Imagine, if you will just for a moment. It's a beautiful albeit chilly morning as you fire up your P47 and line up for takeoff on the runway. You can smell the hot oil as your engine comes up in temperature............your mechanics in their stained coveralls, wipe their hands off as you begin to throttle up for take-off. As you hear the "thump'thump-thump" from the tires rolling over the tarmac expansion joints, you have no idea, absolutely no clue, that this is your last day on the planet. Your squad mates won't have a chance to raise their glasses in a toast as they will all be dead too.
The Luftwaffe will be having wine and cavier, and we sir, shall raise a glass to you and your mates as we wish you a fond farewell and blue skies.
