The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post - Three controversial events in frank Luke's combat days

Reinout · 12 October 1998, 04:51 AM

Dear all,

This Frank Luke movie has sparked up some renewed interest in the man and I have three questions. The movie -for those who have read the "remember Frank Luke?" thread- will take a certain stance when it comes to three controversial events of Luke's combat life. I have three questions pertaining to these controversial events.

1) His first victory. The only time I read about Frank Luke in detail was about seven years ago, when I was as green as grass on WWI/WWII aviation. At that time I read that he went on a solo patrol after which he claimed to have shot down a German plane (a fighter I believe). He had no witnesses and no plane was seen to crash. His superiors didn't believe him and refused to award him a victory. In the next two-and-a-half weeks Luke began to amass a fine score. His popularity as well as his fame increased and pressure was applied from I can't remember where exactly, resulting in the confirmation of Luke's claim. I know the claim has always been controversial; most sources I came in contact with finished the matter by calling him a liar. I wouldn't call him a structural liar of any sorts, but I have strong doubts that his first victory ever took place like he said it did.
My questions: what is the deal on this victory? Am I right or did he shoot down a German plane? What are your views (I can guess the views of some of you)? Are there any reliable sources?

2) Another event is his final flight. After he crashed he was asked to surrender by a German officer... Then what? Did he shoot soldiers down? There are several accounts of his death. Gunned down after shooting two Germans, sometimes it is three Germans. Another account has him crawling to a small stream. The same questions of above apply here: are there any sources and what do you lot believe?

3) Joseph Wehners death. I would like to know under what circumstances Wehner was killed. I know that he flew cover for Luke and was attacked by 4 (?) aircraft; the Germans eventually shot him down. Did Luke notice anything about this dogfight or did he only saw the big gasbags? Any witnesses?

These questions are important because hard things have been said and I feel history is at stake.
Please, don't disappoint me; haven't had that many since I came to this Forum...

Kind regards,

Reinout

12 October 1998, 04:51 AM	#1
Reinout Forum Ace Join Date: Aug 1998 Location: Gennep Posts: 853	Dear all, This Frank Luke movie has sparked up some renewed interest in the man and I have three questions. The movie -for those who have read the "remember Frank Luke?" thread- will take a certain stance when it comes to three controversial events of Luke's combat life. I have three questions pertaining to these controversial events. 1) His first victory. The only time I read about Frank Luke in detail was about seven years ago, when I was as green as grass on WWI/WWII aviation. At that time I read that he went on a solo patrol after which he claimed to have shot down a German plane (a fighter I believe). He had no witnesses and no plane was seen to crash. His superiors didn't believe him and refused to award him a victory. In the next two-and-a-half weeks Luke began to amass a fine score. His popularity as well as his fame increased and pressure was applied from I can't remember where exactly, resulting in the confirmation of Luke's claim. I know the claim has always been controversial; most sources I came in contact with finished the matter by calling him a liar. I wouldn't call him a structural liar of any sorts, but I have strong doubts that his first victory ever took place like he said it did. My questions: what is the deal on this victory? Am I right or did he shoot down a German plane? What are your views (I can guess the views of some of you)? Are there any reliable sources? 2) Another event is his final flight. After he crashed he was asked to surrender by a German officer... Then what? Did he shoot soldiers down? There are several accounts of his death. Gunned down after shooting two Germans, sometimes it is three Germans. Another account has him crawling to a small stream. The same questions of above apply here: are there any sources and what do you lot believe? 3) Joseph Wehners death. I would like to know under what circumstances Wehner was killed. I know that he flew cover for Luke and was attacked by 4 (?) aircraft; the Germans eventually shot him down. Did Luke notice anything about this dogfight or did he only saw the big gasbags? Any witnesses? These questions are important because hard things have been said and I feel history is at stake. Please, don't disappoint me; haven't had that many since I came to this Forum... Kind regards, Reinout __________________ "Despite living in a country where soft drugs, prostitution, euthanasia and gay-marriage are all legal, I've never felt any inclination towards any of the four." R.Hubbers, 2004.