He Fell Between Two Peaks
A long time ago in Norway in World
War 2 an event happened that spanned decades and brought two men together as
brothers. A British four engine heavy bomber was out bombing German targets in
the occupied country. The mission details were not known. What is known is what
happened to the warplane. German gunfire accurately hit it. Mortal damage was
done. Flames erupted from two or three engines and the burning aeroplane
plunged down. Men would die in a situation like that. Young men in the early
twenties fighting for freedom and the Allied side. Trying to defeat the Nazis,
a tenacious capable lethal enemy.
Such an example was the hitting of
the English bomber. It was dangerous to fly at low or medium altitudes in
daylight. Enemy gun crews well trained and motivated manned all types of anti-aircraft
guns. Their flak was a killer. The aircraft flew level losing altitude the fire
getting worse. It had to land soon or control would be lost and any still alive
would perish. The pilot flew the plane. This was a wild mountainous area with
fjords, coastline, high ground and trees. Where could such a plane force land?
A local man watched the surreal
scene. A large burning bomber falling from the sky. It flew between two
mountain peaks. Without hitting either if crash landed beneath them. The plane
touched the ground in tearing ripping screeching metal. Pieces were ripped off.
The fire got worse and soon would explode the fuel tanks. The young Norwegian
mountain man saw his chance.
As the plane came to a halt he ran
to it. Risking an explosion he closed in on the wreckage. Orange flames
blossomed forth feeding on alloy rubber bullets and flesh. Black smoke lazily
wafted up. The man was desperate to free any trapped or wounded crew. It was
the major mission of his life. Not enduring an enemy occupation but here and
now. Trying to do the impossible. The fuel could go up any second.
By the luck of the Devil he rescued
one shaken dazed but aware Allied flier who survived the crash. Quickly with
both their lives in danger he led the airman away. They made it! Shortly after
the smashed bomber plane exploded completely destroying itself.
The two men had a language issue.
They were similar ages in their twenties. If it weren't for the war they wouldn't
have met. Hitler changed all that and here they were. The man took the downed
flier to a safe house. Here he was fed and given new clothes and a fake
identity. Over the weeks he was smuggled out of Norway.
That wasn't the end of the story.
The shoot down happened in 1944. Sixty years later on a beautiful summer's day
they met again. The Norwegian rescuer and the crashed British airman. Saved by
a local hero who dared brave a burning warplane to rescue any survivors. The
Allied flier again thanked the Norwegian man. With tears in their eyes they
shook hands and remember what happened here sixty years ago to the day.
A crippled burning bomber fell
between to peaks. One man was saved that day. Six others paid the ultimate
price for freedom against fascism. Rest In Peace the dead. Remember their
sacrifice. They were young men with dreams and ideals. Often foolish often
dreaming the dreams of the young.
So many gave their lives for an idea
and cause. In this they believed and however they died they are not forgotten.
That day young individuals from Norway and Britain were brought unforgettably
together.
