[dragon53]

Nazi Shot Down 'Little Prince'
Associated Press | March 17, 2008
PARIS - A former pilot for Nazi Germany's air force writes in a forthcoming book that he believes he shot down the author of "The Little Prince," Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
The aviation pioneer's Lockheed Lightning P-38 disappeared July 31, 1944. In the book, former Luftwaffe pilot Horst Rippert says he believes that he shot down the plane - although he is not completely sure.
Le Figaro magazine published extracts of the book, "Saint-Exupery, the ultimate secret," over the weekend.
"I shot down Exupery," the magazine quoted Rippert as saying.
But the former Messerschmitt pilot also added: "I didn't see the pilot, and it would have been impossible for me to know that it was Exupery. I hoped, and I still hope, that it wasn't him."
Saint-Exupery was 44 when he disappeared and remains one of France's most admired figures. He's most famous for "The Little Prince," a tender fable about a prince from an asteroid who explores the planets.
Saint-Exupery's other works, which largely deal with his aviation experiences, include "Wind, Sand and Stars" and "Flight to Arras," about a doomed reconnaissance mission.
A scuba diver has since found the wreckage of his plane off of France's Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Cassis.
Rippert says in the book that he is a fan of the author's works.
"In our youth, at school, we had all read him. We loved his books," he said. "If I had known, I would not have opened fire. Not on him!"

[mkvb]

Thats a Bummer but at the end of the day he was there to do a job which he did.One could only hope when he gets to the pearly gates he doesn't find Saint-Expury standing there with arms folded and furiously tapping foot.I would suggest if does he might be in a spot of bother and blame it on his wingman..

[91ken]

Originally Posted by dragon53

But the former Messerschmitt pilot also added: "I didn't see the pilot, and it would have been impossible for me to know that it was Exupery. I hoped, and I still hope, that it wasn't him."
"If I had known, I would not have opened fire. Not on him!"

[sarcasm]All the soul searching! All the humanity! All the sufferink! Will the nightmares ever end?[/sarcasm]

[Black 6]

About a week before this story broke I received my FM P-38 that is modeled after the plane that Antoine de Saint-Exupery was last seen flying (or falling from the sky if this story is correct). It is a photo-recon P-38 and is in French Air Force colors. It's my first FM P-38 and looks great in my collection. That it has an interesting history / story just adds to it.

[Shawn 507]

Well them German buggars shot down several folks. Why the hub bub? I never heard of him prior to this post. Sorry I just don't get the work up over this. Many good men on both sides were shot down, its called "WAR" folks.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by dragon53

Nazi Shot Down 'Little Prince'
former Luftwaffe pilot Horst Rippert says he believes that he shot down the plane - although he is not completely sure.
Le Figaro magazine published extracts of the book, "Saint-Exupery, the ultimate secret," over the weekend.

What's Rippert's deal? The book not selling? Corgi not make his airplane yet?
In terms my 20 something son would use,..... That's so gay.
Who has heard of these people, this book, and who cares?
How many millions died?

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by smartd

In terms my 20 something son would use,..... "That's so gay".

Makes me laugh........3,000 miles (+) across the Atlantic, my 16 yr old Son also uses the same-phrase (LOL !)