A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II (61 page)

August 1939

Franz Stigler, fall 1944.

August alongside his Ju-88 bomber in France, summer 1940.

Franz in his 109, White 12, at Martuba, Libya, spring 1942.

Franz in a vehicle with Sgt. Erwin Swallisch (center) and Lt. Ferdinand Voegl (far left).

Lt. Werner Schroer

Franz’s mentor, Gustav Roedel.

Roedel (wearing shorts), in Greece during August 1943, as commander of JG-27.

Cpl. Mathew “Matthias” Letuku, POW and Marseille’s friend.

Capt. “Edu” Neumann, JG-27’s inspirational leader in the desert.

1st Lt. Hans-Joachim Marseille, the 22-year-old “Star of Africa,” in May 1942.

The Voegl Flight photo session at Quotaifiya, Egypt, on August 15, 1942. L to R: Franz, Voegl, Swallisch, and Bendert.

A mechanic services a 109 at Trapani airfield, Sicily.