Paris 1940 & 1944

[Rich Payne]

Originally Posted by Owen

One Officer who spent his leave there and went to the Folies Bergere amongst other places was a certain Scots Guards officer , Robert Runcie.
The future Archbishop of Canterbury was happy to get an eyeful of some semi-naked dancers.

Was this her then ?




ullstein bild

I found this by searching 'Frankreich' and '1940' on the Ullstein link on the forum. Well, it seemed like an innocent enough search, it wasn't as if I tried 'pert' or something )

By the way, don't bother searching 'fall gelb' - just lots of pictures of autumn leaves - think about it !

[Owen]

Just learnt about this on ww2f.
Never knew about this before.


AVIATION ART HANGAR - The Berlin Express Arrives in Paris by Len Krenzler (P-51 and Me109)




Situation: This image depicts an actual event. When you have Bill Overstreet on your tail, not even a daring maneuver such as flying right under the Eiffel Tower is going to save you, as this ME109 pilot discovered the hard way. In the spring of 1944, Bill Overstreet of the famous 357th FG was hot on the tail of a German ME109G. The pilot of the 109 flew right over Paris where German anti-aircraft artillery was heavy, probably in hopes they would solve his problem by eliminating Bill and his P51C named the “Berlin Express”. Bill persisted through intense flak closing the gap with the enemy fighter. Already hit in the engine, as a last resort the ME109 pilot aimed his aircraft toward the imposing Eiffel Tower and in a breathtaking maneuver flew right under it. Even this was not enough to shake Bill as he followed right behind scoring several more hits in the process. The German ME109 crashed moments later and Bill escaped the heavy flak around Paris by flying low and full throttle over the river.

Here is the encounter described in Bill's own words:

"I had followed this 109 from the bombers when most of the German fighters left. We had a running dogfight and I got some hits about 1500 feet, He then led me over Paris where many guns were aimed at me. As soon as he was disabled, I ducked down just over the river (smaller target for the Germans ). I followed the river until I was away from Paris." - Bill

When asked what was around the tower at the time, Bill said, “I'm not sure, I was a little busy.”

[Drew5233]

Heres a couple of Afters taken this year

[Drew5233]

Great story Owen but does anyone think it happened?

I know the tower is pretty big but for two aircraft to fly under it .......

[Owen]

Well I've read of WW1 pilots flying under the Arc de Triomphe so the Eiffel Tower would be no problem.

[Drew5233]

Fair one

[Drew5233]

Another Bill Overstreet Story
Bill Overstreet

[Gotthard Heinrici]

Did the me109 chap survive? Given the altitude I suppose not.