Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

It was a very dense fog that greeted us as we staggered to the mess hall around 0600 that morning. There was a rumor that our forward base was to become a bombing target by an enemy raid. We were anxious to have a quick breakfast and then assemble in the weather shack for further instructions.

Given the likelihood of hostile action, it didn’t take us long to chow down with a cup of coffee and a quick bite. We were more anxious to get the skinny on what was expected to happen. Most of us were hoping that our fighter aircraft would be primed with fuel and ammo to meet the raid in the air. However, to our disappointment we were put on hold and were to wait around for further orders. So, we fidget around in the weather waiting room anxious for further news of what is expected. Every pilot seemed to be to anxious to sit and wait. But we could nothing but wait.

Finally, after about a 30-minute delay, our orders came to get our planes in the air immediately and fly further south to evade any possible raid by the enemy. We were not to engage, but to run. No one expected this but the orders were clear enough. We all scramble out on to the apron where the aircraft were lined up. The fighter I had been assigned was one I had never flown before as my regular ship had been left in an unworthy condition from my previous engagement a few days before. I had a new plane that I had never flown before.

As I jogged out to the ship, I noticed that for some strange reason, it had absolutely no insignia on the sides or either wing, completely unmarked. When I climbed into the cockpit, the ground crewman was busy helping me buckle into my chute and other gear. I was glancing at the instrument panel, which strangely enough was in metrics rather than how our fighters were normally configured. It wasn’t a real problem, just strange.

After firing up the engine and getting the all clear sign, I began to taxi down the apron along with the other aircraft. As I did so I noticed that my canopy was difficult for me to latch. It seemed I was too tall, and the top was bumping the top of my head not allowing it to fit properly. Since we were now turning into the wind at the end of the runway, and doing a final run up of the engines, I temporarily forgot about the canopy. I was simply too busy with other more pressing chores to worry about the canopy latch.

We were rowed up and taking off in pairs, and as the pair just ahead launched their run down the runway, my partner and I take their place and then begin our runup as well. We are soon air born, raise our landing gear and bank to climb for altitude as we fly to the south along with all the others in our wing.

I then had time to pay more attention to the canopy. It was different, in that the entire canopy folded over from left to right, rather than sliding from aft to the front. I had not encountered this assembly before. I did notice that at 6’2” I was a little tall and the top of the canopy was bumping on the top of my head which made it difficult to get the latch to close properly. I finally gave up messing with it and simply held it with my right hand.


After we had flown more than 200 miles south, the flight leader gave us instructions to land at this base. Circling until all the other fighters had landed, I bring up the rear element and land my ship without incident. Only when I’ve finally parked the plane, climbed out on to the wing do I realize that I’ve been flying a German Luftwaffe M.E. 109 fighter aircraft. All this without instructions or forewarning. However, since it was just a dream, it worked out fine. Just Sayin…RJS

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Ed Sullivan had a special guest on his TV program, the only Norwegian pilot who had achieved the title of "Ace" during WWII - Olie "the big O" Olafson. After Ed introduced his guest, he asked him to please tell the audience of his experience and how he achieved the Ace title. "OK. I'm out der von mornin and I'm flyin along, and sudden I sees a Fokker up der in front. Den I sees two Fokkers on da right, three Fokkers on da left and two more dem Fokkers on my rear end." Ed interrupts to explain to his rather shocked audience that a Fokker is a type of plane which was flown by the Germans. "Yah" says Olie, "Dot's true. But dese Fokkers vas Messerschmidts."

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Good one and I’ve heard it in about three different formats! Just Sayin...RJS

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

A classic

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Now, that’s funny.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Due to Covid-19 and social distancing, we have been watching "A Piece of Cake" about a British fighter squadron during the Battle of Brittain, and watching their progress tru the learning stages of combat, I suppose was the reason I was dreaming of flying a Messerschmidt. Just Sayin...RJS

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Dream or not, that was still a
good one, RJ; keep 'em comin' !

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Good re-tell, Spirit ! Sorry
I missed the original, but
still funny !