WW II Enemies Discover 'Higher Call' | Drudge Retort

Monday, March 11, 2013

WW II Enemies Discover 'Higher Call'

The B-17 pilot, Charles Brown, was a 21-year-old West Virginia farm boy on his first combat mission. His bomber had been shot to pieces by swarming fighters, and his plane was alone in the skies above Germany. Half his crew was wounded, and the tail gunner was dead, his blood frozen in icicles over the machine guns. But when Brown and his co-pilot, Spencer "Pinky" Luke, looked at the fighter pilot again, something odd happened. The German didn't pull the trigger. He nodded at Brown instead. What happened next was one of the most remarkable acts of chivalry recorded during World War II. Years later, Brown would track down his would-be executioner for a reunion that reduced both men to tears.

Posted by jpw at 06:33 PM | 25 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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A genuinely great story with some interesting modern warfare questions addressed, albeit briefly.

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Personal attacks, profanity, abusive conduct and expressions of prejudice are not allowed. If you have comments about site moderation, contact the site publisher in email.

"You follow the rules of war for you -- not your enemy. You fight by rules to keep your humanity."

Really amazing story.

#1 | Posted by justanoversight at 2013-03-10 10:35 PM | Reply | Flag:

"That respect for the enemy's humanity typically starts at the top, some scholars say. A leader sets the tone, and the troops get the message."

Great story.

#2 | Posted by et_al at 2013-03-10 10:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

"That respect for the enemy's humanity typically starts at the top, some scholars say. "

Hitler?

#3 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-03-10 11:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

What is this bond that surfaces between enemies during and after battle?

It's something that scholars will never have. It's called Honor. There's something unspoiled about combat. It cleanses all. There's no gray area, no ACLU, no "fuzzy" feelings. It's just fighting to the death and the strongest wins. It's called being so scared you piss your pants and you still perform your duties.

#4 | Posted by boaz at 2013-03-11 11:16 AM | Reply | Flag:

The Pentagon recently announced it would award a new Distinguished Warfare Medal to soldiers who operate drones and launch cyberattacks. The medal would rank above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, two medals earned in combat.

There is no honor is safely playing a video game 1000 miles from the combat zone.

#5 | Posted by kanrei at 2013-03-11 11:22 AM | Reply | Flag:

#5....

There's a little bit of heart burn on that medal Kanrei amongst the cyber community here in the Army, of which I am a member....

#6 | Posted by boaz at 2013-03-11 11:24 AM | Reply | Flag:

Doesn't the Purple Heart mean you were wounded in combat? How can an act like being wounded in the line of duty for your nation be place beneath the act of playing Wizards of Wor with real life targets?

#7 | Posted by kanrei at 2013-03-11 11:28 AM | Reply | Flag:

"It's something that scholars will never have...."

Unless they fought in battle too, eh BOAZ? But let's not get in the way of knuckleheaded prejudice in order to make sort of a point...

"It's called Honor."

BATLH BIHEGHJAJ!!!!Something you earn by sitting for hours posting on Drudge Retort no doubt.

"There's something unspoiled about combat. It cleanses all."

Yeah, all those guys with PTSD and missing limbs, they feel soooo cleansed. They should do soap commercials.

"There's no gray area"

Because gray matter is usually not part of the equation.

"no ACLU"

Just like in Auschwitz

"no "fuzzy" feelings"

Only if the soldier used a fabric softener.

"It's just fighting to the death and the strongest wins."

actually, the smartest win. And there is also a fair amount of luck. But keep dreaming, RAMBO.

"It's called being so scared you piss your pants and you still perform your duties.

Kinda like a 80 year old post office retiree, wearing a fully loaded incontinence diaper, standing in line to collect his social security check?

#8 | Posted by kamakiri at 2013-03-11 11:35 AM | Reply | Flag:

So how many bombs did Brown drop on Germany after this?

#9 | Posted by Sully at 2013-03-11 01:02 PM | Reply | Flag:

I'm confused by the German but I admire him.

Maybe Brown elected to only teach flying after that day.

#10 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-11 06:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

I watched the British Historian David Irving's Q&A the other day. Whether you agree or disagree with him and his hardline views, you have to admit, he is one of the most knowledgeable, articulate and incredibly well researched people alive today on the subject Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich who actually interviewed the people surrounding Hitler and his inner circle.

www.youtube.com

#11 | Posted by AuntieSocial at 2013-03-11 07:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

Got a better story. My uncle Jack was in the British Merchant Marine in the Med. After one of their convoy was sunk, a German fighter started strafing the survivors in the water. Another German rolled in behind him and shot him down, did a slow victory roll over the remaining ships, as the sailors stood and cheered, and flew off.

He was sunk 3 times and became an alcoholic, which made for some great shore leave stories.

#12 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-11 07:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

It's something that scholars will never have. It's called Honor.

I Can't wait to find out Boaz has been sharing coffee with some jihadist who planted the IED that blew up his comrades.

#13 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-11 07:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

It's something that scholars will never have. It's called Honor. There's something unspoiled about combat.

One can only be honorable if they've experienced combat?

#14 | Posted by jpw at 2013-03-11 09:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

Got a better story.

I've never read it on the intertubes so I don't believe it.

#15 | Posted by jpw at 2013-03-11 09:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

One can only be honorable if they've experienced combat?

No, I didn't say that.

It's a phenom that Alpha's in our society share. Beta's wouldn't understand.

#16 | Posted by boaz at 2013-03-11 09:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

Boaz, what's up with the Army these days? Does everyone get the Bronze Star and make E-6 in two years now, or what?

#17 | Posted by madscientist at 2013-03-11 10:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

It's a phenom that Alpha's in our society share. Beta's wouldn't understand.

LOL

#18 | Posted by jpw at 2013-03-11 10:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

#18 | Posted by jpw

I was hoping someone would laugh at that one...:)

Boaz, what's up with the Army these days? Does everyone get the Bronze Star and make E-6 in two years now, or what?

Not everyone. Bronze stars in a combat zone are like AAM's to anyone over the rank of MAJ. And there are time commitments to making E-6 now. When I was enlisted, I made E-6 in six years..

#19 | Posted by boaz at 2013-03-11 10:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

It's a phenom that Alpha's in our society share. Beta's wouldn't understand.

#16 | Posted by boaz

I'm sure those guys who shot up Iraqi families in Hadith were honorable alphas.

#20 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-11 10:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

I've never read it on the intertubes so I don't believe it.

#15 | Posted by jpw

You just did, so know you know it is true. :)

#21 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-11 10:37 PM | Reply | Flag:

"There is no honor is safely playing a video game 1000 miles from the combat zone."

There was a USAF finance NCO who recently received a Bronze Star. For having served as a finance NCO in Afghanistan. As far as I'm concerned, that makes the medal meaningless. Hopefully it was not awarded for people who had actually participated in combat operations.

#22 | Posted by madbomber at 2013-03-11 11:38 PM | Reply | Flag:

Well if anyone cares there's a really good book about WWII and Japanese Prison Camps...

Unforgiven: A WWII Story of survival, Resilience, and Redemption

#23 | Posted by DavetheWave at 2013-03-12 08:16 AM | Reply | Flag:

Maybe Brown elected to only teach flying after that day.

#10 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-11 06:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

The only clue the article really gives is that it says this was his 1st combat mission. Which would indicate there were others.

#24 | Posted by Sully at 2013-03-12 11:20 AM | Reply | Flag:

Sully came up with point I wanted to make.

It's one thing to shoot down a plane at a distance, another to shoot someone looking you in the eye, apparently defenseless, as was the case in this episode

Yet pilots, and others, are trained during war time that an enemy who survives today will kill tomorrow. Stigler knew this but could not bring himself to do his duty. Sure, he's a hero to those Americans, but what about those in Dresden?

It's a great, emotional story, but not without its issues.

Crisis

#25 | Posted by CrisisStills at 2013-03-12 12:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

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