Two Pilots, One Dogfight, Two Victories

[cyberia]

I found this story and corresponding photos in the "The Luftwaffe, An Illustrated History."
I'd like to share it as one of the ironies of war.

During the Battle of Crete a defending British Hawker Hurricane squared off with an opposing Me 109 of JG 77. The two pilots locked horns in a long and bitter dogfight high above the island, both determined to shoot the other down.

They both succeeded.

Each had managed to inflict enough damage on the other's machine to force both pilots to crash land on the beach at Malemes. Less than 100m from each other.

It was there the story ended, and for years I wondered what became of the two pilots after they crashed. By pure luck I then came across a brief history of JG 77 on the net that featured the same story, only this time with an ending.

The two pilots, the story goes, emerged from their wrecked aircraft shaken and bruised, but alive. Whereas moments before the two were locked in a life and death struggle, now the men approached each other, shook hands, and sat down side by side on the beach. Soaking up the scenery, and awaiting either capture or rescue.

They were discovered hours later by a unit of Fallschirmjager.

[lufttiger]

Incredible story about Chilvary. Something you don't see anymore.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by lufttiger

Incredible story about Chilvary. Something you don't see anymore.

Imagine the photograph that would have been. Those two pilots, sitting side by side between their downed aircraft, just gazing out at the water.

[Geek44]

Great story. They were both lucky, crash landing on sand can't be a picnic.

[Wolster]

Good story and great pictures!!

[Commander Waffle]

I wish more stuff like that would happen. Its like honor has completely went out the window. I think I heard a story similiar to that out in the Pacific with a Navy Pilot and a Japanese Zero pilot. Instead of both inflicting damage, the navy guy shot the other down, without taking any hits before he had engine trouble and had to bail and landed close the other pilot. They both found each other by accident, but the Japanese pilot bowed ( I guess he wasn't a sore loser) and they both exchanges some chocolate for Japanese liqiuor and than went their seperate ways.

[Wustenfuchs]

Great post Paul!! Actually brought a tear to me eye.

[McCoy]

This is indeed an incredible story.

[cyberia]

Wouldn't you love to just have a beer with those two.