I have to agree with alanlittle. Louis Zamperini's story is most improbable. First, it's hard to believe he survived as long as he did after ditching in the Pacific. Once he survived that, it's equally hard to believe he survived his imprisonment considering his failure to submit to his captors. Improbable, to say the least.
I like to think Heinz Bierwirth might have briefly thought 'well that was unexpected' as a steam engine brought down his plane: http://ryesown.co.uk/german-bomber/