Franz & Charlie

As some of us know this story has turned into the best selling book "A Higher Call". I was lazy and got the audiobook. I thought it was great. As I listened to it to me it sounded like a screenplay for a independent film. I just can't see it being made though. A German pilot walks into a pub with his pet bear Bobby. He gets plastered and stumbles down the road with Bobby. Bobby may have been plastered too, I forge. Nope I can't see Hollywood making that one.

[@mikearnspiger9715]

Thank you for honoring my father in law Charlie Brown and his brother Franz Stigler...I miss and loved them both...

[@mataharitattoo3751]

As a German, Beeing raised with the believe we Germans have been the Bad Guys, and that we're Not allowed to be proud to be German, this Story Makes me proud to be German !

[@metroplexgrimlock7089]

I told their story for a class project. My parents wanted me to get a 100, I just wanted to tell my classmates something they may never learn. I was kind and considerate for their 2-4 minute presentation of stuff like make-up, gymnastics, and yarn. But when I stood up for 10-12 minutes( the max time you had to present was 12 minutes) , honoring the dead, all but the teacher, and one other kid, wasn't paying attention. I'd point to my slides, nothing. I held up a model that I hastily assembled in 2 days, no one dared to look. I showed a third B-17 named All American, that literally took me 2 minutes to put together in class, and no one asked her name or why it was different from the Pub. I felt like no one was paying attention, except the teacher. I made a good grade and the teacher absolutely loved it, just wish people would've paid attention. I just really wanted to teach something but all I got was my social anxiety and introvert mode on a full "I don't want to be here anymore" moment, and I was seriously thinking of becoming a military history teacher telling those stories the regular history doesn't.

[@foxtrot570]

"I lost 17 of them"... He escaped or landed more heavily damaged fighter planes than the double of the amount of lives a cat would have! Incredible!

[@TruthIsTheNewHate84]

Rest in peace Franz and Charlie.

[@arthurrey3038]

That German pilot, in addition to having class, had a high sense of Honor, a truly admirable story.

[@Terminator2310]

An amazing pair. They both passed away in 2008, fly high gentlemen.

[@lvbdevinelove2329]

Who else thinks this story should be a mandatory study in school curriculum? Imagine if everyone learned to be like Franz. 🥰

[@DragonTales129]

“That’s the only one I’m allowed to wear”, even at his age he still has his humor. The things these men saw could probably fill a library. Amazing men.

[@eveoakley6270]

Do you know I am now just gone 60 years old and most of my life I was taught that all Germans were wicked. It is only in the last decade I’m realising the propaganda we were fed 😓 This story restores my faith in humanity 🙏🏻

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

Hate the war, not the warrior.

[@RF23232]

My grandpa was one of the last german boys who were sent to the eastern front without training. Those boys could do nothing but do as they were told otherwise they would have been shot as traitors. He got a POV of Russia before he made one shot..... spending 4,5 years over there under the worst circumstances.

[@Sandbek1973]

Now we know how men with honor looks like. RIP Franz & Charlie

[@bovikachishi9993]

The best war story ever.....words are not enough.....rip legends...our heroes....

[@calebnwaobia6285]

Brother, hero’s, foes

[@maxfullerton5228]

Ruhe in Frieden ,Deutscher Spitzenpilot und Vorbild eines deutschen Soldats

[@greeneyes2797]

This is the most inspiring story ever.

[@679muqfv96]

THIS SHOULD BE MADE INTO A MOVIE. I have read the book a few times already but still loves to read it some more.

[@braintumor943]

This 47 year old “tough guy” has tears streaming down his cheeks

[@gabrielmatheus971]

I am 24 years old and from Brazil, and I am fascinated by World War II. A wave of salute to both of you! Rest in peace, Charlie and Franz! Thank you, Franz, for sparing his life and making a difference in our lives by being a huge example of humility, manliness, and kindness! Thank you both for making the world a better place, not by taking any side in history, but through your gestures of affection, soldiers! My generation might not care much about history, but I 100% acknowledge what you all have done for our future! THANKS!