Franz Stigler, a German Luftwaffe pilot, chose not to shoot down the heavily damaged American B-17 bomber "Ye Olde Pub" during World War II due to a profound sense of military honor and humanity. He later reflected on his decision, stating, "To me, it was just like they were in a parachute. I saw them and I couldn't shoot them down."
The Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler Incident
The remarkable incident, which occurred on December 20, 1943, involved Second Lieutenant Charles "Charlie" Brown's B-17 Flying Fortress, "Ye Olde Pub," and German ace Franz Stigler in his Messerschmitt Bf 109. This encounter stands out as a unique moment of compassion amidst the brutal realities of aerial combat during World War II.
A Crippled Bomber
"Ye Olde Pub" had been severely damaged during a bombing raid over Bremen, Germany. The B-17 suffered extensive damage:
- Significant Structural Damage: The nose, engines, and tail were badly hit.
- Disabled Turrets: Many of its defensive machine guns were non-operational.
- Injured Crew: Several crew members were wounded or dead, including the tail gunner.
- Lost Oxygen and Hydraulics: The bomber was flying at a low altitude, struggling to maintain control.
Upon encountering the crippled bomber, Stigler, a highly decorated pilot with 27 victories, saw an easy kill. However, what he observed was not a formidable enemy but a defenseless, barely airborne aircraft.
Stigler's Code of Honor
Stigler, a veteran pilot, adhered to an unwritten code of honor among German and Allied airmen, which dictated that one did not fire upon an enemy who was bailing out or was in a state of helplessness, similar to being in a parachute. This principle extended to pilots of critically damaged aircraft.
- Respect for Defenseless Foes: Stigler recognized the B-17's dire state. Its inability to fight back or even safely descend invoked a sense of empathy rather than a desire for destruction.
- Humanitarian Act: Rather than attacking, Stigler flew close to the bomber, even signaling to Brown to land in Germany or divert to neutral Sweden. When Brown refused, Stigler escorted the B-17 over the North Sea, protecting it from German anti-aircraft fire and other German fighters, before saluting and breaking away.
- Risk to Himself: Stigler put his own life and career at risk by letting the enemy bomber go. Had he been discovered, he could have faced a court-martial.
This extraordinary act was driven by a deep respect for the lives of his fellow airmen, even those on the opposing side. Stigler saw the humanity in the vulnerable crew of "Ye Olde Pub," choosing compassion over combat.
Aftermath and Legacy
Both pilots survived the war and, remarkably, met each other decades later in 1990, becoming close friends. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of individual humanity amidst the grand scale of conflict, highlighting that even in war, honor and empathy can prevail over destruction. Their story is a testament to the idea that some moral codes transcend the boundaries of nationality and conflict.
