On 12 April 1945 an American L4 Grasshopper reconnaissance plane was on a reconnaissance mission near Berlin when it came across a German Fieseler Storch doing the same thing. Both planes were unarmed but the US crew, Lt. Duane Francis and Lt. Bill Martin, did the most American thing ever and opened the doors to fire on the enemy with their .45 pistols, as if they were gangsters doing a drive-by.
Remarkably, it worked. The Storch took evasive action, a wing clipped the ground and it crashed. Francis and Martin landed and administered first aid to the Germans and took them prisoner. Safe to say this was the only aerial ‘kill’ claimed by pistols in that war.
American Vet wrote:
On 12 April 1945 an American L4 Grasshopper reconnaissance plane was on a reconnaissance mission near Berlin when it came across a German Fieseler Storch doing the same thing. Both planes were unarmed but the US crew, Lt. Duane Francis and Lt. Bill Martin, did the most American thing ever and opened the doors to fire on the enemy with their .45 pistols, as if they were gangsters doing a drive-by.
Remarkably, it worked. The Storch took evasive action, a wing clipped the ground and it crashed. Francis and Martin landed and administered first aid to the Germans and took them prisoner. Safe to say this was the only aerial ‘kill’ claimed by pistols in that war.
On 12 April 1945 an American L4 Grasshopper reconn... (
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What a great story. Love it even though it was the ARMY Air Corps!
American Vet wrote:
On 12 April 1945 an American L4 Grasshopper reconnaissance plane was on a reconnaissance mission near Berlin when it came across a German Fieseler Storch doing the same thing. Both planes were unarmed but the US crew, Lt. Duane Francis and Lt. Bill Martin, did the most American thing ever and opened the doors to fire on the enemy with their .45 pistols, as if they were gangsters doing a drive-by.
Remarkably, it worked. The Storch took evasive action, a wing clipped the ground and it crashed. Francis and Martin landed and administered first aid to the Germans and took them prisoner. Safe to say this was the only aerial ‘kill’ claimed by pistols in that war.
On 12 April 1945 an American L4 Grasshopper reconn... (
show quote)
Good stuff & I still believe in the Colt 1911 .45 ACP, the origional stopper & dropper.
11Bravo wrote:
Good stuff & I still believe in the Colt 1911 .45 ACP, the origional stopper & dropper.
When I went on flight status, the Army issued me a .38 - it fit in the survival vest. I visited the armorer (with a fifth of JD) and got a 1911. Had Papasan alter my vest. Good to go!!
American Vet wrote:
When I went on flight status, the Army issued me a .38 - it fit in the survival vest. I visited the armorer (with a fifth of JD) and got a 1911. Had Papasan alter my vest. Good to go!!
Great decision!! Why a round revolver w/less rounds than a flat auto in a survival vest always puzzled me.
11Bravo wrote:
Good stuff & I still believe in the Colt 1911 .45 ACP, the origional stopper & dropper.
AKA the one shot fight stopper!
11Bravo wrote:
Great decision!! Why a round revolver w/less rounds than a flat auto in a survival vest always puzzled me.
After all these years (close to 50) I still remember the description: "A hand held, magazine fed, gas operated weapon used to engage the enemy with quick accurate fire in close quarters."
American Vet wrote:
After all these years (close to 50) I still remember the description: "A hand held, magazine fed, gas operated weapon used to engage the enemy with quick accurate fire in close quarters."
OMG that's great & Thanx for the memory jolt, it's been quite a few decades for me too !!
American Vet wrote:
After all these years (close to 50) I still remember the description: "A hand held, magazine fed, gas operated weapon used to engage the enemy with quick accurate fire in close quarters."
yes, i qualified with the 1911 back in '85 so i could stand OOD in-port ...this was my choice when i purchased my 1st pistol last year, handles great and the weight is perfect...with a fited laser i can place a tight 2 clip grouping at 50' inside a 6" dia plate ;-)
American Vet wrote:
When I went on flight status, the Army issued me a .38 - it fit in the survival vest. I visited the armorer (with a fifth of JD) and got a 1911. Had Papasan alter my vest. Good to go!!
Thank you for your service. I’ve learned a lot about what to look for when I go out to buy our first gun...today.
MMCS-SS_SW wrote:
yes, i qualified with the 1911 back in '85 so i could stand OOD in-port ...this was my choice when i purchased my 1st pistol last year, handles great and the weight is perfect...with a fited laser i can place a tight 2 clip grouping at 50' inside a 6" dia plate ;-)
Vet2Vet,Thank you for your service. You got your group together for sure.
11Bravo wrote:
Vet2Vet,Thank you for your service. You got your group together for sure.
Thanks for yours. Spent some time in the ‘bush’ with 11 Bang Bangs. They took care of me - I took care of them.
thanks to all of the Vets here, we still have not been relieved of our oath to protect our country from foreign and "Domestic" enemies...live on my brothers and sisters for the freedom we have given our country!
American Vet wrote:
Thanks for yours. Spent some time in the ‘bush’ with 11 Bang Bangs. They took care of me - I took care of them.
We will never forget your heroism & dedication to us. BTW a personal friend & my MD was a combat medic like you. We carry on, office visit or my yard, it's always goin'.
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