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December, 1943: A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. At the controls is twenty-one-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Charlie Brown. Half his crew lay wounded or dead on this, their first mission. Suddenly, a Messerschmitt fighter pulls up on the bomber’s tail. The pilot is German ace Franz Stigler—and he can destroy the young American crew with the squeeze of a trigger...
What happened next would defy imagination and later be called “the most incredible encounter between enemies in World War II.”
The U.S. 8th Air Force would later classify what happened between them as “top secret.” It was an act that Franz could never mention for fear of facing a firing squad. It was the encounter that would haunt both Charlie and Franz for forty years until, as old men, they would search the world for each other, a last mission that could change their lives forever.
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THEir FIRST sit-down
This video shows Franz & Charlie discussing their December 20th encounter, filmed during their first post-war reunion in Seattle,1990. Please note this video contains spoilers.
a higher call ART GALLERY
"The Guardian" by Nicolas Trudgian shows Franz & Charlie on December 20, 1943. Available with the autographs of Franz & Charlie. Click the art to learn more.
"The Guardian Returns" by Nicolas Trudgian shows Franz over the German coast after the encounter. Available with the autographs of Franz & Charlie. Click the art to learn more.
"A Higher Call" by John D. Shaw shows the December 20th encounter. Available hand-signed by Franz & Charlie. Click the art to learn more.
"Prey for Mercy" by John D. Shaw shows Franz at Jever field as Charlie flies overhead. Available with the autograph of Franz. Click the art to learn more.
"Outrun the Eagles" by Gareth Hector shows Franz in his Me 262 during April 1945. Available with the autograph of Franz. Click the art to learn more.
"In the Presence of my Enemy" by John D. Shaw shows Franz & Charlie on December 20, 1943. Available with the autographs of Franz & Charlie. Click the art to learn more.
BOMB GROUP REUNION
This CBS News segment was filmed at the 1990 reunion of Charlie Brown's bomb group. Please note this video contains spoilers.
A SPITFIRE ENCOUNTER
“A Higher Call” technical advisor and former Luftwaffe Bf 109 & Me 262 pilot Jorg Czypionka had a unique encounter with British Spitfires in April 1945. Read his story here.
