Franz Stigler's death in Surrey, B.C., received little notice in the local press, but friends knew a remarkable story about the man -- he had been a decorated German fighter pilot who saved the lives of a U.S. bomber crew.

CTV.ca News Staff


Franz Stigler had been a decorated German fighter pilot who saved the lives of a U.S. bomber crew.


Stigler began his career as a German pilot at age 12, going on to make 28 allied kills in the Second World War.

On Dec. 20, 1943, American pilot Charles Brown was flying his first mission in his B-17 bomber. He had just dropped his bombs on a German aircraft factory when he was attacked by fighters from above and flak from below.

"I do remember being inverted (and then) pulling up over the trees," Brown, who now lives in Miami, told CTV's W-FIVE. "At this point (we were) totally helpless."

Brown's four-engine bomber was badly damaged. Three engines weren't working, there was hardly anything left of the tail and seven of 10 crew member were injured. Brown had a bullet fragment lodged in his shoulder.

That's when Stigler saw the bomber overhead, trying to limp home.
"I went after him (to) finish him off," Stigler said.

But when Stigler got close enough to see the American bomber, he saw Brown's bleeding wounds and realized he couldn't shoot. Instead, he did something that could have seen him court marshalled and shot for dereliction of duty -- he guided the B-17 out of Germany.

"Then he gave me a wave salute and then he left," recounted Brown.

All but one of Brown's crew lived to fight another day. The American pilot was left wondering what happened to the German who spared his life.

Then, in 1990, Stigler contacted him from his new home in Surrey, B.C.

"He almost broke my ribs, he gave me a big bear hug," said Brown.

Once sworn enemies, the men became close friends and met almost every year until Stigler's March 22 death at age 92.

With a report from CTV's Brent Gilbert

See video WW2 German fighter pilot saved U.S. bomber crew : Home : News : Sympatico / MSN

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

This is a nice story. They happened more than you would think. Thank you for posting this, I enjoy these chevalric gestures, especially when they save lives!

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I agree. Despite the brutality of war, man's humanity to another man can still shine through.

Excellent story, but the age must of been a typo?.

B-17 F "Ye Olde Pub"

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Nicely done Wessex and a fine story

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!

Haha I watched this on C.T.V. when it had just came on!

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Remember the 166th.

I agree. I think a 12 year old would be even to short to operate a german aircraft.


However nice story though.

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When I feed the poor, they call me a saint,
but when I ask why the poor are hungry,
they call me a communist.

funny how this story has come back and back from the shadows and from several weeks ago visiting many WW 2 sites first done up on the armyairforces site officially some years back when it first entered the net. Franz Stigler never liked to talk about this event as he never considered himself more than just a pilot serving his country but it does show even during chivalry that Franz had a brain on his shoulders and did not obey the strict order to take down the "Terror Fliegers" at any cost. The painting depicted is actually not correct a/c wise-camo.............whatever
Franz was a special man and was living in Vancouver, B.C. till his sad passing recently at his home. was able to interview him years ago with several books signed by him a very solid man with memory especially his time while serving in III./IV./JG 27 Afrika in the deserts and finally back in Defense of the Reich and then as T.Offizier in JV 44, and I truly believe with his honesty in the air for reason as one he received the Deutsche Kreuz in Gold

E ~

Excellent story! Thanx!

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Thank you for such a great story! I wonder how many more like stories are out there that we don't know about?

Anyway, may Herr Stiegler Rest in Peace.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

I copied it from the news site without retyping...???? Yes, the age bothered me, but I never change the information I get from a source.

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

The Germans were big on gliders before the war started and had many glider clubs where pilots learned to fly. Perhaps he was in one of these and got his training there before the war started.

In the US you can fly a glider at 14.

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Work Harder ! Millions on welfare are depending on you.

If I recall correctly, flying gliders is how history's greatest scoring fighter pilot by the name of: Erich Alfred Hartmann, got his start. In case your wondering how many aerial victories he had-it is a standing record @ 352 victories with the vast majority being Russian kills.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Very nice story! Thanks Michelle!!

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott