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Bragging rights
Posted: 09 Jul 2016, 09:30
by Airspeed
Hi All,
Today, I met the grandson of Heinrich Gerlach.
Granddad flew paratroop transports for Germany during the war.
His dining out story, though, was that he piloted the Storch in which Mussolini was liberated by the Germans, from his prison.
He had to land, and lift off, from a mountain top without a runway.
I've seen one take off at Avalon Air Show, and can fully understand how that aeroplane was capable of the rescue.
That's it, end of brag.

Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 09 Jul 2016, 10:37
by Jon.M
Good brag.
Being German the operation was photographed. Here's the Storch at the Campo Imperatore Hotel, in the Appenine mountains 12 September 1943.
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operazion ... rch%22.jpg
You can scroll through other photos of the operation. Unfortunately none show Hauptmann Heinrich Gerlach.
Jon
Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 10 Jul 2016, 02:52
by airboatr
Nigelb
I think we need to buy Mike a T-shirt

Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 10 Jul 2016, 14:43
by Airspeed
Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 11 Jul 2016, 00:27
by nigelb
Joe
My very favourite Fawlty Towers episode. I start laughing just thinking about it.
Nigel²
Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 11 Jul 2016, 01:37
by airboatr
Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 11 Jul 2016, 07:34
by Tomliner
From the same episode as 'the Germans' IIRC. In an interview John Cleese said that,with hindsight, he wished that he'd given the Major a bigger role. I think the balance was just about right.

EricT
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5035TY5RSpg
Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 11 Jul 2016, 09:10
by Airspeed
I don't recall that, Joe. Sounds like it wasn't politically correct, but why would it upset you? Your ancestors sailed around carrying coal, didn't they? I s'pose they may have taken on some colour, but, still.....

Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 11 Jul 2016, 09:34
by airboatr
First of all..... Oh never mind.

Re: Bragging rights
Posted: 11 Jul 2016, 21:37
by Vancouver
Tomliner wrote:From the same episode as 'the Germans' IIRC. In an interview John Cleese said that,with hindsight, he wished that he'd given the Major a bigger role. I think the balance was just about right.

EricT
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5035TY5RSpg
Oi! quote from the show, "I didn't know Canadians were as clever as that"
