Hans Berger
During the writing of my book, Shot Down, my wife, Glenda, suggested that I try to find the German fighter pilot who shot down my dad’s plane. My initial reaction was, “Yeah right. There’s no way.” However, I said I’d try and searched “trying to find a Luftwaffe pilot” on Google. I then joined a couple of forums, Axis History Forum and The Luftwaffe Archives & Records Reference Group and again posted my question.
To my surprise, in less than a week I received responses from Andrew Arthy with Air War Publications and author Erik Mombeek that lead to the discovery of Lt. Hans G. Berger, a Focke-Wulf 190 pilot with Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1) – Jagd, meaning hunt and Geschwader, meaning wing of the German Luftwaffe – Luft meaning air and Waffe meaning weapon or arm. Amazing enough as this discovery was, I learned that Hans was 90 years old and was living in Munich, Germany. Furthermore, he was a translator and spoke English!
Well, I emailed Hans to introduce myself, and we began emailing back and forth. The result was that he provided me with some great information and wonderful insight that is included in my book.
Today, I called him, and we spoke live for the first time. In 1944, Hans Berger was my father’s enemy. Today, 70 years later, Hans Berger is my friend.
Hans Berger with mechanic Konrad (Kari) Ell
Very interesting. ” War and politics make strange bedfellows “. All the best to you and Herr Berger.
Thanks Don. I hope you will consider ordering my book. Also, think about subscribing to my blog.
Steve
Am also in touch with the family of Egon Mayer, the German Ace who shot down my father’s plane Pandora’s Box during the November 23, 1942 raid on St. Nazaire. (91st BG : 324th Squadron) As no remains from his B-17 have ever been found, I plan to honor both men at Mayer’s grave in Normandy. Mayer’s was shot down in 1944 by Walter Gresham in a P-47. I feel that evened the score. What a waste of young lives all around.
It’s really cool that you found him Larry!
It is food for a lot of thought. Both young men loved flying long before the war.
In my father’s case, it was a pivotal incident. Egon Mayer brilliantly analysed B-17’s frontal armament weakness and lead the first major Luftwaffe attack head-on. The plane was last seen with a life raft that had to be shot off the tail and the ball-turret was a mass of blood. My father’s classmate at Vanderbilt was Randall Jarrell who later wrote Death of the Ball Turret Gunner. Still gives me terrible chills.
“From my mother’s sleep I fell into the State,
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,
I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.
Without a doubt Larry! I’ll be praying for you this next week…
Larry I would like to contact Egon Mayer’s family. It’s important. Can you help?
You’ll need to contact Larry directly at Oregondoggie@gmail.com
Dear Mr Smelser,
A very moving story of your father and his “enemy”
Greetings and respect
Piet Keppens
Hello Piet. You might be interested in watching this 13 minute documentary which includes an interview with Luftwaffe pilot Hans Berger – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2by2oYo-6Y
A good reminder that we were at war with the leadership of Germany, not the people. Just as it always is. Great story, Steve.
Thank you Janet!
This is a very interesting read. Happy to say that Laurence Smelser traveled to Germany in October 2017 to meet and reconcile with Egon Mayer’s family. The meeting went well.. I’m glad that it did.
Laurence did feel that when Egon Mayer’s end the hands my my Dad, (Walter Gresham) didi even the score a bit. But, in doing doing so, I have just found out through research that one of the first two American Fighter Pilot’s killed in my Dad’s WWII 358th Fighter Squadron was killed by Mayer. So, without knowing it, Dad evened a score against Mayer without ever knowing it.
It was a brave generation, on both sides of the battle lines….
Thank you for your email, John. Much appreciated. In my opinion, they definitely were The Greatest Generation, and it is our duty to remember. I hope you will read my book and let me know how you like it. The print edition has more than 200 pictures so you can visualize everything.
Steve
This is a very interesting read. Happy to say that Laurence Smelser traveled to Germany in October 2017 to meet and reconcile with Egon Mayer’s family. The meeting went well.. I’m glad that it did.
Laurence did feel that when Egon Mayer’s end the hands my my Dad, (Walter Gresham) didi even the score a bit. But, in doing doing so, I have just found out through research that one of the first two American Fighter Pilot’s killed in my Dad’s WWII 358th Fighter Squadron was killed by Mayer. So, without knowing it, Dad evened a Squadron score against Mayer without ever knowing it.
It was a brave generation, on both sides of the battle lines….
I believe that my German Aunt’s husband was shot down in Belgium in 1940 or 41. His name was Lt Christl Walther. As a POW he was transferred to England and then to America where he sat out the most of WW11. I have very little info, so any info that you might come across would be wonderful. Dave Bruner – 801-710-5624. I am currently living in Pleasant View, Utah. My Mother lived through WW11 and married my Dad from Magna, Utah after the war.
Hi Dave. Thanks for your inquiry. I did a quick search but could not find that name. Are you sure that is the exact spelling? Have you read SHOT DOWN? Merry Christmas!
Yes, the spelling is correct. I knew Hans G. Berger very well as we worked together for many years