A month ago I had the great honor to meet Stan Whalley, a WWII pilot from England who like other Brits, trained in the US. He shared so many stories with us then and with the blessing of the internet, we’ve been able to keep the conversation going. This just came in from Stan which I’m pleased to share with you …
“I have just seen the excellent account of my visit to Falcon Field in November, for which I thank you sincerely. However, I wondered if you could add to your account my later flying in Europe, following my return from Falcon. After flying inTiger Moths I flew P51 Mustangs and found myself in Germany after WW2 ended. I toured a ruined Germany, all the best big cities, in Berlin I entered the ruined Reichstag parliament building and viewed the big hole, outside Hitlers Bunker, in which Hitler and his new bride, Eva Braun, were thrown and burnt.
I left the Royal Air Force in 1947 and followed a career in Banking.
I have been retired 31 years and since travelled the world, but never miss a trip to Mesa cemetery in November where 23 of my colleagues are buried, not forgetting two USAAF cadets and four US Instructors also lost their lives and are buried near their homes.
Stan Whalley, and thank you again for your help.”
Sent from my iPhone
My favorite part … Sent from my iPhone … what an amazing world we live in. And at 90, here’s Stan in the Stearman about to take off on a flight over Falcon. Simply brilliant!