He took a swing at Me Memory

- I am standing with a bunch of the pilots and other men in uniform. It is a bright sunny day. We are at the one airbase that stands out so prominently in my memories. We are in the clear area between the buildings. I think it is about 2 pm or 3 pm in the afternoon. The weather is warm enough that we do not need coats.

Something has happened and one of the men in uniform takes a swing at me. I am REALLY shocked at this. He didn't hit me because a couple of the guys had somehow anticipated his reaction and had grabbed a hold of him. I don't know whether we were all joking around or what. I was not expecting that at all.

I have the feeling that we were all discussing something like credit for a kill. It was as if I had to decide between who would get it. I think I made my decision with a kinda nonchalant attitude, which it may have appeared that I didn't think about it carefully. I think the fellow complained and someone made a cheeky remark about his ability or something like that. I feel as if I was kinda chuckling about this. He said something kinda rude and I retorted back in offhand insulting manner, and then he tried to take a swing at me!

I wasn't expecting that. There is a guy on each side of him holding onto his arms, and he is shouting at me. The two fellows are pulling him back. I think he may be complaining about favoritism and a bunch of other stuff. I really was not prepared for that. I am so shocked. I am not even getting mad at him. I had no idea that he felt that way. I had no idea that any of them felt that way. I keep thinking he made some kind of comment about Kurt Wolff.

The other two pilots pull him away and try and get him to calm down. There is a strange feeling left with everyone still standing in the little group that was standing there. I think they are all wondering if I am going to reprimand him for his behavior. He could be in serious trouble for trying to take a swing at his commander. I am at odds with my own feelings due to what has been said. I feel like I turned all my emotions off. I think I decide to go to my office and take my leave of the other gentlemen there.

I go into the office building. The room is dark after being outside in the bright sunlight. I feel as if someone has followed me into my office. It is one of the men that was standing there. I think he wants to know what I want to do about the situation. I say first that I want the man to calm down, and then I will have a talk with him. Depending upon the conversation, that is when I will decide what to do about him. I think I decide to talk with him after dinner. I want him to cool off and remain in his quarters for a bit until then.

When discussing this memory with Lt. Schaefer, he felt that he was present and that the man taking a swing at me was Lothar.