Tornado Down! - RAF Aviator on His Hellish Days as a POW During Desert Storm 

John has nothing to be ashamed of. His bravery speaks for itself. Anyone who thinks he gave in has no concept of what he endured. It takes a special kind of person to fly at 30 feet at 509 knots. God bless you John.

"7 weeks captivity are mildly annoying and somewhat hurty" , "...then they set me on fire" big balls, sir, very big balls. thank you .

Ward has hands down the most interesting videos and topics where first hand experience in combat aviation is shared. Nobody is producing content of this caliber.

John Nichol, the quintessential British gentleman: polite, dry wit with an underlying humility about the fears he had for those 7 weeks.

I last met John in 1989 after MC 122 in Cottesmore. The next time he was on TV after his capture. That day was difficult when I strapped in the back seat of a Navy Tornado in Naval Air Wing 2 of the German Navy. I always admired him for his spirit and thought about his experience. John, time passes, active duty in the airplane long gone, but I will never forget you. All the best, Stefan Nievelstein

The next shitty day I have at work, I’m going to remember that I was never a POW. Perspective, bro.

God bless the Brits. I can't think of another nation's warriors who face adversity with such cheer.

What an amazing story. Brass balls on those RAF Tornado guys. Had no idea what kind of low level hell they went through.

Mr. Nichol being able to joke about his experiences being a POW truly is an amazing statement to his character! :D

As a Desert Storm Prowler guy I really enjoyed your session with John. My crew and our F-14 escort flew top cover for a Tornado day strike during the early days of the war. Those guys were courageous operating in the AAA. Great content...press on!!

In true British style, under state the worst and laugh it off. But we all know those 7 weeks were absolute pure hell just being without tea. LOL

USMC pilots were living in tents during OP DESERT STORM in the south of Bahrain while British RAF Tornado pilots were living in five-star hotels in the north of the island, says John Nicol - and he's not wrong. Pongoes and Ruperts and those of a Dark Blue persuasion happily josh their muckers in the light blue Crabs about how stars are used by the different service branches. The British Army uses stars to define the seniority of its Generals. The Royal Navy uses stars to navigate by. Whereas the Royal Air Force counts the number of stars to work out if the deployment hotel is worth staying at...

Classic British descriptive understatements. Articulate, modest, and intelligent. Wonderful interview. A lot to digest. 🇬🇧✈️😎👍

John naturally produces caffeine, he's a unique human. Always speaks with high energy and passion. After all these years he's never slowed down once talking about these things.

Wow, just wow. Fantastic story. I was in Desert Storm myself as Forward Air Controller with 3rd Armor Division (US), coming out of an F-16 assignment in Germany (Hahn Air Base). So I knew about John, but the details here were just fascinating. Glad it turned out OK for him, jolly good chap!

Getting the shit kicked out of him. “I can empathize with their rage”. What a guy

Did the Falklands at 18, Armilla patrol, Gulf War, and Bosnia, I'm a year younger than John, I must say I would do it all again, great times.

I've always been a fan of the Tornado. I served in the USAF in Europe at RAF Upper Heyford, 1976-1978 as a Security Specialist in Aircraft Security. We were the infantry of the USAF. The F-111 was in service there at that time. Cheers! 🇺🇲 🇬🇧

"where do we get such men" Just outstanding people, and outstanding allies.

The term 'hero' applies to John Nichol like few others, he's certainly one of my own personal hero's! Happy Christmas to you all

What a fantastic interview! He loves to talk, acknowledges mistakes: he’s a great person.

Ward ... every time I think you have surpassed yourself You come back with something stronger. John's testimonial is a great tribute to himself and others who suffered his prisoner fate. Thankfully his imprisonment was short (never short enough) and his attitude, while tested, survived in tacked. Thank you Ward for yet another great episode.

It's always terrific to see John interviewed. He and JP signed a photo for me at Leuchars when I was 15, and that experience was a big factor in my joining as pilot 8 years later. I had the privilege of seeing another of those who were shot down recount their experiences in person at Cranwell. It was sobering stuff - but their courage and professionalism was intensely inspiring to all of us.

Proud to be a fellow countryman, I was 14 years old during the 1st gulf war and vividly remember watching the bbc news everyday when I got home from school. John Nichols and John peters became my hero’s of mine when they appeared on the TV beaten and bruised. John, your still a hero of mine and I thoroughly enjoy every thing you write! Great channel Ward, I’ve been here from the start, your content gets better and better!! 🇬🇧

"...somewhat hurty at times..." Typical Brit. God bless you sir.

Mr. Nichol's story is a very similar to Gen. Gianmarco Bellini's one: he and his wizzo (Maurizio Cocciolone) were shot down in an Italian Air Force Tornado in their very first low-level bombing mission. Their a/c was the only one in their flight that could refuel successfully in an extreme turbulence area, so they proceeded to the target alone. IIRC even the Wild Weasel flight that was supposed to precede them, aborted the mission. They got shot down shortly after bomb release on their egress route at about 550 knots and 120 ft. You can find the actual audio tape of his shotdown here on RU-vid. Mr. Carroll, it would be amazing if you could contact him and set up an interview. I think he still flies for a cargo airline and he lives in the Norfolk VA area.

Glad you are still with us. Thank you for your service

Great interview. The BBC has an excellent three-hour documentary on the Gulf War from the early 90s. The 1991 Gulf War a BBC production

I love that Nichol has an ejection handle on a plaque.

John is one heck of a humble man...admitting to the cock up as most probably being his bad as he was in charge of the sequence of key presses to initiate the loft bombing HUD symbology. Regardless of whether or not there was a technical failure at the critical moment, after all these years he still willingly takes responsibility for the loft bombing failure of his first mission. Respect.

What a story! You are incredible, Sir. Thank you. I was 11 when you got shot down and I can't possibly imagine what you went through. I got emotional listening to you. What a Hero.

I guess he's had a couple decades to process the experience, but the sheer nonchalance of the guy is incredible. Being set on fire was "rather unpleasant"?

I flew my first sortie later that afternoon. I remember watching CNN seeing these guys as POWs.

You gotta love the British dry wit.

Great interview. I remember seeing him and his pilot on the news back in the day when I was stuck in Japan, starved for information about the war. It's great to hear that they were able to make it out. The idea that his pilot said, "There's always hope," resonates true. I'm glad that they didn't do the Butch and Sundance way out. Now I'll go and find the book.

I do remember the RAF pilot whose bruised face was on the television news in Jan 1991. P.O.W. in the first Persian Gulf War. That time I was only 15-year-old middle school student.

Two comments: John Nichol is full of class, and "there are probably easier paths to that", great comment Mooch

Thank you Ward for this interview/chat with John. I was serving in the British Army in Gulf War 1; I never got deployed in the end, but remember watching the daily news and following John,s captivity story from the UK. Fast forward to 1994 and I’m serving (still in the Army) at RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands and I’m doing some phys on a treadmill in the gym when the one and only John Nichol (now a Navigator in the Tornado F3) hops on the treadmill next to me! Between huffs and puffs we got chatting and John kindly agreed to sign the copy of ‘Tornado Down’ that I was reading at the time… still have the book kept in good condition. As part of the Falklands tour I also got to visit the 1423 Tornado Flight crew bar for a ‘Gozome’ (a localised send off ceremony [with beers!] for those ending tour) and managed to catch up again with John and have a beer. An amazing man, always with a smile on his face and happy to talk. Thanks John for being humble and continuing to remain staunchly British.

No amount of SERE training can prepare someone that's shot down and captured, bravery is severely tested and those that make it through should be damn proud. Ward, thanks for this interview and John, thank you for your Service!! "GSTQ"

As a UK citizen all I can say is I’m proud that we have guys like John, I remember him vividly being paraded on the news and worrying about what he must be going through and what his family must be thinking at the time. Thanks Ward for putting this interview out and thank you John for your service and the fact that you survived. I can understand the fact that you felt embarrassed to be captured but so glad you didn’t go “Butch & Sundance” Hope prevailed 🙏

God Bless our Brit Allies! The video/photo of his beaten and tortured pilot, John Peters, is one of the enduring and sobering images of the war.

What a fast 45 minutes! Cmdr. Ward, please send kudos to Mr. Nichol. Saying he is a dynamic storyteller is a gross understatement. Not to mention that he exhibited the most commendable attributes of true bravery as a POW. He demonstrated extraordinary courage, with the addition of both intelligent consideration of the reality of his situation, and astute problem solving under the most extreme pressure. Tremendous episode!

John Nichol got a lot of stick when he first came back, most of it from people who wanted to say 'if I'd been there I woulda...!' but obviously were not. I love to see how he's fought back and owned his misfortunes. He's a good bloke. To those of you in America wondering if there was a problem with his microphone settings or the playback, Flt Lt. Nichol is what we call a Geordie, a breed of Englishman from Tyneside in the extreme north of the country - practically Scotland. He grew up in South Shields which boasts a local dialect most commonly compared to morse code. High pitched, fast and low-drag syllables. John is actually quite posh talking for the region, but when he gets excited you can hear the Geordie morse code coming through. They don't need me to spin a dit of their humour, culture and hardiness (their womenfolk make it a point of pride to never wear coats on a night out - slows you down too much at the hat check - this applies to 3am jaunts up Grey Street in mid winter at the same latitude as the Alaskan panhandle.) but the idea of interrogating one of them is just tailor made for farce.

People say that the World War 2 generation were special, and undoubtedly they were.. but special people still exist. Flying at night, at 200ft burning coal at 600 knots takes something special in itself. What John & pilot John Peters went through was horrendous.. brave guys

What a character.

I vividly remember John being paraded around on TV as a boy. Fascinating story, thank you !

As a teenager I watched CNN for the daily information of Desert Storm in 1991 and I remember very well faces of Peters and Nichol. Thank you both of all for this great interview.

John is a good man.

Mr. Nichol's humbleness, politeness reminds of the Eric Idle character in National Lampoon's European Vacation.

Isn’t it amazing how those who have suffered so much seem to have such a positive outlook on their experience. I first encountered this as a young office back in the 1980s when I had the privilege of attending a lecture by a Vietnam veteran. Inspirational men.

The Brit’s are so great! What a wonderful guy. Would love to have beers with him! Bet his storytelling is fun.

My mum was in the WRAF, mum passed away in 2019 aged 95. I had an uncle who was a P.O.W in WWII I had an uncle that was an R.A.F pilot! It sounds easy for me to say thank you for what you did back then! Whilst I know a bit about my uncles time as a POW! It was nothing like your time! I just say thank you for what you did back than! I am glad you survived! May I wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New year! May I thank you ward Carroll for creating this clip! Thank you very much as it has brought home the bravery of folks like you and John! may I wish you too, a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! Thank you once again!

What an amazing story. I am glad John Nicol and the pilot J.P made it out alive to tell their story. There is a couple of excellent documentaries here on RU-vid about them, where John and J.P explain everything in detail, it's a must watch for anyone who is interested in aviation and war. Stay safe and healthy John and J.P.

Such a lovely fella, would love to have a beer with him, he’s such an incredible storyteller. His books are a must. As a Brit and proud RAF admirer John’s bravery under terrible circumstances cannot be understated.

How very British, understated and self effacing. Thanks Mooch for shining a light on the RAF in the Gulf. Have you got any stories of working with the British aviators?

No sanitized agenda story here, just clear & honest history -- reaffirms the brutal reality of what the Viet Nam POWs had to process and endure. Ward, your topics and guests are purely legit & fascinating. Thanks to both of you gents for the rapid-fire facts and anecdotes, shared for anyone to comprehend and appreciate.

Terrific interview. My heart goes out to Mr. John Nichols; I am thankful for his words and perspective. Every one has their own personal limit while being tortured, and Mr. Nichols endured to his limit with true patriotism and grit -- as an aviator, officer, coalition member, and British citizen. Godspeed, always. Again, another great learning experience you offer to all of us. Thank you, CDR Carroll.

Used to watch trios of Luftwaffe Tornadoes at Red Rio Bombing Range. All power to John Nichol!

I met John Nichol at an air show at RAF Leaming North Yorkshire in the mid 90's, a true hero and a gentleman who let me have a photograph with him back in the day when it took days to have pics developed long before instant selfies, I still have the picture.

"I'm a massive fan of the martin baker seat" 🤣

A fantastic interview. Us Brits are all proud of you and JP, John. You should never think otherwise. Thank you and god bless.

I remember back when I was a kid I got given a magazine by the name of "Airplane". In it was the story of the mission where John got shot down, written by the flight lead. Must have read that story 50 times and I still remember the last line, "I radioed in to tell them we were coming home without our number two". A good few years later (in my twenties by this point) I was reading a book by a British SAS soldier who had been captured, and in the last chapter when he was being released made mention of meeting a Brit called John Nichol. Something in my memory tweaked and I went back, dug up the old magazine and sure enough the names matched. I remember being so happy to find out John had survived because the original article made no mention of it. Now I stumble across this video and get to hear from him myself. Thanks so much for having him on.

I love hearing the "mistakes." All of us that have flown in combat have made mistakes. It's different when your mistakes become visible to the general public. It's another to admit those mistakes 30 years later to the public. Huge props from an MH-53J/M Pave Low guy.

Loved the Video! During Desert Storm I was an AE1 assigned to HSL-47 Det 8 on board USS Princeton CG-59. After we hit the mines on the 18th of Feb 1991 we were off loaded in Bahrain and worked out of the Airfield there and lived in the Hilton. I remember watching the RAF aircraft operating out of there as well. Watching the Torandos take off and land was always an impressive event.

John Carroll, I prayed for you when paraded with the black eyes. I am so proud of your service. You are a great aviator.

It is always great to have the Brits on our side...

I volunteered in 1969 for infantry, airborne and Ranger. I made it and ended up Ranger qualified SF Medic. Never came close to Vietnam. But we were trained name, rank, serial number if captured but unofficially hold out for 48 hours until any codes could be changed. God bless your guest and every other like him. I sit in awe!

WOW, Thanks for having John on, Thanks to all that served.

Tornado such a fantastic looking plane. Hard times make strong men.

When John, and John Peters his pilot, were displayed on TV in captivity it was shown on UK TV late one evening I was so annoyed I had to go for a long run to work it off! It was great to eventually meet them some time later and all I could say was “Bloody glad to see you both safe and sound!” they understood, but I think half the UK had probably said that! John is a great and writer communicator too…

Mooch, another fantastic video. As a Veteran of Desert Sheild/Storm I was on the ground wondering how the hell any aircraft could make it through that insane AAA. Congratulations to Navy for beating my Army on Saturday. 🇺🇸

“Tornado Down” by the two John’s is a classic account of being a shot down and held as a POW. I would say that his new book “Tornado” is fast achieving similar status as the story of the Tornado force’s contribution to Op Granby. A close family friend was on the same squadron as John and flew on the first night of the war but I had no real idea of the harrowing experiences endured by ground attack aircrew flying night after night into a maelstrom of triple A, Roland, SAMs in scenes reminiscent of the strategic bomber offensive of WW2. As has been said before, straight & level, 600kts, 20 feet over a heavily defended airfield to deliver runway denial munitions at night? Iron clad testicles.

Ward, I have to commend you for the way you conduct your interviews, being able to keep them interesting, pointed, conversational, while always remaining gracious and empathetic. Fantastic work!

I couldn't click on this video fast enough. you already know this is going to be a really good video

being a former italian tornado pilot myself I really appreciated this video...The italian tornado shootdown during desert storm was from my squadron : 155th black panthers At that time I was not combat ready so I did not partecipated at that deployment... Anyways I recall everithing very well.... I remember whatching on television Jhon Peters , jhon Nichols and of course my friend Maurizio Cocciolone (that was a navigator of that tornado ) As I have already written your videos are all greats!.... I remember once during a simulated low level attack against USS Saratoga In late 1993 , me and my wingman were intercepted at 540 kts 150ft (maybe lower) by two Tomcats that they arrived completely silent (nothing on our RWR) and they almost rejoing on our wing!!!!!!!!!!! then after the RIO saluted us, they accellerated , climbed almost verticaly and disappeared!!! ! :-))))))))))

You know, it's one thing when you read the stories or hear the media reports. It's an entirely different thing when you hear the behind the scenes, first hand account details from the people at the center of the action. What an amazing story.

As well as the books on his own experience, John Nichol has written two good books on classic WWII planes, the Spitfire and the Lancaster.

The sonic booms of Tornado's training over Europe was fun to see and hear.

Incredible valor. We live in comfort and safety because of men like these.

the crossover i never saw coming, but my god im happy it did

No Man should have to endure what he did but we Honor his Sacrifice and Valor knowing he's and among the finest The RAF had.

“ … and that’s when the fun started “ Damn, chills down my spine

John is such a great guy, his books are a great read, well researched and written. Lancaster had me reading lots with a lump in my throat for much of the interviews with survivors.

Great interview. Hats off to our friends across the pond for being the most stable and dependable ally we have.

I never tire of listening to John talk, he's an absolute hero and a complete gentleman. Great to see you talking to John and showing his story to a new audience. Brilliant 👍

Thank you for sharing your story as a POW. You bring great credit to the RAF.

I have no idea where I got it from, but I do have a signed copy of "Vanishing Point". Thanks for the books, John. For a Tornado Fan, like me, it's always a good read!

A great conversation with a true hero. John is your typical charming Brit, with self-deprecating humor, but there's no mistaking his courage and valor. The man has titanium balls!

One of my takeaways from SERE school in Maine was; when being questioned be "vague and indefinite". This was the best training I got in the Navy. The only slap in the face was during debriefing at NAS Brunswick when we found out that you had to buy the "I've Been There" patch for $5. I thought they would just give them to us. I went there October 1993. Good times.

What a fine gentleman! So impressed with his calm demeanor and fantastic story. Thank you John for everything you’ve done!

Amazing human being! All the best to him and his fellow POW's! May their sacrifice never be forgotten. SEMPER FI Sir!

I remember seeing John’s face on TV when I was a kid and have heard some of his story before. Seeing him tell it was something else entirely. Thanks Ward!

Another great interview highlighting the bravery & sacrifice of all that serve in the military...doing what we are told...politics aside. John Nichols story of how flying in at low level/high speed & just trusting the equipment & maintainers to get the job done & hopefully bring them home. And the POW experience...Gen Schwartzkoff...The Bear! As free nations, we are grateful for all that keep us safe at night because warriors standby ready to protect free people! Thank you John Nichol for your service & sacrifice!!! And as always, thank u Ward for another great interview highlighting military aviation!

Communication technology is amazing! No delays in the conversation - as if he was right next to you. Great interview!

Hello Ward. Just want to say MC and thanks for the Freedom you gave Us and tell John God Bless and Thanks for Serving and helping with our Freedom.

John, thank you Sir and welcome home.

Excellent interview, Mooch, with John Nichol...very informative about their time in the cockpit and subsequent downing and survival. Thx.

Cheers 🍻 John you did your country proud

Princess Diana's death was very tragic. She did so many positive things and her death was just painful...there was no good reason to lose her...I wish she was still here for us...

Always good to see a St Cuthberts boy. The US carried the M9 which is a 9mm Beretta 92. Very comparable capability to the Sig P226 that most of the British military uses now, just not nearly as reliable. I worked with the people who designed the warheads for the HB876 and SG357 and other parts of JP233. FWIW we didn't like the weapon we'd been asked to make because we didn't like the way it had to be deployed. The HB876 is an area denial mine, not an anti personnel mine, it was first designed to destroy armored mine clearance vehicles. The fragmenting shell was an afterthought, the lads I worked with designed the top plate, which is a Self Forging Fragment, and at some point noticed they could make the casing fragment too.