Last Battle of Britain Pilot dies at 105

Aktungbby · 03-17-25, 09:25 PM

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern...5D-%5Bisapi%5D

Quote:

Dogfights' with German pilots
He explains the approach airmen took during one-on-one aerial combat - known as "dogfights" - which were often over in just a few seconds.

"There were two of you. One of you was going to be dead at the end. "You thought: 'Make sure that person was not you.'"

Raf1394 · 03-17-25, 10:20 PM

I'm really impressed, how a lot of those veterans become so old

I think it has all to do with managing stress. If you were part of WW2, or any other war. You had lots of stress and tough times. You experienced the worse. Once the war is over. You go back in civilian life. And i guess the daily troubles people face, are not a big deal for veterans. Because they experienced worse things.

for example ''I won't be stressed out for silly things, if been in a war. I had it worse''

?
And maybe, those veterans are grateful they are still alive, and don't take life for granted. So they try to have a healthy life and get good habits?

If i remember correctly, Friedrich Grade the real chief engineer of the German uboat U-96, actually died in 2023 at the age of 107...

les green01 · 03-17-25, 10:26 PM

rip

mapuc · 03-17-25, 10:40 PM

R.I.P Sir and thank you

Commander Wallace · 03-18-25, 01:10 AM

Rest in Peace, John Hemingway and thank you for your service.

Aktungbby · 03-18-25, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raf1394

I'm really impressed, how a lot of those veterans become so old

So they try to have a healthy life and get good habits?

If i remember correctly, Friedrich Grade the real chief engineer of the German uboat U-96, actually died in 2023 at the age of 107...

My favorite kaleun : the 'drumbeater' Reinhard Hardegen

made it to the ripe old age of 105! He was the last known u-boat commander; when he passed away in 2018. I should look so good in 30 years!!??

Commander Wallace · 03-18-25, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

My favorite kaleun : the 'drumbeater' Reinhard Hardegen

made it to the ripe old age of 105! He was the last known u-boat commander; when he passed away in 2018. I should look so good in 30 years!!??

You would be lucky to look that good now.

Documentary for you.

Eichhörnchen · 03-18-25, 04:25 AM

Defending our country, brave guys like this fought the Battle of Britain largely over the county where I grew up. My mother watched a burning Heinkel crash land in fields close by as she worked in a hop garden in that high summer of 1940, aged 12

Catfish · 03-18-25, 05:28 AM

Rest in peace, John Hemingway.

Commander Wallace · 03-18-25, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

Defending our country, brave guys like this fought the Battle of Britain largely over the county where I grew up. My mother watched a burning Heinkel crash land in fields close by as she worked in a hop garden in that high summer of 1940, aged 12

All very true.. I'm sure those were difficult days for your Mum and family.

A number of Canadian flew in defense of England too. A number of American's went to Canada and disembarked from there to fight with the English as well. A number of well known American Pilots like Gabby Gabreski, Pilot Officer William ‘Billy’ Fiske and others flew Fighter Aircraft for England.

https://www.historylearningsite.co.u...le-of-britain/

Pilot John Hemingway said he was just lucky to have lived through his experiences. In my experiences, brave and talented people like John Hemingway are always lucky.

03-17-25, 10:26 PM	#3
les green01 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Freeman Missouri Posts: 1,784 Downloads: 1405 Uploads: 0	rip __________________ I'll tell you what bravery really is. Bravery is just determination to do a job that you know has to be done. Audie Murphy

03-17-25, 10:40 PM	#4
mapuc CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 20,535 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	R.I.P Sir and thank you __________________ My little lovely female cat

03-18-25, 04:25 AM	#8
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,370 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Defending our country, brave guys like this fought the Battle of Britain largely over the county where I grew up. My mother watched a burning Heinkel crash land in fields close by as she worked in a hop garden in that high summer of 1940, aged 12 __________________

03-18-25, 05:28 AM	#9
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,765 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Rest in peace, John Hemingway. __________________ >^..^<*)))>{ All generalizations are wrong.

03-17-25, 10:20 PM	#2
Raf1394 Commander Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Europe Posts: 445 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	I'm really impressed, how a lot of those veterans become so old I think it has all to do with managing stress. If you were part of WW2, or any other war. You had lots of stress and tough times. You experienced the worse. Once the war is over. You go back in civilian life. And i guess the daily troubles people face, are not a big deal for veterans. Because they experienced worse things. for example ''I won't be stressed out for silly things, if been in a war. I had it worse'' ? And maybe, those veterans are grateful they are still alive, and don't take life for granted. So they try to have a healthy life and get good habits? If i remember correctly, Friedrich Grade the real chief engineer of the German uboat U-96, actually died in 2023 at the age of 107...

03-18-25, 01:10 AM	#5
Commander Wallace Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Under the sea in an Octupus garden in the shade Posts: 5,294 Downloads: 366 Uploads: 0	Rest in Peace, John Hemingway and thank you for your service.