Nazi Shot Down 'Little Prince'
Associated Press | March 17, 2008
PARIS - A former pilot for Nazi Germany's air force writes in a forthcoming book that he believes he shot down the author of "The Little Prince," Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
The aviation pioneer's Lockheed Lightning P-38 disappeared July 31, 1944. In the book, former Luftwaffe pilot Horst Rippert says he believes that he shot down the plane - although he is not completely sure.
Le Figaro magazine published extracts of the book, "Saint-Exupery, the ultimate secret," over the weekend.
"I shot down Exupery," the magazine quoted Rippert as saying.
But the former Messerschmitt pilot also added: "I didn't see the pilot, and it would have been impossible for me to know that it was Exupery. I hoped, and I still hope, that it wasn't him."
Saint-Exupery was 44 when he disappeared and remains one of France's most admired figures. He's most famous for "The Little Prince," a tender fable about a prince from an asteroid who explores the planets.
Saint-Exupery's other works, which largely deal with his aviation experiences, include "Wind, Sand and Stars" and "Flight to Arras," about a doomed reconnaissance mission.
A scuba diver has since found the wreckage of his plane off of France's Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Cassis.
Rippert says in the book that he is a fan of the author's works.
"In our youth, at school, we had all read him. We loved his books," he said. "If I had known, I would not have opened fire. Not on him!"
Luftwaffe pilot shot down LITTLE PRINCE author
That is not entirely unexpected, but interesting all the same. I'm sure there was no way for the pilot to know who it was. But I also think that at the time he probably still would have opened fire, only in looking back does he probably say he would have let him go.
But, we'll never know. Exupery had one of the most interesting lives I've ever known from the biographies on him. Perhaps it is the way he would have liked to go out anyway.
What would be interesting is to read a full account of the encounter - If Exuprey was armed and fought back or not.
But again, we'll really know the truth on that one anyway.
Thanks for the post.
But, we'll never know. Exupery had one of the most interesting lives I've ever known from the biographies on him. Perhaps it is the way he would have liked to go out anyway.
What would be interesting is to read a full account of the encounter - If Exuprey was armed and fought back or not.
But again, we'll really know the truth on that one anyway.
Thanks for the post.
Arc
Hmm,
I don't know about that. I know ii s only an opinion. But there are numerous accounts of chivalry in the air where German pilots allowed battle damaged bombers and fighters to escape after a good fight. One b-17 pilot recalls being escorted too the channel after being hammered by interceptors so badly that the German pilot was amazed the plane was still aloft. I cannot remember which Luftwaffe pilot came forth to claim it was he that flew alongside the b-17 saluting their bravery and turned back at the channel. I should probably do some more research before I open my mouth, but there is a print of the painting here in Dallas at the Cavenaugh Flight Museum autographed by pilots that were involved.
Conversely I am quite aware that there were acts of horrific barbarism in the air reported by pilots (Yeager) of German airmen cutting men in half in their chutes, even on their way down to be captured.
I know it is a bit different because we are talking about a fighter bouncing a reconnaissance plane here, but I don't doubt his words when he says he would have held his fire.
After all it is 1944 and things are not looking good for Germany. If there was some way of knowing who he had in his sights he just might have said "what's the point?" especially given his admiration of the man's literature.
But it was a different type of pilot and soldier back then and a different mindset when one valued cultural treasures of any nation. I cannot expect any one of us to know how he would have felt if he knew that one of his favorite authors was in his sights watching troop movements.
If for some odd reason we were at war with the UK and I was fighting in a situation where I had a plane with David Bowie in it in my sights and the plane had "DAVID BOWIE IS INSIDE THIS PLANE" written all over it, I probably would not shoot. I might scare th crap out of him to make him abandon his mission or give up flying, but even then when you know so much about the person you are about to possibly kill, even from afar and enjoying their life through newsreels, it makes it very difficult to take such talent out of the world. I say that because I am sure each man killed in whatever situation during any war has reasons to be spared if only for his children or other loved one's need for his existence, but as most soldiers say when shooting down planes or killing tanks, it is much easier when you can't see or know the man.
I don't know about that. I know ii s only an opinion. But there are numerous accounts of chivalry in the air where German pilots allowed battle damaged bombers and fighters to escape after a good fight. One b-17 pilot recalls being escorted too the channel after being hammered by interceptors so badly that the German pilot was amazed the plane was still aloft. I cannot remember which Luftwaffe pilot came forth to claim it was he that flew alongside the b-17 saluting their bravery and turned back at the channel. I should probably do some more research before I open my mouth, but there is a print of the painting here in Dallas at the Cavenaugh Flight Museum autographed by pilots that were involved.
Conversely I am quite aware that there were acts of horrific barbarism in the air reported by pilots (Yeager) of German airmen cutting men in half in their chutes, even on their way down to be captured.
I know it is a bit different because we are talking about a fighter bouncing a reconnaissance plane here, but I don't doubt his words when he says he would have held his fire.
After all it is 1944 and things are not looking good for Germany. If there was some way of knowing who he had in his sights he just might have said "what's the point?" especially given his admiration of the man's literature.
But it was a different type of pilot and soldier back then and a different mindset when one valued cultural treasures of any nation. I cannot expect any one of us to know how he would have felt if he knew that one of his favorite authors was in his sights watching troop movements.
If for some odd reason we were at war with the UK and I was fighting in a situation where I had a plane with David Bowie in it in my sights and the plane had "DAVID BOWIE IS INSIDE THIS PLANE" written all over it, I probably would not shoot. I might scare th crap out of him to make him abandon his mission or give up flying, but even then when you know so much about the person you are about to possibly kill, even from afar and enjoying their life through newsreels, it makes it very difficult to take such talent out of the world. I say that because I am sure each man killed in whatever situation during any war has reasons to be spared if only for his children or other loved one's need for his existence, but as most soldiers say when shooting down planes or killing tanks, it is much easier when you can't see or know the man.
see my art and model gallery at http://www.cabebooth.com
here we go, the painting in question and account of events
http://aviationartstore.com/chivalry_in_the_air.htm
http://aviationartstore.com/chivalry_in_the_air.htm
see my art and model gallery at http://www.cabebooth.com