirds much too like my 35th scale ground vehicles..with too many scuffs dengs dings scrapes rust stains exhaust burns paint chipping and paint fades panel colours differences n such..all way overdone they's waffle..but..being a avid war doco watcher..I always knew just what happens to any and all combat equipment that has, and is, in continual (and servicable) use in warzones,no matter the medium of ground air sea and such..and I'm so glad to have been yet again vindicated with the most brilliant colour Spitfire footage herein..all showing the tiredness of true combat aircraft in constant deadly fighting servicable useage. A 'pretty craft' may be appealing to some..but..I love my warbirds scruffy worn and much loved by pilots and ground crew alike..like the dangerous hunters of the skies,and ground, that they be. (/-\)..Cheers fer the bloody brilliant footage and the interview my friend..much appreciated.."Bless Em all!..Tally Ho!! ".. ✌😆♡
Let History not be forgotten! they fought for our freedom and ideals , this should be in all education : honesty, clear speech and defending what you stand for. Thank you so much for this impressive presentation, inspiring and as actual as ever!
Yes it was some town, used to be a merchant navy training college there as well, The aerodrome is now completely built over. Chris. Please have a subscribe. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
The interviewer is probing for some kind of regret about the period from Ginger Lacey but - like the rest of his generation - he shows show no such reticence even after all these years.
Absolutely wonderful post. Fabulous interview too, all relevant questions. Good footage, of MkVB Spitfires, not around in the Battle, but there’d have been no time nor safety to film during it. Listening to the click of lighters and the exhalations of them smoking was surprisingly nostalgic even though I’ve always detested it. In 1982 I met Ginger Lacey, I was starstruck, he was a jolly avuncular character and he was still flying! He described himself as “the lift attendant in a Lunatic Asylum.” He flew the Cessna at the free fall parachute 🪂 club in Bridlington.
Wonderfully put together. Colour film was still very new. It was fascinating to see the aircraft were not pristine, as we see them now. The exhausts were showing signs of rustings, and the panels 'sort of' fitting. I loved the shot of the pet dog watching his 'master' being strapped in, then being blown off the wing as the Merlin revved up. Living in Kent, I must take a trip to Gravesend and see if anything survives! Thanks again for your superb productions.
Fascinating, and now of increasing historical importance....... You can but admire the Poles, Czechs and others, who had lost everything, including their homelands, but made it to Britain to continue the fight against Nazism...... Even those from neutral nations, such as Brendan "Paddy" Finucane, from the Irish Republic, who chose to join the fight.... Paddy was once asked why he got involved, to which he replied " I like a good scrap"..... Sadly Paddy ditched in the English Channel after being hit by ground fire in France, and was never found....
Sad to hear the questioning of the behaviour, the 'code word' etc the new age thoughts in those questions. BUT excellent response and spot on. Our world today has changed so but and NOT for the better. You can see the impact on military operations where the cancel a mission to take out a seriously bad terrorist - because there might be 'civilian' casualties. Those civilians are tolerating and giving aid to those terrorists - in reality they are also valid targets.
GREAT VIDEO - THANK YOU! Hearing the interview along with actual footage of Ginger and his fellow airman/warriors reminds one of such a Beautiful Generation gone by. No one Ever wishes to be at war with anyone, however, it truly was a golden time of People Uniting against all that is evil in this world. My mother was born the year the war actually started and passed away a few years ago. I/WE long for generations such as Yours and My Mothers. A crying shame those people are mostly gone:(:(:(:( Again Thank You for a Wonderful video of Beautiful times, Not the war but of the people who fought to preserve a Free Society! I Love them All! Good Day and I Truly Hope All is Well!
As a secondary modern student in the early 1960s in Wallasey, Cheshire our headmaster was Ginger Lacy. He was recognisable from the flying gear image, although in his 40s at the time. We were aware of his war-time role at the time.
I was fortunate enough to step into Ginger Lacey’s shoes as Chief Flying Instructor at both The Yorkshire Aeroplane Club and later at Sherborne Aero Club. Big shoes to follow. I can hardly believe the interviewer asked about 'chivalry'. In a battle situation it is kill or be killed. There were aggressor's and there were defenders. Probably always will be.
I liked that question, as an archivist, and he had to have been, I assumed he asked it because Popular Culture, movie makers, and writers until recently rather insisted on Chivalry for the sake of drama, so too did Commando Comic Books, (They were ace!) it’s good to give the interviewee the chance to dispel the myth, no? But I agree, there’s nothing truer in this than the line, “i wanted the first my enemy knew of me, to be my bullets ripping through his chest.’
I joined the Royal Air Force in 1971 - posted to RAF Chivenor in N.Devon. We knew of the "WWII 2 Aces" and athough it was 30 years later, these fine men were highly revered and still appreciated, it was our heritage. I cant help thinking that while I was only 17 when I joined up, becoming an independent and conciensious adult as time went on, it must have been a very similar situation for the lads of WWII though I am sure there was an aire of urgency in their induction to adulthood, Great documentary, thanks. I have subscribed.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Yes indeed Chris, Hunters Mks 6, 7, 9,and 10. A couple of Meteors and a couple of Jet Provosts, Chivenor was great .... then we moved to Brawdy S.Wales.
It's been quite a few years now, but I'm fairly sure I read his autobiography where he mentioned he would feel nautious whenever the 'tannoy' sounded a 'scramble'.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER I jumped at Grindale Parachute Centre (Near Flamborough where Ginger lived) a few times and Ginger was the pilot of the yellow C206 on a couple of occasions in 1976. He told us to keep still as we were disturbing the trim of the aircraft.
I think Ginger Lacey's home, where he was born? Maybe later? was demolished and a German supermarket was built on the site. Not deliberately. But it has caused many a wry smile. His daughter said he would have thought it funny. I think he was Tory, by nature.
The respect that Ginger showed for his parents.. a chemist apprentice at the behest of his father, and not joins the airborne. The support and permission of his mother to join the volunteer reserve. How many young men denied this to their parents and who many in our time have little respect for the oppinion or desires of mum and dad.
I always admire how calm the pilots were.when ever I see police confrontations and hear the adrenaline filled shouting and screaming I wonder how they would have behaved
Good point Cody, do please have a subscribe to my channel, I have made a couple of films about the Lancaster. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Yes, it’s quite unbelievable to many that people could be proud enough of their country, culture and way of life that they were prepared to live and die for it … maybe Ukraine will make people wake up and realise what they’re loosing …
A fascinating video, a great interview and really interesting questions and probing really important issues day to day for the pilots and squadron staff during the war. Thank you for putting this on YT.
Thank you very much for posting this! A true marvel and great joy to watch! For those interested, I'd like to point out that this short film (much too short if you ask me) offers a very good chance to observe the various stages of the Spitfire camouflage colour schemes. The Gravesend Spitfires showed some machines with a very pale or faded Ocean Grey (Upper surface Grey) colours and thus a high contrast against the Dark Green pattern (and some serious wear n' tear), and others with more fresh paint job and a lower contrast between the two upper surface colours. This you don't really see that well from photographs which usually depicts a single aircraft and from different time periods. Again, thanks for sharing!
A Heinkel 111 crashed into the River Trent near Long Eaton Uk, and my father was 13 at the time he and his friends spent the summer of 1940 using the tail as a diving board. 😅
I am sorry you found the siren annoying. Exeter city is very close to the former RAF Exeter and during that time air raid sirens were very audible and far reaching. Chris.
Great video. Nice footage of RAF Hornchurch featuring wing Commander Wilfred Duncan Smith wearing his captured Schwim.vest and featuring his black spaniel (CO of 64 Squadron, Spitfire SH - Z), father of Sir Iain Duncan Smith, our president at the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre.
Fascinating. I have had the book, Ginger Lacey - Fighter Pilot, for close to sixty years, but your video is the first time I have ever heard him speak. So revealing. Quite calm, quite matter-of-fact about it all and incredibly impressive.
Yes the RAF VR pin, the same reason VR naval officers had wavy rank insignia on their sleeves during WW2. I found that out after being curious watching the film Operation Mincemeat! Pity we never see our military wearing their uniforms in public anymore other than on ceremonial occasions. I used to see loads as a kid in the 1950's.
Always amazed at how used and abused those planes look. How they kept them going day after day is mind boggling to me. Got to be incredibly brave to get in an airplane that looks like everthing is worn out and to what those men did.
The video footage is wonderful. Unfortunately the interviewer asked such idiotic questions. “Did you go to war because you were told too”. No, they went to war because the German’s were killing their innocent friends and families. Similar to the incredible way the Ukrainians are defending their home and countrymen today. This interviewer needs to understand history and also to realize how people react when their back is up against the wall and horror is in their face.
The gentlemen said dogfights were seconds to a minute and a half. In the hustle and bustle of dogfighting a minute and a half would seem like an eternity I would suppose.
Ginger Lacey the pilot in the interview was an interesting man of the times. Please have a subscribe to my channel for more historical content. Chris. ru-vid.com/show-UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
A great piece of film and audio, although like so many other “interviewers”, Mr Tozer seems to pick some bloody odd questions to ask of his interviewee, which is a crying shame, as I feel that so much more was available to be gleaned from him? Anyhow, I’ve “liked” and “subscribed” and thanks for putting this “up”! 👍🏻👍🏻
Hello Chris. Very interesting . Ginger was very matter of fact and at times reluctant to speak. Interesting about his views on the then "young generation!" Many Thanks .
A most interesting interview as I had long wanted to know more about Ginger Lacey. I spoke at length tto a Hurricane BoB pilot who deplored being seen as a 'hero'; he and some who wrote expressed nuanced views on war and killing.
I lived in Hornchurch from birth until I was 19 and joined the RAF as an air defence radar tech. In the late 60's early 70's my dad flew RC model aircraft at a club that used a part of the disused peri-track as a runway, and an old E pen dispersal as the car park. I well remember as a young kid playing in the old shelter in the E Pen. This was over the "back" of the airfield very close to St George's Hospital and Suttons Lane. When I knew it Suttons lane ended at a gate that we used to access the spot where the model club flew. That was about where the bus turning area is next to the Ambulance Station and the heritage center. At least looking on Google Street View. I now live up in the Norfolk Broads, close to where I was stationed in the RAF.
