World War 2
American Spitfire Pilot
American Spitfire Pilot
An 18 year-old just out of high school was trained to take pictures of damage done to German targets by B-17's. He flew in a British Spitfire fitted with extra fuel tanks where the guns were. In other words, he flew over Germany unarmed...
This is probably one of the best WWII film clips out there. Stored for 61 years in two suitcases of 16mm home movies that were inherited by film maker William Lorton from his great uncle who served as a Flight Surgeon. Those suitcases contained 3 hours of war footage that included a compelling crash landing of a Spitfire in 1944.
Filmed in a 2005 interview with the now 83 year old pilot and seeing the expression on his face when he realizes it is him in the cockpit, is something you won't soon forget.
At 18 yrs. old, he was all alone, behind enemy lines, with no guns, no escort, and he gladly did it.
They just don't make them like that any more. It was truly the greatest generation and we owe them so much.
