I love all the reactions to these amazing events that show the light of hope in one of darkest chapters in human history. This story and Christmas Truce always bring tears to my eyes. People just stopping to fight just because is just astonishing, amazing and heartwarming. I just wish that it would happen more often.
Very in-depth musically parsed ! Thank you for your reaction. To answer your questions, the first released video showed actual photos of Charlie and my father. To admit, this did startle my son. Yes, the song was written about this specific event.
@@jovitatheren-stigler304 I am truly honed 😐it it a please to hear you I respect for what your father did my grandparents were born in and during WW2 it surprises me how all of this happened less then 100 years ago 😳I hope your family is doing well 🙂as for your father and Charlie I salute your father and Charlie with honor 🫡 I guess the lesson is despite bad times when the world is in chaos it does not matter who side you are or what you believe in Beacuse at the end of the day we all are only human once again my your father and Charlie fly high 🫡
The entire Sabaton album "Heroes" is about real, specific events (and individuals, actually)! You can check out the list in the wiki page for the album. "How did the son know.." I'm going to guess there aren't *too many* similar stories of a German fighter escorting a damaged B-17 home during the war? ^^; Also, the story explains Stigler "never received the Knight's Cross": he was that one kill (3 "points" for a bomber) away from getting the highest distinction for a pilot, and renounced it for his moral stance that this wasn't an active enemy fighter anymore, with such level of damage. The fact he made that choice just a short while after losing his own brother in the war makes it all the more powerful. Sometimes, war can't kill our humanity no matter how hard it tries! \m/
Franz had said that he and most others would never fire on enemy pilots who bailed out of damaged planes and drifting down in parachutes. To him, the plane was so badly damaged that it was essentially out of commission and acting as a parachute to the healthy and badly injured people within it. God rest his soul!
I'm not going to post anything that hasnt already been said. Franz was just a man of honor, 100%, his instructor was a man of Honor and the fact that they finally met up and spent a great 20 years as best of friends makes it all the sweeter. Excellent review, an absolute pleasure to watch! Thank you David! Sabaton is one of my favorite bands!
All we can say as sabaton fans is: Based on a true story. All of it. They're entire discography happened. This... was December 20th in WW2. Oh and also the drummer is married to Floor Jansen. Thats pretty cool lol
Essentially when Franz Stigler noticed that the B17 wasn't shooting at him, he got closer. As he got closer he saw how damaged the aircraft was and realized that they couldn't defend themselves. He saw the B17 as their parachute and refused to shoot them down and even going so far as to escort them over the Atlantic Wall where large numbers of German Anti-Aircraft guns were located, and he knew that they would recognize his German aircraft and wouldn't shoot at him. Previously when he served in North Africa, Stigler's commander had told him and his fellow pilots that if he saw anyone shoot at a man in parachute, he would shoot them himself. I also read a story about a time when Franz joined the survivors of the "Ye Olde Pub" during a reunion and he as he was looking around the crowd of people he started to feel as if he shouldn't be there, but Charlie grabbed his arm and told him that the all of the people in the crowd were the children and the grandchildren of the men that he saved that day.
The song was written about this particular event. If you want more information about the events, and the song written about them, then please go check out sabaton history Channel. They tell you about the event, and then how the song formed.
Hi Dave, another great reaction. Sabaton does a whole lot of research digging through history to find inspiration for their songs. They don't take sides, look for acts of honour and heroism and try to bring this alive through their music. Their songs are historically accurate and this song was about this specific event as they don't make up stories just so they can make a song.
Yes David, there are "Power's" we can't explain . Mine came to my "Mom" when my helo was shot down on a mission in Vietnam. At the precise moment, she awoke screaming "629-629". 629 was the last 3 numbers of registration of our ship.
During last week of July 1943, bombs killed an estimated 37k civilians and wounded 180k in Hamburg, and almost destroyed most of the city. Still after seeing what allied bombers can do he chose to save this patricular one. What a true hero Franz was.
Sabaton is the first history metal band. So all their songs are historically accurate and usally contains dates as well so that someone interested in getting more of the story can easily find it. Their latest single however was more general about the history of armoured battle.
@@traceurs619 so the christmas truce did actually happen once. Because it did, the next christmas, officers on both sides ordered intensive fighting to prevent it from happening again. That being said, there are several myths that have been told of the true story as well.
@@tmanknoll9702 From what I’ve heard, a historian talks about the Christmas truce not being the 1st truce to happen during that war. There was apparently other truces that dated back to November where both sides would have a temporary truce so they can each gather up their fallen soldiers from no man’s land and bury them before continuing the battle. When it comes to impact though, the Christmas Truce was definitely the one for sure. Both sides truly becoming friends that day and, although this was early in the war, kept that same respect for the enemy even years after the war had ended. Those soldiers didn’t let the rest of the war keep them from remembering that there was true humanity still living in the hearts and mind of those in enemy trenches. They were just unlucky to be put in a situation in which they were given orders to do nothing but kill and conquer
He risked his life twice that day: He could have been shot down by the ball turrent of the B-17. And when he landed and command found out what he did, he could have been executed. True nobility. There are a few video documentaries of this event...even interviews with both pilots.
It was definitely written for that specific event. The line about not getting the cross he deserved was all about Stigler. If you watch the Sabaton History channel video about this song, they can confirm it as well there. I highly recommend those videos after listening to one of their songs. It makes them even more epic if that is possible.
David, I did some research about this because it was not the first such incident I had heard of. In his book "Thunderbolt" the P-47 fighter ace Robert Johnson tells the story of how a German pilot escorted his badly damaged plane out of German airspace and vectored him on a course to land in England. In the incident that the song refers to, Oberleutnant Stigler had 30 confirmed Kills plus another 30 that were not confirmed. In the German airforce, unlike others, someone had to actually see the enemy pilot bail out or the plane crash otherwise it was a probable. The lyric in the chorus "say goodbye to the cross he deserved refers to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. Herr Stigler certainly deserved it and in fact was recommended for it a few weeks before the war ended. In the mass confusion of that time, the Cross was never awarded, but he still was a highly decorated pilot. He ended the war flying the ME262 jet fighter in General Adolph Galland's elite JVB44. Lastly Stigler once said that his commanding officer had told the squadron that if he saw any of them shooting down defenseless men who had parachuted, he would shoot them himself. I am Jewish and to me the Nazi's were anathema, but there were also brave men over there who were fighting for their country. Sorry about the length of this post.
He knew what happened with his Grandad on that day, then listening to this song and such an event of a B17 Bomber cruise being escorted by the enemy most likely not happen a second time.
Stigler was trained by a german WWI ace fighter pilot and he had an importent rule never shoot at a parachute, as he saw the B17 so badly damaged he could not shoot it down it
The gods of luck surely made a great choice, No Bullets Fly is my favorite Sabaton song! These animated story videos does a great job showcasing the stories Sabaton makes music about, and I am really glad you actually took the effort to watch the story and liked it too! Great reaction to a great song!
What are the chances! Not even a week ago I was thinking this would be a good song for you to react to! And here it is! I can't wait to watch it completely! See you on the other side of the review! Back again after the review. Awesome once again, I really like your reviews, they are amazing at getting a better understanding of the songs, despite me having listened to them, probably a lot of other times. Anyways thanks for another great video!
Of course it was written about this particular event. :-) This is most probably a one time event and even Adolf Galland, the German air marshall in WW2, helped to find the pilot after the war in 1990.
12:15 - Why? They have not fired yet. Theyr Plane is so badly damaged, it's a wonder she's still flying. All Crewmembers are injured. I will strongly recommend the Book "A higher call" from Adam Makos. It is exactly about this occassion and gives pretty deep insights into both characters, Franz Stigler and Charly Brown. 25:20 - Those damn onion peeling ninjas!!! Gets me everytime. It's just a great story. And it shows that even in the darkest times of the world, there are always signs that humanity will live on.
If you look up on UA-cam the Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown incident you'll see the rest of the footage of them. Besides, you can read about every detail of their incredible story in a book called A Higher Call
There's no shame in tearing up while listening to this one, it's an epic, wonderful and heartwarming story. You really ought to react to Sabatons "Devil Dogs", it's about the battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 where the US Marines got their nickname "Devil Dogs", or at least that's how the legend goes. You also ought to react to "Defence of Moscow" which is about WWII when the germans tried to occupy Moscow and how the russians repelled them. EDIT: Btw, I saw you've already reacted to "En livstid i krig" however you really ought to listen to it with the captions on if you haven't done that. I saw someone had given you the translation in the comments but you really should listen to it with the lyrics on because that'll make the song so much more powerful.
Predictability is something fitting for this video as well :-) I have seen the video many times and people reacting to it many many more times. And you know what: feel comfortable with it: I know the incredible story and that the'll meet later and become friends. And I know that nearly every reactor will get chills and / or tear up. Like me. Again and again. I'll at least get chills and get close to tearing up. And sometimes I tear up. This story is a very important one:It shows that there are some people who were able to keep humanity in an inhuman environment of war. A great reaction again. Thanx!
For a guy that's just about the music, you sure got into this story! Half the fun of Sabaton is the history of the songs, it makes them unique, or nearly so. Of course they're amazing musicians too, I think it's 50/50. 8.3 seems fair, it's not that outstanding for them(average for them is great). Great reaction!( Many of their songs are written about specific events, some are more general. I know you kind of have to avoid listening to unreacted songs, but once you have Sabaton has a separate channel for historical back stories. You really seemed to enjoy this)
Great story and song, I only heard it a couple months ago its cool to see the human element show up in the thick of battle like that put to metal. Great review !
Great reaction!🤘 Nobody comes out of this, without getting emotional... 😉 A really great , true story. The guitar players are doing an awesome job together. Tommy Johansson is actually lead singer and guitar player in his own band, Majestica. I highly recommend "Above the sky" (official music video). It's a dream for musicians to watch/listen to. Greetings from Sweden! 🇸🇪🤘
You got to remember the skin on the plane was no thicker then a sheet of paper. And since the planes where not pressurized a failure of the oxygen or vomiting into the oxygen mask could ultimately kill the crew. So it was not just the enemy that was deadly to the crews. I strongly suggest you read the book A Higher Call.
🤘🇫🇮 Nightwish army Finland👍 🦅 You guess bounced off the wall, LOL In the intro of the song is mentioned that the -B-17 guns went frozen, bexause of damages. And Sabaton has a e-mail that took and takes song recommendations, based on real stories of which background they can check, and someone has suggested this...They make a song if it has enough attraction and can be composed.
you should check out resist and bite, and yes its real. If you want to know more about how and what check out sabaton history channel. It's also specifically about the story. Sabaton tries to tell a specific story about a participant/observer of a historic event.
I hope someone will request Christmas Truce the newest song from them, it's something very unique. Btw great reaction, and yes Sabaton *only* does historically accurate stuff. This song was for that specific event and their songs are all about very specific events. They are kind of history teachers but Metal lol. They even have a history channel. Even their Music Videos are mostly historically accurate, if you see a gun and a specific uniform someone wearing in their videos, its historically accurate. They don't just use some random props, they need props that are 100% accurate as the real ones. So what you'll see will be very close to the past and its like you can see through a time machine 😂
There is a book about this story look up "A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II" it's a good read.
Additional information. When they approached the coast and the AA guns the German fighter pilot dropped in behind Ye Olde Pub in the kill shot position. This prevented the AA gunners from firing.
You will need to check out their history channel for the answer to the question you asked all is explained on that channel the have a small history lesson where they get there inspiration for lyrics and true facts from
I'm surprised I haven't commented on this video yet despite seeing it multiple times. A great story and a good song to boot. Franz' leader from another battlefield told his subordinates that if he ever heard one of them shot a parachutist he would personally shoot the shooter himself. To Franz, Ye Olde Pub was like a parachutist due to how badly damaged it was. As for keeping it secret, Charlie & his men didn't like that Allied high command ordered the story to be kept secret ("no one can know good Germans exist, pretend this never happened!"-Allied high command probably). As for the Knight's Cross, in the words of Lightning Mcqueen & Doc Hudson, "It's just an empty cup".
Have you done Christmas Truce? If not, you really should! Watch till end;) Btw, you do not need any engines to pull out of the spin, though the flight is not easy on just one engine. The plane was barely holding and it was so close to falling they were incredibly lucky.
I don’t know if anyone has said this yet but if they have I’m sorry for repeating it but you NEED to check out the book “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos it gives both pilots stories during that particular mission and beyond and definitely goes more in depth than any video can about this event which as hard it is to believe actually happened
Someone once said, "every group has one great guitar rift... every Sabaton song has one great guitar rift" :) The "problem" with mechanized combat, (specifically vehicle to vehicle such as air-to-air) is highly dehumanizing. You are not killing "people" but machines, you don't see an enemy person but his vehicle. Until you do. And that point right there defines out humanity. There was a story I read decades ago ("the David Sling" IIRC) in which the US was fighting a highly automated (robot) war with the USSR and at one point one of the robots, following it's programing, kept circling back to a fallen soldier who straddled the program lines between "threat" and "not-threat" because the robot hadn't actually "killed" him but he was so wounded he was no longer a combat threat. So it asked for human intervention to 'resolve' the error and the line that stuck with me is the human operator crying while telling the robot it could stop "killing" him now and move on. Machines have no mercy, they have no compassion and they follow the programing to the letter, even when that programing is in error. Something we probably should remember as we move forward.
I am amazed that the plane did not break apart considering the stresses of that dive and the getting out of that dive, at least that did go the right way for them. And the story and the song is hard to not get very emotional over.
I'm not sure if someone already mentioned it, but the German pilot had been told by one commander that if he ever heard of a pilot disgracing themself by shooting at a man in a parachute, he'd shoot that man himself. Franz said as far as he was concerned, with that damage, those men were in a parachute.
Other comments have mentioned it as well, but Sabaton never makes up any story, all their songs are factually correct (double checked by multiple historians). There is two main types of Sabaton songs, they are either very personal and follow specific events happened to one person or crew or they have a very broad topic relating to all battles within a certain period. This is one of the examples of the "personal" songs and they have also songs related to just "trench warfare" for example. According to Sabaton there are enough real stories and there is no need to make them up. About your question if this song was made for the story or if the story was added later, Sabaton does often write the music of a song before they know what topic it will get, they look for topics to sing about independently of the music they have written. Only when they find that the music fits the topic (no happy melodies for sad topics for example) they will write the lyrics and finish the song. Some compositions they made will be on the plank for a few years before finding a good topic. I'm sure it's not always the case but from watching interviews and the Sabaton History channel I'm pretty sure that's the case for most of their songs. The lyrics of No Bullets Fly have undoubtedly always been for this event, though whether that's true for the music I don't think this has ever been mentioned, so my guess would be that the music isn't written with this event in mind.
Franz Stigler was the German pilot, that chose not to shoot the B17 down. True story, look it up. :o) Pay attention Dave, lol, as it shows you, in the video, how the grandson knew, because on his desk is a model B17 and a Messerschmitt Bf 109. So his family must have told that story many times and passed it down.
By far, my favorite Sabaton song, and the one I can most relate to. I live near Bremen (the place they bombed) and Oldenburg (where they almost crashed), and one of my Opas (Grandpa) was a AA-gunner at the Atlantikwall, in the Netherlands. I wonder if he saw a BF-109 escorting a B-17? Great reaction.
Stigler's commanding officer, in training, told him that if he shot men in a parachute that the commander would shoot Stigler himself. He said: "You don't do this for your enemy, but for your own soul." Stigler said that he was confused as to why the B-17 hadn't turned the air in front of his Masserschmit into a wall of death _(a B17 had 9 .50cal machine guns that were almost all capable of firing anywhere around the aircraft. A lone fighter had zero hope against one - Stigler didn't realize he had taken off alone at first.)_ ... then realized that it was helpless. He saw that broken aircraft, and felt that it was nothing more than these men's parachute at that point. He escorted them across the Atlantic Wall - massive German anti-air defenses. _(Two lines of heavy defenses - hence him "risking his life twice that day." He tried to motion to them to cut to Sweden, which was Neutral, but the American pilots didn't understand German hand signals. He flew in a German escort pattern in the hopes the German anti-air forces would recognize his Masserschmit, and not fire since the Germans DID have captured B17s that they'd use for sneak attacks. Luckily they did recognize his Masserschmit, and thus didn't open fire.)_
Thank you Franz Stigler wherever you are now, for showing the World that not evry German Soldier of WWII was a Nazi, you are one of those rare WWII German Heros
After checking the comments and havent seen it mentioned yet. If you want a more in depth telling of this story check out the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos. Trust me its well worth the read.
Stigler never gor the knights cross, However: Stigler got a life long friend The crew of Ye old pub got a second chance at life Sabaton got inspiration Sabaton fans got an awesome song His daughter got her fathers story and name immortalized History buffs got an awsome story Talk about a "win-win"
David, go back to your own reaction to 82nd all the way. I guess you wasn't paying attention back then yet. It is a Alvin's York true story. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_York
There is a secret clan of onion cutting ninjas that have the super power of hearing this song being played anywhere in the world and to start cutting them onions around whoever is listening. That is my theory anyway.
With regards to the turrets, in the book, A Higher Call, which is about this, Stigler talks about staying out of the turrets' line of fire for most of the time. Also the bottom turret and guns were not functioning, so they couldn't shoot, anyway. Additionally, the top turret's gunner spent most of the time in the fuselage helping bandage the injured crewmen. So, the video's positioning and such isn't strictly accurate, in that regard.
Maybe I am mistaken but the person who trained the german pilot had a rule, dont fire on parachutes. Basically that these people are out of the battle. I believe it was to do with honour and "code of the air". I believe he even threatened to kill anyone who he found shot down a parachute. And the german pilot believed the plane with its damage was on par with a parachute so didnt fire.
"If I hear of one of you shooting a man in a parachute, I'll shoot you myself!" - Gustav Rödel, German ace and at the time Franz's commander and flight instructor, who he also saw as mentor
Pretty much ALL Sabaton songs are based on true events in history. If you look at their Sabaton History channel, you'd clearly see they've done all of their research.
All of Sabatons songs (well, like 99.9%) are based upon true stories. And most of them based upon heroism in war, from Sparta to modern times. They do incredibly research for each song and they have their own history channel called Sabaton History. They take this stuff seriously.
you think that was crazy? look up Battle for Castle Itter: a battle between on one side Whermacht, US Army, French politicians and the Austrian resistance vs the SS. or even better: Operation Cowboy: US Army together with Wehrmacht and german Pow vs the SS to save Lipizzaner breading mares from being killed by the SS or falling into the hands of the advancing soviet forces.
hi am german and my dad was in the luftwaffe he said to me the only good thing about war you can travel he himself had incredible luck there the military police at end of war wanted to shoot him and a usa bomb raid saved him beside he had very ,uch luck escaping the russian trap my grand mother that had a evil second mother she was not given much to eat and went to so many things I cant say and yet she was a loving friend woman sadly to say we never learned from history and never will
The music industry, much like Hollywood, has a tendency to "embellish" and "exaggerate" facts in order to sell more units, whether that be records or movie tickets. It happens way more often than people might think.
May be the pilot refuses to shoot on his enemy because he notices him is in weak position and in army ethics you can shoot on enemy when he is power (equal to equal) but not on weak (children, women, older, Prisoners of war, Surrender with a white flag,...)
Loved the reaction and your thoughts on the film.
I love all the reactions to these amazing events that show the light of hope in one of darkest chapters in human history. This story and Christmas Truce always bring tears to my eyes. People just stopping to fight just because is just astonishing, amazing and heartwarming.
I just wish that it would happen more often.
Very in-depth musically parsed ! Thank you for your reaction. To answer your questions, the first released video showed actual photos of Charlie and my father. To admit, this did startle my son. Yes, the song was written about this specific event.
I hope my reaction and review did the song and your father justice.
@@THEDavidHeretic Yes, David. It was fabulous! Again, thank you
@@jovitatheren-stigler304 It was my genuine pleasure Jovita....FEELIN' YOU!!!
@@jovitatheren-stigler304 Ah! He figured it out right away! LOL
As I watched this, I had no doubt there was a lovely smile on your face. 🤗
@@jovitatheren-stigler304 I am truly honed 😐it it a please to hear you I respect for what your father did my grandparents were born in and during WW2 it surprises me how all of this happened less then 100 years ago 😳I hope your family is doing well 🙂as for your father and Charlie I salute your father and Charlie with honor 🫡 I guess the lesson is despite bad times when the world is in chaos it does not matter who side you are or what you believe in Beacuse at the end of the day we all are only human once again my your father and Charlie fly high 🫡
The entire Sabaton album "Heroes" is about real, specific events (and individuals, actually)! You can check out the list in the wiki page for the album.
"How did the son know.." I'm going to guess there aren't *too many* similar stories of a German fighter escorting a damaged B-17 home during the war? ^^;
Also, the story explains Stigler "never received the Knight's Cross": he was that one kill (3 "points" for a bomber) away from getting the highest distinction for a pilot, and renounced it for his moral stance that this wasn't an active enemy fighter anymore, with such level of damage. The fact he made that choice just a short while after losing his own brother in the war makes it all the more powerful. Sometimes, war can't kill our humanity no matter how hard it tries! \m/
+1
Franz had said that he and most others would never fire on enemy pilots who bailed out of damaged planes and drifting down in parachutes. To him, the plane was so badly damaged that it was essentially out of commission and acting as a parachute to the healthy and badly injured people within it. God rest his soul!
I'm not going to post anything that hasnt already been said. Franz was just a man of honor, 100%, his instructor was a man of Honor and the fact that they finally met up and spent a great 20 years as best of friends makes it all the sweeter.
Excellent review, an absolute pleasure to watch! Thank you David! Sabaton is one of my favorite bands!
All we can say as sabaton fans is: Based on a true story. All of it. They're entire discography happened. This... was December 20th in WW2. Oh and also the drummer is married to Floor Jansen. Thats pretty cool lol
Essentially when Franz Stigler noticed that the B17 wasn't shooting at him, he got closer. As he got closer he saw how damaged the aircraft was and realized that they couldn't defend themselves. He saw the B17 as their parachute and refused to shoot them down and even going so far as to escort them over the Atlantic Wall where large numbers of German Anti-Aircraft guns were located, and he knew that they would recognize his German aircraft and wouldn't shoot at him. Previously when he served in North Africa, Stigler's commander had told him and his fellow pilots that if he saw anyone shoot at a man in parachute, he would shoot them himself.
I also read a story about a time when Franz joined the survivors of the "Ye Olde Pub" during a reunion and he as he was looking around the crowd of people he started to feel as if he shouldn't be there, but Charlie grabbed his arm and told him that the all of the people in the crowd were the children and the grandchildren of the men that he saved that day.
The song was written about this particular event. If you want more information about the events, and the song written about them, then please go check out sabaton history Channel. They tell you about the event, and then how the song formed.
Hi Dave, another great reaction. Sabaton does a whole lot of research digging through history to find inspiration for their songs. They don't take sides, look for acts of honour and heroism and try to bring this alive through their music. Their songs are historically accurate and this song was about this specific event as they don't make up stories just so they can make a song.
Honor is always first.
WWII . Has lots of legendary acts of heroism and humanity.
My biggest concern is so many of those stories of humanity are lost amidst the immense inhumanity perpetrated in that war.
Yes David, there are "Power's" we can't explain . Mine came to my "Mom" when my helo was shot down on a mission in Vietnam. At the precise moment, she awoke screaming "629-629". 629 was the last 3 numbers of registration of our ship.
During last week of July 1943, bombs killed an estimated 37k civilians and wounded 180k in Hamburg, and almost destroyed most of the city. Still after seeing what allied bombers can do he chose to save this patricular one. What a true hero Franz was.
Everytime reactors go "is this real?" I just giggle because i know the footage that follows
Sabaton is the first history metal band.
So all their songs are historically accurate and usally contains dates as well so that someone interested in getting more of the story can easily find it.
Their latest single however was more general about the history of armoured battle.
Until now;) New song out called ‘Christmas Truce’ I’d like this guy to react to
@@traceurs619 so the christmas truce did actually happen once. Because it did, the next christmas, officers on both sides ordered intensive fighting to prevent it from happening again.
That being said, there are several myths that have been told of the true story as well.
@@tmanknoll9702 From what I’ve heard, a historian talks about the Christmas truce not being the 1st truce to happen during that war. There was apparently other truces that dated back to November where both sides would have a temporary truce so they can each gather up their fallen soldiers from no man’s land and bury them before continuing the battle. When it comes to impact though, the Christmas Truce was definitely the one for sure. Both sides truly becoming friends that day and, although this was early in the war, kept that same respect for the enemy even years after the war had ended. Those soldiers didn’t let the rest of the war keep them from remembering that there was true humanity still living in the hearts and mind of those in enemy trenches. They were just unlucky to be put in a situation in which they were given orders to do nothing but kill and conquer
He risked his life twice that day: He could have been shot down by the ball turrent of the B-17. And when he landed and command found out what he did, he could have been executed. True nobility.
There are a few video documentaries of this event...even interviews with both pilots.
It was definitely written for that specific event. The line about not getting the cross he deserved was all about Stigler. If you watch the Sabaton History channel video about this song, they can confirm it as well there. I highly recommend those videos after listening to one of their songs. It makes them even more epic if that is possible.
David, I did some research about this because it was not the first such incident I had heard of. In his book "Thunderbolt" the P-47 fighter ace Robert Johnson tells the story of how a German pilot escorted his badly damaged plane out of German airspace and vectored him on a course to land in England. In the incident that the song refers to, Oberleutnant Stigler had 30 confirmed Kills plus another 30 that were not confirmed. In the German airforce, unlike others, someone had to actually see the enemy pilot bail out or the plane crash otherwise it was a probable. The lyric in the chorus "say goodbye to the cross he deserved refers to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. Herr Stigler certainly deserved it and in fact was recommended for it a few weeks before the war ended. In the mass confusion of that time, the Cross was never awarded, but he still was a highly decorated pilot. He ended the war flying the ME262 jet fighter in General Adolph Galland's elite JVB44. Lastly Stigler once said that his commanding officer had told the squadron that if he saw any of them shooting down defenseless men who had parachuted, he would shoot them himself. I am Jewish and to me the Nazi's were anathema, but there were also brave men over there who were fighting for their country. Sorry about the length of this post.
No worries about the length of the post, considering how much I talk that was nothing.
Holy shit. I didn't know he was flying me 262.
He knew what happened with his Grandad on that day, then listening to this song and such an event of a B17 Bomber cruise being escorted by the enemy most likely not happen a second time.
Next Sabaton: Nightwitches Animated Version 🤘
That is definitely a beautiful song to react to!
There's a book about this true story called " a higher call". I can only recommended reading this.
Stigler was trained by a german WWI ace
fighter pilot and he had an importent rule never shoot at a parachute, as he saw the B17 so badly damaged he could not shoot it down it
The gods of luck surely made a great choice, No Bullets Fly is my favorite Sabaton song! These animated story videos does a great job showcasing the stories Sabaton makes music about, and I am really glad you actually took the effort to watch the story and liked it too! Great reaction to a great song!
If I remember correctly Pär saw either a picture or painting of the book A Higher Call and then the lyrics came from the history of the incident
What are the chances! Not even a week ago I was thinking this would be a good song for you to react to! And here it is! I can't wait to watch it completely! See you on the other side of the review!
Back again after the review. Awesome once again, I really like your reviews, they are amazing at getting a better understanding of the songs, despite me having listened to them, probably a lot of other times. Anyways thanks for another great video!
Of course it was written about this particular event. :-)
This is most probably a one time event and even Adolf Galland, the German air marshall in WW2, helped to find the pilot after the war in 1990.
12:15 - Why? They have not fired yet. Theyr Plane is so badly damaged, it's a wonder she's still flying. All Crewmembers are injured.
I will strongly recommend the Book "A higher call" from Adam Makos. It is exactly about this occassion and gives pretty deep insights into both characters, Franz Stigler and Charly Brown.
25:20 - Those damn onion peeling ninjas!!! Gets me everytime. It's just a great story. And it shows that even in the darkest times of the world, there are always signs that humanity will live on.
It's ok to cry. I'm a 55 year old Jarhead and I cry every time.
If you look up on UA-cam the Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown incident you'll see the rest of the footage of them. Besides, you can read about every detail of their incredible story in a book called A Higher Call
There's no shame in tearing up while listening to this one, it's an epic, wonderful and heartwarming story.
You really ought to react to Sabatons "Devil Dogs", it's about the battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 where the US Marines got their nickname "Devil Dogs", or at least that's how the legend goes.
You also ought to react to "Defence of Moscow" which is about WWII when the germans tried to occupy Moscow and how the russians repelled them.
EDIT: Btw, I saw you've already reacted to "En livstid i krig" however you really ought to listen to it with the captions on if you haven't done that. I saw someone had given you the translation in the comments but you really should listen to it with the lyrics on because that'll make the song so much more powerful.
Predictability is something fitting for this video as well :-)
I have seen the video many times and people reacting to it many many more times. And you know what: feel comfortable with it:
I know the incredible story and that the'll meet later and become friends.
And I know that nearly every reactor will get chills and / or tear up. Like me. Again and again.
I'll at least get chills and get close to tearing up. And sometimes I tear up.
This story is a very important one:It shows that there are some people who were able to keep humanity in an inhuman environment of war.
A great reaction again. Thanx!
For a guy that's just about the music, you sure got into this story! Half the fun of Sabaton is the history of the songs, it makes them unique, or nearly so. Of course they're amazing musicians too, I think it's 50/50. 8.3 seems fair, it's not that outstanding for them(average for them is great). Great reaction!( Many of their songs are written about specific events, some are more general. I know you kind of have to avoid listening to unreacted songs, but once you have Sabaton has a separate channel for historical back stories. You really seemed to enjoy this)
sabaton songs all about real history
Sabaton: 10 of 11 albums are History done to Metal. [Metalizer was before they found their historical niche...]
I found your channel a few days ago and I must say, I think you have a nice style of analyzing songs, much more in-depth than most others. Subscribed!
Great reaction review and reaction - absolutely love how Sabaton dont only play on their riffs, they are so good to play on our emotional strings too.
Great story and song, I only heard it a couple months ago its cool to see the human element show up in the thick of battle like that put to metal. Great review !
Great reaction!🤘 Nobody comes out of this, without getting emotional... 😉 A really great , true story.
The guitar players are doing an awesome job together. Tommy Johansson is actually lead singer and guitar player in his own band, Majestica. I highly recommend "Above the sky" (official music video). It's a dream for musicians to watch/listen to. Greetings from Sweden! 🇸🇪🤘
Go Ducks! Great band and song. Thank you for reacting to this video.
One of my favorite reactors. And to learn you’re a hockey fan… moved up yet another notch in my book. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks Dave! Good stuff!
You got to remember the skin on the plane was no thicker then a sheet of paper. And since the planes where not pressurized a failure of the oxygen or vomiting into the oxygen mask could ultimately kill the crew. So it was not just the enemy that was deadly to the crews.
I strongly suggest you read the book A Higher Call.
They write some very specific songs. This was one.
🤘🇫🇮 Nightwish army Finland👍 🦅
You guess bounced off the wall, LOL
In the intro of the song is mentioned that the -B-17 guns went frozen, bexause of damages. And Sabaton has a e-mail that took and takes song recommendations, based on real stories of which background they can check, and someone has suggested this...They make a song if it has enough attraction and can be composed.
you should check out resist and bite, and yes its real. If you want to know more about how and what check out sabaton history channel. It's also specifically about the story. Sabaton tries to tell a specific story about a participant/observer of a historic event.
Great reaction.
Sabaton only deals with real historical events.
Greetings from Germany...and i love this song...
I hope someone will request Christmas Truce the newest song from them, it's something very unique. Btw great reaction, and yes Sabaton *only* does historically accurate stuff. This song was for that specific event and their songs are all about very specific events. They are kind of history teachers but Metal lol. They even have a history channel. Even their Music Videos are mostly historically accurate, if you see a gun and a specific uniform someone wearing in their videos, its historically accurate. They don't just use some random props, they need props that are 100% accurate as the real ones. So what you'll see will be very close to the past and its like you can see through a time machine 😂
There is a book about this story look up "A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II" it's a good read.
Additional information. When they approached the coast and the AA guns the German fighter pilot dropped in behind Ye Olde Pub in the kill shot position. This prevented the AA gunners from firing.
Love your Analysis.
This song is from the "Heroes" Album. All the songs on the album if about specific people and events, so it was written about this particular story.
"I didn't get a Harrumph! outta that guy."
"Give the Governor a Harrumph!"
"Harrumph!"
Best movie EVER!
You will need to check out their history channel for the answer to the question you asked all is explained on that channel the have a small history lesson where they get there inspiration for lyrics and true facts from
I'm surprised I haven't commented on this video yet despite seeing it multiple times. A great story and a good song to boot.
Franz' leader from another battlefield told his subordinates that if he ever heard one of them shot a parachutist he would personally shoot the shooter himself. To Franz, Ye Olde Pub was like a parachutist due to how badly damaged it was. As for keeping it secret, Charlie & his men didn't like that Allied high command ordered the story to be kept secret ("no one can know good Germans exist, pretend this never happened!"-Allied high command probably). As for the Knight's Cross, in the words of Lightning Mcqueen & Doc Hudson, "It's just an empty cup".
Have you done Christmas Truce? If not, you really should! Watch till end;)
Btw, you do not need any engines to pull out of the spin, though the flight is not easy on just one engine. The plane was barely holding and it was so close to falling they were incredibly lucky.
I don’t know if anyone has said this yet but if they have I’m sorry for repeating it but you NEED to check out the book “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos it gives both pilots stories during that particular mission and beyond and definitely goes more in depth than any video can about this event which as hard it is to believe actually happened
Someone once said, "every group has one great guitar rift... every Sabaton song has one great guitar rift" :)
The "problem" with mechanized combat, (specifically vehicle to vehicle such as air-to-air) is highly dehumanizing. You are not killing "people" but machines, you don't see an enemy person but his vehicle. Until you do. And that point right there defines out humanity.
There was a story I read decades ago ("the David Sling" IIRC) in which the US was fighting a highly automated (robot) war with the USSR and at one point one of the robots, following it's programing, kept circling back to a fallen soldier who straddled the program lines between "threat" and "not-threat" because the robot hadn't actually "killed" him but he was so wounded he was no longer a combat threat. So it asked for human intervention to 'resolve' the error and the line that stuck with me is the human operator crying while telling the robot it could stop "killing" him now and move on.
Machines have no mercy, they have no compassion and they follow the programing to the letter, even when that programing is in error. Something we probably should remember as we move forward.
I am amazed that the plane did not break apart considering the stresses of that dive and the getting out of that dive, at least that did go the right way for them.
And the story and the song is hard to not get very emotional over.
This was a hell of a song and video. Shout out to Babymetal helping me discover Sabaton.
The only turret on the B-17 that was operational was the ball turret underneath thats why the top turret didn't shoot
You should do the Christmas truce by Sabaton. Video is amazing.
I'm not sure if someone already mentioned it, but the German pilot had been told by one commander that if he ever heard of a pilot disgracing themself by shooting at a man in a parachute, he'd shoot that man himself. Franz said as far as he was concerned, with that damage, those men were in a parachute.
Other comments have mentioned it as well, but Sabaton never makes up any story, all their songs are factually correct (double checked by multiple historians). There is two main types of Sabaton songs, they are either very personal and follow specific events happened to one person or crew or they have a very broad topic relating to all battles within a certain period.
This is one of the examples of the "personal" songs and they have also songs related to just "trench warfare" for example.
According to Sabaton there are enough real stories and there is no need to make them up. About your question if this song was made for the story or if the story was added later, Sabaton does often write the music of a song before they know what topic it will get, they look for topics to sing about independently of the music they have written. Only when they find that the music fits the topic (no happy melodies for sad topics for example) they will write the lyrics and finish the song. Some compositions they made will be on the plank for a few years before finding a good topic. I'm sure it's not always the case but from watching interviews and the Sabaton History channel I'm pretty sure that's the case for most of their songs.
The lyrics of No Bullets Fly have undoubtedly always been for this event, though whether that's true for the music I don't think this has ever been mentioned, so my guess would be that the music isn't written with this event in mind.
If you want anthemic, do sabaton’s “defense of Moscow”, also interested in what you will think of the solo. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it 😉
Franz Stigler was the German pilot, that chose not to shoot the B17 down. True story, look it up. :o) Pay attention Dave, lol, as it shows you, in the video, how the grandson knew, because on his desk is a model B17 and a Messerschmitt Bf 109. So his family must have told that story many times and passed it down.
By far, my favorite Sabaton song, and the one I can most relate to.
I live near Bremen (the place they bombed) and Oldenburg (where they almost crashed),
and one of my Opas (Grandpa) was a AA-gunner at the Atlantikwall, in the Netherlands.
I wonder if he saw a BF-109 escorting a B-17?
Great reaction.
He very well might have.
The song was specific for this incident.
it is reall the two pilots even met live for youtube
Stigler's commanding officer, in training, told him that if he shot men in a parachute that the commander would shoot Stigler himself. He said: "You don't do this for your enemy, but for your own soul."
Stigler said that he was confused as to why the B-17 hadn't turned the air in front of his Masserschmit into a wall of death _(a B17 had 9 .50cal machine guns that were almost all capable of firing anywhere around the aircraft. A lone fighter had zero hope against one - Stigler didn't realize he had taken off alone at first.)_ ... then realized that it was helpless. He saw that broken aircraft, and felt that it was nothing more than these men's parachute at that point. He escorted them across the Atlantic Wall - massive German anti-air defenses. _(Two lines of heavy defenses - hence him "risking his life twice that day." He tried to motion to them to cut to Sweden, which was Neutral, but the American pilots didn't understand German hand signals. He flew in a German escort pattern in the hopes the German anti-air forces would recognize his Masserschmit, and not fire since the Germans DID have captured B17s that they'd use for sneak attacks. Luckily they did recognize his Masserschmit, and thus didn't open fire.)_
Interesting to see David get hammered a lil 😊
Thank you Franz Stigler wherever you are now, for showing the World that not evry German Soldier of WWII was a Nazi, you are one of those rare WWII German Heros
After checking the comments and havent seen it mentioned yet. If you want a more in depth telling of this story check out the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos. Trust me its well worth the read.
Stigler never gor the knights cross,
However:
Stigler got a life long friend
The crew of Ye old pub got a second chance at life
Sabaton got inspiration
Sabaton fans got an awesome song
His daughter got her fathers story and name immortalized
History buffs got an awsome story
Talk about a "win-win"
David, go back to your own reaction to 82nd all the way. I guess you wasn't paying attention back then yet. It is a Alvin's York true story. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_York
There is a secret clan of onion cutting ninjas that have the super power of hearing this song being played anywhere in the world and to start cutting them onions around whoever is listening.
That is my theory anyway.
The chances are the gunners on the ground thought he was going to shoot it down over the sea so there would be less chance of survivers.
I am a season ticket holder for the Ontario Reign - fellow Kings fan! 🏒🤴
Go Kings Go!!!
Sabaton !
,,Look to the right and then look again" refers to the statement Charlie gave in an interview, the song is not vague. Sabaton research details
One engine with full power
All of Sabatons songs are about real history.
Hey David if you want to know more about this story read A Higher Call.
With regards to the turrets, in the book, A Higher Call, which is about this, Stigler talks about staying out of the turrets' line of fire for most of the time. Also the bottom turret and guns were not functioning, so they couldn't shoot, anyway. Additionally, the top turret's gunner spent most of the time in the fuselage helping bandage the injured crewmen. So, the video's positioning and such isn't strictly accurate, in that regard.
I, at the same time, *hate* and *love* to bring this to you - but *all* of the stories that Sabaton tells are true.
Bremen , my Home Town :) i know Aircraft Faktory ..... I now the Story , the German Pilot fly by the side , and escort them back to the Nordsee
Do more Sabaton music videos! They make for great reactions. Peace !
Yes he escortd him out of German airspace till he reached the English channel
Maybe I am mistaken but the person who trained the german pilot had a rule, dont fire on parachutes. Basically that these people are out of the battle. I believe it was to do with honour and "code of the air". I believe he even threatened to kill anyone who he found shot down a parachute.
And the german pilot believed the plane with its damage was on par with a parachute so didnt fire.
"If I hear of one of you shooting a man in a parachute, I'll shoot you myself!"
- Gustav Rödel, German ace and at the time Franz's commander and flight instructor, who he also saw as mentor
Pretty much ALL Sabaton songs are based on true events in history.
If you look at their Sabaton History channel, you'd clearly see they've done all of their research.
All of Sabatons songs (well, like 99.9%) are based upon true stories. And most of them based upon heroism in war, from Sparta to modern times. They do incredibly research for each song and they have their own history channel called Sabaton History. They take this stuff seriously.
Great
All of sabaton's songs are based on real events
Jovita Theren-Stigler's comments are allways the last piece of puzzle in these comment sections. I feel peace! ohhhmmmm
There are 2 more Sabaton songs you need to do reactions to.... Nightwitches and attack of the dead men
you think that was crazy? look up Battle for Castle Itter: a battle between on one side Whermacht, US Army, French politicians and the Austrian resistance vs the SS. or even better: Operation Cowboy: US Army together with Wehrmacht and german Pow vs the SS to save Lipizzaner breading mares from being killed by the SS or falling into the hands of the advancing soviet forces.
hi am german and my dad was in the luftwaffe he said to me the only good thing about war you can travel
he himself had incredible luck there the military police at end of war wanted to shoot him and a usa bomb raid saved him beside he had very ,uch luck escaping the russian trap my grand mother that had a evil second mother she was not given much to eat and went to so many things
I cant say and yet she was a loving friend woman sadly to say we never learned from history and never will
Stigler may have had the swastika on his plane, but he was no Nazi.
Why make things up when history is filled with stories
The music industry, much like Hollywood, has a tendency to "embellish" and "exaggerate" facts in order to sell more units, whether that be records or movie tickets. It happens way more often than people might think.
May be the pilot refuses to shoot on his enemy because he notices him is in weak position and in army ethics you can shoot on enemy when he is power (equal to equal) but not on weak (children, women, older, Prisoners of war, Surrender with a white flag,...)