[American and German fighter pilots (Part 2 of 2)]

This two-part recording contains conversations between German and American fighter pilots regarding their military service during World War II. The conversations took place during a goodwill meeting between the American Fighter Aces Association and the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association that was held in Germany in May 1961. Excerpts from these recordings were later used in a highlight reel about the event.

Identified speakers in part two include Werner Andres, President of the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association; Eugene A. Valencia, Vice President of the American Fighter Aces Association; German fighter aces Gerhard Barkhorn, Erich Hartmann, and Major Neumann; and U.S. Air Force officer Raymond F. Toliver. Topics discussed include the return of Werner Mölders’s award, the German decoration system, military flight training, and the future of fighter aircraft.

In May 1961, members of the American Fighter Aces Association visited West Germany as part of a goodwill meeting between them and the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association. During their week-long visit, they toured German air bases and attended various events, including a war memorial dedication in Geisenheim, Germany. Several moments from the meeting were recorded, such as goodwill gestures and conversations between American and German fighter aces.