...that I thought I would share.
This young man is (Uffz). Franz Zambelli of 5./JG11.
5. Staffel JG11 being famous for numerous reasons, not the least being it's charismatic and controversial leader, Heinze Knoke.
On the 15th of March, 1944, while flying as Knoke's wingman, Franz Zambelli took a round through the chest. He managed to land his Bf109G-6, but was dead by the time the local farmers found him. An account of this can be found in Knoke's book,
"I Flew for The Fuhrer".So lo and behold, some 67 years later, the grandson of Franz Zambelli's sister, is searching the web for any additional tidbits on his Great Uncle and guess were it leads him?
Yep, right here to AcesHigh and our very own JG11. Like I said, Very Cool!
So now, we have him on a two week trial, and hoping to get him to come aboard full time. He's already shared some great family pics and info with the unit, and I'm sure he'll bring it all to the community at some time as well.
One of those wild happenings you never dream of, but are so glad to experience them when they do.