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Goodwill Meeting, American Fighter Aces Association and Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots' Association

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Goodwill Meeting, American Fighter Aces Association and Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots' Association The American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews The Museum of Flight Seattle, Washington Goodwill Meeting, American Fighter Aces Association and Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association (Part 1 of 3) Recording Date: May 1961 Abstract: This three-part recording contains highlights from a goodwill meeting between the American Fighter Aces Association and the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association, held in May 1961 in Germany. In part one, the narrator summarizes the event, introduces members of the American and German delegations, and describes notable moments during the visit. Identified speakers include Werner Andres, President of the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association; Eugene A. Valencia, Vice President of the American Fighter Aces Association; American fighter ace Hubert Zemke; and German fighter ace Walter Krupinski. Background: In May 1961, members of the American Fighter Aces Association visited West Germany as part of a goodwill meeting between them and the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association. During their week-long visit, they toured German air bases and attended various events, including a war memorial dedication in Geisenheim, Germany. Several moments from the meeting were recorded, such as goodwill gestures and conversations between American and German fighter aces. Restrictions: Permission to publish material from the American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interview Collection must be obtained from The Museum of Flight Archives. Transcript: Transcribed by Pioneer Transcription Services Index: Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Presentation of Werner Mölders’s award ....................................................................................... 5 Visit to Büchel Air Force Base ....................................................................................................... 6 Conversation between Hubert Zemke and Walter Krupinski ......................................................... 7 Discussion of point system and German aircraft ............................................................................ 9 Goodwill Meeting, American Fighter Aces Association and Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association (Part 1 of 3) [START OF RECORDING] 00:00:00 [Introduction] NARRATOR: The fighter pilots of the world were honored in Germany this May 1961 by the fighter pilots of two nations who achieved the elite rank of ace, American and German. The occasion: the dedication of a memorial in Geisenheim, Germany, on the shore of the Rhine River. The memorial has been constructed to honor those fighter pilots who lost their lives in aerial combat. The ceremony surrounding its dedication was attended by members of the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association, Germany, and the Association of Fighter Aces, United States. Formal invitation for the American group to participate was presented in April 1961 by General Johannes Steinhoff, German Air Force. At that time, he was visiting Headquarters, North American Air Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Association of Fighter Aces was formed in September 1960 when 75 United States fighter aces met formally, many for the first time, during the Air Force Association Convention in San Francisco. At that time, James L. Brooks was named President. He is a former chief test pilot for North American Aviation, now an executive with that company. Honorary Chairman is America’s ace of aces, World War I, Eddie Rickenbacker, now board chairman for Eastern Airlines. Other officers include Vice Presidents Jack Bradley, Colonel, United States Air Force; Gene Valencia, Commander, United States Navy; Executives Joe Foss, the Commissioner of the American Football League and, incidentally, the first to surpass Captain Eddie Rickenbacker’s record of World War I; Gabby Gabreski, America’s top living ace; Jim Jabara, America’s top jet ace; Captain Dave McCampbell, the top Navy ace; Glenn Eagleston; Marion Carl; Admiral Jimmy Thach; Bud Mahurin; and many more. Prior to departure from the United States, the following message was received by the Fighter Aces. “The dedication of a monument to the fighter pilots of the world is highly complementary of the efforts between our two nations. I am pleased with the advancements being made by the Association of Fighter Aces and realize that an organization so new has many hurdles to pass and efforts are greatest during this period. My best wishes for a successful journey and dedication. Sincerely, Thomas D. White, General, United States Air Force, Chief of Staff.” The gentleman who met the American delegation of fighter aces in Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany, was Mr. Werner Andres. He speaks through an interpreter. 00:02:42 WERNER ANDRES [via translator]: Gentleman, a cordial welcome is about the only English I can remember right now, which my wife was trying to teach me especially for you, but I have lost my notes for the text. And so I want to apologize for having to use an interpreter at your arrival here in Germany. I hope, gentlemen, you have had a nice trip. And I can assure you that the German fighter pilots are really happy about your visit here to Germany. We know that our both associations will help deepen the good relationship between our two nations. 00:03:21 [Presentation of Werner Mölders’s award] NARRATOR: The first official visit of the Association of Fighter Aces was at the Hahn Air Force Base at Hahn, Germany, where Colonel Jack S. Jenkins, United States Air Force, Commander of the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, welcomed members of the United States Association of Fighter Aces. The American aces, visiting Europe for a week at the invitation of the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association, heard Colonel Jenkins say that it was a thrill for him, as an old fighter pilot, to welcome other old fighter pilots to Hahn. He congratulated the recently formed Fighter Aces on their organization, which he said he believes will come to personify the spirit and devotion to duty which characterized America’s fighter aces during the World Wars and Korea. Colonel Jenkins went on to say that he, personally, was glad to see so many old friends again. And, in reference to World War II, the Colonel said that if 20 years ago anyone had told him that he would be sitting across the table today from German fighter aces, drinking coffee and chatting, he would have thought them crazy. But now he said, “A luncheon such as this goes to show the true spirit behind the NATO concept of partners for peace.” He added, “It’s truly a wonderful thing when people come from all over the world to attend such an affair.” Colonel Jenkins presented to the German Fighter Pilots’ Association an award that was to be presented to Werner Mölders, the first German ace to attain the victory status of 100 confirmed victories. This award never reached Mölders but was captured and remained a souvenir until recently. The interesting fact concerning this award is that Colonel Jenkins, after his release from a German prisoner-of-war camp, was awaiting transportation to the United States when an enlisted man of the RAF offered the Colonel the award for the equivalent of five American dollars. It has remained in his possession until this time. The decoration is approximately 12 by 12 inches, embossed in very heavy pure gold. This award was intended for the first, and subsequent, fighter pilots attaining a confirmed 100th victory. This particular award was intended for Werner Mölders, and this is particularly significant in that he was the first pilot in history to attain this goal. And as such, it created for Mölders a position in World War II not unlike Richthofen in World War I. And so we realize the significance in the return of this award to the German people. A very fine gesture on the part of Colonel Jack S. Jenkins. Now, it is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Werner Andres, President of the German Fighter Pilots’ Association. 00:06:05 WA [via translator]: Thank you very much for your broad-minded presentation. I believe that the handover of this special document really is in the same meaning, aspects of our present meeting and will further deepen and confirm our good relationships and contacts. We think that we fighter pilots have a good supposition for such relationship. We, of course, are not god-like, but we are only human beings with many weak and a few good characteristics. We all fighter pilots belong to the same type of people and have always got along very good and had always an excellent understanding. We have already found out and noticed in these few hours that we have been together that you gentlemen from the American Fighters Aces Association, exactly like us, only pay attention to the really important things of life. We believe that this meeting and the get- together of our two associations is of quite some importance for the future. The political situation of the world forces our nations to unity. For the free world, it will be important that our unity and alliance not only is a matter of sense, but comes out of our hearts. We are sure that your visits, you gentlemen from the States, and your friendly hospitality [unintelligible 00:07:41] and the gentlemen of your base, already have served this purpose. I’ll, of course, hand this document over to Mrs. Mölders and, again, thank you very much for the presentation and handover of this document. Thank you. 00:07:55 NARRATOR: After Mr. Andres had finished speaking, which we have just heard through his interpreter, Commander Gene Valencia, himself a fighter ace and Vice President of the Fighter Aces Association, asked the interpreter about the decoration. EUGENE A. VALENCIA: This has certainly been an honor to be here on such a momentous occasion. Would you explain the significance of the decoration? TRANSLATOR: Well, this document was presented to Colonel Werner Mölders when he received this award to the Oak Leaf of the Knight’s Cross. Werner was the first fighter pilot with more than 100 victories. He was not only a good pilot, but he always has been symbolic to us German fighter pilots here.
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