Dogfights: Deaths of the Great War ("Ave Maria"; Pavarotti)

[jimmywrangles]

RIP, Lest We Forget.

[flyforce16]

2:22 - man, that's horrifying. Knowing that you're falling to your death.

[MrMrTiurias]

can you imagine to jump out of a burning plan with no parachute??

it a choise between burn to death, or fall to death, brave man to choose to jump,

i dont think i could make a choise, dont even want to think about it

[roxykattx]

@MrMrTiurias

Mick Mannock used to carry a revolver with him to shoot himself if his plane caught fire. And I don't think he was the only one.

[fc2kz2]

hey man, nice vid. i like the music choice. however, the pics after 2:23 are quite spectacular. are those real? if so, good find!

[gtofan2005]

most had less 8 hour flight training i read some where don't rember where though

[thra5herxb12s]

Let us not forget that all wars are caused by pen pushers and fought by normal people who bear no animosity to each other.

[thra5herxb12s]

Very moving compilation,excellent choice of music I was never in any doubt that they where all heroes.

[niflap]

:43) I see no plane wreckage. Did this one jump?

[Friendo1231]

@niflap Yes. I don't know from how high, though.

[903strikerunit]

the music was kinda feel lonely and sad makes me cry. T_T

[niflap]

2:51 Did Franz Stabbart fall out of the zep while it was still in the air?

[niksarass]

0:16 is it Guynemer?

[kdjfnvjvd]

True warriors

RIP

[condoritohuevoduro]

2.21 the saddest and greatest image at the same time, but take in mind that german pilot jumped out because he wanted to die faster, instead of dying

burned. I wonder if he had a pistol next to him instead of taking that desperate

decision :S

[niflap]

@condoritohuevoduro At least jumping prolonged his life long enough to reach the ground. The death by impact at terminal velocity should be just as swift as a bullet in the temple.

[niflap]

@condoritohuevoduro At least jumping allowed him to live the balance of the time it took to hit the ground, then die as quickly as any self inflicted gunshot wound.

[bigchickenfu]

dont u just hate when that happens @ 2:21 ? !

[TOPACE352]

AT 0:56 AND 1:53 WE SEE PILOTS WHO DIED IN FLAMES IMAGINE THE HORROR AND AGONY THESE MEN MUST HAVE FELT AS THE BURNT TO A CRISP POOR SOULS BUT THEY JUST AS WELL COULD HAVE JUMPED OR SHOT THEMSELVES IN THE HEAD TO PUT THEMSELVES OUT OF THEIR MISERY THOSE WERE THE OPTIONS IN WW1

[teerification]

@TOPACE352 yes indeed parachutes came late in 1918 or 1917 somewhere in the late ww1

[janeknr2]

isnt it The red baron at 0:20 ?

[Friendo1231]

@janeknr2 Yep. A very dead Richthofen.

[Tomekwinxs]

@Friendo1231 Shot by a rifle from the ground. Talk about Karma.

[nolifemerc]

@Friendo1231 yhey didnt use parachutes its unbeliveble.

[MasterNiva]

@Friendo1231 are you sure about that??the red baron was kind of blonde and look diferent

[asdlolerotfl]

"Lest we forget". How true. I'd also say, "lest we do it again". Thanks Friendo 1231.

[903strikerunit]

@asdlolerotfl aww come on man! you wanna end like this guy in 1:55? if you do. gimme your money will ya .

[luuko656]

LOL!!!! 3:03 is a still from the 1930s movie "hells angels"!!! it isnt even a ww1 picture!

[mara235]

My grandfather was a medic in this war, his ambulance was horsedrawn. The planes were basically wooden frames with painted canvas fabric stretched across them..like going to war in a motorized kite..with folks trying to shoot you down. Brave men all.

[NandoPalmira]

at 2:21 the picture seems more scary with the sad music r.i.p german pilot :(

[meann27joanis]

horrible:(

[MatKoReN]

these guys wanted go to war and wanted go to planes. So dont be scary when soldiers die.

[flesch317]

No parachutes in WW1...poor guys. If the plane caught fire, they just jumped out rather than burn to death. War nothing glamorous about it.

[usmctanks1]

@flesch317 Actually the Germans used parachutes during WW1.. Herman Goring survived being shot down by using it!! Britian had an inventor that offered a pack type parachute to the RAC and later the RAF, he was turned down. Seems the generals thought that taking to a 'chute' was a bit of a "fairy" thing to do, better to jump or burn. Nobody figured it took a year to get a good Fighter pilot trained, and 5 days to build an aircraft.. sad but true.

[mk19892]

@usmctanks1 i know its bad itsn't they thought that having a prachoot would encouge them to jump out intead of fight

[timberwolf7102james]

@mk19892 " parachutes " At that time were around However it was a diffrent time then .. Using a parachute was looked at as a cowards way out

[Halftrack99]

@timberwolf7102james

Not true, the Germans used them as much as possable. So did balloonists on both sides. Only the allies had the penchant to throw away lives.

[galoon]

@Halftrack99 The German pilots weren't issued parachutes until very late in the war. But you're right about the balloonists; all of them had 'chutes.

[ToreDL87]

@mk19892 Nah the idea was that no parachute would make them try to land a plane that could actually be re-used, even so it was very very bad indeed!

[Vaporblast]

Oufff 2:21 is something to make you think...

[BigAlex40]

what happen to them on 1:37 ?

[Friendo1231]

"Remains of two German aviators brought down by Russian artillery from an altitude of 2500m during June 1915."

Bad crash from the looks of it, too. The foreground victim's, face is peeled forward and loose like a smashed melon of some sort, his leg is broken and bent horribly to the side. Can't say his comrade looks much better.

[niflap]

@Friendo1231 I assumed they crashed in the plane as opposed to jumped as they're next to each other. I see no plane wreckage.

[jaroslavpirkl]

great video...

[minouchesfourtwo]

my great grandfather was a fighter pliot , and he shot down otto kandulski, his name was roger paul de Ronserail.

We will never forget those in war that gave their lives.

[BodyX93]

ur grandpa died for his country and that is a sacrifice that us should't forget .

[CK50]

The image at 2:21 is remarkable. Great video. The music is perfect.

[Manbehinddemask]

we will never forget what they gave up for us . you will all ways be rembered for your brave deeds

[darsus19]

theese men truly deserve to be honoured.

[mckessa]

Yeah Drew you tell them...

[drew23ish]

Nessun Dorma (Let No one sleep tonight)

would also have been a great music choice. Whatever side they were fighting

on they were people who had families,

hopes dreams etc. ther has to be a better way to settle disputes than killin each other, but that will never happen. I think man enjoys the kill too much. damn our ansestors.

[drew23ish]

Nice choice of music,

[ginsoak]

The first use of mechanized destruction. This is very well made/researched. Thank you for taking the time.

[BLEACH01Z]

werner voss my fav

[mckessa]

Canadians kicked ass in the air....

[drew23ish]

they also got their butts kick earlier in the war.

[muscledude101]

@mckessa canadians suck in the air us dominates the air f-22 vs cf-18 ahaahaha

[rmrooster01]

At 3:02, one of the most awesome ariel dogfight photos of all time. Gnarly

[Oscha12]

My Greatgrandfather was an American pilot in WWI. He survived the war and was stabbed in a mugging in Chicago in 1926. My Grandpa was 2 years old. Life can be dangerous no matter where you are so might as well go out like these guys did.

[VonDrinkoften]

Very moving. Thanks

[dumsfrie]

If anyone has been to the museum of flight they may have tried the WW1 flight simulator that compares an early 1st war planes handling with alate 1st war plane. They are both like trying to manuever a soapbox derby car as it hurtles through the air. Truly brave folks indeed.

[Friendo1231]

You mean the one in Seattle? I've wanted to go there for a long time now. I saw photos of their WW1 simulator a long time ago on a blog. Can you choose what plane you fly?

[mjmorrow76]

So sad to waste an entire generation of brave men on fat cat Oligarchs.The more things change the more they stay the same....

[bross001Angus]

Nice.

[oleshatterbutt]

Very nice sentiment,and nice choice of music-never mind the pubescent and macho idiots text banter in other posts.Thank you for this piece

[jhagen20042000]

don`t think I`d mix them with the macho word , more like brats that live with mommy !

[rotagen5]

I've never seen anything WWI related that didnt have the crappiest music in the world behind it....just schmaltz.

Probably why noone is making a decent WW1 flight sim....the kids cant take the crappy music either.....how about Iron Maiden "aces high"...something not played by boring stiffs.

[Friendo1231]

Agreed. It's always some rock music or metal that they play in their videos.

[RonMcGovney]

I suppose the poor bastard falling out of the albatross at 2.23 hasn't got a parachute aye?

[Friendo1231]

Nope.

[phonix032]

we all know who to blame some dipshit who killed a austrian prince and started ww1

[CarolinaSkunkApe]

the war had been estimated to start soon anyway, everything was lined up to go. they just needed a reason, Ferdinand's death was not the cause of the war just an provocation.

[cramsa]

That's war...

[BluTransAmmer]

bravo

[itshammer]

1 38 is a naty picture.r.i.p all those heroes of the past

[RonMcGovney]

Are they british or german?

[Mollineaux]

A fine posting - we all need to be reminded what war means for those who have to fight.

[070912a]

Heroes..

[andymitch12345]

Simply brilliant video, a great tribute.

That picture at 2:22... is just so haunting.

[Raap123]

realy good son.

In Memorial the fighters who lost ther lives during 1914-1918

[kaiserbill5711]

Positively Superb !!!

[olliedee12]

Thanks For Posting.

x

[rwarreng]

Riminds me of the poem...

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung

[rwarreng]

... High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air... Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew -- And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. John Gillespie Magee, Jr

[Duchovicius666]

Fantastic! 5/5:)

[bellcord]

" Well it's Tommy this and Tommy that and throw the Lout out... but it's 'Savior of His Country' when the cannon's begin to shout ! "  Kippling

[Draious]

the picture at 2:22 is just sad

[nzDeerstalker]

Haunting.

[rofyle]

flybreath, have a mint.

[VF31Shadowman]

It is a sad note, that many of you, have not a clue what war is about. It is the common man that fight the fight., the common Joe. The common Joe is a normal kind of guy, who put's his life on the line, for the rest of his buddies! That is the way it is! End of answer!

[joker0174]

Very well done video, incredibly moving when set to "Ave Maria".

[disigny]

One poster says we should "just say no to war" (because its stupid, etc.)  Sorry, that will not do, because there are real disputes between nations. If we troubled to invent a world government, we could have legal means to settle disputes...

[disigny]

It's simply not good enough to say that nothing was accomplished, and that "diplomacy" should be pushed to the limit: well, it has! That's the point: it requires , frankly, a world government based on laws, to resolve these political international disputes. Anything less, as the last hundred years shows, is simply inadequate. Disigny.

[angelbreath500]

Well, what can I say? Lest we forget. A good video put through here about people who were pioneers of aviation (and Young) let's pay tribute to all sides who fought in that horrid war!  Germans, Brits, French, Canadians, Dutch etcetc the list goes on and effing on!. There is no way you would find me Dog Fighting in a piece of efffing bolsa wood with an engine with no power flexibility or fire power in freezing conditions!

[peppermintjohn666]

very powerful, a generation of europeans slaughtered, and for what?

[drogoscg]

And Vishnu saw that at the end of his dream the world was one grave. Then the dream stopped.

[PilotRob]

No parachutes (exc. for balloon people and German pilots late in war), no oxygen with flights higher than 15,000, etc. It was the state of the art back then...no one knew any better. Even by WW2 standards....just amazing.

Yes, guts. I'm blown away by their exploits...

wood, fabric, gasoline and oil. Unreal.

[VF31Shadowman]

I was refering to giarcnosdivad utterly stupid comment, see below. This perso need's to pick up a book, and read how WWI got started. By the way giarcnosdivad, I'm a Serbian!

[Friendo1231]

That's fine.

[VF31Shadowman]

This vidio is a great ad to demonstrate the fallacies of war. Why war's shouldn't be fought! Diplomatic measure's should be used to the utmost, before going to war with another nation, where thousand's of live's will be lost on both side's., But then again, it will be our live's lost, not the Politicains! It doesn't matter what side your on, If your in the field, or in the air, we're the ones who pay the price of war, not the Politicain's. They get to go home at the end of the day, we don't!

[kenshifencer]

Pilot shown at 0:26 into the video is Lt. Quentin Roosevelt, USAAC, son of US President Theodore Roosevelt.

[Friendo1231]

Correct.

[xtiml]

read what the marine corps general had to say on the business of war after he wrote the definitive book on it after ww1 and all your semper fi and loyalty and bravery is just to encoutage others behindd you to make the same mistake. listen to song universal soldier and we have the power to stop it.

[Neritoc]

suicide to go up, but I'd still go. Call me stupid or ignorant, both even. I'd still go fight in the skies, I'd aim my aircraft to shoot down the enemy too, not like modern day air combat. With beyond sight long range missiles and the like. It wasn't so much the aircraft in those days more the pilots skill, now if you have air superiority you've no worries.

[usmctanks1]

What a heart felt comment, semper fi....

[coldbrewbeer]

WW1 pilots didn't have parachutes? I thought they had parachutes! I'm also assuming they had no pilot armor behind the seat eh? sounds almost like it would be suicide to go up.

[Friendo1231]

Early war ones didn't. The Germans FINALLY got some in the late war, but Allied pilots were not allowed to carry them because the command feared they might "abandon a perfectly fine machine".

Basically, it was suicide. The average pilot survived for 18 hours of flying time before dying. Bullets basically ripped through the plane until they hit the fuel tank and caused the plane to explode in fire OR until they hit the pilot.

[jm1969bc]

no parachutes,such a shame

[domintor2]

even though the nazi were are enemys, they were some were just like us, just doing what they were ordered to do. they shared an equal hell that we faced in this blood bath known as war

[quesefodam10vezes]

there were not any naziz in the first world war.

[elli782]

I would say that the GERMANS did but not fond of the nazis

[usmctanks1]

Thank you, to both sides,for your dedication, and honor, although most of you are forgotten, your sacrifice will never be...

What brave men you were!!!

[giarcnosdivad]

Thank you both sides? Your an idiot! THANK YOU BRAVE BRITONS AND AMERICANS! You Krauts got what you deserved!

[usmctanks1]

First I'm Dutch,not German, and you left out the french, who lost thousands and thousands of men also. I am thanking the PILOTS of the aircraft that fought in WW1,not the leaders of the combatants,or can I blame the English generals who ordered frontal assaults (from England) against entrenched German postions with machine gun fire covering every inch of No mans land? mmm? How many Brave soldiers deserved that order? Don't look at WW1 in simplistic black and white colors

[Friendo1231]

I'm a pure German (family has lived there for the past 500 years), and I must say that I find your thinking towards us quite simplistic given how history could have played out if we won the war. No Hitler, no Nazi Party, nothing of that sort. World War II never would have existed, and the world would lack a dark chapter.

Lang lebe das Kaiser und Deutschland!

[theNEWcabloober]

Really?

Now I'm not looking at this politically or anything, as I'm pretty clueless on WW1 happenings. But I'm looking at it human nature wise. Don't you think maybe some greedy bastard would start up another problem, like the whole Aryan race thing? I mean you guys had some darn good weaponry, and if Germany won, who knows, some high-up jackass with an inflated ego might have gone and started some kind of Nazi party regardless. Just saying it's possible.

[VF31Shadowman]

Your the Idiot! Both side's lost many young men in the field, sea, and air. And for what? France & Briton declaird war on Germany first!

Why? Because Germany declaired war on Serbia for assassinating there King. That's how WWI got started. Total stupidity on England & France's part! We should have never been envoled, or taken part of WWI.

[peppermintjohn666]

its more complicated than that, your talking about a fifty year old arms race between germany and britain. it is unlikely it could have been prevented without any radical change.

[VF31Shadowman]

Yes, It is more complicated than what I wrote, but the basic fact remains the same. The assassination of Germanys King, and his wife, gave England, and France, a motive for war, when Germany declared war on serbia. It was what both England, and France wanted, and some how Russia got caught up in it all. The common man's interest was NOT considered. It wasn't for freedom that they wanted, it was greed!

[peppermintjohn666]

you mean no heir to the austrohungarian throne. pay attention in class

[VF31Shadowman]

If I had wrote that is was the Crown Prince of Germany, it would have most likely fell on deaf ear's. The basic fact remain's the same. The assassination of the Crown Prince & his wife, was the match that lit the fire for WWI. You can not deny that fact. If France, England, and Russia, would have minded to there own business, and left Germany to there own! There wouldn't have been a WWII, no Hitler, no Natz party to deal with. We probably wouldn't had a war with Japan either.

[peppermintjohn666]

actually i can, WW1 did not just 'happen', would so many have been sacrificed over literally nothing? this was an arms race between britain and germany over the previous sixty years, competing for arms, colonies, technology and navy a showdown was innevitable. the war was so hyped, and the leaders so bent that the prevention of the assasination would not have poponed the war for more than 10 years.

[VF31Shadowman]

actually, it was the propensity of France & England, to pounce on Germany. Remember, Germany didn't declare war on France, nor England, it was the other way around. Yes, it is true, if the Crown Prince, and his wife were not assasinated, it may have post poned the first World War indefinitely, but there indomitable behavior, could not let them see, just what they were letting themselves into., Both countries, France & England, Bit off more than they could chew, by declaring war on Germany.

[mastermindmichel]

Sheesh... Who taught yóu history?

Get your basic facts straight, then come back.

[VF31Shadowman]

The real fact remains the same! There shoudn't have been a World War I, but we had one anyway! It's all pass say now, and there isn't a damn thing we can do to change it, only to work together as a people, as human beings to not have another World War. Action speaks louder than words. Sure, words are grand, but if you do not act up on them, they are meaningless! Do you agree on what I've said? The past wars we have been in should have told us, as a people to just say NO to war! You think so?

[redbass182]

study more,

it was all about alliances.

The whole Europe was divided in different alliance, so when the AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (NOT GERMANY) declared war against Serbia a chain reaction started that dragged in Germany on austria-hungary's side and France,Russia and Britain on Serbias side.

i tried to short it down, i know that much more things happened before and after.

[VF31Shadowman]

You forgot to mention the economic Issue's of the day, or that period of time. Many European nations were heading for a depression. What better way to boost there economy's by having a war!The asassination of the Austrian Prince & his wife, was just an excuse for France, England, & Russia to go to war. The thing here is, France, England, and Russia, Had NO business in the affairs of Austria, or Germany., but it is all pass say now. We should learn from our mistake's, but we don't!

[VF31Shadowman]

You forgot to mention the economic Issue's of the day, or that period of time. Many European nations were heading for a depression. What better way to boost there economy's by having a war!The asassination of the Austrian Prince & his wife, was just an excuse for France, England, & Russia to go to war. The thing here is, France, England, and Russia, Had NO business in the affairs of Austria, or Germany., but it is all pass say now. We should learn from our mistake's, but we don't!

[tomskateboards]

WW1 was bound to happen anyways, the Balkan Powderkeg was already getting rocked around. The assasination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife just lit the match. But you are saying Russia, Britain, and France shouldn't have been dragged into it, which is wrong.

I don't have enough room in this comment so read my next one.

[tomskateboards]

Since both France and Russia were afraid Germany would attack them, they formed an alliance to protct one another, Britain joined this allinace as they were afraid of the growing German Navy. When A-H threatened to invade Serbia, Russia came to it's aide because of a promise to protect all Slavic countries which caused A-H to declare war on Russia. With Russia in war, France came to help. Germany declared war on France and moved through Belguim with cause Britain to join from a previous treaty.

[VF31Shadowman]

France, then Britain & Russia.,where not dragged into WWI! France started it, then the other two countries followed suit. Now don't for get the Turk's! They were allies with the German's. There were alot of things happening, after the start of WWI. The thing here is, War is a ugly business, So!, you should think very hard before starting one. Mr.Bush didn't, and look where we are now?

[tomskateboards]

Where did I mention Turks? I said Britain was brought into the war by a treaty with Belguim and France and Germany were brought into the war because A-H declared war on Serbia. Russia promised to help the Slavs, France promised to help Russia. That brought the defensive treaty between Russia and France into play with France declaring war on A-H (Which is why they should have been involved in the war regardless) and then Germany declaring war on France. Fault on both countries if you ask me.

[VF31Shadowman]

I guess you were not listing! France starting WWI! If they wouldn't have jumped on the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, Germany would have stayed put! Thus NO WWI. Britain & Russia didn't come into play, until Germany entered the war. If you want to put the blaim on someone, put the blaim on the stupied hot headed Serb that assasinated the Austrian-Hungarian Crown prince & his wife.

[tomskateboards]

But I'm not sure how much you know about WW1, I could be wrong.

[VF31Shadowman]

Do you know who was the only U.S.Naval ACE of WWI? What were pilot's called in WWI?

1. Lt.D.S.Igall

2. Flying Officer, they were not called Aviator's, until much later.

I guess I know alittle about WWI. Do you think so?

[tomskateboards]

Yea, I knew that. I don't care about naval aces.

Due to many alliances, Kaiser declared war on Russia when there was still the chance of negotiation. The German plan of defense was, that if war appeared to be inevitable, Germany should strike first to gain the advantage of surprise and be able to fight the battles on the enemy's soil. Kaiser knew that if he attacked Russia it would bring France into the war. Kaiser, gave the order to declare war on Russia when he could have done otherwise.

[VF31Shadowman]

All of the Slavic nation's were under dominate control of the Austro-Hungarian government, before the Great War broke out. You see, the Croat's & Serbian's, have been fighting each other for a thousand year's, or more! The Austro-Hungarian government kept that under control, some what? Well, until the Crown Prince & his wife were both assasinated. That basically blew the lid off the whole show!, and then a whole lot of bad things fell into play. The Croat's & the Serbian's are to blaim for WWI.

[tomskateboards]

then it's settled and we finally agree

[VF31Shadowman]

My Grandfather fought against the Hun in WWI. He was a Serbian, and partisan. He told me once, that he didn't know who he hated most. The Austro-Hungarian government, or Tito! I use to kid him by asking if he liked Tito. When he replyed, it sounded like, Tito, no good sunny beach! And his action was? I should knock your head off!( In a Serbian accent). Then we'd both laugh. Grampa Joe was a kind fellow, and past away at the age of 89.

[tomskateboards]

My great grandpa was a WW1 vet and my grandpa was WW2 navigator pilot. Never met either of them though...

[VF31Shadowman]

Yes! We agress! It's to bad that other country couldn't?

[Friendo1231]

No parachutes, no radar, no heat-seeking missles, only guts.

[McLarenMercedes]

Yes,in WWI the pilot did make a difference. To down another aircraft you had to fly really well since you aimed your gun with your stick. Todays modern jets can lock a missile long before they even see the enemy and take it out. Pffft! Also,if you're hit today there's always the ejector seat. If you were hit in WWI you were screwed.

[lafther210]

in all the Great War, i admire pilots the most

[SamFreedom]

nice tribute, rough to watch but such is life... thanks.

[xxfenzoxx]

Thank you, I'll sure need it and by the way thanks for giving a thought for those who gave their lives, a true example for all these generations.

[Friendo1231]

Well, good luck.

[xxfenzoxx]

Nope dude I'm not turning back I'm a future pilot and I know the risk of flying a war machine, that's the way it is if you are going trough hell, keep going.