Major Charles Carpenter: The Scout pilot that terrified german tanks

Bazooka Charlie standing beside his grasshoper plane-Rosie the Rocketer

Alright buckle up and get ready for a wild ride back to September 1944, my friends! Picture this: the Battle of Arracourt is in full swing, with the German 5th Panzer Army squaring off against the gutsy US 4th Armored Division. Now, the Germans might have the numbers and the armour, but the Americans have got superiority.

But here's the twist, heavy fog blankets the battlefield, turning it into a nail-biting showdown. In the midst of this chaos, enter Major Charles Carpenter, the fearless pilot of a Piper L4–Grasshopper. This ain't your ordinary joyride; this is a pulse-pounding tale of Rosie the Rocketer!

As Charles takes off in his Grasshopper, weaving through the fog, the Germans have the Americans pinned. But hold on tight, because through the mist, Charles spots not one, not two, but several German Panther tanks headed straight for Arracourt! Without a moment's hesitation, he dives his slow-moving bird right at the enemy.

Now, let me introduce you to Rosie the Rocketer - no ordinary Grasshopper, my friends. This baby is armed to the teeth with 6 Bazookas, 3 under each wing, ready to unleash chaos. Charles, cool as a cucumber, flicks switches on a customized panel, sending rockets screaming towards the unsuspecting Panthers.

Boom! The first tank goes down in a fiery spectacle. Charles pulls up, narrowly escaping the barrage of bullets. The Germans, realizing this Grasshopper means business, open fire. But Charles, undeterred, gains altitude for round two. This time, the Germans are ready, and Rosie takes a hit, but not before taking out another Panther.

Back at base, Charles refuels and rearms Rosie. No time to waste, he's back in the air, dodging enemy fire, and delivering a third round of rocket justice. The Grasshopper, though a fragile-looking fabric over a metal frame, weathers the storm, shrugging off bullets like a champ.

Bazooka Charlie Arming his Grasshopper scout plane

But wait, there's more to Charles than aerial heroics. Near Avranches, he finds himself on the ground, leading a charge on a Sherman tank with a 50 caliber machine gun. The man is a one-man army, rallying the troops and turning the tide against the Germans.

However, Charles' enthusiasm gets the better of him when he accidentally shoots off the bulldozer blade of an American Sherman Bulldozer tank. Arrested for recklessness and facing a firing squad, he's saved by none other than General Patton, who not only stops the punishment but awards him the Silver Star for bravery.

Fast forward, and Charles becomes a tank-busting legend, knocking out 14 tanks, including the feared Tiger 1s. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he faces another battle - this time with Hodgkins disease. But true to form, he defies the odds, becomes a high school History teacher, and lives beyond the doctor's grim predictions.

Now, as for Rosie, she survives the war, goes through a civilian makeover, and ends up forgotten in a museum. But fear not, in 2017, she's found, bought, and brought back to the US by the Collings Foundation. Thanks to Lt Col. Charles Carpenter's granddaughter Erin, Rosie is getting a makeover, and we can't wait to see her soaring through the skies again!

Lt Col Charles Carpenter has a barbers shop named after him at Precinct Line Rd, North Richland Hills, Texas 

source- google maps

So, what's your take on this incredible story? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep this interactive adventure rolling! Thanks for joining us on this epic journey through history!