Religion with pilots

I realize that's pilots were quite "supersticious"
but what about religion wise? Did they go to church on sunday and say they're prayers before bedtime?

Many pilots were religious, including Josef Jacobs who was a devout Catholic. He attended mass sometimes and also flew with a pouch of Catholic medalions as "protection." Also, Heinrich Gontermann was a deeply religious young man. Fritz Loerzer, younger brother of Bruno Loerzer was, I believe, studying to become a Lutheran minister. Also, Gustav Praclik of Jasta 5. Gottfried Banfield was also a devout Catholic.

On the Entente side you had fellows like Eddie Rickenbacker who flew with a St. Christopher medal fastened to the side of the cockpit.

Those are just a few...

AW

hello again.

I do look up to some of these fellow's as inspiration of leadership and courage. I am only 16 years old but I do find an amazing fascination with history. I have also in life attended church and practiced religion, although my belief's differ in the almighty than most other's would think.
I am not one to be nitpicky or overly judgemental, but if they were religious and "devoted" to god, then how did they feel about killing the other man?
Please take not, I am not saying they were "Fake"
believers. I am just wondering how they felt about killing the fellow man in relationship with the almighty watching from above.

Anyways, see yea lata!

Greetings. I'm writing a book about the personal lives of some of the aces and I can say from the reseacrh I have done that most of them had conditioned themselves to not think about the man they shot down but the machine. On several ocations it was recored that some of the pilots would follow thier victums down and land near them to aid them in any medical needs they may require. But there were also those who weren't as religios, didn't go to church but still believed in got like Ernst Udet who in the begining could not kill another man. Returned to his field in shame but woke up to the realization that it was kill or be killed. He finished the war as Germany's number 2 Ace under Richthofen. On several instances he helped out some of the pilots he shot down and on one account even had a nice dinner and some Cognac with one of them and "ignored" the fact that his British foe was escaping. Hope that helped a little bit.

In the book, They Fought For The Sky, by Quinten Reynolds, says that Frank Luke played craps and gave his winnings to the church, hoping the almighty would protect him in the air.

[Craig]

Religion has always been a wonderful reason to wage war. And convincing the young men who had to do the dirty work that God would be pleased with them was a wonderful motivational tool for the old men who started the whole mess.

I see, quite the situation involving religion.

There's only one comment about Frank Luke I have: He was crazy. lol

He was brave, i'll give him that.

Daniel,
Judge not, lest you be judged...

Remember it's not "thou shall not kill"

It's better translation is "thou shall not murder".

If they are awake and fighting, kill them.

[Craig]

Yeah! Kill! Kill! heheheheh! Fire! Yeah!