When a Bf-109 spared a stricken B-17

Christmas 1943, a badly shot up B-17 struggled to stay in the air, it was the first mission for the 21-year-old pilot, half his crew lay wounded. Then the dark shadow of the feared Bf-109 pulled along side the bomber. Worse, at it’s controls was a German fighter ace looking for his next target. What happened next would later be called one of the most incredible acts of kindness between enemies. Please share or embed this story to help spread this amazing WW2 story. You can also read the full story in the book 'A Higher Call' by Adam Makos & Larry Alexander.
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Please follow us on: instagram instagram.com/therealyarnhub/ Reddit reddit.com/r/YarnHub Patreon patreon.com/yarnhub Facebook facebook.com/Yarn-Hub-2241386609276242/

[@nigeriachin6993]

Yarnhub Poop

[@chen.TL500]

德軍其實也是有人性的

[@snowallen1161]

Dam it no discord

[@quattrotobi]

@@chen.TL500 Damn right! :)

[@hooperdestroyer4396]

No

[@MK-rr7cg]

For those who don't know Franz Stigler died on the 22nd March 2008, and Charlie Brown a few months later on the 25th November 2008. RIP.

[@Tatusiek_1]

wEt SpOnGe :(

[@nunomiguelbernardinopicao2238]

Great warriors, Honor and Peace to their souls. 🙏🕊️

[@hackerino9707]

Let's me wonder about how close they must been friends somehow

[@eggroll6764]

Rest In Peace to those who were able to keep their humanity during times of war.

[@hasyy151]

Bruh he stigler died after the 1st day i was born :(

[@brygulligan347]

“Real courage isn’t knowing when to take a life, but when to spare one” -Gandalf i think

[@mikabakker1]

Yes It's from Gandalf and it couldn't be more true

[@TartagliaThe_11th_McDsEmployee]

"Gandalf wants to know your location" -Me

[@mallobag]

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. 😭😭😭😭😭 the wisest of all

[@tristendamato6718]

"True courage is knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one." Word for word. A great life lesson I believe.

[@stevenvanhulle7242]

@@mallobag - I concur. That stuck in my mind since the moment I read it first, 40 odd years ago. (Never saw the movies)

[@montanvs]

I was fortunate enough to have met Stigler before he passed away. An honourable man in difficult times.

[@W00zl3]

montanvs Woah really? Man, that’s actually pretty awesome! I read the book and loved it about a year ago. You’ve got me jealous 😂 Where’d you meet him at?

[@montanvs]

Met him at a small hobby shop in New Westminster where he had his book. He signed a poster and I quizzed him on historic questions. Super nice guy

[@W00zl3]

montanvs Very awesome! I’m so glad he got at least some of the fame he deserved. Very cool :)

[@molonlabe8784]

I’d love to shake Franzs hand. I envy you got to meet such a significant hero. I’m really into WW2 history and this story is amazing. I bet it was awesome talking to him. What’s the title of his book?

[@W00zl3]

Colin Poulos - Its called “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos. Really well make book if you ask me. Not a terribly challenging read making it all the better :)

[@brokenbridge6316]

Stigler had wanted a Knight's Cross and was one plane away from getting it when he encountered Charlie's bomber. Stigler never did get his medal. But by sparing this bomber he got something more precious. Gratitude and ever-lasting respect.

[@Birch12430]

And to be remembered through history

[@uninterestedcat8429]

​@@Birch12430last two kinda cover that

[@williamshea4193]

The story of this incident shows that even in times of war that there can be acts of humanity between the enemies and their story should be known for years to come. I know that I'm not the only one to say and I know that most people don't care about movies about superheroes from real life but. Dear Hollywood, I would have no problem paying admission to a movie theater to see a movie about this simple act of humanity between enemies during time of a world war when one man becomes a hero/savior to a group of men he didn't know and the men he spared where forever grateful to him.

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@williamshea4193---I'd pay admission to that movie too. Even if it was panned by critics. Never cared for what critics say anyway.

[@lachlanpike5469]

He did get a post-war medal plus a song in his name No bullets fly

[@buffalopatriot]

Makes me think of British and German soldiers singing Christmas carols from their opposing trenches in the winter of 1914.

[@painfish208]

buffalopatriot You know, some of those people went AWOL afterwards. Turns out it's hard to fight a person when you stop seeing them as "the bad guy," and realize their humanity.

[@manflugaming9481]

They played football together too

[@EugenethePhilostopher]

Or an honorable funeral of von Richthofen in France in 1918.

[@aereonexapprentice7205]

Dont remind me of that grim facade in which the commander of the detesting british army mowed down germans who came to british trench bringing wine and food hoping for truce

[@YurimoHikashi]

@@aereonexapprentice7205 that's messed up..

[@JoshuaKevinPerry]

[Stigler] had the words of his mentor Lt. Gustav Roedel ringing in his ears. The Mail reported them as, “You shoot at a machine, not a man. You score ‘victories’, not ‘kills’… honor is everything… You fight by rules to keep your humanity. So you never shoot your enemy if he is floating down on a parachute. If I ever see you doing that, I will shoot you down myself.” If you want to hear another interesting story, John Rabe

[@LanzeGames]

Cool story. What does John Rabe mean?

[@johnroscoe2406]

@@LanzeGames John Rabe was the NSDAP's representative in China who begged Hitler to denounce the Japanese atrocities against the Chinese (of course Hitler turned a blind ear), and later during the infamous "Rape of Nanking" also called Nanjing, he established a safe zone for Chinese civilians to escape the Japanese brutality.

[@phapnui]

@@johnroscoe2406 Ever hear about the 3 million Vietnamese who starved to death at hands of Japanese and French during WWII? They burned rice for energy.

[@johnroscoe2406]

@@phapnui I was answeing Lanze's question about John Rabe...

[@lkhagwadorj]

Hmm seems like Rodel was a honorable man

[@rextransformation7418]

Not gonna lie, felt pretty teary when the German pilot saluted after escorting the damaged plane. 😔

[@ChapterMasterADO]

Me too :)

[@jamesbehrje4279]

u not the only one guy!!!

[@ti-lo5hy]

Yeah nothing like one German dude saluting while others are gunned down on the battlefield... Such a shame chivalry on the battlefield has been lost.

[@idriscam]

@@ti-lo5hy it was a different time hey.. different reasons, different pysops.

[@richardboschsuero4535]

Cried a bit

[@pratikpal5565]

This being the most popular video on this channel shows that people really like stories of kindness

[@theirishviking9278]

That or they like sabatons no bullets fly

[@cartoonraccoon2078]

@@theirishviking9278 What... does that even mean?

[@theirishviking9278]

@@cartoonraccoon2078 sabatons song "No Bullets Fly" is based on this story

[@obisvanainobis9950]

​@@cartoonraccoon2078 Sabaton made a song called: "No bullets fly" that was based on this story

[@bennnnu380]

So true. Even now 3 years later. Great observation

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

Salute the German pilot for sparing the lives of the wounded US airmen. He was a man with honor. His commander had taught him well not to shoot at his helpless enemy in a parachute.

[@WhooshWh0sh]

Dunno, maybe he told not to shoot desscending pilots just so they could take them captives. Anyway good thing he spared them.

[@poorboychevelle]

@@WhooshWh0sh shooting at unarmed parachutists (unlike paratroopers) is unsporting - you've already won the engagement, and it's a great way to get your own ejected pilots shot at.

[@wyattlohman6880]

@Block Rider, His Commander had said to him himself, "If I ever see or hear about you shooting down a parachuting airman, i'll shoot you down myself next time we fly." His commander respected his enemy.

[@Lyzarion]

@@poorboychevelle that sounds nice however there were exceptions. But I think not everyone spared the guy who tried to parachute. The germans designed planes for ram attacks against the heavy bombers, the plane hat guns too but not very strong ones and less ammo. After the ram attack, you were supposed to bail out. Some managed to land a hit and then bail out and survive the fight but some where shot down while parachuting.

[@Mate-vg2ft]

Estelle Melodi Mitchell weren't the crew British? Or are you talking about a different event.

[@HafdirTasare]

Stigler was one kill away from his Knight's cross.... imagine him flying up, seeing that bomber and think to himself "No... that's not worth it..."

[@Markus-zb5zd]

Wouldn't have counted... Noone can confirm the kill

[@HafdirTasare]

@@Markus-zb5zd well, you can check out the wrack.

[@tazz1226]

@@HafdirTasare too many aircrafts have shooted that b17, anyone could have claimed the kill

[@barium4355]

@@tazz1226 If he would bring it down and give the position of the wreck to his commander it would certainly count as his kill. I don't see why it shouldn't count.

[@tazz1226]

@@barium4355 someone could have shot it up and rushed to do another objective, the commander would ask the crew who killed it, and they would have more evidence that the plane was crashing when they leave it, the other dude just found it, sorry for my bad english.

[@AdrianMendoza01]

A true warrior recognizes when the enemy is defenseless and acts with humanity. That is Honor in the skyes, land and water...

[@Maulstrum97]

And that action lead to them coming back and terror bombing women and children. Honor wasn't repaid and it didn't win the war. The germans were honorable and did not act with cowardice and they lost the war.

[@AdrianMendoza01]

@@Maulstrum97 Say that to the victims of the sistematic bombings in London with the V1 rockets... Your stupidity won't let you understand how cruel this war was on everyone in Europe.

[@roberth.5363]

Well said my friend.

[@Maulstrum97]

@@AdrianMendoza01 the rockets were a response to Churchills night raids attacking all lights and it was absolute stupidity. Attacking based on emotion didn't help them.

[@CardboardSliver]

If Germany hadn't acted the punk and invade Poland, none of that would have happened.

[@log9700]

Meanwhile in war thunder “Is he dead? Nah” “Now he’s dead” “But just to make su- *crashes into plane*”

[@toasterlad5577]

relatable

[@A.i.r_K]

I often hit dead or fake tanks in tanks RB

[@SenkaBandit]

One 30mm shot to my engine destroys the entire wing lmao

[@Zeph39]

@@SenkaBandit same here lol the damage model in war thunder sucks now

[@miromarkkula2078]

@@SenkaBandit theres a hole in your left wing!

[@ItchiestBum]

Imagine explaining to someone how you met your best friend that he spared killing you in a war and your teammates.

[@AlfonsoCabrera90]

Weird but why not? Lasting friendships can be born for the most absurds reasons, like playing cards and even 13 years later be the best friends.

[@peterszabo5204]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@TheSilentKnight9]

Did you mean Avatar: The Last Airbender?

[@TheChurchofCacti]

Imagine explaining a Good Guy Nazi in 2019

[@vcv6560]

When I started working I met a Japanese fellow that made me ask the same question. His father had been in their army during the war. We're still friends 35 years later.

[@lesleygalvin3239]

Ok Stigler is an absolute legend, anyone that spares a badly damaged/ injured enemy is the most respectable person ever

[@lesleygalvin3239]

@tommy aronson yup

[@kaleckton]

Probably why he was allowed to move to Canada. He seemed more human then the average person from germany who had served in the military.

[@lesleygalvin3239]

@@kaleckton yeah, a soldier with sympathy is human, not a killer

[@joelgrosschmidt5507]

@@kaleckton you clearly don't know much about the average soldier from Germany then. There is an entire book full of stories like this about German soldiers. You know of German soldiers as mindless murderers because that's what you are told to believe.

[@kaleckton]

@@joelgrosschmidt5507 I have read qlot about German soldiers in ww2 and before. I read alot that has been confirmed, and even more that had not been confirmed. Every soldier has a tale not do I believe all were mindless killers. But there are quite a few who did enjoy it. Its nearly impossible to sort through everyone. That's the problem with the past. Anyone can change it just by giving a different tale. And unless it's absolutely proven beyond all doubts then only the people who were there would know the truth. And even then our minds can not be trusted to know the absolute truth. That's the issue with mankind.

[@URHD4]

I can just imagine when they were arguing “I shoulda shot you down when I had the chance”

[@maarten4504]

And then charles would have said, "but cha didn't"

[@scottcount6861]

In the "try not to cry challenge of Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown" the interviewer asked, "Why didn't you shoot him down?" and Franzs jokingly replied, "Sometimes I wish I did, that pain in the butt!"

[@macman975]

They could've had their own reality show. The Odd Couple lol

[@Sandwich13455]

He should have,they didn't even tell anyone so they could keep shooting Germans down,not really fair,maybe he could have done a Pontius pilot and washed his hands if the bomber.

[@colinmccallum7013]

Dude wtf why would you say that this is supposed to be happy but now you ruined it

[@2tone753]

I am German, 60 years old and I have to say that there is very very little that I am proud of in the Wehrmacht. Colonel Graf Stauffenberg and Franz Stigler, for example, are soldiers I am very, very proud of. Everyone who calls Stigler a traitor didn't understand anything at all. He had already shot down two bombers that day, but this third bomber was no longer a plane but a wreck that was still flying. The team was no longer able to defend themselves and almost everyone was injured. Killing it wouldn't have been a victory, it would have been murder. A look with the pilot showed his fear and he thought of the last seconds in the life of his brother who was also shot down. His behavior shows honor, critics didn't understand at all what it means to have honor. As a country, Germany had already lost all its honor back then, we just ran amok. But the individual could, as here, show what it is is still to have honor. A great role model for my two sons

[@rebimpskitzo8489]

Well here is something else to be ashamed of: according to all first hand accounts, the german pilot did all he can do to shoot them down, he ran out of ammo.

[@heetman12]

@@rebimpskitzo8489 how am I supposed to know that you didnt just pull that fact out of your ass

[@rebimpskitzo8489]

@@heetman12 Okay if you don't believe the accounts of the pilots who experienced it first hand then think about how 1. German pilots wanted as many kills as they could get. 2. The amount of ammunition the airplanes carried back then, it doesn't sound plausible for him to have enough ammo for a bomb run and then to sit behind this bomber for 10 minutes firing bursts. 3. These bombers were attacking their homeland, so they just were cool with it? The story does not make sense. 4. This would have been treason and death for the pilot if discovered.

[@heetman12]

@@rebimpskitzo8489 not all axis forces were filled with evil and not all allied forces were filled with good

[@rebimpskitzo8489]

@@heetman12 I agree with that.

[@nicholassullivan1239]

The best of humanity on both sides.

[@mr.smiley1652]

actually its only on the german side cuz if the bomber had guns on him he would definitely shoot and i don't blame him its hard to trust an enemy

[@nicholassullivan1239]

@@mr.smiley1652 with limited options the bomber did what was possible to return to the base. You have clear examples of courage and compassion in this story. 🧐

[@belalehsen]

Actually only on the German side this time.

[@nicholassullivan1239]

@@belalehsen Is courage not a factor? The bomber crew could have landed as instructed by the German pilot. The bomber pilot, despite odds being against him continued on.

[@seantaggart7382]

@@nicholassullivan1239 I do spare my Enemies just very rarely

[@Sholowastaken]

This is wholesome on another level. I'm not crying, you are...

[@ropeburn6684]

Damned ninja onion cutters.

[@Ko_Reisen]

Guys its me im the one cutting onions 🙈

[@napoleonfontanosaii6080]

Damn this Allergy Season! Sniff, sniff .... 😢 🤧

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

What's a few little onions? C'mon, look at me, I'm tough, I can hand- oh wait, I've got something stuck in my eye...

[@seantaggart7382]

@@Ko_Reisen GET EM!

[@tacticalderpy2077]

"Are you crying, my Fuhrer?" "...Nein."

[@TheCldmstrsn]

mein*

[@deang7004]

Tactical Derpy bruh

[@stegiean]

rein**

[@KoalazDank0420]

@@TheCldmstrsn wrong

[@llNaughtll]

@@KoalazDank0420 whoa

[@freddyfischer9133]

R.I.P. für beide. Mögen Sie beide zusammen im Himmel fliegen und über uns wachen, dass es nie wieder einen schrecklichen Krieg gibt.

[@vogelpapafinn8156]

😐

[@Mercer45X]

@@vogelpapafinn8156 You got something to say?

[@vogelpapafinn8156]

@@Mercer45X "... Dass es nie wieder einen schrecklichen Krieg gibt." Ist leider nicht passiert😐

[@Mercer45X]

@@vogelpapafinn8156 ... Touche, mein fuhrer.

[@vogelpapafinn8156]

@@Mercer45X ?

[@jeanchen194]

I think they were just meant to be friends their whole life.

[@faceripper77]

I think his guns were jammed ;)

[@theoneandonlydogmeat9708]

@@faceripper77 this made me cry

[@forgivemenot1]

@ Jean Chen That could be said of most enemies, it's a pity we make the same mistake over and over again.

[@iamf6641]

@@forgivemenot1 no, cuz we work for the elites

[@RuminatingKiwi927]

@@faceripper77 I mean if he want to shoot him down but the gun is jammed.... Well *maybe* he would ram the bomber

[@flynnparish9833]

“True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

[@hilifeboizz7290]

Wow amazing words said well

[@yanni2112]

Gandolf talking to Frodo about the meeting of Bilbo and Gollum!

[@jebbsredemption]

true, so very true.

[@jebbsredemption]

true, so very true.

[@toryfox4580]

This is the truth through and through especially now

[@nikoozen6049]

Those two men are flying together in heaven now :)

[@jayonealfirst8007]

So there be an hero

[@allconsumingchicken9173]

So wholesome

[@FireQ900]

yeah, especially when they were killing innocent people some months before

[@envy703]

samokrytyczny pedator they were basically forced to, American Drafts and Nazi threats against innocent German families. Not all Germans and Americans and Japanese etc are bad people, they also had good lives

[@notnadz_]

@@FireQ900 not all of them were innocent.

[@Thisboyworking]

The difference in quality from this one to the new one is immense and beautiful to see your journey

[@yongpark5302]

Respect. Their friendship at the end is extraordinary.

[@necrogames7564]

Yong Park until they argue about who spared who

[@914.Bdotty]

Myth reporter lol

[@crazyeye1]

Interesting how the best of most war stories are about one side being kind to the enemy and sparing life. Beautiful if you ask me.

[@lukelim5094]

Why were they forced to fight mad men war anyway? Plain tragedy that is

[@grimdan2546]

Luke Lim Sadly the world is that way. People get what people want, it’s terrible. But at least this story shows us that not people all people are like that.

[@walrider7374]

they were people misguided by as asshole

[@bootywarrior69420]

@@walrider7374 true

[@redkritter1225]

Luke Lim you’d be surprised how human someone can be in war. As much Shit as we give to war I’m sure the person behind the gun doesn’t want to shoot the man in front of him.

[@turTurdforlif3]

The salute gave me the strongest goosebumps I've ever felt

[@thatonekidwhositsinacorner8718]

Is that a good feeling or a bad feeling

[@thatonekidwhositsinacorner8718]

Oh ok

[@xloltimex38]

@@33ministries75 lmao

[@SmithMaximus]

@@33ministries75 I'm sure Christ would approve of using fear and a false sense of superiority in order to pressure people into your religion.

[@Quickxphos]

@@33ministries75 jesus christ

[@mrc4912]

Goes to show that even the horrors of war do not destroy the humanity in some people. A salute to the chivalry of this pilot and may God bless him.

[@Mixail747]

Just stay human. Even in the times of war.

[@neinnein9306]

The spared crew came back to bomb Germany. So as a German I like the story too, but with mixed feelings.

[@daveykonijnenberg951]

Easier said then done

[@johnmance6031]

Well spoken Sir

[@acealinka489]

@Johny2bikes Wrongdoing yourself doesn't make it unhappen just because someone else did it more or more often wrong than you. Sure, the enemy did more often and worse perhaps, but yours will still remain as flaw and will make any later soap operas that try to indicate that your side was pure less believable. At least if some people dare to ask questions or want to do that, no matter from which side they are from. At the end, all sides should just admit their own wrongdoings and look into the future, as past misdeeds can't ever be reverted or restored 1:1 but offer potential to learn from it. Sounds more easier than done though, even in 2019.

[@dragoonTT]

In the end it doesn't matter how many were killed but that innocent people lost lives. We all lose touch of this, Dresden once the capital of Saxony, a beautiful city full of culture destroyed. It's people burned to the sidewalks and what lay left of the stone buildings. When I personally visited Hiroshima I didn't care about the death toll number. I seen a child's tricycle warped like soft spaghetti and a boys school uniform, brown and ripped. The brown was his blood, over the years it faded to this vial brown. Children's marbles melted and fused together. It was really disturbing. Sorry this has turned into a rant I just want people to be aware of the consequences of listening to others when they tell you to kill.

[@tootired76]

I was fortunate to meet both Charlie and Franz at an airshow in 2005. RIP Charlie and Franz...

[@easeafeacher9741]

Wow. 😍 Please tell me your story.

[@Jakub7009]

Yes, please tell us more!

[@robloxmaster6114]

Can you tell more?

[@SeedashLoud]

Wholesome count: YES

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

You LUCKY guy ! Meeting two true legends and "saints of war" . . .

[@mjb1357]

Imagine if they had an argument "I could have shot you down"-" You didn't have the balls"

[@Keshaire]

Lmao

[@tanamly]

Hahahahahahahahahhaha I'm sure they had it ! :D

[@chuckgrenci6404]

Pretty cold reply; these men were some of the bravest that ever lived.

[@3ftninja132]

God damn it 😂😂😂

[@benjamindeh873]

HAhahahaha you made my day X) hahaahahah

[@RoninIV_unleashed]

At the Portland Regional Office for the Veterans Benefits Administration, we have a poster depicting this signed by both Brown and Stigler. Even more astonishing, their uniform flight wings are also included in the framed painting commemorating this amazing story.

[@AA-ke5cu]

Send a picture of this item to Germany. So others may see honor and respect.

[@maximus7932]

B17:*badly damaged F. Stilger: understandable have a great day

[@chilablivia9467]

Maximus 😂😂😂

[@campkira]

the obj is done.. they don't need to kill you... alot of planefighter don't used to kill your enemy...

[@odarkaramli]

nice joke F.Stilger coming for ya

[@planestheplaneenjoyer]

war thunder noobs when they see terribly damaged aircraft hahahaa machine gun go brrr

[@irotschopf7135]

More like F. Stigler: "Tja, verstehe. Einen schönen Tag noch!"

[@loicbruyneel9754]

This story should be illegal. It's too wholesome.

[@AdrianHepburn-vz9yr]

Apparently at the time it was.

[@briansinger5258]

They played soccer on Christmas. People don’t want to fight. Banks just like money.

[@imanidiot7709]

Happy Thanos shut the fuck up

[@MrOceMcCool]

Ttvadamiscool20 Idk just a meme

[@VladimirLenin1312]

Loïc Bruyneel not all Germans are crazy nazis

[@Flacooo]

alright boys who’s cutting those damn onions again

[@rabinnag7296]

LOL

[@Wolfboy_109]

Le ninja: U SAW NOTHING

[@thomasmatthewson8967]

Sorry was making some SPHAGGET

[@reddatyoshi3773]

*hides cut onion* YOU AINT SAW NOTHING

[@jettusrey8170]

Sorry I think that’s my body Oder 😂

[@slaaneshgod]

This video is beautiful and proof that a soldier in any war is just someone doing their job and protecting their home and way of life. I'm Soo very glad they got to reconnect and became friends.

[@khai2585]

"No bullets fly, spared by his mercy. Escorted out. Out of harms way." And one thing. Stigler wouldve gotten the iron cross if he shot the B17 down. He never did.

[@dennisp.2147]

Franz Stigler already had 27 kills, as well as the Iron Cross 1st class. He missed the RitterKreuz (knight's cross) by failing to shoot down the B-17

[@llllukaz]

Honor, my friend

[@blindtruth4614]

What is a medal compared to honor?

[@northerntier87]

Some medals truthfully earned with good intentions for a good deed done mean something. But some Medals mean nothing... nothing will ever replace your friends.

[@oscarcraven8696]

@@blindtruth4614 I don't know much but I'm pretty sure that the iron cross was like the 2nd best you could get

[@pringles4312]

And this is what the internet is meant for...

[@Raczoon]

I thought the internet is for porn.

[@attilaneuhof9454]

@Kevin Pickford pfff..

[@davidschmidt6013]

Good point, sir.

[@acmramon]

:)) yes, you don t know if something is true or false , that is the internet:))) anybody can say anything

[@jimhughes1962]

Acm Ramon ~ And before the Internet did you used to believe that everything you saw and read was true? I confess that I did tend to; it was the world I was raised in. One of the best things about the Internet is that we can immediately research something we think is questionable, and because we are now more aware that misinformation can be easily disseminated-now more than ever-we no longer simply believe everything we see and read.

[@rafterrafter5320]

What an honorable man,this German pilot is; Amazing story that brought tears to my eyes!😌

[@nwmonk3105]

Let's not be fooled. Most early German Pilots (and English) were indeed true Gentleman. Lords and Nobles. There is no honor in killing a wounded foe. As time went on, the caliber of the pilots decreased to just cut-throats. Hardly an honor there.

[@burnotto1663]

My eyes are behaving so to right now

[@rudrakshmishra2761]

me too

[@Dr.K.Wette_BE]

The honorable part is to escort the bomber, hoping the flack wouldn't shoot. In fact he risked his live. So it is not "an honorable man", it is a hero.

[@L4sket]

@@nwmonk3105 Except this story happened in 1943, when the US already executed bombing raids. Most definitely not an early pilot.

[@Frisher1]

Yarnhub has come so far, from 2D animations to 3D high quality ones, very nice

[@andrewdavies1312]

My grandad was responsible for 35 downed German planes in ww2. Still to this day holds the record as worst mechanic the Luftwaffe ever had

[@funybirbman3813]

Nice

[@Shibby7634]

Top 10 funniest things I've ever read on the internet. And there is a LOT of stuff on the internet.

[@moomoowillie9061]

they had us in the first half not gonna lie

[@keeganolsen1616]

Old meme

[@ImThatGuy500BC]

Im dead u deserve money for this

[@TheZenStar16]

No bullets fly, spared by his mercy Escorted out, out of harms way. He risked his life two times that day To save an unknown enemy Escort to safety, out of the killzone A short salute, then departed. Fly, fighting fair, it’s the code of the air.

[@TailcoatGames]

R/unexpectedSabaton except not really kinda expected

[@lemonmanoftexas6892]

you are both quoting sabaton and you are right

[@acrispywaffleiron4014]

BROTHERS! HEROES! FOES!

[@giornogiovanna9635]

@@acrispywaffleiron4014 KILLING MACHINE honour in the skies

[@davidic550]

He risked his life Two times that day To save an unknown enemy

[@warspitentr1122]

Stigler: so Brown..... remember the time I almost shot you down? Brown: yeah, good times

[@maruftim]

lmao

[@TubeYouGuru]

Brown: I do. I remember bombing your house just before you let me go

[@tonyaviles5308]

Yeah, right that is crazy how life turns out. Thank God for compassion

[@paulzki8456]

LOL

[@julianphilipp4481]

Hahaha

[@justaregularguy5893]

Respect for both pilots. Only the real BRAVE people let their enemy go free when enemy is so weak to fight back.

[@karanrana1985]

Everyone liked that, because that's what heroes do. I'm crying.

Heroes spare killers who bomb civilian cities of his own nation? He’s a traitor.

[@karanrana1985]

traitors can't be heroes?

[@PatD17th]

Every soldier is a human, when They are not able to fight anymore You should have mercy and help them.

[@harharhahrahrharo]

@@PatD17th that does not always work

[@talaverajr391]

@ you dumbass. Mercy is a gift not something that is deserved. If he decided to show mercy that doesnt mean hes a traitor because he still fought for his army.

[@discordadmin9796]

As a wise man once said "Fly, fighting fair, it's the code of the air"

[@istvanbarath6333]

Fuckin' finally! I've been scrolling for a hot minute right now, but couldn't find any lyrics

[@ijnisus6273]

Brothers heroes foes

[@coffee637]

Sabaton...no bullets fly. Great song.

[@samarvora7185]

Killing machine!

[@DarthNoox]

Thunder in the sky!

[@chloefan1]

This is so wholesome. Deserves a spot in a "videos that restore my faith in humanity" playlist

[@theamphibinator]

what are some of the other vids on the list? My faith in humanity is long gone and I need some help 😅

[@2MeterLP]

Until you remember that plane just came back from dropping bombs on a city.

[@chloefan1]

@@2MeterLP Lmao, you're right XD

[@jimmym3352]

It's a short playlist. awesome story and as much as I love WW2 history I've never heard of this. I mostly read stuff over the overall battles not the individual fighters.

[@James-2248]

Two of my ancestors died flying B17s

[@tinachandler3091]

You guys did a great collaboration with Sabaton "No Bullets Fly" depicting this true story. The book about this event "A Higher Calling" is also a epic read

[@johnmartin4332]

A Higher Call is a recent book written about this story. A really good read.

[@Bobby11567]

Thanks I was trying to find the name😂

[@PETERODZZ]

Am going to find that book

[@caseyspruill1410]

@@PETERODZZ It was the best book I have ever read. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. It would make a awesome movie.

[@othertipo]

Is not a 'recent book, I saw it somewhere 5 years ago.

[@minecrafter4623]

Trav now I want to find that book.

[@Electrified_14]

I dont know why, but this video brought tears to my eyes.

[@rogerverdun9158]

Me too----

[@rodneymunch3002]

@@rogerverdun9158 If you search KZbin for "Stigler - War Thunder Short Film" you'll find an excellent recreation of this event, always brings a tear to my eye.

[@PeterB12345]

Me too! Both of my German grandmothers always told me stories from the war years, so this act of kindness hits close to home.

[@RyuTakeru]

Same bud

[@iwatcher69]

Justin Hommel me three

[@mariebcfhs9491]

"If I see you shot down an enemy in parachute, I'll shoot you myself" -Gustav Rödel, commanding officer of Stigler, JG-27 "We are knights, not butchers" -Red Baron P/S thank you for reminding me of Rödel

[@georgeoesterle9503]

The first quote was actually Stigler's previous commanding officer in JG-27. It's quoted in the book.

[@jpj77263]

Good quotes. BTW, that Luftwaffe officer wasn't unkown, it was Gustav Rödel, then of 4./JG 27.

[@mariebcfhs9491]

@@jpj77263 he was unknown to me, lol, because I'm stupid 😂😂😂

[@dgray3771]

In particular, the Luftwaffe but also the Falshirmjagers were pretty much honourable men. Also up in the sky, it is not just the enemy you fight, but also your more often than not "experimental" planes capabilities.

[@funnythrush2891]

always thought it was strange not to shoot a pilot with a parachute on enemy territory, he would then board a new plane and kill you its ok on your territory so he would be in captivity, but if he got cahnce to escape and comeback to kick your ass after ,mb this quite logical to shoot him down

[@jerryalbus1492]

Looking back, Yarnhub has vastly improved throughout the years on their animation

[@klorgmakthesmasher6446]

It's enough to make a grown man cry.

[@sunnyjim1355]

I actually did get a lump in my throat and shed a tear. I'm so grateful that I didn't have to live through such awful times (yet).

[@dustfoxyt]

And that’s ok

[@renecordova6349]

An Honorable German pilot... I salute this man!

[@devilous_4374]

Sunny Jim Why tf did you end that with a “yet” lol

[@crazedhark5200]

@@sunnyjim1355 we will soon........

[@makukawakami]

No bullets fly, spared by his mercy Escorted out, out of harm's way

[@somedane8879]

I see you’re a man of culture as well

[@parkanyipeter3077]

Fly, fighting fair, it's the code of the air,

[@cebu_859heavy2]

@@parkanyipeter3077 Brothers, heroes, foes!

[@hellhedgehog2560]

@@cebu_859heavy2 Killing machine, thunder in the sky B-17, flying home

[@cebu_859heavy2]

@@hellhedgehog2560 Killing machine said goodbye to the cross he deserved

[@linkkicksu]

Sometimes people forget that just because a soldier fights for his country, it doesn't mean he fights for the ideology.

[@ti-lo5hy]

Yeah like that one time I hit my mom because chauvinism was right. Serves her right.

[@johnwicksfoknpencil]

puhfrugherter Plot twist: *he was just out of ammo*

[@LMGunslinger]

Live and let live to fire bomb Dresden another day.

[@harrykrumpacker871]

@@LMGunslinger And kill thousands more innocent civilians and refugees fleeing a Communist onslaught. That's pretty noble right? Look what Europe, the UK, United States got out of that deal - millions of invaders, and the hastened end to "Western Civilization". Soon the whole World will be a "third World" (save Israel of course).

[@edgarorozco3513]

@@harrykrumpacker871 yes. Unfortunately

[@spacemanjupiter]

That's a fantastic story. I wish we could hear more stories like this from both sides because you know they are out there, or were out there when many of these people were still alive. Sadly, almost all of them are now gone.

[@edfreak9001]

As awful as war is, it makes these small moments of humanity that much more extraordinary.

[@iLuvBillGates]

@100,000 videos with no subs =)

[@nightstorm5914]

in the 1. WW the british and german soldiers stopped shooting at each other on christmas in 1914, singing christmas songs, play soccer and had also small time of peace before their commanders commanded then to shot each other again

[@zillentdelta1339]

@Blasian Babies in which is an unfair fight,i mean sure he killed but Its pretty unfair that other pilot cant fight back if i were the B-17 i would crash right into you "if im going down,im taking you down with me"

[@uncannyvalley2350]

Hitler was a bolshevik, handed half of europe to Russia, also sent european jewry to palestine, as promised by rabbi crool in 1812. All of isr43ls PMS come from communist nations in eastern europe. All our leaders are related. They're about to play out the same script in America

[@kartvelianmapping808]

@@uncannyvalley2350 and lenin was a monarchist.

[@davej-r9153]

It just goes to show it's politicians who want wars not the men under them. Respect to Franz Stigler.

[@XxthetanklordxX]

Yeah no. Fuck the entire wehrmaht and the entire luftwaffe.

[@martynphillips8805]

Freaky Cheeky fuck you too. As a Brit I have full respect for Franz Stigler, they didn’t have a choice y’know. Shame you weren’t in the war, you’d see your arrogance much differently.

[@nikiwiki2006]

Dave J-R Bullshit!

[@davej-r9153]

@@nikiwiki2006 You research it and then give me your opinion.

[@LowRes_Corgi56]

Freaky Cheeky i think you don't know that the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe was different than the Waffen-SS so shut the fuck up

[@sooline3854]

There's a great book out there named "A Higher Call" about this, and it follows Stigler through the war.

[@erzierzi9132]

I have read the german version of it (eine höhere Pflicht). I can only recommend it, amazing book Greetings from Austria

[@bluehornet197]

And who is the author? There is like 16 books with that title and i dont want to have to order 16 books for just one XD i would love to read the book Edit: all good i found the book and i just bought it off eBay

[@AhsanKhan1998]

@@bluehornet197 So who is the author?

[@bluehornet197]

@@AhsanKhan1998 Adam Makos and Larry Alexander just type into google "a higher call" it should be the top result

[@brianshissler3263]

Im halfway through it now

[@mrgeneass4670]

Incredible display of honor and humanity. This story brings a tear to my eye.

[@triggeredcrusadar1915]

I remember my grampa telling me how he as a german soldier (was forced into the army) ran into a American soldier they were both aiming at each other for about a minute or so when they finally lowered their guns, my grandpa noticed that the American soldier was wounded so he walked over to him with his hands in the air and handed him some bandages and some water and told him his name with his limited english skills, so they could someday meet again, he also told me that that one minute felt like an hour. Sadly they never met again after that

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

*sadness noises* i hope they meet in heaven someday.............. not wishing death on them, but i hope that when or if they have passed, they see each other again.

[@bleachsupreme3106]

I hope they still meet...

[@WarPigstheHun]

Why would jewish people hold a grudge against someone in the Luftwaffe?

[@xfilesfoxisdead7979]

There are many stories like this. Also between american and japanese soldiers

[@felipesubiabre314]

@@WarPigstheHun because of propaganda and the general notion of the Nazi regime

[@faviancastillo7915]

Let me just remind you. Both of these men where at war before they knew each other. One act of kindness. Humanity. Ends all war

[@alibouk227]

@White Aus pretty sure the bomber was murican. Unless that guy has European origins.

[@ronsauceify]

Justice and right or wrong. Are all subjective.

[@blazingbuizel7194]

I’m pretty sure in this specific case Hitler shooting himself ended the war, but alright

[@faviancastillo7915]

@@blazingbuizel7194 im pretty sure that its most likely someone shot hitler. And to cover for him. Lied. But ok

[@blackknight2275]

"You are bad guy, But that does not mean you are bad guy"

[@theamphibinator]

Wreck it Ralph quote never fit better

[@joedemelfie5509]

as Ralph jumps free from the evil king bug mutant into the candy land volcano... " I may be bad and that's okay because that's me and their no other person I would rather be than me. " turned to hero to sacrifice himself to save a world and friend. people can choose to not be bad evil and be good even when all else is evil around. I agree. nice thought. I was just thinking wreck it Ralph when I saw this comment. nice.

[@thebadguy9058]

Exactly.

[@Anemoia22]

@@mrteargas8692 Wreck it Ralph definitely didn't come out 24 years ago

[@xero8865]

@@Anemoia22 you must be young huh?

[@marconarvaez9871]

I remember subscribing when this dropped out. One of the first 600, I think. It really is great to see how much better you guys got!

[@housesports000]

Charlie Brown: * literally about to get shot down * Franz Stigler: *im about to save this man’s whole career*

[@lincolnclay8514]

Mr Orange yo😂

[@yoga5631]

Literally XD

[@PK88.]

This is underrated af

[@zacjohnson452]

Mr Orange YOU’RE BREATHTAKING

[@TylerLL2112]

Well done.

[@linkprettyass3707]

The worst thing you can do during war is losing your humanity, in my opinion

[@bigoldoints8550]

Link Pretty Ass yeah have you ever seen the unsung of the battlefield 1 prologue

[@filipecarvalho3467]

Killing people is what, then?

[@linkprettyass3707]

@@filipecarvalho3467 the orders to kill don't come from the soldiers themselves, they come from upset old men sitting on a couch watching the war as if it were TV. Remember that all soldiers are still human and I'm sure most feel terrible for taking someone else's life

[@cyclops9750]

Big ol Doints 🤣🤣

[@bobbyhill5067]

@@linkprettyass3707 sad thing is, wars like this will continue to happen until the very end of humanity; you cannot prevent this no matter what good people do unfortunately... This is due to human nature of Men and Women alike

[@vinnyperrotta3954]

These are the types of stories that give you faith in humanity, and it made my day 👍

[@tash5540]

I think bad has its limit and will be faded away in the future. There will always be something new negative in society, but every generation has its own problems forever. Unless of course we evolve humans past the point, which is unlikely.

[@judeivanguevarra1687]

@@tash5540 evil has no limits, but also the good that people can do is unlimited, it's almost a balance

[@panzergrav7661]

Yeah especially after killing 27 pilots that is...

[@recurf7492]

you do realize the American plane dropped bombs on German houses......

[@pappyodanial]

I mean at the end of the day he was a Nazi, so I think perhaps humanity is not the right word out of respect for the Jews.

[@bigboymuslim9272]

This is the beggining of Yarnhub's legendary legacy...

[@mitchelllewis6501]

“A higher call” written by Adam Makos. Best book I have ever read !

[@robbalinski1606]

Thanks for mentioning the book, i just bought it to read.

[@BBCKT]

I bought it on audio and it a truly amazing story.

[@georgeburns7251]

But it is ok to fire bomb civilians.

[@jeremiahdauphinais7186]

My father gave me that book probably five years ago with extremely high recommendation. I never read it. I just went to my book shelf and pulled it off. I appreciate your comment; I'm going to read it now!

[@billclearwater2783]

already read it

[@aleksandrkaspar5458]

Note, the German pilot Franz Stigler was signaling the b17 to fly to Sweden which was closer and neutral, but Charlie didn’t seem to understand

[@darthtrump4428]

@@Dirtysouth210210 yah like america with oil

[@MnmChoco]

you mean Switzerland, not Sweden.

[@yay6669]

@@Dirtysouth210210 u know selling things doesn'T make you on their side ? they were neutral .... so if injured soldiers from US came there they wouldn't be given back to Germany and vice versa

[@Lardum]

@@Dirtysouth210210 and? That's kinda the point of neutrality. Sell to both sides and make fat stacks Well and not be bombed to dust I guess

[@aleksandrkaspar5458]

So went and reread a higher call, at first he signals them to land in Germany, then when the get to the coast he points east and mouths sweden but they don’t understand pg206 first edition

[@larysa2stylin]

"Professionals have standards"

[@MajorCrits404]

Ah yes I see you are a man of culture as well

[@sulphurous2656]

Be polite.

[@leftymcshotty4784]

Be efficient

[@carteriffic1681]

Have a plan to kill everyone you meet!

[@carteriffic1681]

(Music)

[@comatosofico]

Events like this and the Christmas truce of 1914 during WW1, are the only times when the only casualty is war itself, showing it actually has no purpose at all, a message strong as the song "Imagine" by John Lennon, and still as touching

[@Misquif]

@ Sadly, even doing that wouldn't do anything.

[@IrelandVonVicious]

That song is a steaming pile of crap.

[@joshuakorynta3385]

Your post was good until you brought in the worst Beatle.

[@Skyfoogle]

@@IrelandVonVicious I see lennon's counter culture masterpiece continues to make all the correct people mad

[@IrelandVonVicious]

@@Skyfoogle It's a song about theft. It's easy to be correct. Notice he never let the world share in all his wealth when he was alive. I can't stand the CIA made counter culture made for hypocrites. It should make more people mad.

[@Tom_The_Cat]

There's a reason B-17s are called 'Flying Fortress'

[@Lil_lit_Bruh]

it will need a lot of heavy firepower to bring it down

[@codyhernandez791]

Nothing at all but in War Thunder it just takes a few rounds to bring it down in RB

[@Lil_lit_Bruh]

@@codyhernandez791 Confused screaming

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@Lil_lit_Bruh oof.

[@Vickzq]

But when it was hit by german 30mm explosive shells, 1-2 well placed shots were still enough...

[@Filip-ts6rs]

The BF-109 spared the B-17 because he knows the high Silver Lion repair costs.

[@enqui2813]

😂

[@hetzerrush5491]

loooool

[@koencagurangan3256]

As someone who plays war thunder, I felt that

[@CallmeRoth]

German playerss have no heart or soul though....

[@gartenlarry4167]

He didn't want to kill steal

[@martinroner5688]

"Fly, fighting fair, that's the code of the air." Sabaton

[@georgioskantzas7122]

ahhh man best song ever

[@Samuel-ut7mj]

Jack Knight KILLING MACHINE!

[@eyelesskidd]

good job wasn't a German with a Polish fighter pilot in behind....dead meat

[@junfocen2610]

Honor in the sky, B-17 Flying Home

[@teitokuharu2144]

Killing machine Said goodbye to the cross he deserved

[@chrishenning8829]

You will not always be the smartest person in the room, and you will not always be the strongest, funniest, or most talented, but you can always be brave, and can always be kind, and these are the things you should be every minute of every day for the rest of your life. Because those other things, they're great things, but these things are better.

[@xenobytefbi]

I thought some "wise guy" will appear here, in comments, and tell that "what means brave without the smart" or something like that, and i'm very happy that i didn't find such a person. I'm supporting this comment of Chris Henning at 100%.

[@Leadblast]

You know, I realize it now that I'm in my forties, that it takes bigger bravery to put down the gun than to use it and fire at the guy fighting for the other flag. I've come to understand this. Maybe that's why God doesn't care about all our petty wars... He already noticed we are all fragile humans living on the same planet.

[@asiff60000fx]

dear Hollywood instead of making stupid superhero films make this Heroes story as a film

[@Utuber209]

But then Merica may not want to go to war the next time D.C. tells them we must.

[@jayferguson9968]

Can you imagine the silliness that'd have to be included just to be on the table to be considered? Too many white people, and America has to be the villain somehow. Maybe if most of the crew were black, and the pilot had a change of heart after seeing the horror that he'd done to the poor oppressed German people...?

[@alexb6821]

That would be a pretty short film

[@frankanderson5012]

W.A. B Quite the opposite. There's a book out about this amazing event and this part only covers a fraction of the whole story. The German pilots life before, during and after the war, is worth the read alone never mind how both of them tried to search for the other and how they eventually succeeded. I believe they are looking into doing a movie about this, though I doubt they would do it justice.

[@lethalexponent6]

What would most the movie be about

[@bunbun4629]

As cruel as the world is *This sure shines a light.*

[@jasoncarto]

Only in the deepest darkness to stars shine brightest

[@k.w.churchill4397]

I have a print of the two planes, signed by both men. Was a gift from a old friend.

[@adamhlali8106]

That object is priceless. It should be in a museum of war and respect... Ehm. I did not write worthless as I was super tired. Nope. Ignore all the comments below that say "I think he means priceless".

[@gewalfofwoofia8263]

Treasure it, for as long as you hold it.

[@redsampler2017]

@@adamhlali8106 ?

[@The27Spartan]

@@redsampler2017 I think he means priceless

[@redsampler2017]

@@The27Spartan i think so too, as he says worthless and then says bring it to a museum. but maybe has another explaination im curious about.

[@thegenerousdegenerate9395]

Must be dusty in here, my damn eyes won't stop watering.

[@havefuntazarasu5367]

Its the damn ninja cutting onion

[@jamesm.1467]

Has all the makings of a great motion picture if it were done right

[@jamesm.1467]

@@myamericanpeople I know, ain't that the truth...but wishful thinking....still a great story though...

[@zyibesixdouze4863]

already is a thing

[@tanamly]

This man deserves his place in history, and should be known to all.

[@vxy357]

Put it on the hallmark channel or Pureflix.

[@tash5540]

Remake time

[@jdbolick]

Small acts of kindness help to bind us together when other elements seek to tear us apart. Thanks for telling this story.

[@Yarnhub]

War is insane

[@American_2]

Not sure if this was a small act.

[@argh100100]

'Small acts of kindness' XD

[@alamp7640]

I wouldn't consider this a small act considering the pilot couldn't of been executed for treason if anyone found out that he allowed a B-17 to fly home

[@stuartd9741]

@@alamp7640 what the German pilot gesture treasonous then? I've never been in the forces so just asking.

[@DarthKanye]

Wow. So wholesome. Who doesn’t love these wonderful war stories?

[@cvdheyden]

Rest in peace good old fellas. Greetings from Frankfurt Germany.

[@Spamton800]

Rest in peace...

[@TheRealAverageName]

Yo I’m in Frankfort Illinois lol

[@cvdheyden]

@@TheRealAverageName Greetings mate!

[@two-moonz2953]

Greetings and much respect from Toronto Canada.🇨🇦🇩🇪

[@Spamton800]

Hello from Russia! (I'm not russian. I'm live in Russia)

[@madirishman9240]

Killing him and his crew would have been just another story, letting them go, made it a legend. There is no glory in killing a helpless.

[@chilablivia9467]

Mad Irishman i know man

[@ianhing]

@Nassim Z soldiers, good or bad, have to follow orders

[@GabrielAlves-fw7bj]

@Nassim Z Vietnam , I would say more about the 1 million deaths as LAST RESORT NVA tactic 1 mi deaths man , 1 MILLION , against 50 thousand , not fair in the sligthest , of course brutality was given on the hordes that kept coming

[@GabrielAlves-fw7bj]

@Nassim Z It was NVA fault tho , THEY started the war , not the US , or SV , the 1 million deaths of theirs were their fault , buuuuuuuuut since ChayNA was acting cocky , she later got dunked on

[@GabrielAlves-fw7bj]

@Nassim Z The NVA attacked SV , and initiated gerilla and civil warfare among a US ally . Even though it was the cold war , pollitically the US never liked allies attacked

[@endrizo]

incredible by todays standards...the war has lots of incredible stories. more have to see the light.

[@orangepants5749]

Sounds too good to be true. Pilot survival rate was pretty low at that time. Someone should pull the wwii flight records for the german pilot to confirm whether he was actually stationed anywhere around and whether he was flying that day. He might have excourted someone else on a different day. Or we can just leave it as is - a nice story to tell...

[@JamesJohnson-xu4jo]

P

[@Antareancommunsim]

@@JamesJohnson-xu4jo o

[@bonnyjar9374]

@@orangepants5749 I’ve seen a picture of them together

[@orangepants5749]

@@bonnyjar9374 oh sorry, the guys are obviously real. I meant to say that I wasn't sure if they were actually the two pilots that interacted with each other in WWII - it just seemed like too much of a coincidence to me. But someone here mentioned that they knew some details that nobody else would. I guess that makes it plausible.

[@midnight8031]

Crazy to see how far Yarnhub’s animation went.

[@GunsNGames1]

Brave pilots, both deserved and lived a long life. Heroes of war.

[@dinethaltmann9582]

@johnmann don't cut yourself, my friend

[@ZachCremisiSky]

They did live long lives. The German got married to a girl he knew from his comrades and moved to Canada. The bomber pilot returned to US. Both meet when they were old.

[@OMK11]

Nothing honorable about war and neither it is honorable of those fighting it for destruction.

[@mortenbund1219]

@Hernando Malinche It was hit by AA fire and had to turn off one engine and fell behind the formation, it never bombed anyone.

[@ggerely]

@@OMK11 Nothing honourablef if drafted in by their rulers whim and trying to stay alive and acting as humanly as possible? Think again mate..

[@laylobinson5839]

Gives to show that even in War, not all Humanity is lost. Depends on each person. Much respect for the German Pilot.

[@Jellyfishbrainz]

Reminds me of the downed pilot hiding in a barn when a German search party was looking for him one of the soldiers saw him and kept walking instead of turning him in.

[@hectichive889]

Nicholas McKinney, Really? Dang. Is there an article or video on this?

[@des6801]

Nicholas McKinney yea I would I like to read or watch about this as well

[@bart99gt]

Lay Lobinson My grandfather was a guard at a stateside POW camp during WW2. He told me something when I was a teenager that has stuck with me to this day about the German soldiers he guarded. “They were all a bunch of boys, many of them about my age, that fought because they were told to do it. But when I talked to them, I realized that most of them were not much different than me, had no hate or resentment for our country and the people in it. It was just a terrible set of circumstances that had put everyone where they were. If some of them had just moved to the US in my neighborhood, I may have even been good friends with some of them.”

[@Jellyfishbrainz]

Destin Samuel It was from a History channel video before they went full ancient aliens.

[@lonewolf6080]

“He did not save our lives, he simply refused to take them”

[@danielgyllenbreider]

He probably didn´t save german civilian lives by letting that bomber go, either.

[@xinfinity8532]

Why is the german plan a lot smaller

[@rmo52]

@@xinfinity8532 The German plane is a fighter. The American plane is a heavy bomber. The scale here is accurate for this depiction.

[@dennisthebodeau8700]

But then the pilot went on to carpet bomb more civilians.

[@soundwave6083]

Actually he did save their lives by deciding to escort them across German flak positions.

[@sipsip3318]

im proud of how far this channel has gone

[@The_Gallowglass]

This wouldn't have happened if Snoopy had been there. Good grief. Seriously though, that German pilot was a true Knight.

[@iagree4686]

Ironicly if stigler shot down the B-17 he would of got the medal Knights cross

[@corymcgrath5652]

The comments section is as heartwarming as the story itself. Cheers on you all down below.

[@gerrywhelan5761]

Not the one's I an reading!

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

I went flying on a B17 last week and had a wonderful time. We had to fly from Australia to the USA to fly on it. The very best ride in a aeroplane ever.

[@kyleh3615]

Which one Aluminum Overcast comes by my local airport every year (Lewis University airport, Illinois) And two weeks ago I was visiting an airshow in Indiana and Nine O Nine was there (with Witchcraft, the B-24)

[@greshengaines7099]

👍🏽 sounds fun

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Kyle H , I went flying on the Ye Olde Pub with the Liberty Foundation, Inc. They also had a P51 there as well

[@Metalpanzerwolf]

I got to fly on Nine O Nine last year. It was awesome! Definitely one of those lifetime memories.

[@orcokiwo6703]

Greetings from Bolivia lucky fellow. 👍👍

[@sergei-monster-of-magadan9850]

So far you have come yarnhub.

[@mskiUSMC]

This shit brings tears to my eyes. Humanity in the middle of a war, where humanity is so rare... Give thanks... civilians... give thanks to veterans who offer their lives for yours. Rest in peace you two crazy pilots!

[@tiagomiller2060]

If you haven’t read the book on this- A Higher Call- you should. It goes into way more detail

[@asianbatmanjoker]

Hunni this was 6 minutes

[@ronnchase4872]

In the book A Higher Call (true story) the crew member nicknamed Frenchie was my doctors father. Great book watch for a movie coming one day.

[@cjtheevilghost5711]

It takes courage to spare an enemy soldiers life knowing that doing so could get you jailed and executed. That German pilot had such courage.

[@iUser3gs]

Or later come back to kill you. eg Hitler sparing the lives of british soldiers at Dunkirk.

[@moksih4329]

@@iUser3gs but huge diffrent to dunkirk. The bombers are above germany to bomb the civilians. Maybe the B17 destroyed a german Kindergarten and killed 200 children.

[@jebbsredemption]

@@moksih4329 ..isn't it against the Geneva Convention to.. destroy a large place explicitly for kids? franz' commander said if he shot parachuting troops, he would shoot him himself. do you think franz would bomb a fucking kindergarten? a sick person like that wouldn't save and esscort a stricken enemy plane. killing 200 helpless clueless kids isn't the kind of thing I would want on my resume if i was a german soldier

[@TheGreenTaco999]

@@jebbsredemption *lemme tell u bout these two cities in japan..*

[@ArcticWolf00Alpha0]

No country in war is innocent, not Germany, America, Russia or anyone. All countries have done really bloody stuff. The Geneva conventions were just rules to attempt to keep a countries publicity and a mans sanity.

[@its2point072]

Hard to believe I've already been following for 2 years. Time well spent

[@ueuedeplatano6931]

Did they just give heart to a comment after 2 years? Man that's effort.