Posted on 04/05/2010 12:53:14 AM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
An RAF pilot and an aviator from the Luftwaffe have flown together on a combat mission for the first time since Britain and Germany were bitter Second World War enemies.
The two airmen joined forces in the skies above Afghanistan in the war against the Taliban.
Last night, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that an RAF flight lieutenant had piloted a Tornado GR4 supersonic jet with a German navigator behind him in the cockpit.
The Luftwaffe major - the equivalent of a squadron leader in the RAF - speaks perfect English and is said to have fitted in well with his British counterparts at Kandahar air base.
The pair provided 'top cover' --alerting British and US ground troops on Taliban positions. It is understood that although their Tornado was loaded with bombs, they were not deployed.
Until now, RAF and Luftwaffe pilots and navigators have flown together only on slow-moving C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in Afghanistan as part of a reciprocal scheme under which air crew are seconded to other Nato countries.
The new era of co-operation, however, has not prevented wags in the RAF's 31 Squadron, based at Marham, Norfolk, from cracking the odd joke about the German navigator.
An RAF source said: 'There was a bit of banter when it was discovered that an RAF pilot was to fly with a Luftwaffe navigator. But he proved to be an outstanding professional and made a valuable contribution to protecting troops on the ground.
'When you are in the air, there is only one issue: are you able to do your job to the required standard? In this navigator's case, he proved himself more than up to the job.' The German navigator is not only of a more senior rank than his British counterpart, he is also paid more.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
An exchange between ATC in Frankfurt, GE and a Pan Am 747:
Speedbird 206: “Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway.”
Ground: “Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven.”
The PA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.
Ground: “Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?”
Speedbird 206: “Stand by, Ground, I’m looking up our gate location now.”
Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): “Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?”
Speedbird 206 (coolly): “Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark, — And I didn’t land.”
LOL.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Air_Base_Geilenkirchen
Another anecdotal story along those lines that I heard many years ago:
A Lufthanza jet was on the tarmac preparing to taxi out to the runway. He called the tower for instructions in German, not English as required. The tower quickly passed on to him that he needed to use English for any radio transmissions.
The German pilot objected: “I’m a German pilot, flying a plane owned by a German company and on German soil. Why CAN’T I use German?”
Out of the electronic void a reply in a crisp, Oxford accent: “Because you lost the Bloody war mate!”
Don’t know if its true or not, it was passed onto me by a German pilot in the 70s.
France has surrendered...
Im Deutsche,"zu habst der krieg verloren!"
Heard a similar story about an American couple honeymooning in Niagara falls. They were allowed to get on the "maid of the mist" ahead of a large German tourist group. The germans started complaining loudly to their tour leader asking in their native language why the stupid americans got on first. Not realizing the husband was fluent in german, He turned to the group and said the above which means "because you lost the war!".
CC
A Pan Am 707 was landing at Heathrow in London and really made a mess of the landing in a high cross wind. After the landing a female voice with a British Accent was heard on the ground control frequency saying, "You girls with Pan Am are lucky. Our captain will not let us land the plane."
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