Johannes!

This is coolbert:

Inextricably linked to the German Luftwaffe use of the Starfighter F-104 is the name of Johannes Steinhoff.

And much can be said of Johannes. A top German ace of the Second World War [WW2], a most senior combat fighter plane unit commander of the most MARKED ABILITY, ALMOST WITHOUT PEER!!

 "Johannes Steinhoff . . . was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II, and later a senior West German air force officer and military commander of NATO."

Steinhoff flying operationally for the entire duration of the war, surviving and continuing his military career post-war, achieving the most senior rank possible in the newly formed and rejuvenated Luftwaffe - - part of NATO.

As with many of these top German fighter plane aces of WW2, was not totally 100 % omnipotent in the skies over Europe, Johannes SHOT-DOWN A DOZEN TIMES!! Johannes when shot down only taking to his parachute on one occasion!

[Johannes suffering severe injuries when his jet plane exploded on take off, horribly but not irretrievably disfigured!!]

"His wartime record was 176 aircraft claimed destroyed, of which 152 were on the Eastern front, 12 on the Western front and 12 in the Mediterranean. He also flew 993 operational sorties. During his career as a fighter pilot, Steinhoff was shot down 12 times, but had to bail out only once"

It can be said that Johannes was one of those German military men that the western allies engaged in dialog with post-war? Conversations regarding politics and the fate of Germany that resulted in a modern and democratic and free Germany that we have today. Johannes was highly respected and even admired by his fellow Germans, a leader of repute whose example was followed? I believe this is so!

This too is most interesting. Excerpts from an interview with Johannes:

"I N T E R V I E W - - LUFTWAFFE EAGLE JOHANNES STEINHOFF: By Colin D. Heaton"

Johannes in agreement with Gunther Rall, the British RAF fighter pilot was the BEST [?] during WW2. Most able, best trained, most aggressive, BEST!

Steinhoff: "Well, the British were born fighters - very tough, well trained and very sportive. They were brave, and I never fought against better pilots at any time during the war, including the Americans."

Steinhoff: . . . "when we fought the RAF, it was almost evenly matched in fighters against fighters, so true dogfights, even in the Schwarm [German fighter formation], were possible. That was the truest test of men and their machines, and only the best survived. You learned quickly, or you did not come back"

WWII: "From your wide experience, which aircraft was the most difficult to attack?"

Steinhoff: "The B-17 Flying Fortress without a doubt. They flew in defensive boxes, a heavy defensive formation, and with all of their heavy .50-caliber machine guns they were dangerous to approach"

When those German WW2 aces speak, everyone should listen. Johannes has it right - - "only the best survived. You learned quickly, or you did not come back"! And Johannes was one of the best, undeniably so!!

coolbert.