WWII Bombardier Recounts INTENSE COMBAT in a B-17 Flying Fortress | Paul “Bud” Haedike
Inspired by movies and newsreels, Paul “Bud” Haedike wanted nothing more than to become a fighter pilot and take the fight to the Luftwaffe over the skies of Europe. Fate however, would place Paul in the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress dropping payloads of destruction across Germany.
As part of the Eighth Air Force, Haedike’s baptism by fire would come fast and hard. As a rookie crew, on their first combat mission, their bomber would be the last plane in formation to pass over the target - A position known as ‘Tail End Charlie’.
By the time Haedike dropped his payload the German anti-aircraft positions had zeroed in their 88 millimeter cannons and were able to knock out the number one and two engines on Haedike’s bomber. Through sheer skill and determination the pilot of the crippled bomber made it past the German lines and was able to crash land in Belgium. Haedike would go on to fly 22 more combat missions.
Our dear friend Paul "Bud" Conrad Edward Haedike passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024 at the age of 98.
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I wrote this man a letter a few years ago after seeing him in "The Cold Blue." He wrote me back and sent me a DVD… one of the most genuine men alive today. God bless you sir
God bless his victimes also, women, children and elderly bombed in their cities.
@@connorgaydos8677 Mlfg
Glmo
@@renatovonschumacher3511 Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
@@barrymontgomery9860 However evil the German regime at that time was, the war was NOT declared by Germany but by Britain who trapped the Germans in Poland. And it was Britain who dragged the US in, who willingy came hoping to replace the British empire. That eventually they did. Since then where there's conflict in the world, you will always find US interference.
My Dad was a tailgunner on B17, 30 missions over Germany, 401st BG. The stories he told had a lot of parallels to Buds. I still have his flight jacket, medals, and a lot of Army Air Corps paperwork. We owe a lot to these guys and others like them.
My Dad was a bombardier in the 401st flying out of Deenethorpe. In 1981 I was able to visit the airfield. The barracks, control towers, etc were still standing but overgrown with vegetation and the runways were pretty much still intact. I checked on google maps a couple of years ago and saw that there's a housing development that now covers about half of the original base.
@@howlinhonky I would have loved to visit Deenethorpe. In hindsight, I should have travelled there with my dad. Sadly, not possible any more. Our dad's were part of a special generation, no denying that.
Humble Heroes. God Bless them All.
That's for sure these men from that generation are true American heroes best generation of men this country produced ! If it weren't for men like this we would be speaking German instead of English right now
I bet your really proud of your dad .
He's 95-96 years old and has the mind of a 35 year old. Outstanding!
He has a better mind than most 35 year olds nowadays.
That's all them veterans.. listen to any vet from ww2, when they tell those stories its like they immediately turn 20 all over again.. great stuff..
Yeah the memories are burned into their minds. Everything was important and the stress of not knowing if you will make it home alive helps.
I am alive because my grandfather survived 52 missions as a B17 door gunner and my other grandfather survived Iwo Jima. This guys kids are lucky as well..
I never thought of it that way until I read your comment. My maternal grandfather was a B-17 jock and flew missions over Germany. He was, what I think I've heard some in the service refer to as a "retread", because he wanted to learn to fly, lied about his age and joined the army in the latter days of WW 1, but by the time he got his wings and was deployed, the war was ending by the time he got overseas. He went back in when we got into WWII and I guess he was the "old man" of his crew, as he was older than 24 at the time. He survived the war and continued to fly privately until his sight couldn't pass the physical anymore. What those guys did, Paul and all the guys like him that flew in both theaters of operation and most of them just 18, 19, 20 year old kids themselves, most of us today, especially the younger ones, will never really grasp the reality of and I'm 70, now. But it's interviews with those that lived it, like this man, that keep the realities of war, and the horrors that go along with it, alive for those that follow . God Bless him and all the guys that flew with him.
Same here. Dad was drafted out of high school to the Navy in WWII.
B-17's saw lots of action . . . with many casualties, many were lost in Iwo Jima . . . as well. These Airmen & Marines were the prime reason we won WWII. HAND SALUTE . . . READY FRONT ! 😎 🇺🇸
@@paulsuprono7225 Here, Here! Well stated Paul!
Your Grandfather's were true American heroes, thanks for sharing. My dad's father was a navigator in a B-17 and my mom's father was a MP in the Philippines. Both survived and lived long lives but never would talk about their experiences. Both have passed now unfortunately 😕
This is one of the best interviews I have ever listened to from a WWII veteran. He lived it, experienced it, and lived to tell us about it. My dad served in a B-29 outfit on Guam in WWII. I regret to this day not asking him about his experiences during the war and learning about his experiences. God bless you, Dad. I miss you, and Mom.
My dad was a B26 pilot in the European theater during WWII. My dad didn’t talk about it much. He would answer questions I had but I could see it was painful for him. A few months ago I found a box of letters he had sent my grandparents. It filled in a lot of gaps of information I did have. Having this information makes me realize I had plenty of information from him. I have read enough with a vast majority of the letters I have left in the box.
we lost paul today
Bud just passed away a couple weeks ago. If you'd like to see more from him, he went with History Underground around Europe with several other vets, including meeting a former SS officer. It was quite a great series.
Better off not asking about it. Trust me it’s not something they want to speak about. A lot of these men never even spoke about being in the military ever again. It’s a rare occurrence.
This man is such a good descriptive speaker. He is very intelligent he is the reason we won the war. People like him assured victory. God bless him and take care of him in heaven.
I choked up at the end
My god they survived a crash then had to do 20 more missions...BAD ASS
@@einefreunde tyyyyyytttttt⁶666666666
One of the last generation HEROES, we remeber them every year in Holland.At 20.00 on the 4th may every year there,s 1 minute silence in the whole country...trains, busses, cars, pedestrians, metro etc everybody stop to remember them so they will not be forgotten and we think how fragile freedom is! Thank You Heroes!
"We"?
This guy is amazing, he remembers it all and is a wonderful story teller. What a hero, God Bless Him !
@Damon Thomas Hello, how are you doing?
My late father in law flew over 30 missions over Germany in a B17. He loved airplanes. He saw alot of his friends go down and was also wounded by flax. He is a real hero!
flack
Wow!! Was he ever video interviewed? Would be honored to hear his story as well. I have been watching interviews (by Raymond McFalone on his Yt channel) of B17 Pilots, Co-pilots, Turret Gunners, Bombardiers. Most of the interviews are an hour or so long and were done from 2003- 06 (the ones I've seen). Maybe your late father in law was interviewed by Raymond? Thank you for sharing!! What an amazing generation!! BrandyF from Texas.
@@dickwinwood5345 Actually, it's "flak"
Make that flak @@dickwinwood5345
@AureliusR I was forced to weave a basket out of flax when i was at school. Not quite as horrible as being in a bomber in WW2 but pretty close.
Several years ago I had the good fortune to fly in a B-17 in St. Louis and Mr. Haedike was with us in that bomber. He had the whole group in tears as he made one crack after another. It was one of the greatest moments of my life to be inside that plane listening to Mr. Haedike's stories of his time in Europe. Thank you Mr. Haedike and God bless you and all those who served.
I flew on a B17 years ago, over the Wine Country in Northern California. One of the other passengers had been a waist gunner on a B17 and to hear him reminisce about how it was like flying over France in 1942-43 was fascinating. He told us stories like he'd just come back from a mission.
Thank you for the story. I bet it was a coping mechanism when he was at war.
My only criticism is that this video is only 30 minutes long - I could listen to this man tell stories for hours! Calls to mind a gentleman I used to care for that was a Red Devil in his day. He was rarely lucid for longer than a few minutes at a time, but when you asked him about his service, he lit up, all lucidity returned and he'd tell stories for hours about the hijinks him and his mates got up to, the places he'd been, his training. He was a wonderful man and the pride he had in his service was too strong for even his condition to suppress! I only wish I'd had the foresight to record his stories, keep up the amazing work you're doing!
I've interviewed him and became his friend. He is an amazing person.
I'd love to meet him.
Please read my comment above about my Grandfather...I remember his stories (in fact NOT stories...but life experience)..when I was a child..I felt compelled by not romance..or feeling of country..but of being with people one can trust..to do anything for..and I have felt and experienced that..although (fortunately) not in an experience of mass bombardment, or waves of troops one has to gun down...but in a military experience that even when I served..I would have given my life for..not because I wanted to..but to try and get them out of a sticky position..in other words..I would NOT fail my mate(s)
Po.
Me too!
I've listened to a number of these guys tell their stories, and Bud gives the best explanations of them all.
@Russell McConnell Hello, how are you doing?
How can people “thumb down” on this very honest and truly humbling experience..my Grandfather was in the British Army and captured at El Alemein on Operation SUPERCHARGE whilst with the 2nd Bn The Rifle Brigade..his stories (warts an’ all) even with the dreadful ones he told me..as a young boy..I WANTED to be a soldier...and I did..I spent 23 years in the British Army and have served with many nations forces..including the US Marine Corps, US Airborne and can concur what my Grandfather stated..”...just wonderful boys..” (Edited because KZhead decided to “spellcheck” CONCUR to OCCUR.....)
Great interview. Reminds me of my grandfather Don Parker on B24 Liberators with the 449th Bomb Group, 717th Squadron. He passed away in 2011. Absolutely the greatest generation.
@Daniel Steuber Hello, how are you doing?
This is one of the best if not the best interview I have seen about that war. And I have watched dozens of interviews over my life about that war.
Same here. He is very articulate. A good story teller.
I am a little confused. He may have been in some hard times, flying in a B-17, but a lot of what he said, doesn’t make sense. I’m sure he was quite a warrior but his story, just ramped. God bless him for what he went through.
His account of the war was amazing. The detail and description allowed me to see it all in my mind. Thank you and God bless the veterans.
Bud is my new hero! He not only remembers important details, he still has a grasp on how the pieces of the puzzle fit together for our winning strategy against the filthy nazis. Not only the "how" but also the "why". The men of the 8th Air Force, and the B-17's, were all phenomenal. Such courage and bravery, and unfortunately, so many sacrifices by our young airmen.
We should have fought with the 'Nazis', not against them
@@alexhidell8022 what?
@Johnny Boone yeah fr
Look up desmond doss. The medic who went to war without a rifle. He had gods armor. His faith made him bulletproof
You, and the rest of us, should read Larry Miller's book, "Masters of the Air". I have read it twice and loved every bit of it. It is probably the most complete history of the 8th Air Force in WWII. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are making another mini-series based on that book like the Band of Brothers and Pacific. I think it is finally due to be released this fall or early next year (2022). I think it is to be on Apple TV, not HBO.
Bud, you have my deepest and most sincere thank you for what you did for our country. I have to agree with some of the other posts here. You have such a way of telling your story, we MUST have more. Even if they are little anecdotes or silly things that happened. History is being lost or distorted every day. We need to hear it from the folks that were there.
This Veteran is truly a real hero because he fought the good fight and it is Veterans like him who saved America from being lost to the Germans!
John Robitzsch and the Japanese.
Thank you, Bud, for your service, and for the interesting, down-to-earth story of WWII as you experienced it, that you related in this video .
one airforce man to another ,thank you Paul for helping insure our freedom
Killed civilians
@@russram210that’s war jackass
What a well spoken man. Terrific job
That was some of the best storytelling about being in a b17 I have ever heard. God bless the greatest generation
His memory is insanely sharp. I hope I can retain my memory to the lucidity he has.
Holy Moly ! Bud’s sharper than me and I’m only 58! Thank you sir for you amazing story! That’s so cool that you were able to finish the war by being involved in those mercy missions. You fought fascism so my family, myself and God willing, my future grandchildren, are able to live in this country without living in fear. God bless you sir and your family. And thank you for sharing your faith!
My father flew B-17's in WW2. He flew F & G's during his time. Stationed in East Anglica. And that's about all I could get out of him about his war experience!
This man reminds me so much of my Grandfather. He was also in 8th Airforce. He was a Flight Engineer/turret gunner on B17s in the 381 BS, 533 BG. He said his scariest mission was when they bombed the shipyards in Bremen. That mission earned him his first of two Distinguished Flying Cross medals.
My dad flew for the Jolly Rogers b-24s in the South Pacific he would always take me to his conventions to meet these guys and I sure miss that generation. They were so much fun to be around.
Put tears in my eyes. Thank you so much, you and all the others are great men and women. You made the world a better place.
Heroes, Great Men, Patriots . . . . whatever . . . . But do not forget that these men were sent over the Atlantic on a foreign Continent where they entered a foreign country by force flattening dozens of cities terrorizing mostly women, children and elderly by their mass bombardements. We must NEVER forget this either.
This man is sharp as a tack! God bless him.
He certainly is. Great recollection of detail.
hes got better recall then me
Terrific video. War is so awful. RS
Today (July 2021) I met a plank owner of CV-10 USS Yorktown. The man was as lucid and ambulatory as all get out. Quite a pleasant fellow too.
amazing storyteller
Thanks so much Bud, for your service. God bless you.
This was awesome 👏 much respect. My father was also a fortress nose gunner. He didn’t talk about it. I learned so much more from this hero Thank you to greatest generation
respect to your father
@@brendenl25 funny. The family story we always got. “We dropped bombs one day and food the next.” Lol that was it. Understandably I guess most of returning vets just wanted to forget give thanks and start a new life after years of fighting in a horrific war. We must not forget.
Grandfather was a belly gunner on a b17 he didnt talk about it either wish I could meet ppl or family members of the men he was with
God Bless you Bud! Thank you for your service to our country!
Service to YOUR country ? Do not forget that these men were sent over the Atlantic on a foreign continent where they entered a foreign country by force flattening dozens of cities terrorizing mostly women, children and elderly by their mass bombardements. We must NEVER forget this either.
How could you not admire a MAN like this guy ?😢
Angry German perhaps? Any criticism for Hitler from you?
What a great interview! Memorable line, "..it was a very hazardous profession." Mr. Haedike, you are truly representative of the Greatest Generation. Thank you for your service, sir!
We love you for your honor and duty! Really enjoyed this, from a Navy Veteran. We are free because of your sacrifices! Thank you.
My dad did the same thing in WWII, but he joined on 8 December, 1941. He rarely talked about what happened to him in the war or what he did, so this means a lot, and helps me to understand what he went through. Thank you, not only for your service, but for being willing to share your stories so we can understand too.
My family had a "Bud" in it also, he was a navigator on a B24 that survived 19 missions including 3 runs on Ploiesti Romania, but his luck ran out on their 20th mission on a bombing run on Ferrara Italy when he was shot down and killed. And it was flak that did it.
My father (RIP) was a B=24 pilot and would echo this brave man's sentiments. Thank you. sir. Both of you. Brave men.
@Robert Austin Hello, how are you doing?
@@elahward01 Only fair, thanks.
One of the last of the greatest generation. 100 % badass. Thank you Sir.
Bud, thank you for sharing... :salute: 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@ John H ... You took the words right from my mouth ... Thank you, Bud, for sharing your story!! The Greatest Generation!! I thank you for my freedom!!
John . . . produce it this way - 'HAND SALUTE, READY FRONT' 🇺🇸 I'm an Air Force (admin) & Army (infantry) disabled veteran . . . 😎
My dad was a Tailgunner in a B17 during the war. Flew out of a base in Morocco. God bless you Bud, you and the rest of the men who went and came back and even more those that did not come back.
Thank you. We are all so proud of you
Such a good man. Well spoken and great recall. In a short video he summarizes the excitement, fear, camaraderie, morel dilemma, and necessity of what had to be done. Thank you for recording his memories
Such a wonderful testimony.
What an interview. What a man. Could listen to him talk for hours
God bless this man, my grandfather was a dispatch rider in Europe, he never spoke about it, i can only presume he was close to the front lines, these are the men who saved us all.
Thank you, Sir. I listened to every engaging word. 27 years in the Air Force and still going. You are an inspiration!
I could listen to these men talk all day, Brave lads. Absolute true heroes.
honored to call Bud a good friend. this is one of the best & concise interviews I have seen. his memory is amazing
Great story. I can relate to it because my dad was also on a B-17 who flew over Italy, Austria and Romania. My dad was a gunner, radio man and medic on his crew. He wrote his memoirs and though he could have written an addendum he told me the memory's were too painful to discuss. I understand.
William, you make sure that your kids and grandkids know what your dad did....and had to put up with. And by watching videos like this.
Grandfather was a belly gunner on a b17
This man could narrate a documentary he's so clear headed and understandable. Thank you for your service sir.
I can’t tell you how much respect I have for you sir. Thank you, thank you for your service and your most of all, your character. God bless you and your family.
Wow. Thanks for telling your incredible story. I was glued. I love hearing from these heroes. Many couldn't tell their stories to loved ones. So glad they can to us YTers. Thanks soooo much for doing what you did.
R.I.P. Sir, More than grateful for your Service.
My grandfather passed away in 2010. He was a navigator in the 8th. The most respectable man I can think of.
Bud has a real gift for communicating what he went through. I am thankful for his service, and the time he took to sit down and tell his story.
You are a rare gem Sir thank you for this story and for your service!
Excellent telling of Mr. Haedike’s experiences! Thank you sir and thank you for this informative short documentary!
Dont you worry Bud. You came across loud and clear. I understood everything you said. At least as much as this non-flier, non-Serving civilian can. Bless you and all your fellow combatants. I literally grew up in an American Legion hall. You folks are my heroes.
This man probably an appreciation and understanding of life most of us would ever fully comprehend. Thank you "Bud" for your service and your testimony.
Bud, you're AWESOME! Best interview I've seen on this channel bar none! Thank you so much!
Fantastic Interview! I didn't need to see any WWII footage. I saw it all as he spoke!!
He’s a great storyteller, you know he’s told his testimony many of times. Thank you for your service sir. Semper Fi
God bless you sir for your service. Thank you so very much. My dad served in Europe in WW2 in the Air force as a fighter mechanic.
Thank you for sharing your story. My young son walked by and began to listen to the entire message. It’s good to hear about our history and the men that gave us today’s freedom. ~Bud,Thank you for your service~
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to hear this story today.
What an incredible man, incredible retelling of his experience, so grateful for him.
You can tell this gent is a dad. He explains very detailed. MY GOD THIS MAN IS LUCID, HIS MEMORY IS PHENOMENAL! Thank you for your service sir.
My father was a mechanic in the 8th Air Force, and my father-in-law was a B25 pilot in the 6th Air Force. It is amazing how great they were. Thank God I had them.
My father flew B17s in WW2 and later a career B52 pilot during the cold war. Growing up, I never really knew what he experienced. I would give anything to ask him now. I have so much respect for all of our veterans.
This is one of the best interviews I have ever heard!
Thank you, Mr. Haedike. Your service is appreciated very much.
I met this Gentleman in Dayton Ohio, in October 2018, at a 8th Airforce Historic Society reunion. He is, as someone earlier in this post said, sharp as a tack. A true gentleman with a wicked sense of humour. I my wife had paid for me to go to the U.S for my 50th birthday. I was with the 398thBG group reunion tour. Bud sang Happy Birthday to me, and a bunch of other ww2 songs. He is also in the documentary The Big Blue. True hero. Thankyou for your service Bud, and thankyou for the Birthday wishes back in October 2018.
Another great interview. i am honored to call Bud a friend and honored by what he did
This was an amazing interview. Thank you Sir. You have an unbelievable memory and I really learned a lot. P lease stay safe.
Can not imagine the feeling on the second mission after ultimately getting shot down the first. I appreciate so much that people did interviews with these rare breed men. This stuff should be cherished. Will never be the way it was again. Ultimate story teller being he has an analogy for every situation probably because he’s thought about it and or talked about it so many times he figured out his way of explaining everything. Absolutely amazing. No hesitation he could explain everything so detailed
This gentleman speaks for many veterans. Thank you.
Navy vet here , thank you for your service sir.
What a vivid memory. Thank you for your bravery.
Awesome interview, ty gentlemen!
Thank you for helping my family in Holland when it was most needed.
Thank for creating this video. It was a wonderfully done..
My dad was a bombardier in WWII. He never talked about it, but I got a hint of what it must of been like. My dad used to take a short nap before dinner on weekends. My mom asked me to go wake up my dad for dinner, I shook his shoulder to wake him up and he sprang up with fists clenched at me. It scared the bajesus out of me, I told my mom what had happened and she said, sorry, I should of warned you. She then told me, when your dad came home from the war I made the same mistake, I shook him awake one day and he hit me so hard I flew across the room. From then on I wake him up saying his name. I never asked him why he woke up ready to fight, I figured if it was something he was willing to talk about the day he scared the bajesus out of me, he would of. I learned a lot hearing from Bud in this video about what it must of been like being a bombardier. My dad never let his time in the war effect his daily life, but I guess when you're fast asleep, being woke up suddenly brings back bad memories and muscle memory or something to that effect.
Thank you for your service Bud. What a great interview. Thanks for this video!
This WW2 veteran is absolutely amazing. The GREATEST GENERATION OF FIGHTERS EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. Thank You 🇺🇸
Thank you for your service. My father was in the army airborne in the South Pacific for 2yrs. 2mos and days.
Thanks so much for your contributions in making the world a better place! You’re a hero and a patriot.
He’s sharp as a tack. This man is a leader and a hero. My grandfather was an airman too. Died in Laos 03/21/1968.
Wow, this man’s memory and history telling is amazing. From one service member to another, God bless you and thank you.
That was amazing to listen to. Many thanks to you guys who risked so much 👍
Super job! Thank you for this fine video and interview with a very fine man.
Thank you Mr. Haedike for your service and fantastic story.
OK, i have to say , this is the best one. This man is very good at explaining things. He talks the way he would want to listen to a story. hard to explain but he's very good at it.
My great great uncle flew in a B17 during his time in the war. He was a door or side gunner. His life was cut short after his plane crashed and while it crashed a side explosion blew him out making him fall to his death. He served from 1943-44. May you rest well Franky❤
What a great account from a very articulate man, a great American hero. God Bless you sir.
Thank you Sir, God bless you ALL 🙏 From Chicago here....
Thank you for sharing your vivid memories!!
No words but "Respect" for this man, my family fought on both sides and my mother was a Berliner, war is horrible
For its the people like this man,that made me even as a child,at times I'd rather listen to the older family members speak of their times of past,than go play with my cousins at family gatherings, until I was TOLD to go.Priceless.Looking back,wishing I had the knowledge to have a tape recorder back then.God Bless-
As a fellow Air Force Get, I salute you and ALL those brothers and sisters from WW2.My uncle was in a tank turret during that time.
Great interview. Thank you Sir. For your service.
I can only imagine how intense it was! I met a man that his brother lost his life on a B17 He showed me his picture before he died. I still see his picture. He cried telling me the story. I felt for him no matter how many YEARS has passed for him it was just as fresh for him it was yesterday. He died I miss talking to Bill I always helped him shoveling snow to show how much I appreciate him & his service. He still had his original toy trains when he was a child. He was so happy to show me I would spend hours at his house just listen to his stories my wife was so upstanding because it was so important to me.
It is currently may 30th 2022 happy birthday bud! Thank you this amazing story!