An American Pilot Became a WWII Legend by Completing His Mission In a Stolen Luftwaffe Plane

Photo Credit: United States Air Force / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Photo Credit: United States Air Force / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

During World War II, exceptional pilots showcased their remarkable abilities in aerial battles across Europe and the Pacific, being awarded with the special title of “flying ace.” Among these talented aviators, one individual distinguished himself with his extraordinary achievements.

Bruce W. Carr was recognized for his incredible feat as one of only two US Army Air Forces (USAAF) pilots to carry out a combat mission in an American aircraft and return in a plane operated by the Luftwaffe.

Joining the US Army Air Forces (USAAF)

Bruce Carr standing in front of his North American P-51D Mustang "Angels' Playmate"
Bruce Carr standing with his North American P-51D Mustang, which he named Angels’ Playmate. (Photo Credit: United States Air Force / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Born in New York, Bruce Carr was just 15 years old when the Second World War broke out in 1939. Motivated by the events of that year, the teenager made a firm commitment to master the art of flying.

Jump ahead three years to September 3, 1942, and Carr, now 18, enthusiastically enlisted in the US Army Air Forces. Using his prior aviation experience, he joined the service’s accelerated training program, ascending into the skies aboard the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.

On August 30, 1943, Carr attained the rank of flight officer, amassing an impressive 240 flight hours. His expertise extended to specialized training, enabling him to pilot both the North American P-51 Mustang and A-36 Apache. The former, in particular, held a special place in his heart, earning the endearing nickname, Angels’ Playmate.

He didn’t get credit for his first aerial victory

 North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang.
North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang of the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, at RAF Lashenden, England. 1944. (Photo Credits: assumed USAAF / “History and Units of the United States Air Forces In Europe”, CD-ROM compiled by GHJ Scharringa, European Aviation Historical Society, 2004. Image source listed as United States Army Air Forces via National Archives. / Bwmoll3 / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

In 1944, Carr was stationed in England with the 380th Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force at RAF Rivenhall. His first major combat achievement came after a fierce pursuit and exchange of gunfire, resulting in the downing of a Messerschmitt Bf 109. However, he did not receive official acknowledgment since it did not meet the specific criteria for a confirmed kill.

His bold and assertive approach distinguished him as a unique pilot, although his superiors frequently criticized him for being “overaggressive.” As a result, he was reassigned to the 353rd Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, stationed at RAF Lashenden.

A trip to Germany

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk in flight
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. (Photo Credit: US Air Force / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

On November 2, 1944, Bruce Carr tragically lost of his beloved P-51D. While leading a strafing mission over a German airfield in Czechoslovakia, he faced the grim reality that his aircraft was on the verge of failure and made the decision to eject deep within enemy lines.

Remarkably, he managed to evade capture for several days, showing his resourcefulness and resolve in challenging conditions.

Despite successfully avoiding capture, Carr faced the difficult challenges of going without food or water, leading him to consider surrender. Aware of a nearby airfield, he set out with the intention of giving himself up.

When he arrived, he saw a crew preparing a German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 for takeoff. Shifting his plan, Carr decided to wait until the crew left before stealthily boarding the aircraft.

Traveling home

Bruce Carr's North American P-51D Mustang "Angels' Playmate" parked on the ground
Bruce Carr’s North American P-51D Mustang, which he named Angels’ Playmate. (Photo Credit: US Air Force / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Carr dedicated himself to mastering the complexities of the Fw 190, undeterred by the challenge of deciphering the German labels and instructions. His hard work paid off. When the moment came, he took off without a hitch, avoiding any conflicts or unnecessary attention.

Leaving German airspace was relatively straightforward, thanks to the aircraft’s German insignia. However, re-entering Allied territory in France proved to be more difficult. Almost immediately after crossing into friendly airspace, he faced enemy fire. Determined to reach his base, Carr flew as low and fast as possible, a tactic that worked. However, by the time he arrived, his radio had stopped working.

In a somewhat unconventional move, Carr landed his plane on the base’s field without lowering the landing gear, bringing the aircraft to a stop in a controlled skid. Opinions differ; some believe it was a deliberate choice, while others think he may not have known the correct procedure.

Bruce Carr sticks the landing

Allied military personnel standing around a Focke-Wulf Fw 190
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 that Bruce Carr flew to an Allied airfield during his escape from German-occupied territory. (Photo Credit: US Air Force / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

It didn’t take long for individuals to attempt to forcibly remove Carr, mistaking him for a hostile German pilot, from the cockpit. However, he remained securely strapped into his seat. As he later recounted:

“I started throwing some good Anglo-Saxon swear words at them, and they let loose while I tried to get the seat belt undone. But my hands wouldn’t work and I couldn’t do it. Then they started pulling on me again because they still weren’t convinced I was an American. I was yelling and hollering. Then, suddenly, they let go, and a face drops down into the cockpit in front of mine. It was my Group Commander: George R. Bickel.”

Bickel had just one question for the pilot: “Carr, where in the hell have you been, and what have you been doing now?”

Despite this daring escape, Carr continued to fly and served throughout the remainder of World War II. By the conflict’s conclusion, he’d become a triple ace, credited with 15 aerial victories over 172 combat missions.

Bruce Carr’s service in Vietnam and Korea

Aerial view of F-100D Super Sabres on the runway at Da Nang Air Base
North American F-100D Super Sabres of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. (Photo Credit: Bwmoll3 / US Air Force Historical Research Agency / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Following World War II, Bruce Carr continued his service with the US Army Air Forces as it became the US Air Force. Initially, he was tasked with piloting the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star as a member of the Acrojets, America’s inaugural jet-powered aerobatic demonstration team. Their base of operations was at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona.

During the Korean War, now-Maj. Carr flew an impressive 57 missions with the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, before assuming command of the squadron from January 1955 to August ’56.

Carr flew 286 combat missions in Vietnam

North American F-100 Super Sabre in flight.
North American F-100 Super Sabre, 1962. (Photo Credits: US Air Force / Shaw Air Force Base / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Subsequently promoted to colonel, Carr went on to serve in Vietnam, where he flew with the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing stationed at Tuy Hoa Air Base. Specializing in close air support missions, he accumulated a remarkable total of 286 combat missions flying the North American F-100 Super Sabre during his deployment.

More from us: The American Air Ace Shot Down By Friendly Fire During the Battle of the Bulge

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In 1973, Carr retired from the Air Force. For his service in three wars, he received an impressive number of medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, 31 Air Medals and four Distinguished Flying Crosses.

In 1998, the skilled aviator passed away from prostate cancer and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Rosemary Giles

Rosemary Giles is a history content writer with Hive Media. She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University. Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War. In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys spending time with her partner, her cats, and her horse, or sitting down to read a good book.

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