Anxiety. Fear. Charles Brown needed stronger words for what he faced on Dec. 20, 1943. Hit in an airstrike somewhere over Germany, his B-17 was floundering without instruments and with very little time left. They could bail out, but . . . how could they leave the severely injured behind? As this 21-year-old West Virginia farm boy struggled with this decision on his first combat mission another horror came within view.
Looking to his left, a Messerschmitt 109 suddenly appeared within 3 feet of his wing tip. Was this German assessing the damage? Taunting him just before the kill? Brown tried to steel himself for the inevitable. Surely only moments remained. How do you prepare yourself for impending death?
Charles Brown looked again. Now he could clearly see the face of his aggressor as they continued to fly side by side. Then . . . a strange thing happened. The German pilot did not scowl. His eyes registered no threat. No. To Brown's utter surprise, the pilot raised his hand and pointed ahead. Clearly, it was a follow-me sign.
With no other options, Charlie Brown complied. After what seemed like hours of flight time the two pilots finally reached the English Channel and Franz Stigler saluted his charge and rolled away.
Less than a week ago I shared this story with a class of women from my church. To read similar stories you might consider Be Anxious For Nothing: Finding Hope In a Hectic World. The book can be purchased directly from the publisher at: 1-800-283-1357 or on Amazon @ www.amazon.com/Be-Anxious-Nothing-Finding-Hectic.com
Looking to his left, a Messerschmitt 109 suddenly appeared within 3 feet of his wing tip. Was this German assessing the damage? Taunting him just before the kill? Brown tried to steel himself for the inevitable. Surely only moments remained. How do you prepare yourself for impending death?
Charles Brown looked again. Now he could clearly see the face of his aggressor as they continued to fly side by side. Then . . . a strange thing happened. The German pilot did not scowl. His eyes registered no threat. No. To Brown's utter surprise, the pilot raised his hand and pointed ahead. Clearly, it was a follow-me sign.
With no other options, Charlie Brown complied. After what seemed like hours of flight time the two pilots finally reached the English Channel and Franz Stigler saluted his charge and rolled away.
Less than a week ago I shared this story with a class of women from my church. To read similar stories you might consider Be Anxious For Nothing: Finding Hope In a Hectic World. The book can be purchased directly from the publisher at: 1-800-283-1357 or on Amazon @ www.amazon.com/Be-Anxious-Nothing-Finding-Hectic.com
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