Franz Stigler, 109 pilot saves B-17

[Lon]

Amazing story of a German pilot that refused to shoot down a crippled B-17 during WW2 and ultimately helped the crew to return to base. This was an honorable warrior that deserves our respect and thanks.


http://www.snopes.com/military/charliebrown.asp

[helmuthunter]

Great story of a great man, regards johnno.

[GELIS44]

I enjoyed that!!!!

[desiro]

I have some infomation about this incident,i was in touch with a Wellington bomber pilot J.B smith who wrote a book with the Stigler/Brown incident i will try and hunt the paperwork out and sure there is a picture of Stigler in his me109.

[Panzer Rob]

Great story. Thanks for posting it.

Rob

[Arran]

Franz lived near me and only died a few years ago. He was a very well liked man, and could occasionally be seen at airshows and collector meets...

[Douglas Jr.]

Franz lived near me and only died a few years ago. He was a very well liked man, and could occasionally be seen at airshows and collector meets...

If I remember correctly, Stigler was a DKiG holder.

[andrewb]

Leutnant Franz STIGLER
Staffelkapitain in a Jagdgeschwader.
DKiG 1.Oct.1944.

Regards,
AB.

[Douglas Jr.]

Leutnant Franz STIGLER
Staffelkapitain in a Jagdgeschwader.
DKiG 1.Oct.1944.

Regards,
AB.

Thanks for the confirmation!
Douglas

[Arran]

At some point during the war Franz traded his DK to Hans Joachim Marseille in return for his DK (which happened to be engraved on the reverse). Sadly, Franz's first wife absconded with all of his decorations...

[Schulterklappen]

Franz Stigler

I have seen this story before and it never ceases to impress and uplift me. It is like reading about Werner Hartenstein and U-156 during the Laconia incident.

[PZIV]

I just hate to see they have passed on already. One of the greatest generations. What a story.

[HouweTrouwe]

I found a website with a photo of Franz Stigler but didn't succeeded to find another photo. May he rest in peace.

http://www.stormbirds.com/warbirds/pilot_stigler.htm

[VtwinVince]

He was a family friend since 1942, when he was with my uncle in Africa. I always had a lot of respect for him, and had dinner with him and Charlie Brown years ago.

[book lover]

here is a link to a avation art print web site that has a print about stigler,great print!buy one before they are all gone!

http://www.valorstudios.com/Franz-St...lie-Brown.htm#