New docs on Pearl Harbor attack emerge

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by winny

My grandfather said there were only 2 times he was really scared during WWII, 1st was a 109 lining up to strafe him, 2nd was when he was told he was going to the PTO, thankfully he didn't have to.

wow, sounds like a scary situation your granpa was in!
care to tell us more?

[winny]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger II

wow, sounds like a scary situation your granpa was in!
care to tell us more?

He was an Anti Aircraft Gunner/Driver. He went over on D-Day +6. He was in Holland or France (sadly I can't remember which). He was stood next to his Bedford lorry (which towed a Bofors AA Gun) when he noticed a "Spitfire" circling, he waved at it and at that point realised it was a lone 109.

He said he froze for a split second as he realised it was lining up on him. He dived underneath the truck on the first pass before jumping up onto his gun and returning fire. The 109 didn't come back round for another go. (I guess my Grandad was a target of opportunity for somebody on thier way home!)

His total tally for the war, 2 'kills' and one 'damaged' (all for some reason 109's) The 2 kills were both in Holland some time after Market Garden.