As I wandered around the various tables chatting with pilots from WWII, Viet Nam, Korea, etc. I grew somewhat accustomed to the various uniforms. They were familiar.
Then, I turned and saw Gottfried.
Meet Gottfried Dulias:
You can see why the uniform threw me a bit. I wasn't expecting to see a German pilot.
Gottfried was born in 1925, near the beginning of Hitler's rise to power. His father was a former Prussian military officer who made Gottfried "toe the line". For his 5th birthday he received a large kite. And, from that moment, he was hooked on flying.
He became a member of the Hitler Jugend, a boys group that instilled patriotism and was the draw to the military.
In 1943 when he turned 18, he was summoned to Munich for testing to determine his military service eligibility. He was thrilled to be inducted into the Luftwaffe. And, by fall 1944, he was flying Messerschmitt Me-109G's against Allied bombers. He shot down two Allied plans before he, and his entire group, were transferred to the Eastern front. He added three more "kills" against Russian pilots.
In March 1945, he was trailing a Russian fighter, trying to get a fourth victory when he crossed the front lines and was shot down by Russian ground fire. He belly-landed and was captured by the Russians. He was placed in a gulag for nearly three years. He was released and returned to his family on January 4, 1948 and he moved to the US in 1953.
His book, "Another Bowl of Kapusta" talks about his life, his service, and his time in the gulag.
Thank you Gottfried.
Then, I turned and saw Gottfried.
Meet Gottfried Dulias:
You can see why the uniform threw me a bit. I wasn't expecting to see a German pilot.
Gottfried was born in 1925, near the beginning of Hitler's rise to power. His father was a former Prussian military officer who made Gottfried "toe the line". For his 5th birthday he received a large kite. And, from that moment, he was hooked on flying.
He became a member of the Hitler Jugend, a boys group that instilled patriotism and was the draw to the military.
In 1943 when he turned 18, he was summoned to Munich for testing to determine his military service eligibility. He was thrilled to be inducted into the Luftwaffe. And, by fall 1944, he was flying Messerschmitt Me-109G's against Allied bombers. He shot down two Allied plans before he, and his entire group, were transferred to the Eastern front. He added three more "kills" against Russian pilots.
In March 1945, he was trailing a Russian fighter, trying to get a fourth victory when he crossed the front lines and was shot down by Russian ground fire. He belly-landed and was captured by the Russians. He was placed in a gulag for nearly three years. He was released and returned to his family on January 4, 1948 and he moved to the US in 1953.
His book, "Another Bowl of Kapusta" talks about his life, his service, and his time in the gulag.
Thank you Gottfried.
I first met Gottfried many years ago at the Battle of The Bulge Reenactment many years ago.
ReplyDeleteJust a delightful gentleman who related many fascinating stories about his life's travels.
May you rest in peace.