[Many Souffan]

Happy birthday Stig 58, in 3 days I will have 56, we are of the same generation, maybe you will understand... It's the beginning of wisdom...


Before to begin, I would like to tell you a short story, he will open to your mind how I am, How I work, How I think the term Searcher.
When I began my researches, I always wanted to go to a known searcher or to an old pilot, I always did and I do by myself the researches the human contact is very important for me. So When I began to search, I met in his country an eminent searcher (since he had became a friend) and during the presentations, he said something that I always thought for me. He said he was a lone wolf. I think deeply, it is the best definition for a searcher, naturally, this searcher can have many friends who are also searchers and everyone is a lone wolf. The second think you must be in trust of the other searcher who asks you some infos. As Franek said we are not living on a honest land. I am suspicious by nature. Another story which explains what I have just said. It was ten years ago, I was in Prague to meet the most famous Czech searcher for some help. I show him some photos of Slovak Pilots, first hand photos because for the father of a slovak friend he told me to write something. this famous searcher was very surprised and he told me if it was possible to have copies. Yes of Course, but for one condition to wait I publish them first. Without my permission he published them 2 years after with my credits but not my permission. You believe me, again today it is a deep wound for me...

When at my beginnings Jochen Prien, Chris Shore, Brian Cull, Ferdinando d’Amico, Jean-Yves Lorant and sorry if I forget so others who helped me, I was able also to understand they didn’t want to help me. It is always a private choice.

We must know there are many different kinds of searchers, and many of them made researches for themselves, for a person of their family, for the passion, for the fun, without thinking to publish. Sorry if you find that I am proud, I make researches to publish, and I will publish again and again. So, As said my Friend Franek why I must give my infos if I didn’t publish yet, You spent money, time. You must know you always spent more money that you can win with an article or a book.

To come to the 14th may 1940, the infos are always in Bundesarchiv but not with Luftwaffe but with the Heeres, and I don’t know the references, because the German searcher who had given to me these infos wanted to stay anonymous, but his work is known, his names is on the cover on some best sellers that everyone know. When he began this work, there was the Berlin wall yet. So I respect what he asks to me to not give his name.

To Arnaud, it is an honor to be humble if you made a mistake, to say it, and your mistake came that it was not for you the same hour, but in the facts French MS406 & Hs 126 were at the same place & at the same hour. Seven men from the 4 Battle of the 142 Sqn. returned to their base, and in their reports never they said there were attacked by French Morane. Take time, go to Kew and have a look in AIR 27, AIR 26, AIR 35, Go to the Service Historique de la Défense, take a look on the file of III/7. Do you know there are also the diary of Cdt Crémont the Chief of the GC III/ 7 there are also private diaries of some French Pilotswho were involved in this melee, I have copies of them... The truth is so evident.

When I have documents, photos, I donate to museums, I don’t keep for myself, only when it is a gift from the pilot himself, I am not a collector, and when I have published, I help who asks me to help him. As I help without problem if it is not my subject. I always enjoyed when someone find new materials about my subjects I have written. Sometimes is difficult to reach the truth...

Hope that I answer you Stig ... and sorry again for my bad English.