Fading Glory: remembering, honoring WWII glider pilots ..

During WWII, 6500 American pilots were trained to fly glider planes. Nearly half of them died within 30 seconds of being cut loose from the plane in front of them. Their goal was to land in enemy territory and fight their way out. But doing so was so much harder and more dangerous than you could ever imagine.
Glider pilots were America's answer to Japan's Kamikazes. None of these men wanted to die, but they all knew the risks every time they boarded their plane. click on video..
Fading Glory: remembering, honoring WWII glider pilots - KOLD News 13

 

and thats exactly why they shouldnt be 'Fading' Glory. And what im saying isnt just for the Gliders, but for all the men who fought in WWII and all other wars. :S!

 

It's a nice tribute, thanks for sharing it. However, I don't agree with Lisaus's comment that, "Glider pilots were America's answer to Japan's Kamikazes". They didn't make a solemn oath to crash their gliders into the enemy. Far from it. They were highly trained pilots capable of making tactical landings under the most extreme conditions.

I feel an email coming on!

Steve W.

 

I don't agree with Lisaus's comment that, "Glider pilots were America's answer to Japan's Kamikazes". I'm in full agreement with you on that too..but he said it, I would'nt have..

 

Oh, I know they weren't your words.

Steve W.

 

the horsa pics..steve..

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salute

 

"During WWII, 6500 American pilots were trained to fly glider planes. Nearly half of them died within 30 seconds of being cut loose ... "
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In actuality;
There were approximately 222 US (American) glider pilots killed in action flying into combat. There were approximately 157 US (American) glider pilots killed in training.

This does not quite come to "nearly half".

This does not diminish their bravery and dedication to duty, but exaggeration should not be substituted for history.

 

gliderman1

The 'half of them died...' comment is twin to the one which called the glider pilots 'America's answer to Japan's Kamikazes'. These are, sadly, typical of poor research, on both sides of the Atlantic, into the role and exploits of glider pilots and gliderborne troops.

Steve W.

 

I'm currently at the Army Aviation Convention in Nashville, TN. Some amazing displays and actual aircraft here. Ft Campbell has a nice display showing items from their history museum. The WW 2 section has a scale model WACO Glider and photos. Glider forces are well represented.

I also attend church with a 82nd, 325 GIR vet from WW 2. At 87 he still is in great shape and one of the best guys I every met..