WWII Veterans Recall Meeting the German Messerschmidt Me 262

Tyler residents Loyd George and Bill Halbert, both WWII veterans recall their encounters with the super fast German Messerschmidt Me 262. George and Halbert were both pilots of Martin Marauders near the end of the war.

[modeljetjuggernaut]

This upcoming decade will be the last for all remaining ww2 veterans. Talk to them, relish their presence on their last few precious moments here on earth. And never forget them.

[lexus]

Imagine only ever knowing planes with rotors and then see this alien looking plane without rotors flying faster than anything you ever saw.

[Ko.Wi.]

In my town there is still a Pilot Who flew the Me262 in Kampfgeschwader 54, he's getting 99 years old on 23rd of January. I guess one of the Last pilots of this plane.

[batman-cwhd]

those pilots who flew in WW2 Korea and Vietnam went from the propeller age to the jet age, during their lifetime how lucky they were.

[FIRSTtimeGAMER]

every soldier who fights for his country in honor is a hero

[Jasmine_]

He still carries the same beaming smile he did in the 40's. That's incredible.

[echodelta]

WWII-KOREA-VIETNAM veteran....
*Achievement Unlocked* : All Star

[wcatholic]

I understand that the big drawback with the 262 was short engine life, fuel shortages, and lack of trained pilots.

[panzerrjcb]

18 years old and he is flying a military aircraft? In my country you can only ride a "proper" motorcycle if you have 24... Good ol´times.

[localcrew]

Among the many aircraft on display at Naval Air Base Pensacola is an ME 262. You can walk right up to it and give it a once-over if you’d like. I did so and the main takeaway for me is just how surprisingly small it is. Far smaller than I had imagined it to be for some reason. Beautiful aircraft, that’s for sure.

[geoffdearth]

The 262 would have been a big problem if they had been produced in sufficient numbers earlier in the war.

[DRFelGood]

Thank you for your service, sacrifice and courage for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[Rondoooo]

What a witness statement, deep respect. I hope no upcoming generation has to face a WW again like all those veterans. While warfare has changed dramatically, there are still soldiers being burned for crazy leaders. Peace to all. Greetings from Germany.

[EliPorterMahn]

Folks from this generation are always so well spoken and articulate with a good sense of humor and humility to boot

[dukecraig]

The average age of an American bomber pilot in WW2 was 21 years old, look around the room you're in and look at a 21 year old and think "that's who's in charge and flying the plane", pretty scary thought.

[IrishCarney]

Those poor men who died in those missions in the last weeks of the war.

[jamestiscareno]

I wish I could shake hands with all these fine gentlemen veterans and say thank you.

[givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn]

The famous test pilot Eric Brown saw a B-26 being shot down by a Me 262. He said the "beautiful B-26" was turned into "a shower of confetti".

[Rockinbiker]

My father was in the 1st Army attached to a light anti aircraft unit. While in a convoy a ME262 flew over the road and dropped a 500 lb bomb onto the road a few yards away from my father. The half tracks that had mounted quad .50 cal machine guns could not track the jet. Fortunately, the bomb was a dud.

[gegalvezge]

Thank you brave men for your service. You guys are true heroes