I came across this and was just amazed has any one read this before if so where and who was this pilot and is it true all i know he was canadian pilot
8)
I was shot down on a fighter sweep over enemy territory fairly early in the war and taken prisoner. There was the usual interrogations on the spot and later in Germany and ending up in a POW camp. From the perpetual excitement of every day in the air to a state of inactivity as a prisoner was not to my liking or most other prisoners. Oh, there were things to do like planning escape tunnels, sports and the library. Because it looked like a long war, I thought more about learning something besides fighting. Although I loved flying and adventure, would there be a future after the war for an ex-fighter pilot? Therefore I guess I looked at it all logically and decided on languages — German especially. Here I could learn and practice it at first hand. The war was bound to end just like ww1 and a language or two might turn into a good job — especially with my past good record.
Early 1943 came. I was bored but was getting along very well with German. One day there was a call for me to report to the "Kommandant". Orders were for me to go for another interrogation — this time in Berlin.
It proved to be a little different as the questions proved. "You flew fighters and really liked flying?" was the first question. "Yes," I replied, keeping my answers short and omitting the expected Sir. "You are bored with POW life but are interested in languages." When I sort of nodded, he continued, "What do you know about communism?"
Well, most of us knew little about Russia, probably because we were not interested, but now the Russians were supposed to be our Allies. I had read writeups on meetings back in England but since the German invasion of Russia everything seemed to be O.K.
"How would you like to learn a little more about Russia and Communism and see how the language works first hand, perhaps?" was the startling question.
Anything would be better than sitting around camp; besides, I would be sure to see much and learn something. If I could get the Russian language too that would be a real asset for the future.
Next day I was moved to another building where I met five other men. They were POW but we were a little cagey because we knew something was up but did not know what.
"O.K. you guys, you are all here to learn something. You are from several countries and technically we are enemies but historically we are the same — mainly Anglo Axons. Now you all have a smattering of German, in fact several of you are fairly good at it. I'll use English so that you will understand perfectly what we hope to teach you and show you. We hope you can polish up on your German, because it will sure help a lot during the next few months.
First you'll learn what communism is because we have some real experts on this subject. Then you'll learn what it does to a country and its people; how it affects other countries; and of course its long range objectives. Then you will be taken on a long tour, through countries we have liberated; you'll be able to talk to the people and politicians; then you'll take a trip to our fronts in Russia for a first hand look at what things are really like."
I looked around at my "classmates". There was Al, a fellow Canadian, Geoffrey and Morris from Britain, and Carl and Pete from the U.S. All were ex-fighter pilots. Our questions and answers to each other were meant to try to prove that each man was really who he said he was. We had all been warned in POW camp, and even before, about German "plants" intermingling with prisoners.
The "training" was all very interesting. We had films, books to read, lectures and discussions with experts — German and foreign. Food, drink and lodging were very good. It sure beat POW life! In a month's time we started our promised trip — and it was a real "Cook's Tour". We ended up among the German armies and air forces in Russia and saw things at first hand. It was not pretty. We saw the savagery, the ruins, the tragedy, the thousands of corpses. We saw villages taken from the Russians where everyone had been butchered. We saw Communism at work. Of course any brutality from the German side was non-existent and places like Belsen or Auschwitz never heard about,
We had all seen war — but a "clean war" from a cockpit. We hardly ever saw the results of our bombing and strafing and only occasionally saw our victim blow up or burn in the air.
We were especially shown large numbers of Russian POWs who were now fighting in German uniforms against their former friends, the communists. That was real power of dedication for and against a cause. We also saw many other European nationalities fighting the Russians and in German uniforms. This included Dutch, Belgian, French, Danish, Norwegian - and in fair strength. Last that we saw and met were the British POWs who were doing the same - and in considerable strength. It was a little strange talking to British soldiers on the Russian front complaining about being shot at by Hurricanes-and Spitfires in the air, and Sherman tanks on the ground — all "lend lease" war material.
When we got back to Berlin, the whole purpose and intent of our "excursion" was explained to us, and after the episode with the British POW we were rather expecting what came.
You have seen what communism is and what it does to people's minds. You have also seen those who have deemed it their duty to fight this evil, even though they may be considered traitors by their own countrymen who don't understand what really is going on with the communist scourge. You all were very good fighter pilots. Now we're offering you a job flying for us, but only against the Russians. You will fly our latest Me109 or FW190. You know from experience how good the Me's are, even superior to those you fought against a year or two ago. In the hands of experts like yourselves, they would be hard to beat.
"We have pilots from every country in Europe flying in our Air Force so you won't even be noticed. We'll do some name changes on your I.D. cards; you'll have commissions, and your pay will be in marks, supplemented by any cash currency you desire. You'll make a lot more than a Group Captain or a Colonel in your old air forces. Your letters will be post-marked from various POW camps and you'll get your mail regularly. You will wear German Luftwaffe uniforms and be subject to our promotions and our decorations. That should go well with those D.F.C.s several of you are wearing. Also you will keep your old uniforms in case of emergency. We'll even get you an extra one. In case you are shot down behind the Russian lines a Yank or R.A.F. uniform could save your life. Our fliers are all shot by the Russians. We will figure out a cover story as if you are an escaping POW. Anyway, all these details will be worked out. Now, gentlemen, we'll leave you alone to discuss this privately."
Talk about a bull session! We seemingly went over everything — patriotism, survival, love of flying, next of kin, secrecy, hatred of POW life, ultimate happenings, adventure and what else. Most of us had been out of circulation for a couple of years and were not sure what those on the outside thought of the Russians. We had heard it was only a paper alliance. But especially, what we had seen of communism probably swayed us unanimously in the end to accept the offer.
From then on the pace speeded up. First thing was uniforms, I.D. cards and military papers. Then we had to doctor our names to something similar but different — all except Carl whose name was originally German anyway. Next was our introduction to the new Me109 with a couple of weeks familiarization course on them, as well as the German Air Force jargon, procedure, flying, firing and the new language. Flying the 109 was like riding a different horse, but were they good! After years of learning to shoot at black crosses, now we were all friends and had to be very careful. Practice we did because we were enthusiastic pupils. Then we joined a new fighter wing on the Russian front. That first new combat was something!
There were plenty of Russian aircraft to shoot at and our cannon and machine guns tore hell out of them. The aircraft were everything from their own Yaks, and LA5's to British Hurricanes, Spitfires, Blenheims and American P40's and Bell Airacobras. We too became a little bitter about all that "lend lease" stuff going to the Russians. Little did the Allies know the folly of their ways! So we had superior aircraft and their pilots didn't have the experience compared to us. Whether it is air force or army it is usually the inexperienced that get the chop first, while some weather the storm, with a little luck and protection from the veterans, and in turn become the experienced.
We were used quite often on ground strafing in addition to attacking enemy bombers and fighters. Because this was very hazardous, we relied on speed and low altitude. The bigger guns did not bother us low down, but small ground fire from rifles and burp guns was always dangerous. The Russians used mass infantry in successive waves which just kept coming in tens of thousands. A fighter plane could kill or wound hundreds in one pass as the two cannon and four machine guns cut quite a swath. Quite often we attacked enemy T34 tanks and the bigger giants. We could not damage the tanks unless we carried bombs, but enemy infantry loved to ride on these monsters and in a surprise attack we could "sweep" them off in scores.
continued below sorry its so long people
8)
I was shot down on a fighter sweep over enemy territory fairly early in the war and taken prisoner. There was the usual interrogations on the spot and later in Germany and ending up in a POW camp. From the perpetual excitement of every day in the air to a state of inactivity as a prisoner was not to my liking or most other prisoners. Oh, there were things to do like planning escape tunnels, sports and the library. Because it looked like a long war, I thought more about learning something besides fighting. Although I loved flying and adventure, would there be a future after the war for an ex-fighter pilot? Therefore I guess I looked at it all logically and decided on languages — German especially. Here I could learn and practice it at first hand. The war was bound to end just like ww1 and a language or two might turn into a good job — especially with my past good record.
Early 1943 came. I was bored but was getting along very well with German. One day there was a call for me to report to the "Kommandant". Orders were for me to go for another interrogation — this time in Berlin.
It proved to be a little different as the questions proved. "You flew fighters and really liked flying?" was the first question. "Yes," I replied, keeping my answers short and omitting the expected Sir. "You are bored with POW life but are interested in languages." When I sort of nodded, he continued, "What do you know about communism?"
Well, most of us knew little about Russia, probably because we were not interested, but now the Russians were supposed to be our Allies. I had read writeups on meetings back in England but since the German invasion of Russia everything seemed to be O.K.
"How would you like to learn a little more about Russia and Communism and see how the language works first hand, perhaps?" was the startling question.
Anything would be better than sitting around camp; besides, I would be sure to see much and learn something. If I could get the Russian language too that would be a real asset for the future.
Next day I was moved to another building where I met five other men. They were POW but we were a little cagey because we knew something was up but did not know what.
"O.K. you guys, you are all here to learn something. You are from several countries and technically we are enemies but historically we are the same — mainly Anglo Axons. Now you all have a smattering of German, in fact several of you are fairly good at it. I'll use English so that you will understand perfectly what we hope to teach you and show you. We hope you can polish up on your German, because it will sure help a lot during the next few months.
First you'll learn what communism is because we have some real experts on this subject. Then you'll learn what it does to a country and its people; how it affects other countries; and of course its long range objectives. Then you will be taken on a long tour, through countries we have liberated; you'll be able to talk to the people and politicians; then you'll take a trip to our fronts in Russia for a first hand look at what things are really like."
I looked around at my "classmates". There was Al, a fellow Canadian, Geoffrey and Morris from Britain, and Carl and Pete from the U.S. All were ex-fighter pilots. Our questions and answers to each other were meant to try to prove that each man was really who he said he was. We had all been warned in POW camp, and even before, about German "plants" intermingling with prisoners.
The "training" was all very interesting. We had films, books to read, lectures and discussions with experts — German and foreign. Food, drink and lodging were very good. It sure beat POW life! In a month's time we started our promised trip — and it was a real "Cook's Tour". We ended up among the German armies and air forces in Russia and saw things at first hand. It was not pretty. We saw the savagery, the ruins, the tragedy, the thousands of corpses. We saw villages taken from the Russians where everyone had been butchered. We saw Communism at work. Of course any brutality from the German side was non-existent and places like Belsen or Auschwitz never heard about,
We had all seen war — but a "clean war" from a cockpit. We hardly ever saw the results of our bombing and strafing and only occasionally saw our victim blow up or burn in the air.
We were especially shown large numbers of Russian POWs who were now fighting in German uniforms against their former friends, the communists. That was real power of dedication for and against a cause. We also saw many other European nationalities fighting the Russians and in German uniforms. This included Dutch, Belgian, French, Danish, Norwegian - and in fair strength. Last that we saw and met were the British POWs who were doing the same - and in considerable strength. It was a little strange talking to British soldiers on the Russian front complaining about being shot at by Hurricanes-and Spitfires in the air, and Sherman tanks on the ground — all "lend lease" war material.
When we got back to Berlin, the whole purpose and intent of our "excursion" was explained to us, and after the episode with the British POW we were rather expecting what came.
You have seen what communism is and what it does to people's minds. You have also seen those who have deemed it their duty to fight this evil, even though they may be considered traitors by their own countrymen who don't understand what really is going on with the communist scourge. You all were very good fighter pilots. Now we're offering you a job flying for us, but only against the Russians. You will fly our latest Me109 or FW190. You know from experience how good the Me's are, even superior to those you fought against a year or two ago. In the hands of experts like yourselves, they would be hard to beat.
"We have pilots from every country in Europe flying in our Air Force so you won't even be noticed. We'll do some name changes on your I.D. cards; you'll have commissions, and your pay will be in marks, supplemented by any cash currency you desire. You'll make a lot more than a Group Captain or a Colonel in your old air forces. Your letters will be post-marked from various POW camps and you'll get your mail regularly. You will wear German Luftwaffe uniforms and be subject to our promotions and our decorations. That should go well with those D.F.C.s several of you are wearing. Also you will keep your old uniforms in case of emergency. We'll even get you an extra one. In case you are shot down behind the Russian lines a Yank or R.A.F. uniform could save your life. Our fliers are all shot by the Russians. We will figure out a cover story as if you are an escaping POW. Anyway, all these details will be worked out. Now, gentlemen, we'll leave you alone to discuss this privately."
Talk about a bull session! We seemingly went over everything — patriotism, survival, love of flying, next of kin, secrecy, hatred of POW life, ultimate happenings, adventure and what else. Most of us had been out of circulation for a couple of years and were not sure what those on the outside thought of the Russians. We had heard it was only a paper alliance. But especially, what we had seen of communism probably swayed us unanimously in the end to accept the offer.
From then on the pace speeded up. First thing was uniforms, I.D. cards and military papers. Then we had to doctor our names to something similar but different — all except Carl whose name was originally German anyway. Next was our introduction to the new Me109 with a couple of weeks familiarization course on them, as well as the German Air Force jargon, procedure, flying, firing and the new language. Flying the 109 was like riding a different horse, but were they good! After years of learning to shoot at black crosses, now we were all friends and had to be very careful. Practice we did because we were enthusiastic pupils. Then we joined a new fighter wing on the Russian front. That first new combat was something!
There were plenty of Russian aircraft to shoot at and our cannon and machine guns tore hell out of them. The aircraft were everything from their own Yaks, and LA5's to British Hurricanes, Spitfires, Blenheims and American P40's and Bell Airacobras. We too became a little bitter about all that "lend lease" stuff going to the Russians. Little did the Allies know the folly of their ways! So we had superior aircraft and their pilots didn't have the experience compared to us. Whether it is air force or army it is usually the inexperienced that get the chop first, while some weather the storm, with a little luck and protection from the veterans, and in turn become the experienced.
We were used quite often on ground strafing in addition to attacking enemy bombers and fighters. Because this was very hazardous, we relied on speed and low altitude. The bigger guns did not bother us low down, but small ground fire from rifles and burp guns was always dangerous. The Russians used mass infantry in successive waves which just kept coming in tens of thousands. A fighter plane could kill or wound hundreds in one pass as the two cannon and four machine guns cut quite a swath. Quite often we attacked enemy T34 tanks and the bigger giants. We could not damage the tanks unless we carried bombs, but enemy infantry loved to ride on these monsters and in a surprise attack we could "sweep" them off in scores.
continued below sorry its so long people
