German fighter pilot escorted B-17 out of Germany

[rframe]

This morning was the first I'd ever heard this story, thought I'd share it here in case others might not have heard it.  Pretty interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/_8EkmyoG83Q

On December 20, 1943, Charlie Brown was commanding a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 379th Bomber Group out of Kimbolton, England on a bombing run of a German aircraft factory. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was pounded by enemy flak and attacked by over a dozen German fighters. The aircraft was shredded, two of the four engines were damaged. The entire left stabilizer and left elevator were gone, ninety percent of the rudder was gone, and part of the top of the vertical stabilizer was gone. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.

After flying over an enemy airfield, a pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17 (he had already shot down two B-17s that morning - one more and he would earn the Knight's Cross). When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, "I had never seen a plane in such a bad state...the B-17 was like a sieve. There was blood everywhere. I could see the crew trying to help their wounded. The tail gunner was slumped over his guns, his blood streaming down the barrels. Through a gaping hole in the fuselage, I could see crewmen working frantically to save a comrade whose leg was blown off. I thought to myself, 'How can I shoot something like that? It would be like shooting a man in a parachute.'"

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. 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. Research shows that Charlie Brown lived in Seattle and Franz Steigler had moved to Vancouver, BC after the war. When they finally met, they discovered they had lived less than 200 miles apart for the past 50 years!

[Майор Хаткевич]

That's a wonderful story, but basically treason and had history gone the other way...

[rframe]

That's a wonderful story, but basically treason and had history gone the other way...

Yes, in the video Mr Brown states his amazement that Mr Steigler was clearly risking his life to do this.

[Luis R. Ramos]

I did read that story a long time ago. However it is worth repeating again.

Thank you for re-posting it.

Flyer

[Woodsy]

There is a book about this.  It's one of the best books I've ever read.   

A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II

http://www.amazon.com/Higher-Call-Incredible-Chivalry-War-Torn/dp/0425252868

[Critical AOA]

Dang all of you!  My bookshelves are already overflowing with books and now I have another one that I must buy.  Will you guys quit posting this stuff?!

[NCRblues]

There is a book about this.  It's one of the best books I've ever read.   

A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II

http://www.amazon.com/Higher-Call-Incredible-Chivalry-War-Torn/dp/0425252868

I bought this book on the Ipad yesterday. Started reading it (and boy was that a mistake) and could not put it down. Amazing story!! Best 7 bucks i have ever spent. Now back to the ol NCSA app...

[Huey Driver]

Great tale! Now I need to buy this book on my iPad. Hopefully I have the self-control to wait until after midterm exams to start reading it, or else studying has no chance of happening   

[Woodsy]

Great tale! Now I need to buy this book on my iPad. Hopefully I have the self-control to wait until after midterm exams to start reading it, or else studying has no chance of happening   

Ha!  I hate when that happens!  After so many textbooks, a good novel or true story is addictive!