Dee’s comment > Likes and Comments

The convoluted writing came from the fact that the narrative featuring Franz Stigler was a blend of what Stigler said about himself (no published memoir) and what was added by his autobiograher. As a result, what we have is a book of "creative nonfiction" which I choose to call "historical fiction." Even worse, however, is that the authors reinvented the Luftwaffe that served Hitler and
the Third Reich with great enthusiasm and superb aircraft and pilots.

To Michael: You amaze me with the ease in which you accept what the German pilots say about themselves. Dig a bit deeper into the European air war and you'll discover many "wounded ducks" being attacked by German fighters, one being my instructor, Robert Johnson, the first American to equal Rickenbacker's WW I "kill" record. WW II was a mean and bloody air war.

Robert, I respect your views for the experiences you went through, and accept your views as I did not "walk in your shoes". For my side, I have delved into the history of WWII, and along with my years of military service, have seen and heard of professional behavior, morals, ethics, and compassion, practiced by all sides, along with unprofessional, immoral and unethical behavior, also practiced by all sides. War does bring out the best in many people, but it also brings out the worst in others, and that "worst" in most cases I have found to be very ugly. Again, I respect your experiences, and in no way did I intend to denigrate what you, nor your fellow colleagues, went through.

Robert - I also appreciate your views and agree that most likely many people edit their own history when they write or tell it. And that many in the armed forces of NAZI germany were gung ho Nazi's - no doubt . But I don't think the point of the book is that all Germans were good, by turning a blind eye to what hitler and others were doing once they knew what it was they were abetting evil at the very least. But putting yourself in the German fighter pilots shoes for a moment - if you are a fighter pilot, called to duty, even with a gun at your head, and your opponent/enemy is bombing your cities to rubble every day - cities your relatives and friends live in - what would you do? Would you fight? Would you fly? Or would you say no I refuse to fly today our leaders are evil. Knowing full well that your leaders are not going to be caught in the bombing but many women and children are.

I appreciate your service. I thank you and the members of your generation for sacrifices my generation cannot possibly imagine. And I'm interested in your answer even if we disagree.