just watched some of the history channels show on P51s. The footage is incredible. The bravery of these kids to fly these planes for hrs and hrs while escorting bombers. The boredom, the cold, the insecurity of not knowing whether you were gonna get back and finally, the fear of the actual death that loomed. Absolutely incredible.
AGREED!!
[#ditto]
[#ditto][#ditto]
Regards, Rick
A couple of years ago I bought a video called Pistol Packin Mama about a B-17 by the same name in the ETO. In it surviving crew members recall how incredibly lonely it was to be in a lumbering metal tube with nothing but a handful of .50 cal machine guns to hold what seemed like every interceptor in the world at bay. I think non-combat vets like myself tend to forget that these heroes were still mostly a bunch of teenagers who were probably scared senseless yet still persevered and did the job. It’s astounding how war simultaneously brings out the best and worst in humanity.
Also agree… worthy of all our respect!
I saw a documentary type show on our local educational channel about a P-47 pilot’s experiences. They showed home movies and photos of his wedding and departure for war, his training and first assignment, various moments from each of their lives during the time he was in combat, through the end of the war and on till present. It was called “A Fighter Pilot’s Story”. Incredible aerial footage and personal accounts make this film very understandable, near haunting!
“From the sky
we do our dying,
let the angels rest…
Winged Soldiers are we”
Take care,
Frank
Their hearts were young and bold
thats the hardest thing to face. I love modelling the aircraft, but the sheer distruction and loss of life that they harnessed makes you think a little.
Really respect these guys for the freedom they have bought for us all.
Ditto with all of the above but hey people lets not forget the people that are out there TODAY at this moment despite the PC society and media trying to discredit them putting their asses on the line for duty and freedom !!!(Sorry I know this aint a political forum but I just wanted all you guys and girls out their to know that there are NZ people that support USA ) P.S Especially me as I am a serviceman
Roger That!
I am blessed to have a '43 AT-6 in my hangar and there’s never a moment when I’m on the ground or in the air with it, that I don’t think of all those people (past & present) that put our freedom ahead of their safety. God Bless them one and all!