Warbird Information Exchange

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yeeeeeeeeeesssssssssss.

The guys in the cockpits weren't the ones who made policy and started wars. It took a nearly obscene amount of guts to fly a Focke Wulf or a 109 into the crossfire of a combat box formation over Germany, or to take aim at a B-29 with a Ki 61 and intentionally ram the thing in an effort to stop the bombers from dropping bombs on the cities below. And to their everlasting credit, most Allied airmen understood and respected the position of their opponents- as did the Germans, at least. Clearest example I can cite would be Werner Roell's comment in his biography of Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, speaking of the RAF Bomber Command crews against whom they flew night after night... "They too had their damned duty." Many of the erstwhile opponents forged close ties and lifelong friendships after the war, based on their shared experiences in the air. The war was rather more dehumanizing in the Pacific unfortunately, on both sides of the battle lines, but even so many Japanese and Allied airmen eventually met up and became good friends after the war.

So yes, while they were on the wrong side, and they had to be defeated in order to win the war, that does not mean that their efforts and experiences were not worthy of respect.

Lynn

Sorry for the interruption again folks.

Again I feel the need to 'publicly' respond to a portion of your Latest PM (you will always be held anonymous of course) but It's important to me that I'm clear to those who may feel the same way you do. So here you go.

No, it's NOT and never has been about whether I'm first to post a photo or the number of photos I post or some sort of 'pat me on the back, look at me' thing. I've said this one too many times around here already that I have zero interest in accolades. I do what I do to help honor and remember the sacrifices of the vets, to help in research for family members and to try to provide history for those interested in knowing what really happened back when the world was in some real trouble. Am I an expert? Authority? Scholar? Official historian for any particular group? .. H*ll no! But I do feel I have the desire to contribute in my small way to keep the flame of rememberance alive. I try to do my part.

I take a bit of heat from time to time for poor source information or something to that affect but I usually let that crap roll off my shoulders. I believe the rewards of posting old photos that assist in honoring, remembering and respecting those who sacrificed so much for all of us is much stronger than a few folks getting upset at anything I post.

These veterans are soon to be all gone. If I can I'll continue to post old photos to honor them while many of them are still with us. Others do their part in other ways ... This is what I've chosen to do.

Hope you 'get it' now.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Mansfield

Again thanks so much to those of you who 'do get it' ....

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Zero Surprise!!...

Wow, I just find it a bit ironic that someone who is on a "War Birds" site is sensitive to images of war.

Mark, thank you for all the work and time you put into your photo postings, they are very much appreciated by me, especially when I see they came from the San Diego Aerospace Museum!

And to Mr. or Ms. Sensitive, learn from these images that Freedom was not and is not Free. That men and women made the ultimate sacrifices for our Country and Freedom. Warbirds are not just pretty shiny things with Pin Ups on them or around them. They where and are instruments of war.

And God help you if you paint your gear doors green!

I have thought about this numerous times, and I believe that all of those that fought and died for their country were brave, there are those that won and those that lost. Regardless of the ship and the nationality of the aviator, it was brave of them to fly their little tin cans to extreme altitudes and take the shot or drop a bomb as they were risking their lives for their country. I feel sorry for the Kamikaze (神風) because they knew they were going to die either in the plane, on on the deck of their carrier.

scene on a Japanese aircraft carrier.....Honorable Japanese Pilots, today, you about to embark on a very important Mission.....Today, you takeoff, search out the yankee aircraft carrier....down fast....killing yourself and all of those aboard......Are there any questions ( how many Kamikaze pilots thought "you are out of your F'in mind)

All that strapped on an aircraft during that period in our history were brave....I'm just sayin'

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Mark,

The same person is accusing you of "glorifying death and suffering" AND of being an egomaniac? And doesn't even have the stones to do so where his or her own comments can be evaluated by others? This person has issues that are worse than the things you are being (wrongfully, IMHO) accused of doing. I don't even know where the "glorifying" accusation could have come from - that's just completely out of left field, the kind of thing that leaves you thinking "What???? Did I miss something?" Whomever this person may be, I'd say that they are trying to get under your skin and their comments are not worth responding to. While I'm at it, I'd like to express my gratitude to you for all of the photographs that you have posted because I, for one, do not have the depth of resources that you obviously do. Thanks for sharing!

Better question: If you asked any of the German or Japanese or Italian pilots what they were fighting for, would they respond "For the freedom and self-determination of all peoples, so they no longer need to fear tyranny"?

That's what we were fighting for.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Mark, I too would like to add my support, as a member of this site who puts his name at the bottom of every post.

Having conversed with you by private E-mail more than once, I know that none of this, is in support of your ego.

I'm sure I'm not alone in seeing the irony, of someone pointing out, that images of war are horrific. It was war!

We need to be thankful for the sacrifices made by these brave souls, who risked and in many cases lost their lives. In horrible unspeakable ways.

The one thing I know for sure about bravery, is that it is most certainly NOT defined by hiding anonymously behind a keyboard. Perhaps it's time to stop feeding the troll.

Andy Scott

Good morning folks and thx As always for the kind words and continued support. I'll tell you, it's sometimes perplexing for me to justify why I continue to post anything on these Internet forums when more times than not it feels like your fighting a battle with people who seem to have no interest in, and seem incapable of, common respect for others opinions and contributions. I see it happening on these forums constantly. After a while you just have to find a way to give it up and walk away, which for some is a tough thing to do.

I've said it before that if you want a case study in some of the more asinine aspects of human behavior? Just spend a bit of time on an Internet forum. You'll eventually witness plenty of it. The flip side is that often you will also be privileged to meet some of the very best folks Internet forums can offer. And if your really fortunate you might meet a few of these folks in person somewhere. When this happens it almost makes dealing with the forum BS worth it. ... Almost.

M

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Zero Surprise!!...

thanks for your posts Mark - I for one always look to see what you have posted when I visit the forum -and I know about those with differing opinions. Working with the museum where the atomic missions were trained for I have had a fair number of "opinions" expressed openly and some anonymously about what we are honoring.

Keep it up and let me know if you areever passing through Wendover and I'll make sure you get the "nickle" tour!

Tom P.

I sure enjoy your photos. Thanks and don't let them get to you.

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Well if I can't rollerskate around my playpen while smoking and drinking a beer, I'm staying home..

The battleship in the very first photograph in this thread is almost certainly Yamato. She was at Hiroshima/Kure on the 19th of March and attacked bu carrier aircraft.

Thanks for posting the photos.

Mark,

I do not post a lot but come on WIX daily. One of the main reasons I frequent this site is to view the photos that you and others take the time to research and post here. I think in order to truly understand how things were during the war we need to see not just the clean pictures of aircraft flying in formation or sitting idle but of the men who flew them, the ships and bases they were on and yes even the death and horror they encountered.

I had the honor of knowing many WW 2 pilots. My dad being one surronded himself with others like him. I know from the few stories they told there was nothing fun or glamourous about flying during the war. Most of these guys were teenagers or just in their 20's and the things they saw and did I have a hard time understanding. Seeing combat pictures and yes in some cases death hits home that the war was an ugly thing and for a man to go out every day and perform his duty after seeing some of the terrible things captured on these pictures is nothing short of amazing. It makes me respect them even more if that is possible.

I am a paramedic and I have seen more death in my time than I care to think about. And it is sometimes difficult to deal with. The fact that these men were subjected to those horrors each day is something we need to remember and respect.

I do not view posting these pictures in any other way than an attempt to honor those that sacrificed for their countries and did their duty and the survivors that came home and rebuilt nations. Personally I thank you for posting these images and not just constant photos of bright shiny warbirds far removed from their element.

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Flying Piper L4-J 45-55209

Yes Mark, please keep posting. I have always loved warbirds, and you sharing the photos have taught me alot more about them. We salute you. great job.

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Remember, the propeller is only there to keep the pilot cool.If you don't believe me, have it stop and watch the pilot start sweating!

This looks to be the Yamato as well. 4/7/1945

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Zero Surprise!!...