True WWII Story

[Basil]

<span style="font-size: 14pt">L</span>ook carefully at the B-17 and note how shot up it is - one engine dead, tail, horizontal stabilizer and nose shot up.. It was ready to fall out of the sky. (This is a painting done by an artist from the description of both pilots many years later.) Then realize that there is a German ME-109 fighter flying next to it. Now read the story below. I think you'll be surprised.....


Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton. After flying the B-17 over an enemy airfield, a German pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, he 'had never seen a plane in such a bad state'. The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded. The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere. Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.

<span style="font-weight: bold">BF-109 pilot Franz Stigler and B-17 pilot Charlie Brown.</span>

Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to, and slightly over, the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe. When Franz landed he told the CO that the plane had been shot down over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it. More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found. He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions. They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day.

<span style="font-weight: bold">(L-R) German Ace Franz Stigler, artist Ernie Boyett, and B-17 pilot Charlie Brown.
</span>


When asked why he didn't shoot them down, Stigler later said, "I didn't have the heart to finish those brave men. I flew beside them for a long time. They were trying desperately to get home and I was going to let them do that. I could not have shot at them. It would have been the same as shooting at a man in a parachute."

Both men died in 2008.

This is a true story https://www.snopes.com/military/charliebrown.asp

 

[Brooklands]

Wow,
Thanks for sharing that one. I spent time at one of my Dad's Army Air Corps reunions and got to meet some of the brave men from WWII. I am still in awe of their many exploits and experiences. I periodically look through the CD's I have of their photos from the 71st Squadron of the 38th Bomb Group. Dad spent most of the war stationed in New Guinea. I miss him even more on this Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Basil]

Wow,
Thanks for sharing that one. I spent time at one of my Dad's Army Air Corps reunions and got to meet some of the brave men from WWII. I am still in awe of their many exploits and experiences. I periodically look through the CD's I have of their photos from the 71st Squadron of the 38th Bomb Group. Dad spent most of the war stationed in New Guinea. I miss him even more on this Memorial Day weekend.

My Dad was a Combat Medic in WWII. One of the prisoners he tended to was a German Major POW. Years after the war (in the 60's), somehow my Dad found that same Major while Dad was stationed again in Germany (He got out of the Army after his initial 4 years, but re-joined years later). Anyway, this Major and my Dad became good friends and the Major gave my Dad one of his Walther P-38 pistols and signed the inner flap of the leather holster to my Dad. I inherited that gun when my Dad passed away.

 

[bgbassplyr]

A charter member of my church, Hugh Ashcraft, was also a B-17 pilot. His plane was also badly damaged over Germany and through skill and luck, he made it back to England. Left stabilizer gone, right half shot away, half of the rudder and vertical stabilizer gone, two engines out, wings damaged, and holes everywhere. Story was that the song, 'Coming in on a wing and a prayer' was written about this exploit. Don't know if that is true or not, but he was a heck of a man all of his life. Proud to have known him.

Jim

 

[Brosky]

The true German soldier/officer was from the old aristocratic training and code of honor. Many helped save Allied lives once they knew the truth about what was happening. Two of my uncles were in Germany as the war ended and the stories went on for hours as I got older and could understand what they saw and could never forget. And they wanted to be sure that I never forgot what they saw either.

No matter what is being said today, it happened and Eisenhower was right to take the films and photos. He saw the future and knew what would happen as time passed by.

 

[Steve]

A good story to read, all the better for it being a factual account.

 

[DrEntropy]

Woof. The 109 jock was obviously a moral guy. Lucky for the B-17 crew.

How many amazing things come to light after all this time.

Me Ol' Fella went from Normandy to just across the Rhur before being medevac'd back to England... with a winter in the Ardennes thrown in between. The conversations were only had after I'd come home from "my" war. He rarely talked of it when we were children. All three of my mother's brothers served as well.

I miss 'em.

 

[SteveTR]

A great story and gives one a moment to think of what Memorial Day really represents. I give thanks for those who gave some and also for those who gave all...

My parents met in Germany. My mom was a nurse and my dad was Army Infantry. They hatched me near Munich and I have to get over there. My dad told some stories...

I wish all a good day on Monday, and let's remember what the reason is for the day.

Cheers,


Steve

 

[Gliderman8]

My dad entered Southern France via the beaches during the WWII. When I was fourteen years old, he took me to Southern France with him. We were standing on the beach he stormed up and he was pointing out various places to me on the beach that had machine guns and barbed wire, etc. It was all very vivid in his mind. Sadly as a fourteen year old, I could only see the beautiful water and blue skies. Looking back now, I wish I had been more mature to take more of it in.
They were all very brave men indeed.

 

[NutmegCT]

I'd never heard that B-17 vs. Me109 story. Thanks Basil for posting that. A fascinating and rare look at honor - and chivalry - aloft.

And Steve - <span style="font-style: italic">"... gives one a moment to think of what Memorial Day really represents."</span>

Amen to that.
Tom

 

[TRMark]

Thank you. My father, served in the Pacific. He flew in torpedo bombers off a carrier. I have always been proud of him for what he did. These fine men are leaving us every day, appreciate them. My father is alive and healthy at 80+++, I hope my children think of me the same way as I respect my father. I, like many others on this forum, was a soldier. Enjoy this wonderful weekend.

 

[bugimike]

That was a great story Basil, thanks for sharing! My Grandfather served both in WWI and WWII, in the British army. He and his unit were over-run in Greece in 1939 and he was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW. Two of his three sons (my father and uncle) also served in WWII, while his third son was too young to serve in the war. I have an aunt who is my "twin". She was born just a couple of months before me (Grandpa had HIS priorities straight upon his liberation) and she has an American shell casing that was from among the first rounds fired during the liberation of Colditz Castle were my grandfather was held!
My Mum and Dad met in London during the blitz while my Dad was at Sandhurst. As war babies, I think we have a special sense for the generation that spawned us!

PS My son in The USMC Commandant's Own D&B Corps is celebrating this day at Belleau commemorating the battle in which the Marines got the "Devildog" moniker! :thumbsup: