Christmas Compassion
On the 20th of December 1943 after bombing the Focke-Wulf aircraft factory in Germany, A B-17 Flying Fortress piloted by Charlie Brown was seriously damaged after being attacked by the Luftwaffe and flak. It had been almost completely destroyed; the rear gunner was killed.
A Messerschmitt 109, piloted by Franz Stigler was refuelling whilst the incident took place. Stigler spotted the wreck 
of a plane and took off. When he was close enough to see the extent of the damage and injured crew, he flew alongside the B-17 until they reached the North Sea. Both Stigler and Brown survived the event. Stigler’s actions proved that even in wartime, Christmas compassion still shines through.
The two pilots finally met in 1990 and became close friends, and remained that way until their deaths in 2008.
Freedom At Last
On the 6th of June 1944 at 00:16am , history was about to be made. The British 6th Airborne Division, led by Major Howard, began their fight to win back the Bénouville Bridge from the Nazis. Nearby said bridge, lay The Café Gondrée a family run business owned by Georges and Thérèse Gondrée. The couple lived in the café alongside their two young children and newborn daughter. The family strongly resisted the German regime, with both parents being part of the French Resistance.
After a vicious battle, 6th Airborne Division won control over the Bénouville Bridge. Following their victory, three paratroopers of the division entered The Café Gondrée at 6:20am. And so liberated the café and the family inside. This meant that the two young Gondrée children, Arlette and Georgette, were the first children to be freed from the German occupation of France.
Later in 1944, the Bénouville Bridge was renamed Pegasus Bridge in honour of the emblem of 6th Airborne Division. The Café Gondrée was also renamed to The Pegasus Bridge Café, and is now run by Arlette.
Ground Crew Genius
Squadron Leader Alexander Flett, DFC & Bar, was a Lancaster Navigator during the Second World War. Flying with both 460 Squadron and 625 Squadron. He was also the main reason this business was started.
During his time in the Air Force, Alec Flett developed a huge respect for the Ground Crew who maintained the aircrafts. He became quite close with them, and would often share stories when out of the air. On one particular occasion he mentioned the amount of time he spent picking up pencils whilst on missions. As a navigator Alexander would be provided with sharpened pencils to use when working, but there was no way to keep them safe from being lost or dropped in flight. The Ground Crew heard this, and immediately set about fixing it. Springs were installed on the side of his position in the Lancaster to be used to hold the pencils. Alec Flett was beyond thankful when he noticed this, as it significantly improved his work and showed just how devoted Ground Crew were. Springs went on to be rigged in all Lancaster Navigator positions.
So give thanks to the unsung heroes that kept crews flying, morale up and went above and beyond in their fight to achieve the ultimate victory.
The Battle of Britain Monkey
Sergeant JJ Booth was a key member of 600 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War. He joined four years prior to the war beginning, before being called upon on the 24th of August 1939. Booth completed his training quickly, and rejoined 600 Squadron just before June in 1940. As well as being a skilled pilot, taking part in the some of the most influential times of war. John James was an avid animal lover.
Booth had a pet monkey, Minnie, who completed over 250 hours of flight with him. She was JJ’s mascot and boosted his morale. Dressed in RAF uniform, which would be changed any time Booth received a promotion, Minnie sat in Booth’s tunic pocket during flights. She was there with him in the hardest of situations; Minnie even flew with him in the Battle of Britain.
But Minnie wasn’t just popular with her master; she was beloved by even the most surprising of people. When out of the skies Minnie would entertain the officer’s in their mess, with one of her favourite tricks being to put out the discarded cigarette ends with her foot. On one occasion a photo of her was given to The Queen Mother as a gift for attending a reception for 600 Squadron.
Minnie however wasn’t always friendly, she hated when girls showed an interest in Booth being described as jealous by many. JJ shared that once a girl actually received a slap in the face from Minnie.
Booth’s beloved monkey passed away years before he did, after three years service. After sharing the news of Minnie’s death JJ said “I took her to a taxidermist, who is putting her on the wing tip of a plane for the old mess of my old squadron - The City of London.”