WWII dogfight through the Eiffel Tower (1 Viewer)

[Combat]

Try to envision this the next time in Paris:

http://www.oldgloryprints.com/Berlin Express Arrives in Paris.htm

 

[jazzeum]

I wonder how accurate a painting that is as there is a lot of shruberry but not much else except for one small building and no kiosks or the like.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I've been and Brad is right where are all of the venders and pick pockets?

Dave

 

[Steven Chong]

Maybe in WWII, the Germans had stricter zoning ordinances.

 

[Combat]

The tower may have been off limits to civilians during the war. Maybe some of the euro members know.

 

[Beaufighter]

If the German Me 109 was actually shot down-there would be a combat report. Time to check the archives. Having actually been there-it looks highly doubtful to me. Looks like I have some homework to do!

 

[Chuck Harris]

I wonder how accurate a painting that is as there is a lot of shruberry but not much else except for one small building and no kiosks or the like.

Brad

I've come back with tree limbs stuck in my wings & under carriage leaves in in air intakes and one time a stork nest with dead bird in the oil intake cooler and I was running for my life. But I **** well would not of tried to fly thought that tower. Steel does not give when you hit it. At high speed & that close to the ground, to judge the opening and get right. Both pilots needed God's hand on their stick.

 

[CannonFodder1971]

I'd be suspicious as to the authenticity of the event. Ok so Overstreet wouldn't have had gun camera to prove/disporove one way or another but I'm pretty sure that of the thousands of wartime photos of the Eifel Tower there were sandbags and a number of machine-gun nest or pillbox-type construction in the foreground on 2 sides. I'll se if I can track down a photo.

In the meantime you might wish to look at the various tall tales surrounding Overstreet, Yeager and Anderson of the 357th FG. There is reference too to Overstreet flying 'Old Crow' and not 'Berlin Express'. However, it's appear that some of the less believable tales relate to Overstreet and his erratic flying patterns:

http://www.cebudanderson.com/billoverstreet.htm

Despite the good handling qualities of the Mustang you just couldn't simply fly on "reflexes" for 90 mins in an unconscious state.