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Flying and a pursue towards the unknown
Flying have through history been an attraction and an appeal towards the unknown – a challenge of what lies in our inherent genes, it may be wondering, excitement, a means of travel between countries, war or peace.
Who doesn’t know the mythology of Ikaros? The story of Ikaros is embedded in many a child as the one who climbed to high altitude on his wings glued with wax to his arms and the wax melted approaching the sun. He fell down. That’s the way the story goes.
Leonardo da Vinci, ahead of his time, constructed a flying apparatus that could have flown if the right materials were on hands.
Mongolfier Brothers made the first hot balloon flight in 1783. At the marketplace in Annonay they rose to up to an altitude of 6000 feet.
General de Jourdans French army used balloons in 1974 as observation posts. The fragile attempt of a military war machine had gotten its first use.
Otto Lilienthal and the Wright brothers broke barriers and flying became a reality. Some gasped, others- politicians alike, felt it was a useless toy to no practical use
Louis Bleriot crossed the English Canal, Tryggve Gran across the North Sea. The pioneers were in the front seat, they were the courage’s one in their flying machines, elevated from the deadly danger and not happening to them. They became the Untouchables, however often with a deadly tragical outcome.
The First World War made myths. Aircraft and Zeppelins made its entry. To start with a gentleman-like behavior worthy of a flying knight and worshipped at the start of the war. Man against man in a gentleman manner often to the use of only a revolver and saluting his opponent after a duel. It soon changed though, a war machine was cemented
Legends as Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron made myths and rang voices of heroism amongst youths all over the world.
After the war, flying was on everyones lips, and courageous men sought to break new barriers. The area of the Daredevils was born. Incredible events took place. In the book Sand, Wind and Stars by the famous Antoine de Saint Exupèry the story of Mermoz is told. He had to make a forced landing on a small shelf on top of the mountain of Andes. This in an attempt to open a route to Peru. There, in the snow and frost he repaired the engine, started and made himself fall from the cliff, got airborne and arrived in Peru.
Daring flights over Sahara desert on their way to Dakar or Casablanca, also to South America showed the possibilities of commercial flights. Stories of conduct of heroism is shown telling about Berghoff who ditched in the Mediterranean solely to come to the aid of another airman, Alvarez, who had been forced down and sat on the wing of the downed aircraft when spotted.
In Norway we had Roald Amundsen in the airship Norge over the North Pole and later in Latham N-25 flying in the search for Nobile. He never returned. He became a hero for the youths. Some still remember the Swedish baron Cederstroms daring airshows at Ekeberg.
The period between the two great wars was destined in the belief that all was possible. Speed records fell almost before they were recorded. Books dealing with technical wonders of the world were read by youths all over the world – a world where everything was possible.
The Schneider Cup, the competition between countries on a high level triggered everyone’s fantasy. The famous war hero Jimmy Doolittle competed for America. Italy and England likewise. They all competed about the trophy were the fastest airplane won. The English team led by R.J.Mitchell and his Supermarine seaplane eventually won on Sept. 1931, reaching 547 km/h. It turned out to be the forerunner to the famous Spitfire.
Dark skies in the horizon led to worry for the devoted. Hitler started the arms race and send his condor squadron to Spain and in the line of fire for the first time. Guernica was destroyed by Ju-87 Stukas with sirens and bombs made panic amongst the citizen.
Gemany sent its airship Hindenburg marked with the German swastika on the sides around the world. Americas Clipper opened flights from England to USA, and Germany likewise with their Dornier Do-X.
All over the world youths experienced a world unknown to their parents- also the Norwegians.
The year was 1939. Poland fell for the overwhelming German army and England declared war against Germany.
April 9th 1940 is embedded in the Norwegian population as something that never could have happened to them. Air alarm sounds, bombs falling – who in the world would bomb a peaceful country like ours?
It was war. Youth rose to arm and to defend their country. They went abroad to become pilots and after great struggle finally to come to Little Norway in Toronto were Ole Reistad, renowned sportsman and a dear comrade and pilot were in charge. On the journey to their destination, they experienced the Norwegian Embassy in Sweden to be negative. They were regarded as thoughtless adventurers. Go home. They resisted. They had grown up in a time when war attacks was unthinkable. It was not only malignant but great injustice and a crime they would fight. The best would be to fly like knights; they were prepared by a decisiveness not being a floskel. They were prepared to die.
As young pilots they were sent to England, their hearts filled with a burning fire, they would meet the enemy, man against man in a dueling fight or in the cockpit of a heavy bomber. By the friendship in the squadron, they had each other. Many were lost and some did not dear to have friends, the loss would be unbearable. They all felt fear intolerable before an action, but they stood up, the adrenaline boiled, fear was lost and they engaged the enemy full of fighting spirit.
The story is told of the few who came back. They represent all the others who for us became the Untouchables, young men in their Hurricanes, Spitfires, Mosquitos, in long missions over the ocean, or meeting flak and enemy night fighters over Berlin, Nuremberg or Hamburg.
It is also a salute to those men who did not come back. They had the belief and wanted to do their best. Their heroism is spoken, unbelievable in their daringness and guidance for others. Words alone may hardly be printed to tell true heroism.
They all were the Untouchables, untouched by wrong doings, but with at knowledge of a better future for others were they showed the way.
Gunnar Støltun – from the book The Untouchables