To Rescue Mussolini by bmac62
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Description
Adolf Hitler sent Otto Skorzeny in one of these to rescue Benito Mussolini, his ally, from a mountain-top prison in Italy in 1943.
What is it? A Fieseler FI 156 C-2 Storch (Stork). This veteran is in the Heritage of Flight Collection belonging to Paul Allen in Everett, Washington.
Place in history: This bird-like plane with long over-hanging wings was aptly nicknamed the Storch (German for stork), because it featured folding wings to permit rail transportation to the front lines when necessary, as its top speed was slower than a train. In 1943 a Storch rescued Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from his mountain-top prison. In the closing days of WWII, as Berlin was besieged by Soviet troops, a lone Storch landed in the streets near the Brandenberg Gate to spirit away Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun, arriving too late, for by then they had committed suicide.
This aircraft: This is a true combat veteran, one of the few airworthy Storches in existence. It was manufactured in Germany in 1943 was used by the Luftwaffe in Occupied Europe and on the Russian Front. It was found in derelict condition in East Germany in the late 1980s and restored to a very high standard. It displays the Summer, 1943 Luftwaffe markings: a medium and dark green splinter pattern on its upper surfaces, with a light blue underside. The fuselage and wings carry the Balkenkreuz (black crosses), with the tail carrying the Hackenkreuz (swastika).
Bill:)
"Real Survivor ~ for Rob (debbielove)"
Comments (33)
blinkings
A wonderful photo and story Bill.
Richardphotos
excellent shot and outstanding information Bill
Meisiekind
Excellent POV Bill! Just an awesome image! :)
BertDes
Interesting capture and story.
vkoontz
One problem with the Storch is it ran hot under the cowl and frequently the lower panels were removed to improve air flow and in a few instances there were vapor lock problems.
durleybeachbum
It looks so fragile!
bazza
Nice shot of this plane Bill, well done!!
jendellas
I thought the same as Andrea & I wondered what Mussolini thought when that came to rescue him, still I suppose you are just glad to be rescued!!!!! Thanks for the history Bill!!!!
drace68
Great pic, Bill. The slotted leading edge of the wing shows well. Thanks also for the history lesson about the rescue. Had to read more details at Wiki. rescue
njb2000
Great shot, Lovely information!
helanker
It must be a very light plane and with these long wings it must almost have been able to float on the winds without the engine on. A beautiful capture.
auntietk
The pov on this is just outstanding. Excellent image!
kenmo
Nice capture Bill....!!!
Rainastorm
I'm wondering how to pronounce the word Fieseler. Excellent POV and capture as well as info Bill.
DAVER2112
Love this shot! Great pov and compo.
flavia49
excellent capture!!! the mountain-top prison was the Hotel Campo Imperatore at Campo Imperatore, a ski station on the Gran Sasso d'Italia, the highest peak of Apennine Mountain range, near L'Aquila where an earthquake hit last year.
Faemike55
Fantastic capture! Thanks for sharing it with us
RodS Online Now!
Great photo, Bill, I love the way the POV just leads the eye right into the plane's cockpit. They did an outstanding job restoring this one. I remember seeing a program some time ago on the History Channel where they talked about rescuing Mussolini from that prison. Still didn't end well for him..
wjames
Fantastic shot and information.
jocko500
wonderful looking shot. lot of imformation
MrsRatbag
Fantastic POV, and wonderful capture. You know your plane stuff, don't you? :o)
dbrv6
Stunning details and great capture
MagikUnicorn
COOOOL POV
sandra46
EXCELLENT CAPTURE!
watapki66
Excellent shot!
goodoleboy
Ach du lieber, love the POV, clarity, contrast and markings on this old timer, Bill! Your title reminded me of the movie, Tea with Mussolini. The last thing I remember about Il Duce is his corpse hanging upside down in the village square, being pelted by enraged Italians.
danapommet
Great POV up the wing like that. Thanks for the historical info. Dana
prutzworks
nice shot and interesting story
Buffalo1
Very cool plane and shot, Bill. Great history, too. A French factory continued to buld Storchs after the war as the "Cricket."
Kaartijer
This is awesome, lucky plane to be found by the right person! I remember when I was a child, I had in my garden a German motorcycle, a useless one of course, abandoned since the WWII, then my uncle took it to a metal recycling center...