Get Churchill! The Mystery of Flight 777
In June 1943, Winston Churchill travelled back to Britain from North Africa. An airliner he was believed to be on was shot down in mysterious circumstances by German aircraft off the Spanish coast, killing a famous Hollywood actor and several intelligence agents. What is the truth behind the mystery of Flight 777 and the plot to assassinate Churchill?
For my film about Churchill's plane, see: • Churchill's Air Force One
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
One might wonder why the aircraft in question were painted in camouflage, instead of keeping the more visible KLM or BOAC colours that would readily identify them as civilian aircraft.
Painting Red Crosses on ambulances didn't stop my great uncle being sniped in the head trying to recover wounded soldiers. He was a stretcher bearer.
I've read that during the Battle of Britain, German search and rescue seaplanes charged with rescuing downed Luftwaffe personnel displayed Red Cross insignia. The RAF shot them down as enemy combatants/legitimate military targets.
@@myview5840 but there is a big difference between shooting trained military personnel and shooting down a civilian airliner with civilian markings.
Unbelievable isn't it. Like it was done to put a little bit of doubt into the minds of German pilots as to whether they should attack a plane or not. A closer approach to check could give the suspect aircraft that bit of space needed to escape.
my view my Great Uncle said the same thing happened to him as a stretcher bearer during WWI.
better than the history channel, keep it up my man
They are excellent vids for sure. History channel, on the other hand, is basically the McDonald's of historical information and certainly doesn't concern itself with silly things like accuracy or impartiality etc. Its mission is basically to get you to watch past the next advertisement by saying pretty much anything. South Park did a brilliant send up of them 'proving' that aliens were at the first thanks giving with the pilgrims citing evidence that it must be true because, "no one mentioned that there weren't aliens there" hehe.
@@MIck-M well said
Well, a case could certainly be made that the pilgrims arrived without paperwork approved by the presiding government of that region... making them “illegal aliens”, after all!
"Lisbon airport was a hotbed of illicit activity" its still is my good sir ;)
Please explain...
has someone got you locked in a basement and forcing you to make videos daily? no complaints
He probably has allot of videos stored on his harddrive
I'm ambitious!
maybe he made tons of them in advanced and posts everyday instead of being forced? -.-
I made this video today - took me four hours. I have nothing stored except a long list of rough video ideas on a notepad. The videos you see were normally all made over one or two days, depending on length, content and complexity. I enjoy the process, as I also enjoy researching and writing full length books.
@@MarkFeltonProductions ....we fully enjoy the fruits of your efforts,....so many historical wartime "Factoids" emerge that we would normally not be made aware of. Many thanks.
Speaking about General Franco, any plans to do a video about Division Azul (Blue Division), Spain’s unofficial combat on the Eastern Front? Thank you in advance
Jesus Christ Donald Duck, you're pretty murderous for cartoon
It was an official division. "Officially" it made up of volunteers and Spain being "Officially" neutral.
@@BoT-cm7pw If you kill Gavril Princip in 1914 none of any of this ever happens. No ww1 , no ww2 , no communism, no fascism, no nazism.
I have no idea how you keep managing to find movie worth stories
It's called Research
History degree Probably a masters
Because the stories never end... What we see as interesting or fascinating were just daily occurrences in the very fast moving and ever changing second world war. As new information comes to light, or more events are declassified, we will keep finding new explanations for events and therefore a new version of the story. Great work Mark.
@@3-DtimeCosmology PhD!
The Ju88s were from V Gruppe KG 40 and were Ju88 C6 heavy fighter variants. The Ju88's pilot was Major Alfred Hemm, Gruppen Kommandeur V/KG40. I have read his combat report where he states that the operation was a standard patrol and initially his pilot's were confused by the camouflage the DC-3 was displaying.
Another great episode thanks, Mark! Leslie Howard also starred in "Pygmalion" the original version of My Fair Lady. What a horrific scene it must have been in the DC3.
If memory serves me correctly the Ju-88's in question had recently been transferred at Donitz' request, after he visited Goering personally to express his frustration with the lack of air cover for U-Boats transiting the bay. So it's possible that they really weren't aware of the civilian flights. Clear communication has never been a strong suit of any military organization.
After watching many of your videos, I can only say two things. One is that you do a great job in research and production of them, which makes them very enjoyable and informative to watch. Second is the theme music you've chosen, which is perfect for war time related subjects. If I could of given you two thumbs up, I would have.
I live literally two streets away from Whitchurch Airport, now a large field with the concrete runway (which is being developed into 1000's of houses). Its great to hear some history about it , thanks Mark!
Leslie Howard acted in Hollywood films but he was a British stage and film actor before his fame in the Hollywood movie Gone with the Wind.
I always believed that the Germans were gunning for Leslie Howard due to his anti-Nazi speeches. I heard the Gestapo connected to German Embassy in LIsbon tipped off the Luftwaffe he'd be traveling to England, and the tag numbers on the ship he was flying in, following an anti-Hitler rally in that city. Did not know anything about the Churchill connection. Thank you for enlightening me, Mark, and have a great day!
Leslie Howard also starred in the 1942 bio-pic "The First Of The Few". He played R J Mitchell the designer of the Spitfire.
You’ve brought back my memories of the old History Channel I used to watch with my uncle after he got back from Afghanistan! Thank you so much, Mark. Keep up the good work!
I'm so glad your channel is growing rapidly #roadto1mil
Many thanks!
@@MarkFeltonProductions Welcome Mark!
As someone who loves history so much, I am constantly amazed by these videos you make Mark - there’s so much I don’t know about a topic I thought I was an expert in. Thank you for informing and educating me - genius
Wait why did they paint the bloody things in camouflage if they were civilian aircraft and didnt want them to get shot?
Its very perplexing - KLM painted them bright orange from 1939 till they were taken over by BOAC
Flying sacrificial lambs to protect those in high seats of power.
Mark Felton Productions Surely it made no sense painting civilian aircraft in military camouflage, I had always assumed the convention was to make the aircraft easy to recognise, and distinct from the military to avoid enemy attacks. Very interesting video.
I thought the same thing , a camouflaged Aircraft to me is most likely a military machine. There’d be no mistaking a brightly colored Aircraft. Great Videos Mark, keep up the good work.
@@MarkFeltonProductions how weird...did boac also paint theirs in camo or was it just the klm branch?
My day remains incomplete without a Mark Felton Production. Keep up the good work. Always enjoyable.
Your channel is simple one of the best Historic channels here on youtube... Its extremely important that the information, ie History is preserved like this with all the footage and accurate narration. 1 word sir. Outstanding.
You're so great at telling these stories, it's amazing honestly
Did Churchill use body double decoys ? Monty did, that was the subject of the movie "I was Monty's double" (1958) it was about this guy who was Monty's double, kind of exactly what it said on the tin really.
Hi Mark! Since I discovered your channel I hardly watch the TV anymore! Great content right up my street! Thanks so much. Rich.
Always liked Leslie howard. Exeptional actor and talent. I was not aware of his heroism and bravory. RIP.
Thank you Mark Felton for this story of a fascinating historical mystery.This would make a great movie.
These videos of yours, Mark, are superbly edited and informative.
Another amazing video about a niche aspect of the war. Most WW2 history videos stomp the same well threaded ground. Stalingrad, D-Day, etc. Mark delves into the deep and dark corners of WW2 and illuminates it. Thanks again, Mark. This goes well with my new coffee
I'm a simple guy interested in history I see mark Feltons video I watch it
Fascinating, Right, things they never taught us in primary school.
Thanks for the link to your video about Churchill's plane!
No luck in those three sevens for this flight! Fascinating story in your usual excellent presentation. Thank you for this marvelous video.
Although I knew about this story, Mark Felton always manages to provide some extra interesting details. Thanks for that. On a side note, last year I flew in the same DC-3 that is featured in this video, the PH-PBA. It was to commemorate Operation Market Garden.
Such an excellent history channel! Enjoy every one! Thanks Mark!
Whenever you upload a video, i think to myself: get the popcorn for a good watch... You pull the human string of "love for real stories" like no other...
Fascinating. Well done, as usual, Mark.
This channel shows that there were a lot of other things that went on on WW2 than major battle's. Thanks for the history lesson.
Letting known attacks go ahead to keep the enigma decoding secret must have been a hard pill to swallow.
Automatic thumbs up for all your productions-thank you.
Another issue about this is that the British Government Files on Flight 777 have been deemed as not to be made available to the public until the year 2043.
Hence I decided not to write a book about this story, even though its got it all!
is nt that already screaming "super suspicious" ?
Fascinating story and information. Keep up the good work Mark !
Fascinating. Thank you for another informative video.
Awesome video! 👍 As always well researched and brilliant naration. Keep up the good work, you inspire those who are true history buffs. 😎👏
I had always heard that Leslie Howard was killed in the war, but never knew the details of it, so this was very good to know.
As always, very interesting. Thank you! Love learning the lesser known tidbits of history...
Damn, 3 people jumped out without parachutes who were on fire, that's war.
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't
9/11 Office workers did the same thing from the World Trade Center buildings.
Excellent channell!Concise,well presented,and above all,interesting compulsive viewing❤😎👍!
Interesting and engaging. Thanks for doing the research Mr. Felton.
Mr.Felton makes the best short documentaries, no doubt!
Thanks for the upload mark
Awesome way to start my weekend! Thanks so much!
Most interesting story,one I would like to look a little deeper into after this,thanks for the reminder and most informative episode,as always...
Wow! Very interesting of possible why KLM flight was shot down Good video with mystery n intrigue ! Look forward to your next video.
Great video, thanks for posting.
At the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum they have a DC3 that is being restored and will be painted in the BOAC colours of the DC3 on flight 777. Great video btw.
Great video. Thanks Mark!
I love all your videos, sir. I especially love any video that talks about the DC-3s. So this earns a double thumbs up from me.
What a fantastic body of work you are creating!!!
Its amazing that the war, which was only 6 years long, never stops throwing up new interesting and sometimes odd incidents, like this one.
You’ve done it again Felton Ol’ boy!
Another great video mark 👍
Again a great video. Thanks.
This is a fascinating insight into Lisbon during the war. Maybe somewhere for a future video?
Really interesting video. Keep it up
Another great story. Thanks Mark
Arrrr me hearrrties!, tis I thats 1st after a beerios! Love your stuff Mark!, always intriguing, informative, and entertaining!
Great video once again!
The annoying part of this is that somebody knew the absolute 100% truth about this on both sides, accidental or not and now we'll never know.
My compliments for your fantastic vids! Thank you very much for sharing, and greets from the Netherlands. T.
Fabulous video yet again,
I love all your vids so much info love the long vids the best keep it up man 👍
Well done again!
Another excellent video. Thanks,
I never knew about those flight and I actually live very close to Whitchurch. Thanks for another great video Mark
As always excellent video
Absolutely fascinating!
So very interesting. Thank you.
I wish the episodes would be longer. Not because they don't contain all the information, but because i could binge watch this channel. Ever thought about full feature length documentaries? About special topics for example like D-Day, Stalingrad, the entire Africa campaign and such? Or spies on all sides during WW2? The biggest blunders and cock-ups? The U-Boat war in the Atlantic?
Mark thank you for complicating another mystery of well!
Ww 2
I’m still learning... thanks to you sir!
I really love your content man keep it up!
WOW...overwhelmed by the intrigue
Great stuff as usual
great videos with great hosting
Mark. Nice work.
I have seen a few of his old movies . I always liked him. Sad to go that way . Thanks for the video .
I didn’t have any idea this had happened - thanks Mark.
Greetings from faraway India! Your videos are way too good! I enjoy watching them!
Leslie Howard was great in gone with the wind,petrified Forest also.i did not know how he died .thank u Mr.Felton
Hey Mark, I was looking on Instagram today at one of the World War II profiles I follow. There was a picture of a German confiscated B-17 with Luftwaffe markings. Apparently it was used for reconnaissance and transport. In all my years of study I had never heard of such a thing. I thought that might make a good topic for you. Excellent work as always. Cheers.
The Germans also operated a squadron of DC-3s as well (the Japanese were building them during WW2 but the Germans relied on captured examples).
Excellent, as usual.
This is GREAT stuff. Rip to all those on board
3 people jumped out wile on fire that's insane. Can't imagine what kind of chaos was happening inside the plane that led to them jumping.
First; interesting as always, not a good idea to paint the. aircraft in camouflage, a trigger happy pilot would be likely to engage it before the markings were evident .
Really makes it suspect....
Agreed - KLM painted them bright orange till the British got their hands on them!
That is what I wondered about. What was the logic of doing a civilian aircraft in camo? At a time when you depended on military aircraft being able to identify you at a distance as civilian, having a paint scheme that made you look military does not make sense. I would think that bare metal, white, yellow, etc. would have been used.
maybe the pilot was american
Dutch - both of them!
The Germans would have known that Churchill used the Avro York named Ascalon and possibly the Liberator called Commando. Both aircraft had four engines and a twin or triple fin tail- although Commando later had a single fin- like the Privateer version of the aircraft. With its single tail fin and two engines it would be easy to distinguish the DC3 from those two other types. Of course, in camouflage, this would suggest a military aircraft although I think the civilian registration was painted in very large letters on these KLM/BOAC aircraft. I would imagine that over and above the cloak and dagger aspects of those using these flights, it was more likely that the German pilot was just a little bit trigger happy and failed to observe the civilian registration on the DC3- although it is possible that Leslie Howard was a target.
G’day Mark, Thank you for this sad tale of the killing of innocent, unarmed civilians, among them Leslie Howard. As you would know, a significant number of people met their deaths, usually inadvertently, to protect the ULTRA traffic decrypted from the Enigma and Lorenz machines. These days this sounds like a cruel and callous act, however, just about everyone involved directly in WW2 lived with the possibility of death at any time; this also included ordinary people living in England and across Europe, especially Germany. As the years pass we learn more and more about the utter importance of ULTRA decrypts. It is now a commonly accepted estimation that breaking these codes shortened WW2 by “…at least two years…”. As you know, the trick with using ULTRA to best advantage was to have a ‘cover story’ or event that made it look like whatever happened was a normal, conventional part of warfare. Sometimes, this was not possible because of time factors and communications etc. Then there were the theatre commanders who didn’t truly believe in ULTRA traffic so ignored it. This, too, led to some ‘accidental’ deaths or, worse still, a battlefield win by the Axis forces. Still, this was war and war is a terrible thing, even this often called ‘good war’. Many people who associate mass slaughter with World War 1 might be surprised to know that many tens to hundreds of thousands more soldiers were killed in WW2. The deaths of the first battle of the Somme in The Great War, as horrendous as they were for the British Army, were routinely surpassed by the much larger battles of WW2, often taking place in a few days rather than the months long battles of WW1. Thanks again for another fascinating video. Cheers, BH
Keeping the "Enigma Machine" (Ultra) secret was a top priority to allow further use in assessing German communications and intelligence gathering. Here's a chilling report (True?) that Churchill allowed the bombing of Coventry, and he did not call for an evacuation prior, simply to keep the secret, although, as always in matters such as this, it is clouded in controversy and counter-claims. See here as one report example---> winstonchurchill.org/resources/myths/churchill-let-coventry-burn/
What a great story. Would make an amazing movie. Thanks.
Another one of your incredible stories....... !!
Greetings Mark; I must have watched all your documentary videos, but I believe that the present one has a different aura, one for which you dedicated much care. It is the very best you edited and posted, in my humble opinion. I am sure this one holds a special place in your alumni. Tell me if I am wrong?
I only saw Pimpernel Smith recently. I was astounded that it was filmed during the war. Leslie Howard played a very entertaining and colourful character. I would believe that the Nazis were pleased to be rid of him as well as some of the other passengers. RIP. Thanks Mark
Nice video!