not quite the case from what i read.

there were isolated instances, one where an RAF pilot came down after being machine gunned on his chute which was witnessed by a comrade, and another where a polish pilot shot at a luftwaffe pilot on his chute. emphasis on "isolated" though, as well as being unclear if they were actually hit intentionally, or simply hit by some of the stray lead that you are exposed to if falling through a battlespace.

stereotypically speaking (dangerous i know) our czech and polish pilots were a tad more bloodthirsty than the british ones. but generally it wasn't in the slightest "necessary" if the german pilots were bailing over UK territory - captured anyway - but there was always a certain level of surprise that the german pilots didn't do it, some sections even feeling they would have been within their rights to do so. one quote went so far as to say that he would've been a legitimate target on the end of his parachute, because that parachuting pilot could be back in the air by tea time.

i would guess it's an element of self-preservation in it though - you never know when you'll be dangling helpless in the middle of an air battle.


also coming down in teh channel was very dangerous. the north sea even more so - very very few pilots were pulled out of there.

the ones that were painted with a red cross but also, allegedly, carried out recon missions...

That's a new one on me.:confused:

All accounts I've read say that Dowding's opinion was that German parachuting aircrew were prisoners, no longer combatants and should not be shot at, whereas the Germans would have been within their rights to shoot at British aircrew parachuting over England as they would soon be back in the fight.

Churchill was appalled at this notion but had no 'veto' to make, the Luftwaffe jagdflieger luckily held a different view also.

There are reports of it happening on both sides, although whether by accident or design is purely speculative. The Poles in particular had a 'reputation', but there's no concrete proof as far as I'm aware.

More fuel for the fire Avro? ;)

I think that this thread has been through the 'fiery stage' and is back on track.

I've cetainly seen a few interesting posts on the topic.

but the question remains - can we get to 100 pages?

lets see,

Would the Battle of Britain been over in 1 week, if the RAF had had 50's:rolleyes:

What's a 50 ??

.50 calibre guns

Careful chaps I fear the rise of the 50Cal debate :)