Basic Information : Synopsis : Characters : Expectations : Thoughts : Evaluation : Book Group : Book References : Good Quotes : Table of Contents : References
Basic Information:
Author:
Adam Makos
Edition:
eBook on Overdrive from the Fresno County Library
Publisher:
Berkeley
ISBN:
0425252868 (ISBN13: 9780425252864)
Start
Date: December 6, 2018
Read
Date: December 13, 2018
392
pages
Genre:
History, Biography
Language
Warning: Low
Rated
Overall: 3½ out of 5
History:
4 out of 5
Religion:
Christianity (not a religious book)
Synopsis (Caution: Spoiler Alert-Jump to Thoughts):
A
crippled bomber with one of its four engine dead and another barely
functioning starts its run back to England. A squadron of German
fighters comes up and attacks the bomber, almost fatally crippling
it. . Afterwards the bomber only has marginal ability to steer and is
losing altitude. The squadron turns back. But a German fighter pilot
from a different squadron happens on the bomber. With the bomber
crippled, the fighter has an easy target. But he does not fire. Why?
That is the story of this book.
The
author is interested in American, or sometime Allied, World War II
combat pilots. He definitely is not going to write about a hated
German fighter pilot. But he hears the story above and wants to
interview the American pilot, Charlie Brown. But Brown says that
first Makos need to talk with the German pilot to get the real story.
Makos,
though initially reluctant to interview Franz Stigler, he is taken by
his story. The book traces Franz’ first love of flying to being a
commercial pilot and then as a trainer for the German Air Force.
Franz then is brought into the Air Force and sent to Northern Africa
in support of Rommel. Here he learns the basic lessons of what it
means to be a fighter pilot. This will extend throughout the war,
from the battles the German Air Force won to its long and slow demise
as a fighting force. Franz was in the midst of it all.
Charlie
Brown and his crew bounded strongly together during training. Then
they had their first combat mission. It is on that mission is where
they met up with Franz’ fighter. They are able to land in England.
All surviving except for one who was shot to death. But the bomber
did not. They are able to get obtain another plane. But it took them
several tries to get back up into the air. They were successful and
went on several other runs.
After
the war, Franz, like many other Germans, lived a very meager
existence. But at one point, Franz had the opportunity to come to
America and did. Over the years, both Brown and Franz wondered about
each other. Finally, they started making inquiries. When Brown put an
ad in a German fighter pilot magazine, this found Franz and they were
able to make contact. To the surprise of both of them, they found
that they really liked and respected each other. Other the years they
spoke together at various meeting about their experience with the
basic message of enemies
are better off as friends.
Cast of Characters:
- Franz Stigler-German ace
- Charlie Brown-American bomber pilot
- August Stigler-Franz’ brother who died in a bomber launch
- Gustav Roedel-rose from being in charge of Franz’s squad to being over the whole group. Taught Franz some of the morals of being a fighter pilot.
- Colonel Eduard Neumann-Leader of the JG-27. Compared to Rommel.
- Adolf Josef Ferdinand Galland-Friend of Neumann and second in command
- Marjorie Ketcham-WAVE transport pilot who met Charlie and had an interest in him. But after the flight, he could not face her.
- Gerhard Barkhorn-Franz’ trainee who was pretty incompetent as a pilot. Become the pilot with most planes shot downu
- Hannes Trautloft-Inspector general. His inspection of a camp lead to the the moving of POW’s from the Gestapo control to the Air Force.
- Erich Hohagen-Right person to Galland
- Walter “the Count” Krupinski-a highly decorate flyer. Earned the Knight’s Cross
- Hans Marseille-Best fighter pilot which Franz knew. Shot down 17 fighters in one day. Died when shot down.
- Erich Hartmann-Known as the Black Devil. Had 352 victories.
- Johannes Steinhoff-Highly decorated. Suffered a crash which burnt him severely. Was part of the Fighter Pilot Revolt
- Col. “Mighty Mo” Preston-Flight wing leader. Crashed and died
- Al “Doc” Sadok-Part of the crew, navigator, of the Quiet Ones
- Sam Blackford-Turret gunner as part of the Quiet Ones
Expectations:
Recommendation:
A book nominated in the OSHER book club
When:
November 26, 2018
Date
Became Aware of Book: November 26, 2018
How
come do I want to read this book: Sounded interesting
What
do I think I will get out of it? A story about a German who was
trying to shoot down an American plane during World War II, but held
back.
Early
on Franz learned the importance of being human. From his father he
learned that it was not ago to sacrifice himself because nobody would
ever see the results of hidden work. On the battlefield, he learned
from his squadron commander that you treat your enemy humanly. Not
only for that person’s benefit but because others will benefit as
well. Not only because others benefit, but because it says something
about yourself. And most importantly, because it verifies yourself.
Also
he was taught that when you shot down a fighter, it is considered a
victory, not a kill. That to stand against wrong, is the right thing
to do.
Is
war impersonal?
Basic
premise which honorable soldiers fight by: There
is something worse than death, and one of those things is to
completely lose your humanity.
Introduction:
A stranger in my own land
The
author is giving us his background where he talks about his
fascination with flying and the military Several people from his
hometown was on flight 800 and died. Markos understood from that
moment that life is fragile. As he contemplated this, he understood
more and more that life is not all fun and games. So he started a
magazine about military airplanes, particularly about World War II.
At his young age he had the image that all Americans were the good
guys and the Germans all were the bad ones. He then meets Charlie
Brown who brought a damaged bomber home. But the story was unusual-a
German by the name of Franz Stigler could have gunned him down, but
did not. That is the story of this book. Which raised the question in
Markos’ mind, Can
good men be found on both sides of a bad war?
Follow
the eagles
Franz
Stigler describes how he loved to fly. He is a young member of a
glider club in post World War I. On his first flight, he crashes the
plane. But his father, who is an adult overseeing the club, realizes
that Franz was too light and that is why the glider went nose
straight up and then Franz crashed it. His mother would like him to
be a priest, so he is OK with going to a Catholic school. But it does
not fit his personality. His friend, a Catholic Father understands
this and gives him choices about what he wants to do.
Franz
learns to take responsibility from his father.
A
feather in the wind
Franz
has become a flight training instructor. He advances and is pretty
good. He even trains his own older brother. August did not have the
killer instinct which a fighter pilot has to have, so he became a
bomber pilot. On a mission, he crashed upon takeoff, killing himself
and his crew. Franz wants to enlist and so he is made an enlisted man
and assigned to become a fighter pilot.
In
1937 the Pope issues an encyclida
which condemned the Nazi’s. This set Hitler against the church as
well as everything else religious. Franz’s brother was marrying the
niece of a cardinal and had a copy of the letter. This would have
caused big trouble if found out.
The
air war escalated. Since Hitler was bombing London and British
cities, The British started bombing Berlin. The bombs were not
terrible accurate and this cause wholesale bombing of civilians on
both sides. In war, there will be victims all the way around.
Fire
free
Fire
Free-meant that a meal was over and it was OK to smoke
Roedel
noted that chances are that in any fight, his squadron would probably
be outnumbered and there was the temptation to fight dirty. (What
does dirty mean in a war?) Roedel says that Honor
is everything here.
Example, if your enemy pilot has bailed out and is in a parachute,
you do not fire on him. Roedel says that You
fight by rules to keep your humanity,
The
desert amusement park
Franz
now is in North Africa and is experiencing the discomfort of sand and
heat and all which comes with that, including pests. He now is in
combat, forming comradeships with others like him as fighter pilots.
Neumann
noted that no
person can survive without the other…
[he was speaking about the desert]. In other words, the Germans Air
Force was all in this together.
Another
very high ranking German ace, Marseille said to Franz, There
is no reason to apologize for never having killed a man.
Another place where the German’s rank and file placed a high value
on life, much more than their leadership did. This influenced Franz
later on.
While
there was competition for the most aerial victories, there was also a
premium for playing fair. Two of their pilots felt that they could
let things slide and take credit when it was questionable.
The
stars of Africa
Lale
Andersen singing Lili Marlene.
Not only did the Germans listen in on a nightly broadcast at 9:55
coming out of Radio Belgrade, so did the British and any other
soldiers in the area. Speaks to the universal longing to be home,
surrounded by comfort.
Voegel
and Bendert had been playing lose with the victories. Franz finally
talked with Roedel about it. Roedel’s response was he would check
into it. But he also told Franz this: You
could have saved us a lot of trouble if you had just taken a stand.
Good words of advice, something which I need to take to heart.
The
homecoming
Fanz
returns home on leave and finds that his father has been drafted. His
mother has aged beyond her years. He also finds that there is not
much relief from the war.
Welcome
to Olympus
Franz
is now moved to defend Italy against a suspect Allied invasion. He
get shot down, but recovers. Goering thinks that nobody is fighting
hard, which just riles up those who are fighting as unappreciated.
The
unseen hand
A
lot of this chapter is Franz’ dealings with higher up-General Adolf
Galland and the Gestapo.
Franz
gets questioned by the Gestapo about his connection with the White
Hand movement. This was a group of students who were resisting Hitler
and the Nazi’s. They all had been rounded up and shot. Now the
Gestapo was questioning those who knew people who knew people. It was
connected to the With
Burning Concern
writings which von Faulhaber had a hand in writing (see chapter A
Feather in the Wind). Franz’s brother was associated with the
daughter of a cardinal who distributed this paper. But Franz did not
let on. Von Galen said None
of us is safe--and may be know that he who is the most loyal and
conscientious of citizens cannot be sure that he will not some day be
deported from his home, deprived of his freedom and locked up in the
cellars and concentration camps of the Gestapo.
Opponent
vs enemy. Roedel made that distinction. An enemy you try to kill. An
opponent is someone whom you try to beat.
The
Berlin bear
Somehow,
Franz acquires a bear from the Berlin zoo.
Franz
and his mother about his brother. Franz’ mother says about his
brother, They
made your brother fight...but he was master of his own decisions.
Another factor in Franz’ decision to let the damaged B-17 go,
rather than downing it.
The
farm boy
The
chapter talks about Charlie and his background-farm boy in West
Virginia going into the Army. Buzzing his own home town and ending up
commanding a bomber. He also met Marjorie.
Charlie
related a story where an old man knocked him out during a boxing
match. The old man told Charlie that he was too nice of a man to be
in the Army-go to the Air Force. That is what Charlie did.
The
quiet ones
While
in Texas, Charlie’s crew got known as the Quiet Ones. It talks
about how they bounded as a crew, going on to England.
The
lives of nine
The
preparation for the first mission of the Quiet Ones.
A
leader sometimes acts. They understand that they need to seem like
what others think they should be like. By acting, they show that
others can do what they fear.
Those
whom you respect, you do not call names. The German fighters were
called bandits, not Krauts or Jerries.
It
was noted that the American’s aimed at military targets-even
thought a little less than half the time it missed the target. While
the British having experienced the Blitz, felt no compulsion to limit
their targets to the military. Both I think point to that in war
nothing will remain off-limits for long. Also later on Markos notes
that American pilots would strafe Germans who had bailed from their
planes. While at least early on the Germans did not.
Charlie’s
prayers-short
briefing with my Third Pilot.
Charlie was a Methodist.
The
bombers getting assembled for a mission evokes the following thought:
It’s
a sky full of terror.
That is war.
Preston,
who was the leader of Charlie’s group felt he was good at what he
did. He noted that One
always enjoys what he is successful at.
The
boxer
Charlie’s
and the Quiet One’s first bombing raid. Success. But then they got
shot up pretty badly. Enough so they would probably be left behind
and finished off. Franz had just finished up with a mission when he
heard the bomber overhead.
Franz
wanted the Knight’s Cross as a means to show his devotion to his
country. He also realized that if he stopped this bomber, it would be
one less crew which could bomb his country
A
higher call
The
Pub, Charlie’s bomber had completed its bombing run, when an engine
started to conk out, slowing them down. The rules of the pack was
that the rest of the herd of bombers do not slow down, which causes
the slower bomber to start to straggle. Their fighters had to return
home because of being low on fuel. This left Charlie and his crew to
be targets for German fighters. The fighters tore into The Pub,
practically destroying it, except it continue to fly. Charlie instead
of being docile, charged the fighters which gave it a certain amount
of leeway. The fighters backed off. But Franz was refueling and
getting his plane fixed so the bomber go overhead and gave chase.
That is when he saw how damaged the bomber was. Instead of finishing
it off, he escorted it out into the North Sea. Charlie was able to
just make it back in to England, crash landing at the closest base.
Franz
hesitated in pulling the trigger. He remembered his lessons from
those before him like Roedel, whom he considered Europe’s last
Knight. Their
code said to fight with fearlessness and restraint, to celebrate
victories, not death, and to know when it was time to answer a higher
call.
There comes a time in each person’s life which defines them. This
was Franz’. Would he be a merchant of death and destruction? Or
live according to a creed which called for higher morality-not
necessarily giving up killing, but killing for killing sake. This is
the point of the book.
Franz
decided to spare the bomber and crew. But there was an additional
issue. To be safe the bomber was heading to the coast where flak guns
would bring them down. In the “what would my brother do?” mode,
Franz decided to risk his life and escort the bomber out of Germany.
He was successful. But Charlie Brown, the American pilot did not know
why the fighter was escorting him. It would take another 40 years to
figure that out.
The
third pilot
The
aftermath of the flight. Charlie gets questioned about what
happened-which is not unusual. But when it came to being escorted by
the enemy fighter, that raises all kinds of issues. On the other
hand, Franz now has to lay low about what happened to the bomber he
was chasing.
This
was the first mission of this crew.
Franz
realized the trouble he could be in-probably death if the SS figured
out what happened. Franz tried to get as far away as possible before
anybody figured out.
On
the other hand, Franz was able to get an observation plane and try to
figure out if a bomber he had shot down earlier, if the crew was dead
or captured. If captured was it the SS or the Air Force which held
them. The SS would probably end the crew with death; the Air Force
would treat them as POW’s.
The
question Franz asked himself, Was
it worth it?
That is not shooting down the bomber that the risk of his own life.
Charlie
on the other hand was asked, why didn’t they parachute out of
harm’s way? He answered, he had an injured man who could not jump.
This is the group thing where they were stronger together than
individually. This is in contrast to the other bombers leaving him
behind.
Pride
Charlie
was having a hard time returning to the fight. There things which
held him back. A couple of the bombers on his flight crashed with the
crews dieing. Then his bomber got stuck in the mud. An engine conked
out. Franz started having doubts about killing people in this war.
When
Franz let the bomber go, it provided him with new insight into what
he was doing. Seeing the people who he was going to kill up close
opened some eyes. The Knight’s Cross stood for bravery. He also
realized that it stood for the amount of killing one person could do.
He went from celebrating his prowlisness to contemplating why he was
shooting down others. It is interesting that nothing like this was
reported on the Allied side. There was no contemplation about why are
we dropping bombs on people, destroying their towns and killing women
and children.
Mastering
one's fears allows you to keep going.
When
Charlie landed, he was not sure about going back up again. But when
another pilot died, he knew what to do. He got a hold of his gunner
and had him paint his jacket with his crew’s logo. This was his
signal that he was returning.
Marjorie
had written him.. But he could not return the letters as he felt like
he did not have anything proven yet.
The
question kept coming back to Charlie-who was that guy in the fighter
and why did he let them go?
Stick
close to me
By
now Germany was on the losing end of the war. Franz started seeing
pilots with the bare minimum of training. There was a lot of
unprepared pilots and lots of death because of that. Also the Air
Force started encountering overwhelming odds against them.
As
the German pilots were getting shot down, more and more fresh pilots
were coming on board, without experience. Franz called this Germany’s
great tragedy.
Those becoming canon fodder without knowing why.
Franz
started giving rookie pilots his victories.
The
downfall
One
dislikes to be spied upon-this is in reaction to Goering sending
political officers to make sure everyone had the correct spirit. On
the other hand, how do you know that people are going in the right
way?
Franz
had only known the men of the JG-27 wing for 31 months. When he was
sent away for some rest, there was a sense of depression. On the way
to his rest place, he got waylaid and ended up in trying to get help
for his mother. A Mr. Geisse was the person in charge of the
veteran’s benefits, but the rules would not let him help. All which
he could do was offer Franz a place to stay at his own house that
night. There is meets Geisse’s daughter, a little girl who is
afraid of the bombing. Franz realizes that he no longer is fighting
to keep Germany safe for Hitler or Goering, but for this little girl.
He would later marry her.
Makos
goes into the
Fighter Pilot’s Mutiny.
While Franz is not involved, several of the people who Franz was
connected with was. Later on almost all of them would be associated
with Franz as well. All which the Mutiny had was the appearance of
strength, but no real political or military strength. So goering saw
past that and got most of them downgraded into lower positions.
The
flying sanatorium
After
the Mutiny, a new group was formed with the new jet planes-the 262’s.
They could be faster than anything else in the air at the time. But
they were not being used effectively. Goering gave to Galland the
dregs and told him to form a squadron. Galland was able to get the
best pilots in Germany, including Franz, to be on this new squadron.
But by this time, they were fighting a losing battle.
Franz’
bear (see the chapter The Berlin Bear) was shot when the squadron had
to move to a new location. They could not move him.
Hitler
and Goering did not know what they had going for them. They called
him “the actor”. But in reality, he was a mover of men. Sort of
reminds you of the way our current President resorts to name calling
than understanding the strengths of the people around him.
We
are the air force
By
this time there was few planes in the German Air Force, except for
JV-44.
Eventually
the squadron gets itself stationed in Bavaria where Franz thinks that
an
ugly war has never been fought in a more beautiful place.
The
squadron of experts
There
was a basic difference between how the Gestapo treated downed flyers
and the German Air Force. Gestapo used tactics which would eventually
lead to death. The Air Force treated them as prisoners of war.
Trautloft found out that the Gestapo was holding some pilots
prisoner. He visited the camp, pulled rank and had them transferred.
But what he saw lead him and others to fear what might be going on in
other camps. Before that it was difficult to believe there might be
death camps. One of the American pilots looked at the Luftwaffe as
rescuers and felt honored that there was still a
brotherhood of fellow aviators.
Marseille’s
rule:
We must only answer to God and our comrades.
The
death camps were kept hidden and secret from ordinary Germans. They
were unprecedented
and irrational. … the Nazis often acted contrary to German economic
and military interests.
The
last of the German fighter pilots
Franz
and the other pilots had moved into the path of the American forces.
The decision was they would rather be captured by the Americans than
the Russians. Franz decided to leave and go to the Americans rather
than let the fighting come to them. He runs into a squadron of SS
troops, who let him pass by-probably because they do not want to
alert the Americans that they are there.
Where
bombs had fallen
Roedel
and other aces wanted to form a new German unit under the auspices of
the Americans and British. But by this time he decided it was time to
no longer be in a place where he was following orders. He wanted to
be a civilian and not have blood on his hands.
One
German fighter pilot said: The
atrocities committed under the sign of the Swastika deserve the most
severe punishment. The Allies ought to leave the criminals to the
German fighting soldiers to bring justice.
Was
it worth it?
The
question wandering through Frantz’ mind was, was it worth not
shooting down the B-17 when he had the chance to? Especially with the
risk which he faced.
Frantz
migrated to America. He worked in the lumber mills and forests. Some
people heard he was a German fighter pilot and invited him to the
B-17 conventions. He was expecting hatred. Instead he found fellow
pilots who understood that each side was fighting for their own
reasons. But he could not locate the crew or even hearing about a
B-17 which was not shot down.
On
the other side of things, Charlie Brown was wondering what ever
happened to the German pilot which did not shot him down. He started
advertising in various places. Finally in a German fighter magazine.
Franz took that magazine and responded to his advertisement. From
there Frantz got his answer-it was worth it.
Afterwards
Franz
and Charlie traveled around, speaking at places which wanted to hear
their story. Their message was enemies
are better off as friends.
I
was not expecting much from this book. It sounded interesting because
of the main story line-disabled American bomber which is spared by a
German fighter plane. You figure how long does the author need to
tell of the incident-about a chapter and a half-and why the German
did not shoot it down. The part before the incident is the books
strongest part. How the fighter and bomber pilots find each other is
a bit weak.
But
Makos takes this story and gives us a full sketch about who the
fighter pilot was and the ethics which made him. This in itself is
worth the read-not every German fighter was a Nazi or even supported
the Nazi’s. How Makos portrays the pilot as a man who loves his
country and is fighting the war because his country is in the war. It
is only late in the war does he understand the extent which the
Nazi’s-SS and the Gestapo-has taken his country from his ideas.
What he does understand is that honor comes before death.
In
this way, Makos has done a service-those who are fighting against
your country, America is mine, may not hate you and may be honorable
people. This is worthwhile understanding and is well worth the read.
Notes from my book group:
An OSHER recommended book, but not read in the group.
Many
of these questions are either from or adapted from LitLovers.
-
Why the title of A Higher Call?
-
Does this story work as a true war story? Or is it something higher?
-
Did the ending seem fitting? Satisfying? Predictable?
-
Which character was the most convincing? Least?
-
Which character did you identify with?
-
Which one did you dislike?
-
-
Every story has a world view. Were you able to identify this story’s world view? What was it? How did it affect the story?
-
In what context was religion talked about in this book?
-
Was there anybody you would consider religious?
-
How did they show it?
-
Was the book overtly religious?
-
How did it affect the books story?
-
-
Why do you think the author wrote this book?
-
What would you ask the author if you had a chance?
-
What “take aways” did you have from this book?
-
What central ideas does the author present?
-
Are they personal, sociological, global, political, economic, or spiritual?
-
What implications for you, our nation or the world do these ideas have?
-
Are these idea’s controversial?
-
To whom and why?
-
-
-
Are there solutions which the author presents?
-
Do they seem workable? Practicable?
-
How would you implement them?
-
-
Describe the culture talked about in the book.
-
How is the culture described in this book different than where we live?
-
What economic or political situations are described?
-
Does the author examine economics and politics, family traditions, the arts, religious beliefs, language or food?
-
-
How did this book affect your view of the world?
-
Of how God is viewed?
-
What questions did you ask yourself after reading this book?
-
-
Talk about specific passages that struck you as significant—or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad...?
-
What was memorable?
-
-
The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
-
German Aces Speak by Colin Heaton
-
JV-44 by Robert Forsyth
-
God or an Airplane by Kurt Braat
-
First Line: ON December 20, 1943, in the midst of World War II, an era of pain, death and sadness, an act of peace and nobility unfolded in the skies over Northern Germany.
-
Last Line: Franz Stigler never got the Knight’s Cross, but as he always said, he got something better.
-
The eagles know where the good air is-follow them. CVhp Follow the eagles Said by August Stigler
-
One always enjoys what he is successful at. Chp The Lives of Nine. Said by Maurice Preston
-
You fight by rules to keep your humanity by Roedel
-
There is something worse than death, and one of those things is to completely lose your humanity. By Shannon E. French
-
A stranger in my own land
-
Follow the eagles
-
A feather in the wind
-
Fire free
-
The desert amusement park
-
The stars of Africa
-
The homecoming
-
Welcome to Olympus
-
The unseen hand
-
The Berlin bear
-
The farm boy
-
The quiet ones
-
The lives of nine
-
The boxer
-
A higher call
-
The third pilot
-
Pride
-
Stick close to me
-
The downfall
-
The flying sanatorium
-
We are the air force
-
The squadron of experts
-
The last of the German fighter pilots
-
Where bombs had fallen
-
Was it worth it?
References:
-
Author's Web Site and Facebook page. Author’s web site also has more references and pictures about the book
-
Amazon-Book
-
Amazon-Author
-
GoodReads-Book
-
GoodReads-Author
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Wikipedia on the incident
-
CNN review
-
Publisher Weekly review
-
Daily Mail’s review
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