Quote:
Originally Posted by mapuc
Seem to remember a sentence-not all pilot had parachut and those who had didn't alway survive a jump, due to bad parachute etc.
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Definitely the case for the German airship crews on their raids over the UK. Parachutes were left behind, thus saving weight and improving the performance of the big rigids.
Many men decided "death by impact" was better than being roasted alive when their ships were shot down in flames. I believe that Heinrich Mathy's body had to be effectively peeled out of the ground when it was recovered. He'd elected to jump when his command was shot down.
Mike.