In December 1943, Lt. Charlie Brown flew his Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress for a bombing run over Breman, Germany. In an attempt to stop Hitler's Wermacht, Brown's plane, "Ye Old Pub", opened it's bombbay doors and dropped Adolph Hitler a Christmas gift, courtesy of the American people.
Germany's air defenses unleashed a torrential hail storm of anti-aircraft shells and flak into the air. Lt. Brown's plane took tremendous damage, engines knocked out, large holes in the tail and fuselage sections. The inside of the B-17 was spattered with blood and smoke. With his aircraft, crew, and compass, heavily damaged, Brown had limited options. Thing could not get any worse ......or could it.
Into the distance, Lt. Charlie Brown could see a German Luftwaffe Messerschmitt 109 flying directly in front, piloted by a German fighter ace with over 2 dozen Allied aircraft kills under his belt.... Franz Stigler. Charlie Brown knew this was it and closed his eyes. The Messerschmitt sped by the battered B-17 turned around for the kill.
Stigler had never seen a B-17 so heavily damaged. The top and tail gunner's glass was stained with blood. A large section of the tail was gone. Three engines out of service and the cockpit shot up. Franz Stigler with his hand on the trigger, eased his finger off and pulled along side Charlie Brown and his limping B-17. The German fighter ace "didn't have the heart."
Stigler and Lt. Brown, a pilot in his early twenties, made eye contact with the German motioning for Brown to follow him. Of course if found out by the German high command, Stigler would be court-martialed and sentenced to death. But, the human heart from time to time takes over and with that Franz Stigler led the crippled B-17 and it crew to safety in England and allowed his fellow man and enemy to live another day.
After the war Charlie Brown moved to Seattle and Franz Stigler moved to Vancouver, BC. For over 50 years they lived about 200 miles apart. They met each other and became friends. Franz Stigler passed away on March 22 2008. Charlie Brown passed away on November 24 that same year.
These two men teaches us a lesson of not only forgiveness, but also of mercy. Two enemies, two men, showed that the human spirit was alive and well at the height of a World War. This Christmas and this next year show love and kindness to others around you and set an example for those to follow..... Never know when your enemy just might be the one to lead you to safety and life......and that's the way I see it.
Another good one Bubba....
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