An Enemy and A Hero

Discussion in 'History & Past Politicians' started by Robert E Allen, Aug 20, 2019.

  1. Robert E Allen

    Robert E Allen Banned

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    Hans-Joachim Marseille


    Hans Marseille was a German fighter pilot during world war two and probably the greatest fighter pilot who ever lived. He was born on December 13 1919. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1938 and in 1942 at the age of 20 found himself facing the RAF over England and the British Channel. He was a poorly disciplined soldier and found himself constantly in trouble with his superiors and was soon transferred to North Africa.
    In South Africa Marseille proved his abilities racking up victories over British and South African pilots in Hurricanes and American built P-40s. Marseille soon developed a reputation for many things; his ability to fight in the air, his ability to defy commanders and his noted chivalry towards his opponents who he did not view as enemies.
    Flying various versions of the Messerschmidt 109 Marseille racked up 158 victories between August 24 1940 and September 30 1942. He was known for his uncanny marksmanship often destroying enemy planes with very few shots from his cannons.While in Africa he often flew several times a day in-spite of being sick with malaria. Many times coming back with multiple victories. He routinely got medals for his achievements and by the end of his career had earned The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak leaves Swords and Diamonds.
    Against orders from his commanders Masreille on occasion after shooting down an RAF pilot he would drop notes over the British airfield informing them that their fellow pilot had been shot down and captured but was alive and safe. Once after being reprimanded by his commander Marseille in a show of defiance took to the air and strafed the ground next to his commanders tent. He was often noted as saying the NAZIS were incompetent and one time while at a party where he was reviving a commendation from Hitler himself was asked to play the piano. He entertained the crowd with some classical music then in a displayed his contempt for Hitler by playing banned black American Jazz. Hitler it was said stormed off.
    Marseille's chivalry is further demonstrated by the befriending of a captured South African pilot who he kept around as a "servant", This greatly displeased the SS but Masseille was a hero and a much needed asset to the African campaign. At least for the time he was alive he kept the Nazis from persecuting at least one black man.
    On September 30 1942 Marseille was flying his Me 109 when the engine malfunctioned. He tried to bring the stricken plane back to his base but the cockpit filled with smoke. He radioed that the conditions were unbearable and that he was getting out of the plane. He unstrapped and bailed out the side of the plane. As he fell he was struck by the planes tail and was killed.
    Marseille was by no means a perfect man. Apart from his flying and fighting he was known as a womanizer and a drinker. In-spite of his flaws as a person and the side he fought on Han Marseille was a warrior and a hero and the world became a less colorful place the day he died. His gravestone called him "undefeated"
     
    vman12 likes this.
  2. Diablo

    Diablo Well-Known Member

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    He fought for the nazis which made him a nazi. My parents were nearly killed by a German bomb during a raid on London during the war so it's kind of personal. He was scum like the rest of them.
    I guess you're American so celebrating a nazi who probably killed some of your countrymen is sick.
     

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