Air Stories Of The World War 1932-02-09 American Pursuit Pilots

Summary

Podcast Summary: Air Stories Of The World War 1932-02-09 American Pursuit Pilots

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Description: Radio shows from the Golden Age of Radio. The time before television and the family all sat around the radio and listened to the shows of the time like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet and many more.
• Episode: Air Stories Of The World War 1932-02-09 American Pursuit Pilots
• Release Date: April 13, 2025

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Introduction

The episode "Air Stories Of The World War 1932-02-09 American Pursuit Pilots" transports listeners to the turbulent skies of World War II, focusing on the camaraderie, bravery, and personal struggles of two American pursuit pilots. George Bruce, a renowned air story writer and pioneer flyer, narrates this gripping tale, offering a vivid portrayal of the aviators' experiences in war-torn Europe.

Main Characters

• Richie King: A formidable and fearless pilot, known for his muscular build and unwavering courage. Richie embodies the quintessential war hero, admired by his peers for his strength and combat prowess.

• Mark Bourne: A scholarly and pint-sized cadet who grapples with self-doubt and fear. Mark idolizes Richie and strives to emulate his bravery, despite his own anxieties about flying and combat.

• Captain Barlow: The strict and demanding flight instructor whose tough love approach pushes the cadets to their limits, ensuring only the most resilient survive and thrive in combat roles.

Training Days

The story begins on the training school field, where Richie King and Mark Bourne are preparing for their first solo flights. The recent tragic accident of a cadet serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lie ahead.

Notable Quote:

• Mark Bourne [01:47]: "Listen, Richard, that man was smashed to bits. Good God, Richie, we're next, you and I. I'm shaking like a leaf."

Richie, undeterred by the incident, encourages Mark to muster his courage and face the upcoming challenges head-on.

Notable Quote:

• Richie King [02:04]: "Certainly not. Why should I be scared? Say, you hadn't ought to let this get on your nerves, kid."

Deployment to France

Despite Mark's fears, both cadets successfully complete their training under Captain Barlow's rigorous standards. Their skills earn them a place in the front lines in France, where they are thrust into the realities of aerial combat.

Notable Quote:

• Captain Barlow [04:07]: "Now, up with you. Smash up those training ships and you'll be grounded for good. Snap into it."

First Combat Mission

Upon arrival in France, Mark pilots his assigned ship with unexpected proficiency, bolstered by Richie's unwavering support. Their bond strengthens as they navigate the perils of dogfighting against German Fokkers.

Notable Quote:

• Mark Bourne [05:16]: "Honest, Richie, you're the bravest man I ever knew. I... I'll try to stick with you. Good luck. I never expected to get back out of that."

Capture and Rescue Attempt

Tragedy strikes when Richie is forced to land due to being chased by enemy pilots. Witnessing his friend's capture ignites a desperate determination in Mark to mount a rescue mission, showcasing his growth from a fearful cadet to a resolute pilot.

Notable Quote:

• Mark Bourne [07:44]: "I'll go after him. I'll fly over the line. I can do it. I'll find a way. I can get into a German uniform. I can speak some German. I'll get into that stockade and get Richie out of there."

Final Battle and Sacrifice

Mark's daring attempt to infiltrate the German stockade culminates in a fierce confrontation. Despite his best efforts to save Richie, the mission ends in mutual sacrifice, highlighting the profound themes of loyalty and heroism.

Notable Quote:

• Mark Bourne [12:29]: "He was a great fighter. Richie was the bravest of us all."

Conclusion

Captain Barlow commends Mark's valor, ensuring that both he and Richie will be remembered as exemplary pilots who epitomized the finest qualities of the air service. Mark's journey from fear to bravery underscores the transformative power of friendship and duty in the face of adversity.

Notable Quote:

• Captain Barlow [14:02]: "They'll go down in history as the greatest fighting names in the air service."

Final Reflections

Mark Bourne's resolve to honor Richie's legacy sets the stage for his continued service, embodying the enduring spirit of sacrifice and heroism that defined the American pursuit pilots of World War II.

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Notable Quotes Summary:

• Mark Bourne [01:47]: Expresses his fear and apprehension about flying solo.
• Richie King [02:04]: Encourages Mark to overcome his nerves.
• Captain Barlow [04:07]: Demands discipline and readiness from his cadets.
• Mark Bourne [05:16]: Acknowledges Richie's bravery and pledges loyalty.
• Mark Bourne [07:44]: Vows to rescue Richie at any cost.
• Mark Bourne [12:29]: Pays tribute to Richie's courage.
• Captain Barlow [14:02]: Recognizes the exceptional bravery of both pilots.

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This episode masterfully intertwines action, emotion, and historical context, providing listeners with an immersive experience into the lives of American pursuit pilots during World War II. George Bruce's storytelling brings to life the intense bonds forged in combat and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of duty and friendship.

Transcript

[Ryan]

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[Mark Bourne]

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[Ryan]

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[George Bruce]

Ladies and gentlemen, we present another in the series of air stories of the World War by that ace of all air story writers, George Bruce. George Bruce was a pioneer flyer. He knows flying. He knows the men who represented this country in the air during the World War. His stories are reflections of his own crowded life and the lives of our American flyers in war torn Europe. We are pleased to announce that Aces magazine, the pioneer flying story magazine for whom George Bruce writes exclusively, has given us special permission to broadcast these stories. This is the story of two American pursuit pilots. Two friends. The giant Richie King, whose muscled hands could bend an iron bar. The big man who seemed afraid of nothing. And little Mark Bourne, the pint sized scholar who was afraid of himself and worshiped his big flying mate as a hero. The pair are waiting to make their first solo flights on the training school field. A cadet has just ground looped and been killed in the crash. Mark Boren is terrified.

[Mark Bourne]

Listen, Richard, that man was smashed to bits. Good God, Richie, we're next, you and I. I'm shaking like a leaf.

[Richie King]

Come on, half pint, stiffen your guts. When the instructor calls, just go out there and fly. That's all.

[Mark Bourne]

Say, Richie, aren't you scared a little bit?

[Richie King]

Certainly not. Why should I be scared? Say, you hadn't ought to let this get on your nerves, kid.

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, no, no. You're different, Richie. You can see a thing like this and the ice cold. While you'll trot out there grinning and cover yourself with glory the first time up. Me, the only thing I'm not afraid of is a book, I guess.

[Richie King]

Oh, forget it, kid. You got the brains, haven't you? Brains are just as good as brawn. And sometimes better. Take it easy.

[Mark Bourne]

I can't. I can't. I'm sweating. I'll never be able to fly, Richie. I'll never get that airplane off the Ground. My God, the instructor's looking at us. We're gonna be next.

[Captain Barlow]

Hey, you, King and Bourne. Snap into it. Now. Climb into those crates and steam. Let's see you do better than the last man, or I'll murder you if you get out of your wrecks alive. There better not be another crack up around here this morning, Richie.

[Mark Bourne]

I never been so frightened all my life. I'll never make it.

[Richie King]

Come on, have pint. I'll see that you're getting your cockpit anyhow. I'm flying with you, ain't I? Come on, kid, get going.

[Captain Barlow]

Now. Up with you. Smash up those training ships and you'll be grounded for good. Snap into it.

[Mark Bourne]

Thank the Lord that's over. We made it, Richie. I never thought I could get my ship over those trees.

[Richie King]

I have.

[Mark Bourne]

Fine.

[Richie King]

It's easy. I told you you'd do it, didn't I? You made the grade and we'll go to France. Okay. You did fine.

[Mark Bourne]

Well, I. I never would have made it if it hadn't been for you, Richie. Gosh, I. I watched you climb into your plane grinning, and I somehow felt you were pulling for me. You've got guts, Richie. You're what I always wanted to be. I'd like you to stick with me.

[Richie King]

I'm glad you feel that way about it, kid. I'll ask the CEO if he won't move you down to my tent, we'll fly together anyhow.

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, gee, that's great. I'll try not to let you down, Richie. You've been a good friend to me.

[Richie King]

Forget it, half pint. I heard we might leave soon for France. We'll do some flying there.

[Captain Barlow]

All right, you new men, you're in France now. Line up over there. You got a job right off. I'm Barlow, leader of a flight. You're assigned to me. And that's a flight warming up over there. Better get over and grab a ship. We're taking off in 10 minutes.

[Mark Bourne]

Good Lord, Richie. He's setting us up the first thing.

[Captain Barlow]

What's that you said, fella?

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, I was only telling my friend here. Well, we're strange here, you know, Captain. We. We haven't had a chance to get our bearings. It seemed kind of funny going out on duty as soon as we get here.

[Captain Barlow]

Yeah, you'll find out there isn't anything funny about it. You got to break the ice sometime, and the sooner the better. The only way a pursuit pilot can learn to fly is by flying. What does your friend think?

[Richie King]

I agree with you, sir. I want to get Up. I'd like to get a crack at the Germans right away, sir.

[Captain Barlow]

That's the way to talk. However, if the little fellow feels nervous after the long trip up here, well, I'll mark him off as sick.

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, Captain, please. I. I've been looking forward to it. I. I want to stick with my friend only. Well, I want to go right.

[Captain Barlow]

Nobody who comes up here and hangs around ever learns to fly. A pursuit pilot only learns after he's been here a month, if he lasts that long. Now, there's your ships. Get to it.

[Richie King]

Well, half Pint, looks like we're off for the Jerry's at last.

[Mark Bourne]

Yeah. Well, here's my ship. Honest, Richie, you're. You're the bravest man I ever knew. I. Oh, good heavens, Richie. That's blood smeared on the cowling there. The blood of the fellow who flew the ship before me. And I'm taking his place.

[Richie King]

Don't look at it, kid. Here's my hand. Half pipe. Good luck, kid. Lots of it.

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, thanks. And good luck to you, Richie. You're the best friend I ever had. I'm scared to death right now, but I'll try to stick with you. Good luck. I never expected to get back out of that. Those two fuckers almost had me, sir. It was queer. It seemed as if the ship suddenly began to fly itself. I. I heard my guns going and the Fokkers just fell out of sight. Phew. I was scared green. I don't know how I got back.

[Captain Barlow]

Listen, kid, you put up a great scrap. I never saw a prettier piece of flying. You're a natural flyer, son.

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, no, no. I'm afraid it was just plain stupid luck, Captain Barlow. I couldn't see a thing or. Tell me, are the. Are all the men back yet?

[Captain Barlow]

Oh, no. Jerry's got a couple of us, I'm afraid.

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, well, there's Richie King. There's Richie coming down over there.

[Captain Barlow]

No, kid, that's not your friend, King. I'm afraid.

[Mark Bourne]

No. Where is Richie? He was flying near you, Captain. Hey, tell me. Tell me. Something happened to him. Something happened to Richie. Isn't he coming back?

[Captain Barlow]

I'm sorry, Boone.

[Mark Bourne]

He wasn't killed, was he? Oh, no. No. They couldn't have got Richie. Oh, my God. Richie. Richie was killed.

[Captain Barlow]

No, kid. Richie wasn't killed. I saw it all. He started to dive with a couple of Jerrys riding his tail. The Jerrys drove him down into their territory and forced him into a landing. I leveled off and saw his ship was all right. Bunch of Germans ran at him just as he climbed out. I'm afraid your pal's been captured, kid. They'll send him to prison.

[Mark Bourne]

Prison?

[Captain Barlow]

Yeah, there's a stockade at Sawbrook. That's where most of our boys go. Damn sight better than going down in flames.

[Mark Bourne]

Yeah, yeah, but a prison encampment? It'll kill him, Captain. It'll be worse than dying for Richie. Oh, this is terrible. You see, sir, you didn't know him. There wasn't a man in this outfit as fearless, as good a fighter as Richie King. They can't keep him in that prison.

[Captain Barlow]

Say, look.

[Mark Bourne]

Look, I'll go after him.

[Captain Barlow]

Now, don't go crazy, kid. Your friend.

[Mark Bourne]

No, no, listen, Captain, please. Tonight, I'll go after him. I'll fly over the line. I can do it. I'll find a way. I can get into a German uniform. I can speak some German. I. I'll get into that stockade and. And get Richie out of there. If it cost me my life to try it.

[Captain Barlow]

Well, you sure got a nerve, Bourne. But nothing doing. You wouldn't have a chance. Don't be foolish. Your pal's in there to stay, and you might as well forget it. I'm sorry.

[Richie King]

Who goes there?

[Mark Bourne]

Oberleutnant Willem Greiner, 11th yardstarpel, bearing special order from a prison commandant.

[Richie King]

Advance her. Officer, your order, please.

[Mark Bourne]

The prisoner, Lieutenant Reggie King, late American, 5th Pursuit Squadron, is to be delivered to me for special questioning. Read it for yourself. And do not detain a superior officer longer than necessary, please.

[Richie King]

We'll find a prisoner in billet number seven.

[Captain Barlow]

So. Here. Enter here.

[Mark Bourne]

Over. Lieutenant, the Lieutenant Reggie King will please step forward.

[Richie King]

What's wanted to mean now? Say, can't you devils ever let a fellow sleep? Lieutenant King reporting, sir.

[Mark Bourne]

Richard, it's me. Richard.

[Richie King]

Why?

[Mark Bourne]

For God's sake. Don't look surprised and don't talk. There's a sentry right outside.

[Richie King]

You the half pint. My God.

[Mark Bourne]

I've come to save you, Rich. I'll get you out of here right now.

[Richie King]

Come to save me? Why, good God, man.

[Mark Bourne]

Gee, Richie, this is the greatest moment of my life. When I heard you were captured, I could have died. But I can get you out of this hell, old man. Look, I swiped a plane. The CO Refused to let me have it, but I took it anyhow. Then last night, I got the chance. When I got over the line, I crashed and the ship burned in no man's land. But I found a dead German officer and I stole his uniform and papers. And the Stuff got by. I got away with it, kid. I forged an order to get in here and well, now I'm gonna get you out.

[Richie King]

God Born.

[Mark Bourne]

Come on, man, wake up. Wake up. We can make it. We can walk right out past that sentry. There's a flying field not far from here. We'll steal a fokker and make a run for it. Don't you get it, old man? We'll escape.

[Richie King]

Good God, man, why did you try this? They'll capture us, sure. They'll shoot us down like rats. You'll be hung for a spy and I'll get it too. Oh, of all the damn.

[Mark Bourne]

Richie. Richie.

[Richie King]

Me, Richie, me. You think I'm gonna risk my neck in this crazy game with you? We'll have all of Germany after us.

[George Bruce]

Richie.

[Mark Bourne]

Richie. My God, you're not afraid, are you? Afraid?

[Richie King]

Why, you damn little fool. Of course I'm afraid. Do you think I wanna get murdered in escape? I know when I'm licked. I'm not gonna risk my neck again. I did my share and now I'm taking it easy. They almost shot me to hell and gone on that fight up there. If you think I'm gonna be a target for those square heads again.

[Mark Bourne]

Listen, Richie, listen. I got over the line, didn't I? You can't turn me down.

[Richie King]

Ah, you can go back alone then. I'm not gonna risk my life now. And I can do a couple of months in this stockade and get free when the war ends. I'm done with it, see? I'll get out of here before the gods get wise. I'm through with this war. Leave me be and go on, beat it. I'd be a fool.

[Mark Bourne]

No, no, no. I've been a fool. I thought you were about everything a man should be. Why, hell, I've looked up to you as a kid to a brave ideal.

[Richie King]

Oh, you and your brave ideals. I know what I'm well off.

[Mark Bourne]

Now, listen, Richie. I've risked my life to come over here and get you. And now I find you've gone. Coward. After your first taste of real air fighting, I thought I was yellow. I thought I'd give my skin an attempt to save a real man. Well, by God, there's a fucker waiting to be stolen on that field and I'm gonna make the attempt. I came over here after you and by God, you're going back with me.

[Richie King]

You're batty as hell.

[Mark Bourne]

Leave me alone.

[Richie King]

Get out.

[Mark Bourne]

Elias. Quiet. We're both going to walk out of here and pass that guard. We're gonna get to that field and we're gonna get that plane. Now listen. Listen, you. There's a Luger pistol in my pocket. If you open your mouth, I'll make one sound. I'll let you have it. I'll get you before they do. When I mean it. Come on, we'll. Come on, Richie. Run for it. Get into that after cockpit. They discovered us. Quick, quick. It's our only chance now.

[Richie King]

Damn you. You got the end of this. There comes the guy I know.

[Mark Bourne]

They're going to chase us. Use that machine gun. Keep them off, Richie. Oh, come on. Use that gun, King.

[Richie King]

Buy your purpose now. There's ten pockets coming out.

[Mark Bourne]

Oh, my God. Why did you have to come? Go on.

[Richie King]

Go on, fight, you big fool.

[Mark Bourne]

Stop blubbering and fight. Shoot that gun there. That's the way. That's right. That's right. Hold them off. Keep back. Get off of that top pillar and fight, you fool. Come on. Go on. Show them how brave you are. Fight. Fight. Give it to him, you hero. Let him have it. Let him ever make it. Oh, God.

[Richie King]

We can't make it.

[Mark Bourne]

Go on. Go on. Keep them off. I'll get you there. You can go back and be a great hero. You can get a medal for your daring escape. Fight them off, King. Keep them off. I'm here. Make your face halfway. Come on, blood. Right. Right through the back. Go. Go on.

[Richie King]

Go on. You got the guts. Get home. Don't let him drop you, kid. You always was a better man than me.

[Mark Bourne]

Get up. Oh, wait, wait. Hold on, Richie. I'll get you there. Oh, God. I'm sorry. They got you, but you held him off, Richie. Good. I'll get you home now. You'll be all right, Richie. You'll be all right now, boy. Captain. He's dead. It was my fault, Captain Barlow. I killed him. I murdered him.

[Captain Barlow]

I saw that fight of yours. You dropped four fuckers behind you.

[Mark Bourne]

No, no, I murdered him. I had to go after my. I got there somehow and brought him back dead. Richie King, my friend and I got him killed.

[Captain Barlow]

Put up a great fight, didn't he? Oh, don't take it badly, son. You couldn't help it. I don't know how you pulled this stunt of yours, but it's the bravest thing I've seen done in this man's war. Your name and his. But they'll go down in history as the greatest fighting names in the air service.

[Mark Bourne]

He was a great fighter. Richie was the bravest of us all.

[Captain Barlow]

You'll be listed killed in action. And that's a lot better than rotting in a German prison. Born, his name and yours will be something for our boys to aim at. I tell you, the finest pair of fighting men this outfit ever had.

[Mark Bourne]

Richie was always the fighter. Captain, I. I'd like to do something from now on, if you'll let me. I'd like to fly King's assignments as well as my own. You see, I gotta figure out a way of taking his place. I owe it to.

[George Bruce]

We hope you have enjoyed this dramatized story of George Bruce as much as we have in presenting it. Every month there is a feature story in Aces magazine by this great flying air story writer and your news dealer will be happy to supply you.

[Richie King]

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[Mark Bourne]

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[Richie King]

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[Mark Bourne]

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