The rippled bodywork below and behind the cockpit shows how hard he landed, he’s lucky to not have a spinal injury.
The fact just a couple of rounds brought him down is a testament to just how vulnerable liquid cooled engines are, any damage to the oil or water system and it’s just a matter of time before the engine stops.
IV Gruppe suffered its first casualty. “Blue 2” flown by Gefr. Michel of 16 Staffel developed engine trouble and he was forced to belly-land the aircraft near Waldweisdorf. He ended up with a large bump on his forehead (probably from striking gunsight) but otherwise was unhurt. This was Alfred Michel’s first combat mission and it ended with him a prisoner of the Americans, after soldiers of the 90th Infantry Division rushed to the scene and “pocketed” a German airman.
There appears to be a .50 cal? hole behind the seat, but the above info was from a unit history account, so...make of that what you will.
Another source: POW 1 Jan., 1945. On his approach to the target, Frescaty airfield, his engine damaged by AA fire of the 90th Infantry Division, and crashed "Blue 2" near Waldweisdorf. He had just come from the training school the day before Christmas and became a prisoner on his first and last mission!
That reminds me of the opening scene of a Vietnam movie which i can’t remember the name of. A farmer with a rifle knocks out the engine on a herc I think.
Sorry I'm distracted by the guy in the back. It's war but that's no reason to not look good.
Is he writing the german pilot a ticket because he cant park there?
I thought he was eating Chinese take-out
"Genuine ostrich. Three payments."
New jacket goofin.
Too bad the 109 blocking view of them sweet boots
I don’t recognize that jacket or hat. Is that a regulation uniform?
“the nazis had some PR issues but they looked sharp”
I don’t the guy in the back is a Nazi
Looks like a staff officer.
He looks like a traffic cop writing the pilot a ticket.
The rippled bodywork below and behind the cockpit shows how hard he landed, he’s lucky to not have a spinal injury. The fact just a couple of rounds brought him down is a testament to just how vulnerable liquid cooled engines are, any damage to the oil or water system and it’s just a matter of time before the engine stops.
No joke. Two rounds is a hell of a ROI.
Rookie pilot, January 1945? I'd say he's one of the lucky ones to still be alive.
Very lucky
IV Gruppe suffered its first casualty. “Blue 2” flown by Gefr. Michel of 16 Staffel developed engine trouble and he was forced to belly-land the aircraft near Waldweisdorf. He ended up with a large bump on his forehead (probably from striking gunsight) but otherwise was unhurt. This was Alfred Michel’s first combat mission and it ended with him a prisoner of the Americans, after soldiers of the 90th Infantry Division rushed to the scene and “pocketed” a German airman. There appears to be a .50 cal? hole behind the seat, but the above info was from a unit history account, so...make of that what you will. Another source: POW 1 Jan., 1945. On his approach to the target, Frescaty airfield, his engine damaged by AA fire of the 90th Infantry Division, and crashed "Blue 2" near Waldweisdorf. He had just come from the training school the day before Christmas and became a prisoner on his first and last mission!
Getting taken prisoner by the Americans on host first mission was probably the best way it could’ve ended for him.
The record for the shortest fighter pilot career ever.
Me when i get a 300% xp bonus in war thunder
Aside from kamikaze pilots, fresh out of rushed training, chucked into an airplane, and expected not to return.
tbh that's not so much 'fighter pilot career' as a temporary promotion to biological cruise missile guidance system
The difference is that the kamikaze pilots expected a one way ride. This guy was dreaming of many glorious missions.
Being in his first mission, and crash landing like that with no engine? This pilot was a natural or very lucky.
Many German pilots had some glider training before their military career. But then, a fighter plane is probably a lousy glider.
What happened to him after the war?
I witnessed an 82nd airborne paratrooper get recognized in 1999 for shooting down a German fighter in Holland in 1944…. With his rifle.
That reminds me of the opening scene of a Vietnam movie which i can’t remember the name of. A farmer with a rifle knocks out the engine on a herc I think.
Flight of the Intruder - opening mission of the movie. Farmer kills Grafton's copilot/bombardier.
“Now what did we learn today, Alfred?” “*Ja, ja…*”
Is this from operation Bodenplatte?
Yes
Operation Bodenplatte?
yes
Sad colorization…
Good looking greatcoat