WWII German pilot. Snapshot. Private Collection.
Ah, the enemy…the one we loathe.
This picture spoke to me. This German pilot is leaning to the side so the model plane is in the shot. The picture gives me the feeling that flying was a dream of his from childhood, and it most likely was. Too bad this one grew up to become a pilot under Hitler’s rule. Sad, sad, sad. This pilot fought for the wrong side and paid the price whether he survived or not.
I collect these pictures because they remind me of the universal tragedy of war. The enemy had a face and family too and a life, and dreams, and not all of them were evil, they followed orders like every soldier has to do.
Bowlers And High Collars 
July 6th, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Sadly the winners and losers of any conflict are determined by who writes the historical account; when I see pictures like this I think back to “All Quiet on the Western Front” when Paul kills his first German soldier, “you are a man like me. I thought of your hand-grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see your wife and your face and our fellowship. Forgive me, comrade.” The even sadder thing is, if you’ve ever read “Ordinary Men” by Christopher Browning, ordinary people are capable of the most despicable actions, much like the Stanford Experiment. Thankfully there are some exceptional people that tip the scales in favour of mankind, now I’m totally depressed lol .
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July 6th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
I’m aware of the Stanford Experiment. It was heart wrenching to watch.
There’s this movie ‘Into The White’ based on a true story of two British pilots who crashed on a mountain and found themselves stranded in a cabin with the 4 German pilots who crashed them, and because they had to survive together a friendship blossomed. Crazy huh…or maybe not so crazy.
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July 6th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
The Stamford Experiment was interesting mainly because having been a nurse it’s easy to see how “good” people become swept away by the not so good which is why abuse is often covered up.
I haven’t seen that one but I guess it shows politics, religion and ideology aside we aren’t that different.
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