A very true and touching story reenacted through Warthunder. I do remember being inverted (and then) pulling up over the trees, Brown, who now lives in Miami, told CTVs W-FIVE. At this point (we were) totally helpless. Browns four-engine bomber was badly damaged. Three engines werent working, there was hardly anything left of the tail and seven of 10 crew member were injured. Brown had a bullet fragment lodged in his shoulder. Thats when Stigler saw the bomber overhead, trying to limp home. I went after him (to) finish him off, Stigler said. But when Stigler got close enough to see the American bomber, he saw Browns bleeding wounds and realized he couldnt shoot. Instead, he did something that could have seen him court marshalled and shot for dereliction of duty -- he guided the B-17 out of Germany. Then he gave me a wave salute and then he left, recounted Brown. All but one of Browns crew lived to fight another day. The American pilot was left wondering what happened to the German who spared his life. Then, in 1990, Stigler contacted him from his new home in Surrey, B.C. He almost broke my ribs, he gave me a big bear hug, said Brown. Once sworn enemies, the men became close friends and met almost every year until Stiglers March 22 death at age 92.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 09:12:45 +0000
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