Franz Von Werra "The one that got away"

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Milmart
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Franz Von Werra "The one that got away"

Post by Milmart » Tue Mar 02, 2021 5:59 pm

Franz Xaver Baron von Werra (13 July 1914 – 25 October 1941)
Werra joined the Luftwaffe in 1936 and was commissioned a Leutnant in 1938. At the beginning of the Second World War he was serving with Jagdgeschwader 3 in the French campaign. He became adjutant of II Gruppe, JG 3 and was described as engaging in boisterous 'playboy' behavior. He was once pictured in the press with his pet lion Simba, which he kept at the aerodrome as the unit mascot.

On 5 September 1940, Werra's Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1480) was shot down over Winchet Hill, Kent. It is unclear who was responsible for this victory, which was originally credited to Pilot Officer Gerald "Stapme" Stapleton of No. 603 Squadron RAF. However, the Australian ace Flight Lieutenant Paterson Hughes (234 Sqn RAF) was posthumously given half of the credit, in the Citation (London Gazette, 22 October 1940) awarding him a Bar to his DFC. Some sources suggest that P/O George Bennions of 41 Sqn may have initially damaged Werra's fighter before Hughes and Stapleton also scored hits on it. Other sources suggest F/L John Terence Webster of No. 41 Squadron was the victor

He was the only Axis prisoner of war to escape from Canadian custody and return to Germany apart from a U-boat seaman, Werra managed to return to Germany via the US, Mexico, South America, and Spain, finally reaching Germany on 18 April 1941.

On 25 October 1941 Werra took off in Bf 109F-4 Number 7285 on a practice flight. His aircraft suffered engine failure and crashed into the sea north of Vlissingen. Werra was presumed killed, though his body was never found.

Werra's story was the subject of the 1957 film The One That Got Away starring Hardy Krüger as Franz von Werra. The film was based on a book by Kendall Burt and James Leasor published in 1956.

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Re: Franz Von Werra "The one that got away"

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:47 pm

Wow. I literally watched that movie yesterday. It was well made.
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Re: Franz Von Werra "The one that got away"

Post by Milmart » Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:55 am

Quite a good film

The canopy on a 109 opens to the right not the left

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