Certainly something you don’t want to hear. But that’s what Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune told his passengers, mostly wounded British soldiers, over Afghanistan. Ok, that’s not exactly what he said – you can hear him on this video.
In clips seen for the first time, he is heard calmly telling his passengers: “Just to let you know, I took a round through my front windscreen which came up and hit me in the head. I’ve got a bit of a crack and a bleed there.”
He then managed to manuever his aircraft at 120 mph back to the base. That earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Thanks to Old Trooper for the link.
Comments
14 responses to “I’ll be your pilot today. I’ve been shot in the head. We hope you enjoy your flight.”
Prayers out for the full recovery of this strong warrior.
Handled with a touch of British class, love it.
All the best to Ian, the world needs more like him.
Incredible. I wonder how he is able to walk with all that clanging going on from those brass balls?
It was interesting for me to note the contrast between the reaction of the troops and aircrew and the very human reaction of the reporter.
I wrote about this back when it happened
http://nygoe.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/raf-pilot-takes-one-between-the-eyes-and-still-saves-20-lives/
But the video really clarifies the situation onboard!
Wow…
It must be ingrained in the British psyche that whatever they do, it is done with style. That pilot is super.
That? It’s but a scratch; I’ve had worse.
*those with a Monty Python braincell will understand that one.
The Holy Grail acknowledged Trooper, lol.
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@Trooper. Well played, sir. Nicely done.
Summer, 1940: “My- those jerrys are a nasty lot, what?”
British stoicism- love it!
For some reason, the French think they invented sang froid? This is what the world thinks of when they think of the British fighting man. Well done.
“Flashman”
Don’t tell me, your handle is based on G.M. Fraser’s ‘hero’ isn’t it?
God, I thought I was one of the only Yanks to subject myself to those stories. lol