Pilot apologizes for bombing Bath

[Kyt]

Bomber pilot to say sorry for role in Bath Blitz - Telegraph

A highly decorated Luftwaffe pilot is to return to the city he bombed during the Second World War to make a public apology.

Willi Schludecker, 87, who flew a Dornier 217E-4, took part in raids that killed 400 and destroyed more than 19,000 buildings in Bath in April 1942. He will visit the annual remembrance service for victims of the Bath Blitz next month.

Mr Schludecker, a widower from Cologne, said: "The war was madness. I realise now what I did and will come back to say sorry.

"I was afraid the British would be very angry but I find that now they are very gentle."

His apology will follow a minute's silence for the victims of the raid and a roll call of the children who died.

Mr Schludecker was just 21 when he flew three missions over Bath that were part of the "Baedeker" raids in which targets were chosen from the influential travel guide published by Baedeker. He flew 120 flights in the war and was shot down nine times. He was twice awarded the Iron Cross.

Mr Schludecker, who apologised to the people of York last year, said: "We were told what to do and we did it, just like the young British pilots."

[Kyt]

Bristol Past : Fishponds Local History Society

[Kyt]

BBC NEWS | England | Somerset | Luftwaffe pilot sorry for bombing

A former German Luftwaffe pilot has arrived in Bath to apologise for bombing the city during World War II.

Willi Schludecker, 87, flew more than 120 sorties - the average for a pilot was seven - including the raids in the so-called Baedeker Blitz of April 1942.

He will make the apology during Bath's annual remembrance service on Friday.

After being flown in by his interpreter-pilot at Colerne Airfield, the ex-pilot paid his respects at the graves of locals killed in the raids.


He also visited bomb damage in the city, at the Old Labour Exchange.

The Baedeker raids were in revenge for the bombing of Rostock by the Allies, and possibly because Hitler thought Churchill was in Bath at the time.

The Nazi leader is thought to have picked cultural centres deliberately - including York and Canterbury - from the popular Baedeker guide books of the day.

Chris Kilminster, 61, who lost his grandparents during the attacks on the city, said: "This has taken honour and courage on Willi's part.

"I hope he goes back remembering that we are friends now and I thank him for coming."

Mr Schludecker, who flew a Dornier 217E-4, was twice awarded the Iron Cross. He will issue his apology through an interpreter.

Speaking through the interpreter he told BBC News: "I did not realise fully what we had done.

"I never expected such a reception. I am coming to say sorry. Thanks for the welcome."

His speech will follow a minute's silence for the victims and a roll call of the names of all the children who perished.

The raids claimed more than 400 lives in Bath and 19,000 buildings were partly destroyed. The city had a population of 68,000 at the time.

John Cameron, who was 11 at the time of the raids, said: "There are no hard feelings at all. He is a very brave guy. I think he will be received well."

[Antipodean Andy]

Shot down nine times? Bloody hell. There's a man whose story should be told.