Correction to rank…SS-Obersturmfuhrer,Sorry had to get the patch out to verify
My grandfather flew Mustangs during the war. I dont remember to much, he died when I was young, but he did tell me stories that I remember. He had great respect for the Tiger, telling me a few times on certain missions he was flying in the ground attack role he passed them up, because earlier he learned that besides dropping a 500lbs pound bomb with pinpoint accuracy he couldnt do much against them. He said once on one of those missions he decided to give a Tiger a go and was suprised to watch his .50 tracers bunch off the hull and fly up in the air.
My Grandfather was a great man too, couragious as your grandfather, I bet they woulda had a wonderful time talking. I am glad you put this here my friend as mature adults and mature youngsters, this stuff we model and this brings us a bit closer to what we love. this isn’t politics here, just a time and a place. thats all.
-Jeff
Great story Jeff and you’re right, he was as brave. They all were.
I so remember my grandfather telling a story about when he was in eastern europe, the were being raided by P-47’s. The story of the mustang brings back some of the memories. He said the “jugs” were dive bombing them from about 1000 feet. One of the tanks in another battalion took a direct hit in the turret. He said it was amazing how big the explosion was. The tank had just been fully loaded and was full of petrol and fresh ammo. They all went off. He said that they would try firing .50’s at them but they just bounced off. He said it sounded like hail hitting the turret.
Have to admit, you’re kind of helpless if a P-47 or Typhoon is coming in with a few rockets under their wings. Fortunately for your grandfather Loylein, they may have expended theirs already.