"But is he safe"??? by neiwil
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Description
In the Summer, leading into Autumn 1940, Adolph Galland shot down 21 Spitfires, 3 Blenheims and 1 Hurricane.( All confirmed by RAF records)Along with Werner Molders, Galland was called to Goerings private train to receive another medal.Goering stated "Experience has proved that, especially with technically highly developed arms such as tanks and aircraft, the men who control these machines are far more important than the machines themselves.The aircraft which we shoot down can be easily replaced by the English, but not the pilots.What would you think of an order to shoot down pilots who were bailing out"? Gallands reply was instant," I should regard it as murder and I would do everything in my power to disobey such an order"! Goering grunted and said "That is just the reply I expected from you Galland, in World War One similar thoughts had cropped up but were just as strongly rejected by the fighter pilots".
Across the Channel the same subject arose, Sir Hugh Dowding, C-in-C RAF Fighter Command was addressing squadron and flight leaders.Having praised their efforts and after cautioning of the struggle still to come, he went on "This is perhaps a convenient time to mention the ethics of shooting at air crews who have bailed out in parachutes.Germans descending over England are prospective prisoners-of-war and, as such, should be considered immune from this practice.On the other hand, British pilots descending over England are still potential combatants.Much indignation has been expressed at the fact that some German pilots have fired on our descending airmen.It is my opinion that they are perfectly entitled to do so, but I am glad to say that in the majority of cases they have refrained".
Well another pile of pixels reach for the sky, Stan has been working double shifts painting these things, including some very nice 'Tigers'..
Well back in work tomorrow, may take one of the P-40's for a photo shoot, I need something for the box art.I'll let you know how that 'pans out'.Tomorrow also sees my return to F-in-L's, Karen has been very understanding, letting me have my days off 'off'.Have to admit, it's only been two days but I miss her....she usually goes to bed first, so it's nice and warm when I go up :-)
Catch you later....
Comments (14)
papy2
Great work and interesting story. Thanks
flavia49
wonderful image and story
steelrazer
I'd say that it's all up in the air still. Another really nice render, Neil! I like these desert flavored ones that you are doing. Great work.
UVDan
Beautiful scene and I always love the history lessons!
bmac62
Your writing leaves me feeling like I've just been listening to these conversations...72 years removed. Like your render sir:)
Penters
I'd read the Galland / Goeing conversation before, but I'be never heard of the Dowding one. I must say it's very interesting. Cheers for that Neil, and for the render too.
jac204
Interesting history. Thanks for sharing.
Maxidyne
Thanks for telling this Neil. This is a very interesting story mate and one that brings up many thoughts for discussion. I've not heard the Dowding side before. Excellent image too!
debbielove
It is very noteworthy who did and did not shot at parachutists.. Reading often helps, and its sad to say, those that entered the war years after it started did not often abide by these rules at first.. The Japanese were....well we'll leave that there... Acts of extreme mercy and courage were often acted out over Europe.. German fighters escorted B-17's home.. (yes its true!).. Anyway enough... Read folks and you'll uncover more.. Great render mate.. Well done, just make sure YOU take the P-40 up and not Tailspin lol Rob
fly028
Excelent!! Both image and text :-)!!
AliceFromLake
Interesting story and a very fine picture. Goering was a braggart and without brave pilots like Galland the story of German Luftwaffe would have been more dramatic.
GrandmaT
Fantastic work!
T.Rex
Beautiful job, Neil. It's a long way down, and your image really bears this out. And, parachuting out in a battle involving many planes, the risk of being hit by a plane or flying bullets was not to be disregarded. Some pilots were shot inadvertently, having been forced to parachute in the middle of a battle. And, there were also those who didn't abide by the rules of chivalry. In WWI, there was a discussion in the Luftwaffe about shooting pilots. This was SO against the German military's code of honour the discussion was quite short-lived. Galland's comment and Goering's reply bear out that this code was still very much alive, despite the Nazi regime. Debbielove mentions B-17s and other planes being escorted by German planes. The same code of ethics ruled in the German Navy until a US bomber nearly sank a German sub with over 200 survivors from the Carpathian sinking. That's when Hitler ordered a stop to rescuing people from torpedoed ships. The Luftwaffe got similar problems when allied air men started doing the same to them later in the war. War is such a sad thing. Keep up the good work, though! :-)
BardCoennius
"Galland"? Was he Vichy, by any chance?