Franz Stigler and Charles Brown Incident: When a German Fighter Spared an English Bomber

The Franz Stigler and Charles Brown Incident is one of the cases that showed that even in war, humanity can prevail. In the year 1943, as the tide of the war started to change in favor of the Allies, the skies bore witness to an extraordinary encounter between two adversaries—a German Luftwaffe pilot named Franz Stigler and an American B-17 bomber, skillfully maneuvered by Lieutenant Charles “Charlie” Brown.

Stigler found himself face-to-face with his defenseless enemy in a moment that defied all expectations of hostility. Still, instead of seizing the opportunity for destruction, he made an astonishing decision. He chose compassion over conflict, sparing the vulnerable planet from impending doom.

Little did they know that this selfless act would pave the way for an unlikely bond that would transcend the merciless realm of war itself. Over half a century later, destiny intertwined their paths once more, and the former foes, now grizzled by time, became inseparable friends.

The tale of Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown is a testament to the indomitable human spirit—the power to forge friendships in the unlikeliest circumstances and the profound impact that a single act of humanity can have on the course of destinies forever entwined.

How Did Franz Stigler and Charles Brown come face to face?

On the fateful day of December 20, 1943, the brave crew of Ye Olde Pub embarked on their inaugural mission, their sights set on the formidable Focke-Wulf 190 aircraft production facility in Bremen, in the heart of Deutschland.

A daunting task lay ahead, as they were duly cautioned during the pre-mission briefing about the very real possibility of encountering hordes of relentless German fighters in the hostile skies. Bremen’s defenses were bolstered by an imposing array of over 250 flak guns to further compound their trepidations, casting an ominous shadow over the impending aerial assault.

Adding to the gravity of their mission, the crew of Lieutenant Charles “Charlie” Brown’s 527th BS squadron was assigned to navigate the perilous path known as “Purple Heart Corner,” a position on the edge of the bomber formation that was deemed particularly hazardous.

Here, the enemy’s malevolent gaze was known to focus instead of shooting straight through the center of the formation. Despite the inherent dangers, their commitment to duty compelled them to forge ahead.

As the hours ticked away and the mission took shape, fate played its hand. Three of the bombers were plagued by mechanical woes, forcing them to veer back from the frontlines. In a twist, Brown’s crew was entrusted with a new responsibility—to move up to the vanguard of the formation.

Crew of Ye Olde Pub that went on the attack

This alteration in their position promised new challenges and responsibilities. Still, they were resolute in facing whatever lay ahead, knowing that the success of their mission and the safety of their comrades depended on their unwavering courage and determination.

Amidst the harsh and unforgiving skies, Brown’s indomitable B-17 commenced its crucial ten-minute bomb run at an astounding altitude of 8,320 meters (27,300 feet). The bitter cold, with an outside air temperature plunging to a bone-chilling −60 °C (−76 °F), tested the machine’s resilience and the crew’s fortitude.

As the moment of release approached, an onslaught of accurate flak from German defenses tore through the vulnerable Plexiglas nose, shattering it to pieces. The vicious barrage did not end there; it struck with unrelenting precision, dealing a crippling blow to the #2 engine and further exacerbating the precarious state of the already ailing #4 engine.

In a precarious balancing act, the crew had to throttle back the damaged #4 engine, delicately preventing it from overspeeding. The situation grew increasingly perilous as the bomber’s speed dwindled under the weight of the damage inflicted.

Regrettably, the bomber’s plight was far from over. Hindered by the severity of the damage, Brown found himself unable to maintain formation with his fellow comrades, falling back as a solitary straggler. This position left him dreadfully exposed to the merciless onslaught of enemy attacks.

Once a theater of awe-inspiring grandeur, the skies now transformed into a relentless battleground where life and death danced on a knife’s edge.

Undeterred by the overwhelming odds, Brown and his courageous crew braced themselves for the impending storm, their unyielding determination and camaraderie the only bulwarks against the tempest of hostility surrounding them. In the crucible of war, the true measure of their mettle would be tested as the fate of their mission and their very survival hung precariously in the balance.

A Barrage of German Fighters Pulverize the Bomber

In the midst of an aerial inferno, Brown’s beleaguered B-17 found itself under relentless assault from a swarm of over a dozen enemy fighters, an ominous combination of Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke-Wulf Fw 190s belonging to JG 11.

The onslaught persisted for what seemed like an eternity, more than ten agonizing minutes, during which the battered aircraft suffered grievous blows.

The already hampered #3 engine, now subject to further harm, was reduced to a mere half of its power, rendering the aircraft with a meager 40% of its total rated capability—a harrowing predicament in the heart of the battlefield.

Damage cascaded across the bomber like a torrential storm; the internal oxygen, hydraulic, and electrical systems succumbed to destruction, exacerbating the chaos. Jammed weapons now plagued the once formidable defensive arsenal of the bomber’s gunners, their firing mechanisms frozen, likely a consequence of the onboard systems failure.

With each passing moment, the situation spiraled into dire straits. The aircraft’s structural integrity suffered greatly—the rudder and port (left side) elevator were lost to the ravages of war, and the nose cone, a vital part of the aircraft, was now but a memory.

The crew’s resilience was severely tested as they grappled with the enormity of the damage sustained.

Charlie Brown (left) and Franz Stigler (right)

The scene inside the aircraft was one of horror and anguish. Wounds and injuries afflicted many of the valiant crew members. Eckenrode, the tail gunner, tragically fell victim to a direct hit from a cannon shell, while Yelesanko, though critically wounded in the leg, clung to life.

Blackford’s feet were frozen, courtesy of shorted-out heating wires in his uniform, and Pechout suffered an eye injury from a cannon shell strike. Even Brown, the stalwart leader, was not spared, as he bore the pain of a wound in his right shoulder.

In their hour of desperation, the crew sought solace in the morphine syrettes aboard the aircraft, only to find them frozen—a cruel twist of fate complicating their already dire first-aid efforts. The radio, a vital link to the outside world, was rendered useless, further isolating them in their perilous situation.

The external appearance of the bomber bore testament to the ferocity of the battle, its once pristine exterior now scarred and mangled by enemy fire.

In this crucible of chaos, the crew faced a momentous decision. Despite the gravely wounded and the temptation to seek escape by bailing out, the bond of brotherhood they shared, along with their indomitable spirit, prevailed.

They could not bear to leave Yelesanko, their injured comrade, stranded in the aircraft. So, they resolutely chose to press on to Britain with unwavering determination, their will to survive matched only by their loyalty to one another as they navigated the perilous skies, clinging to hope amidst the storm of war.

Franz Stigler Spots the Incapacitated B-17: Franz Stigler and Charles Brown Incident

As the B-17 slugged forward, the damaged and isolated aircraft became a happy sight for the German forces on the ground. Among them was Franz Stigler, an ace with an impressive tally of 27 victories, who had just refueled and rearmed his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 at an airfield.

It was an easy kill.

Stigler took to the skies despite the risks posed by a .50-caliber M2 Browning machine gun bullet lodged in his Bf 109’s radiator.

As fate would have it, Stigler soon caught up with the crippled bomber, and what he witnessed inside touched a chord within him. Through the torn openings in the battered airframe, he saw the wounded and incapacitated crew, vulnerable in their dire predicament.

An artwork showing Franz Stigler spotting the damaged B-17

Unexpectedly, Stigler chose not to unleash a hail of fire upon the defenseless bomber. Instead, he harkened back to the wise counsel of his commanding officer, Gustav Rödel, who had once admonished him against shooting at men in parachutes.

To Stigler, the ailing crew seemed akin to helpless souls descending with parachutes, evoking the same restraint in him.

Attempting to convey his intentions, Stigler made two courageous efforts to persuade Brown to land the plane at a German airfield, offering surrender and the promise of medical care, or alternatively to divert to neutral Sweden, where they could be safely interned for the duration of the war.

Regrettably, language barriers and the turmoil of the moment left Brown and his crew unable to comprehend Stigler’s gestures and attempts at communication. Despite their misinterpretation, Stigler resolved to stand as a guardian, positioning his aircraft near the damaged B-17, shielding it from the scrutiny of German anti-aircraft units.

His actions demonstrated a profound understanding of the perilous journey ahead for the stricken crew.

Unsure of Stigler’s true intentions, Brown cautiously ordered his dorsal turret gunner to aim at Stigler’s plane but not to fire, serving as a warning to dissuade any hostile action. Nevertheless, Stigler remained steadfast in his escort, ensuring the B-17’s safe passage across the coastal territory and into open waters.

As they finally left German airspace, Stigler offered a poignant salute, a gesture symbolizing the unspoken bond that had formed between enemies, defined not by the chaos of war but by the shared recognition of humanity’s unwavering spirit.

The B-17, Ye Old Pub Lands in Britain

After a remarkable 250-mile (400-kilometer) journey across the treacherous expanse of the North Sea, Brown successfully guided his battle-worn B-17 to RAF Seething, a haven at the heart of the 448th Bomb Group.

During the postflight debriefing, he mustered the courage to share the extraordinary tale of how a German fighter pilot displayed a rare mercy act by sparing his life and escorting his damaged plane. Yet, he was swiftly advised not to divulge this remarkable encounter to the rest of his unit for fear that such a narrative might inadvertently foster positive sentiments toward enemy pilots.

The concern was that, in the midst of battle, other stricken bombers might hold their fire upon seeing incoming enemy fighters, hoping for rescue, only to be met with tragic consequences—thus undermining the essence of wartime survival.

The damaged Ye Old Pub (B-17) being escorted by the German aircraft

Brown pondered the situation’s enigmatic nature, musing on the prevailing perception that humanity and piloting a German aircraft could not be reconciled. The silence of Stigler, too, spoke volumes, as he chose not to reveal the selfless act he had committed, knowing full well that such an act might jeopardize his standing with his own commanding officers and risk facing a court-martial.

In the aftermath of this unparalleled encounter, Brown continued to complete his combat tour, his life indelibly marked by the extraordinary bond he had forged with an erstwhile enemy. On the other hand, Stigler would go on to serve as a pilot of the groundbreaking Messerschmitt Me 262 jet-fighter in Jagdverband 44 until the war’s end.

As the war unfolded its tragic course, Ye Olde Pub, the stalwart B-17 that had survived the tumultuous skies, was not destined to return to the frontline. Instead, it was sent back to the United States in April 1944, only to meet its end as a piece of history, dismantled and scrapped in August 1945.

The Two Former Enemies Meet and Become Thick Friends

Following the war, Lt. Col. Brown returned to his home state of West Virginia and pursued higher education. In 1949, he reenlisted in the newly formed U.S. Air Force, dedicating himself to military service until 1965. Subsequently, he embarked on a career with the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer, engaging in numerous missions to Laos and Vietnam.

His journey through life took yet another turn in 1972 when he retired from government service and settled in Miami, Florida, where he delved into the world of invention.

As for Franz Stigler, after the war, he made a life for himself in Canada, finding success as a businessman. The two former enemies, Brown and Stigler, led separate lives, worlds apart, each carrying the weight of their wartime memories.

It was not until 1986 that fate would intervene and set the stage for a remarkable reunion. Invited to speak at a combat pilot reunion event known as the “Gathering of the Eagles,” Lt. Col. Brown was asked about any notable missions from his World War II service. Amidst the sea of memories, he recollected the poignant tale of the German fighter pilot who had spared his life with a salute.

Driven by a desire to find the elusive hero of that fateful day, Brown embarked on a four-year quest, scouring military records for any traces of the unknown pilot’s identity. Despite his tireless efforts, answers remained elusive.

Charlie and Franz in their later reunion

Determined not to give up, Brown reached out to a combat pilot association newsletter, penning a heartfelt letter in hopes that it would reach the right eyes. His persistence paid off, and several months later, a letter arrived from none other than Franz Stigler, now residing in Canada.

The momentous words confirmed what Brown had yearned to hear—”I was the one.” As they spoke over the phone, Stigler’s account, detailing his aircraft, the escort, and the salute, cemented the truth in Brown’s heart.

Having set the stage for their reunion, the wheels of fate now facilitated the blossoming of an improbable friendship. Between 1990 and 2008, Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler became inseparable companions, their bond transcending the horrors of war that had once divided them.

Their camaraderie and shared experiences served as a poignant reminder of the power of humanity and compassion to bridge the chasm between former enemies.

And so, their intertwined destinies finally found peace as they departed this world within mere months of each other in 2008, their legacy forever etched in the accounts of history—a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the remarkable capacity of the human heart to forgive, heal, and forge bonds of unity, even amidst the ravages of war.

RIP Victims of War.

Next, read about the Ammons Family Haunting from 2011, and if you’re into some bizarre dark history, read about the True Origins of John Kellogg’s Cornflakes!