Home / Quotes / Quote by W. H. Auden

Quote by W. H. Auden

“The closest modern equivalent to the Homeric hero is the ace fighter pilot.”

Quote by W. H. Auden

Author

W. H. Auden was a prominent 20th-century poet, celebrated for his innovative and influential poetry. His works frequently delve into themes of love, politics, and the human experience, and he is a pivotal figure in the literary movement known as New Criticism. Born on February 21, 1907, in York, England, Auden passed away on September 29, 1973. more

You May Also Like

“To become an ace a fighter must have extraordinary eyesight, strength, and agility, a huntsman's eye, coolness in a pinch, calculated recklessness, a full measure of courage and occasional luck!”

Eye Luck Extraordinary Fighter Aviation Combat Occasional Agility Aces Recklessness Eyesight Coolness

Author:Jimmy Doolittle

“The most important thing for a fighter pilot is to get his first victory without too much shock.”

Firsts Important Too Much Victory Important Things Fighter Shock Aviation Combat Pilots Fighter Pilot

Author:Werner Molders

“It is true to say that the first kill can influence the whole future career of a fighter pilot. Many to whom the first victory over the opponent has been long denied either by unfortunate circumstances or by bad luck can suffer from frustration or develop complexes they may never rid themselves of again.”

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“It is wonderful how cheered a pilot becomes after he shoots down his first machine; his morale increases by at least 100 percent.”

Firsts Wonderful Percent Machines Increase Aviation Combat Pilots Morale

Author:James Ira Thomas Jones

“I gained in experience with every plane shot down, and now was able to fire in a calm, deliberate manner. Each attack was made in a precise manner. Distance and deflection were carefully judged before firing. This is not something that comes by accident; only by experience can a pilot overcome feelings of panic. A thousand missions could be flown and be of no use if the pilot has not exchanged fire with the enemy.”

Ifs Made Use Feelings Able Enemy Fire Thousand Shots Overcoming Down And Distance Calm Missions Accidents Planes Aviation Combat Judged Pilots Panic Precise Deliberate Firing Deflection

Book:The look of eagles

Source: The look of eagles

“As a fighter pilot I know from my own experiences how decisive surprise and luck can be for success, which in the long run comes only to the one who combines daring with cool thinking.”

Thinking Knows Long Running My Own Luck Surprise Fighter Aviation Combat Pilots Daring Long Runs Fighter Pilot

Author:Adolf Galland

“Months of preparation, one of those few opportunities, and the judgment of a split second are what makes some pilot an ace, while others think back on what they could have done.”

Thinking Done Opportunity Months Judgment Preparation Aviation Combat Pilots Splits Aces

Author:Pappy Boyington

“How does 2002 bombing accident in Afghanistan happen? In this awful case it took so many lives, and I want to assure the families and the people of Canada that these questions will be answered. How this can happen is a mystery to us.”

Happens Mystery Aviation Combat

Author:Ray Henault

“Success flourishes only in perseverance ceaseless, restless perseverance.”

Perseverance Accomplishment Combat Restless

Author:Manfred von Richthofen

“If he is superior then I would go home, for another day that is better.”

Ifs Home Superiors Aviation Combat Another Day

Author:Erich Hartmann