Re: Pieces of paper thrown out of a Me 109
 

I also agree with Dan, not many of us can react completely rationally in sudden danger situation.

Juha

Re: Pieces of paper thrown out of a Me 109
 

Yes i'm with Dan on this, young pilot fresh out of training, taught from day one to destroy all documents and aircraft in the event of a crash landing behind enemy lines. Looks like he went into auto pilot, thats what training is all about, no thinking just acting as taught.
Also to consider is when the hood was jettisoned any loose papers,maps etc would have been sucked out by the slipstream. Try leaving some paper on your car seat and open both front windows at 80mph !

Re: Pieces of paper thrown out of a Me 109
 

Hi
I would tend to agree, I read a combat report od a luftwaffe D 520 being shot down, It had a similar comment about papers coming out when the hood was opened.
cheers
Jerry

Re: Pieces of paper thrown out of a Me 109
 

we had the order to destroy all papers before or after emergency-landiing.
A few years ago I wrote in "Enemy In The Dark", page 142 about an incident with Ju 88:

"I was certain that I had been shot down by American Flak, so I called to the crew: Burn all radio-papers! Run for it!" Then we heard a German voice: " Is there anyone alive here?"

It happened with 2Z+FP at 27th Dec 1944 during Ardennes Offensive.
regards Peter Spoden

www.nachtjaegerspoden.de

Re: Pieces of paper thrown out of a Me 109
 

Thank you very much Mr. Spoden. And thanks to all the persons who replied to my message : their comments were always judicious !

Pierre