In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Given what we know today, after decades of intense research, after comparing all the claims with Allied loss reports, after reconciling all the various lists with other lists: who was on top? Who had the most?

It wasn't Eric Hartmann. It probably wasn't Gerhard Barkhorn. It wasn't Walter Nowotny or Erich Rudorffer, etc.

Otto Kittel?

It might have been Gunther Rall or Heinrich Bär, no?

Bronc

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I'd say Helmut Lipfert

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I would have thought someone would have created a revised list by now ...... Or is no-one confident enough in their work?
Peter

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I think there's too much incertitude, you can't always be sure who shot down who/what, so it's unlikely a definitive answer would came from such work. It's also a sensible subject.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Alfred, did you mean sensitive?
Peter

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Hi Guys

It is hard to say, personally I count anything officially confirmed, fact or fiction.
But it is becoming clear that the greater the score, the higher percentage of fraudsters appear. From the "200" club.....Rall, Kittel, Bär, Lipfert seem honest, Barkhorn not so bad Rudorffer, Graf, Hartmann, Weissenberger, Ehrler, Nowotny(worst of all) fraudsters, not sure but suspect Batz not honest, suspect Hafner honest. Schuck total certainly only 181 Philipp included unconfirmed in his 206, and suspect dis-honest.
Excluding Marseille most ten or more in a day claimers were not honest.

Temperment wise it's not easy to judge, Graf was a quiet man, Wurmheller an egoist, yet both highlighted faudsters, Marseille was an egoist yet honest. Usually it's guys like Emil Lang who claim huge numbers in a short period of time who told whoppers, usually with other over-claimers i.e Lang/Hoffmann, Nowotny/Loos, Rudorffer/Tangermann.

Usually a fraudster only over-claimed when the opportunity was available i.e partners in crime, usually after a transfer they score very slowly, and come to grief, they are usually also of higher ranking order flying for the staff.


Whatever happens you can be sure that Germany is not going to re-write the history books on this

Regards

Johannes

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I mean delicate.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

The enormity of the task is a hurdle in itself. As Barbas stated as far back as the volumes he published back in 1985, there were 92 pilots credited with tallies greater than that of Adolf Galland. If we want to examine every pilot's tally fairly and thoroughly, it's hardly going to be a five minute job.

As Johannes said, Germany is not going to re-write the history books. The tallies will remain the same "officially", but we will gain a better idea of how much each tally stands up to comparison with enemy losses and a better idea of who shot down the most real aircraft. Our view of who the "top aces" were will evolve accordingly.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I accept that. But as Bronc said, researchers have been banging away at this for decades. Surely all that work has not been a waste? Surely after all that research someone must be able to come up with what is now considered a more accurate list.

I also accept such a list can never be 100%, and that official totals will remain as they are, but if one can't come up with something other than "he was dishonest" or "he was an overclaimer" after so much time and effort, what was the point? And I wouldn't accuse someone of being dishonest or an overclaimer if only a small percentage of their claims are suspect.
By now surely one should be able to come up with a comparison of "official total or total claimed" to "proven kills" with any gap being made up of "no matching allied/axis loss" and "may have been claimed by several pilots".

Peter

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Well, I think we are slowly getting to the point that you describe, Peter.

But let's not forget the very question of the the thread:

In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?

....It appears we are not there yet. That's a little further away it seems.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Agreed. He's right there.

Nice entry on him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut_Lipfert

Everyone forgets about Lipfert. I have his book. It's well worth reading.

Bronc

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I'd say Barkhorn, Rall or Kittel. Lipfert or Hafner too far behind in "official" kills to catch up even if they might have been more accurate claimers because IMHO the first mentioned trio seems to have been at least fairly accurate claimers.

And yes, Lipfert's memoirs is also one of my favorites.

juha

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Given that the latest entry on Hans-Ulrich Rudel says that he claimed 51 Aerial Victories, Wikipoodia is probably best left alone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel

Here's a closer look at Lipfert's claims, with thanks to HGabor and a few others:


Helmut Lipfert

1 30.1.43/1247 La-5 1km N of Malaya-Balabinka (PQ 08693) @ 1200m 437 IAP

4 & 5 7.3.43/0820 and 0823 U-2s (claimed as "R-5s") Popochevskaya (PQ 86481) and Ivanovskaya (PQ 86731) @ low altitude 46 GNBAP (The Famous Night Witches), 218 NBAD. Only 2 losses: Serzhants Belyakova and Serebryakova's crews both safe. Transfer flight from Novodzhereliyevskaya to Pashkovskaya, managed to land and were sent to PARM (Barnickel claimed another, making this slight overclaiming between them)

6 14.3.43/0656 IL-2 Sturmovik Novorossisk (PQ 75731) @ 400m Probably claimed against 47 ShAP, gunner Serzhant Nikolai Viktorovich Borisenko was a casualty this area, this date

7 and 8 30.3.43/0625 LaGG-3s Slavyanskaya – Anastasyevskaya sector. Believe one or both of these were from 249 IAP

9 20.4.43/0630 "MiG-1" Abinskaya (PQ 85114) @ low altitude 7 IAP? Pilot possibly survived. Was this actually pilot Barabanov of 15 IAP, forcelanded near the front line with a holed radiator after combat with Bf109s?

16 23.7.43/0554 P-39L-1 Airacobra Kievskoye (PQ 76894) @ 500m 16 GIAP. Ml.Lt. Czikmariew KIA 6km NW of Marianskaja village (Soviet sources dated the loss as having occurred the following day)

17 23.7.43/1733 IL-2 Sturmovik Krimskaya (PQ 75264) @ 50m Possibly 618 ShAP. Crews of Ml.Lt. Nikolay Romanovich Shapovalov and Serzhant Stepan Nikolaevich Bazhenov plus Alexey Alexeyevich Beregovskii and Nikolay Rodionovich Vynychenko all KIA (Several claims by the Gruppe in the morning and several in the late afternoon, like this one)

45 5.11.43/1020 Yak-1 Kerch (PQ 66734) @ 1000m Was this from 9 IAP ChF? They had one Yak from the escort of 8 GShAP hit and forcelanded in Soviet territory (appears to have also been claimed by Foennekold)

66-68 2.12.43/0639, 0648 and 0655 LaGG-3s (the first was mistaken for a Yak-1) Kay Takyl-Feodosia sector 25 IAP-ChF. All appear to be legitimate victories: Ml.Lt. Viktor Ivanovich Verishchenko, Ml.Lt. Ivan Grigor'evich Gordievskiy and Ml.Lt. Dmitriy Andreevich Kusenko all KIA

80 29.12.43/1005 Li-2 ("Boston" or "Douglas") SW of Mayak @ close to ground level Misidentification: this was actually an Li-2 of 1 esc. 9.AP GVF. Kpt. Kurepin and one other badly WIA, 1 man KIA

96 9.4.44/1558 Pe-2 German airfield at Grammatikovo (PQ 46634) @ 5300m 366 ORAP, 4 VA. Legitimate victory. Ml.Lt V.I.Nesvetayev taken POW after bellylanding, Ml.Lt I.I.Sopelchenko and St.Serzh Sila both KIA. 4 VA's only Pe-2 loss this date

108 4.5.44/0644 Yak-7 Soki (PQ 36761 or 36763) @ close to water's surface Very likely Lt. Shamil Munasipovich Abrashitov of 402 IAP, (17 kills) KIA (There was a claim by Waldmann at around the same time that is also a contender for his loss)

110 and 111 5.5.44/1038 and 1050 Yak-7s Balaklava/Lapsi Bay One of these may have been Leytenant Ivanov of 402 IAP, 265 IAD. KIA this date, attributed to Lipfert or Hartmann

114 6.5.44/0740 U-2 Belobek (PQ 35441) @ close to water's surface 402 IAP. Lt. Anatoliy Filonov and Semen Denisov both KIA (looking for another pilot of their unit who had been downed earlier)

120 31.5.44/0804 Pe-2 Busila (PQ 78661) @ 600m Possibly 511 ORAP, 5 VA. Crew of pilot Dyadov HSU



125 5.6.44/1135 Yak-7 Carpiti (PQ 78673) @ 1000m 178 IAP. Legitimate victory. Pilot POW and known to have died in captivity (awaiting further details…)

129 27.6.44/1034 IL-2 Sturmovik Jassy (PQ 07372) @ 50m 5 VA or 17 VA. Overclaiming, no
IL-2s lost this date

145 31.8.44/1020 P-51 Mustang (plus one unconfirmed) Loewes (PQ 47257) @ 400m 52nd FG. Four definite losses: serial of one of the Mustangs was P-51 D-5-NA, 44-13295. Personnel losses were 2/Lt. Paul D Frazier of 4th FS (POW), 42-103395 of 1/Lt. Frank Edward Tomlinson of 2nd FS (POW), 2/Lt. Robert L Davis (of 2nd FS, KIA) and QP-X of Lt. Roy (?) Carlson also of 2nd FS (KIA). All of these were definitely lost to JG 52 Bf109s. A fifth Mustang crashlanded at Madna airfield, Italy upon return

146 17.10.44/1038 Yak-1B ("Yak-11") Hosszu-Palyj (PQ 18655) @ 3000m 73 GIAP, 6 GIAD, 5 VA. Lt. Malyavin KIA

147 21.10.44/1052 La-5F Oecfoed (PQ 07166) @ 700m 192 IAP, 279 IAD, 5 VA. Ml.Lt. Sukovyants safe
148 23.10.44/1531 IL-2 Sturmovik mH Solnok (PQ 08752) @ 1000m 131 GShAP, 7 GShAD, 5 VA. Crew of Kralkin and Babailov both KIA. Serials of Lipfert's victims were 10620 (factory No.1, Kuybishev) and 302820 (factory No.30, Moscow)

149 23.10.44/1531 IL-2 Sturmovik mH 131 GShAP, 7 GShAD, 5 VA. Pilot Lapinski POW, gunner Filippov MIA. Serials of Lipfert's victims were 10620 (factory No.1, Kuybishev) and 302820 (factory No.30, Moscow)

150 24.10.44/0922 Yak-9T ("Yak-7") Feherto (PQ 18272) @ low altitude 150 GIAP, 13 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.Ml.Lt. Sisko POW

151 27.10.44/1217 IL-2 KR? ("IL-2 Sturmovik mH") Bued Sz.Mihaily (PQ 18129) @ 1200m Was this from 207 ORAP?

152 27.10.44/1221 Yak-7 Bued Sz.Mihaily (PQ 18156) @ 800m Believed to be from 122 IAP. Certainly no permanent losses this date. Overclaiming

153 13.11.44/1245 Yak-1 ("Yak-3") SE of Jaszbereny (PQ 98639) @ 4000m No. 42178 or 42188 of 149 GIAP. Ml.Lt. Stepanov safe, hit at this time and place. Made a one-wheel landing and sent off for repairs

154 16.11.44/1239 Yak-1B ("Yak-11") Tura (PQ 98446) @ 1500m 122 IAP, 331 IAD, 5 VA. Kapt. Artemev KIA

155 17.11.44/1105 IL-2 Sturmovik mH Jaszbereny (PQ 98634) @ 600m 90 GShAP, 4 GShAD, 5 VA. Pilot Kurilov KIA, gunner Ananev fate not mentioned

156 17.11.44/1110 IL-2 Sturmovik mH Jaszbereny (PQ 98498) @ 400m 90 GShAP, 4 GShAD, 5 VA. Crew of Ivlev and Petrunin both WIA

157 17.11.44/1320 Yak-1B ("Yak-7") Hort (PQ 98426) @ 600m 151 GIAP, 13 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.Ml.Lt. Noskov MIA

158 23.11.44/1040 Yak-1B ("Yak-9") Atkar (PQ 98435) @ 800m 513 IAP, 331 IAD, 5 VA. Pilot Kuyanov. (The unit also lost pilot Goichenko, underclaiming? Serials were 29156 and 45168

159 5.12.44/1030 Yak-9T Hatran (PQ 98411) @ 1500m 122 IAP, 331 IAD, 5 VA. Ml.Lt. Erko MIA

160 9.12.44/1505 IL-2 Sturmovik mH Csajag (PQ 88784) @ 1200m 989 ShAP, 136 ShAD, 17 VA. Pilot Ml.Lt. Veretelnikov MIA, Ml.Serzh Bezroukov fate not mentioned

161 11.12.44/1453 Pe-2 Balatonkenese (PQ 88779) @ 4500m 39 ORAP, 17 VA. Crew of Elohov, Uhvatov and Tisenko all KIA

162 22.12.44/0937 IL-2 Sturmovik mH Stuhlweissenburg 189 ShAD, 17 VA. Too many losses to be able to match up (likely a legitimate victory though)

163 23.12.44/1048 Yak-9D Enying Probably 659 IAP, 288 IAD, 17 VA. St.Lt. Salamatov crashlanded after dogfight with Bf109s

164 24.12.44/1425 IL-2 Sturmovik mH Seregelyes Possibly 189 ShAD, 17 VA

165 and 166 25.12.44/1208 and 1215 Yak-9T and Yak-1B (both claimed as"Yak-9s") 611 IAP, 288 IAD, 17 VA. Legitimate victorird. Some losses not yet matched to claims but known to include Capt. Konstantin Leontievich Chernogor KIA in Yak-1B 26170 near Zamoly. Lt. Nikolai Nikolaevich Kutsenko bailed out from his burning Yak-1B, S/N: 41184 also near Zamoly. Ml.lts Dmitrii Gavrilovich Kirichenko, Ivan Ivanovich Aleshkin, Aleksei Timofeevich Fadeev, Boris Aleksandrovich Yablyukhin were also downed

167 2.1.45/1115 La-5 E of Bodmer area 116 IAP, 295 IAD, 17 VA. Ml.Lt. Roi safe

168 2.1.45/1145 Yak-9T 4km E of Vereb 611 IAP, 288 IAD, 17 VA. Ml.Lt. Dimov KIA

169 and 170 4.1.45/0826 and 0828 IL-2 Sturmoviks Tarjan Legitimate victories: 210 ShAP, 136 ShAD, 17 VA lost 8 IL-2s this date, including No.10967, 10987, 304836, 18853106. 17 VA lost a grand total of 17 IL-2s this date

171 4.1.45/1041 Yak-9D Bieske 897 IAP, 288 IAD, 17 VA. Ml.Lt. Konovalov WIA

172 4.1.45/1112 La-5FN Tardos 539211399/"99" of 530 IAP, 194 IAD, 17 VA. Ml.Lt. Suhorukhov KIA
173 8.1.45/1413 A-20B-DL Havoc ("Boston") Stuhlweissenburg 41-2937 of 449 BAP, 244 BAD, 17 VA. Crew of Vetlov, Ionov, Tolmatski and Burtsev all KIA

174 8.1.45/1418 A-20G-40-DO Havoc ("Boston") Stuhlweissenburg 43-21588 of 449 BAP, 244 BAD, 17 VA. Crew of Kruglov, Kudryavtsev, Sikov and Shestakov all KIA

175 14.1.45/1211 Yak-9D ("Yak-3") Muzsla 31 GIAP, 6 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.Ml.Lt. Bezuglii KIA

176 14.1.45/1436 Yak-9D ("Yak-3") Muzsla Unknown, no match to timing. Previous research stated that one of Lipfert's victories this date may have been 1615342 of 31 GIAP, 6 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.Ml.Lt. Alexei Yefimovich Stadnichenko KIA

177 16.1.45/1217 La-5 Budaoers This one likely only damaged. 2 La-5s lost this date, both in late afternoon so this does not match. Overclaim.

178 22.1.45/1324 La-5 Stuhlweissenburg 116 or 164 IAP, 295 IAD, 17 VA. Legitimate victory but hard to match up. 116 IAP lost St.Lt. Georgii Konstantinovich Zolotarskii and Ivan Danilovich Plankevich both MIA this date

179 27.1.45/1445 IL-2 Sturmovik 7km NW of Adorny or Adorzy 951 ShAP, 306 ShAD, 17 VA. Pilot Lt. Filonovich KIA, gunner Abrosimov MIA

180 22.2.45/1400 La-7 ("La-5") Bart 179 GIAP, 14 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.Ml.Lt. Pinko WIA

181 22.2.45/1625 Yak-3 Bina Believed to be an overclaim, no matchable loss

182 25.2.45/1053 Bf109 (claimed as a "Yak-9") Altsohl/Zvolen This was most likely W.Nr. 166248/"Yellow 9" of Grupul 9. Adj. Stag Av. Traian Darjan KIA. If genuinely a Yak: likely 513 IAP, 331 IAD, 5 VA, several losses this date

183 8.3.45/1410 IL-2 Sturmovik Sapolce 136 ShAD or 189 ShAD. Several losses this date, attributed to Flak but this could possibly be one of them

184 11.3.45/1035 Yak-9M ("Yak-3") Suborgarol/Siofok 611 IAP, 288 IAP, 17 VA. Lt. Kutsenko KIA

185 11.3.45/1405 Yak-3 Siofok Overclaiming? No such permanent loss, - probably damaged, or crashlanded on airfield

186 13.3.45/1013 Yak-9M ("Yak-7") Pakozol 866 IAP, 288 IAD, 17 VA. Lt. Kamenetskii safe

187 14.3.45/1207 La-5FN Stuhlweissenburg 39211637/"37" of 164 IAP, 295 IAD, 17 VA. Ml.Lt Iozhitskii POW

188 14.3.45/1211 IL-2 Sturmovik Pakozol 672 ShAP, 306 ShAD, 17 VA. Lt. Mamontov KIA and Serzhant Kovalev both KIA

189 17.3.45/1615 IL-2 Sturmovik Lake Velencze 615 ShAP, 189 ShAD, 17 VA. Crew of Kapt. Nikitin and Gv.Serzhant Apalkov both OK. Was this IL-2 No.1873298 with engine No.257858, downed this date?

190 and 191 20.3.45/1533 and 1541 IL-2 Sturmoviks Stuhlweissenburg and Varpalota 210 ShAP, 136 ShAD, 17 VA. Losses were 11082/"White 8" of Ml.Lt. Petr Alekseevich Taranovich and St.Serzh Victor Konstantinovich Ogarkov both WIA (crashed NW of Guttamasi) and 1871797/"White 23" of Aleksei Dmitrievich Belyashin and Serzh. Phillip Fomich Verbitski both KIA (crashed at Oesku). These are the two victories that he achieved while drunk

192 21.3.45/1158 La-5FN Eastern end of Lake Balaton 848 IAP, 194 IAD, 17 VA. St.Lt. Vasilev KIA

193 21.3.45/1530 Yak-9M (“Yak-5”) Felstgalla No. 4515340 of 179 IAP, 331 IAD, 5 VA. Lt. Viktor Yakovlevich Ragulin MIA

146: Hosszúpályi
147: Öcsöd (-E,-SE)
150: Újfehértó
151, 152: Büdszentmihály (New name since 1952: Tiszavasvári)
153, 155, 156: Jászberény
158: Atkár
159: Hatvan
160: Csajág
162, 173, 174: Börgönd (Székesfehérvár-S, German city name: Stuhlweißenburg)
164: Seregélyes
167: Bodmér
169: Tarján
171: Bicske
177: Budaörs
179: Adony
183: Soponya
185: Siófok
186: Pákozd
187: Székesfehérvár (German city name: Stuhlweißenburg)
188: Pákozd
189: Lake Velencei (Velencei-tó)
190-191: Székesfehérvár, Várpalota, Gúttamási, Öskü
193: Felsőgalla

His final 10 claims are also legitimate victories but they were shared with me privately and I will only pass them on with the express permission of the researcher

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Here's what I have on Barkhorn

Barkhorn’s known victims and overclaims

16th victory: 27.5.42/1528, Pe-2, NE of Petrovskaya @ 100m. 223 BAD, 2 VA. Losses believed to be in excess of 16 crews. Includes Divison CO Podpolkovnik I K Kosenko and Polkovnik Yuri N Gorbko HSU plus Lt. Ivan Sirko all KIA. 24 BBAP (Gorbko's unit) alone lost 6 Pe-2s

20th victory: 11.6.42/0945, LaGG-3, Kupyansk sector. Possibly from 170 IAP, 217 IAD, 4 VA. Ml.Lt. Vasily Pimenovich Bajdov KIA

36th victory: 1.7.42/1011, DB-7 Boston, 794 BAP, 221 BAD. 6 total losses including crew of Lt. Aleksey Stepanovich Cherkashenko (AE CO) lost in air combat this date. Ex-RAF serial AL267 was among the losses

65th victory: 7.10.42/0805, LaGG-3, 246 IAP. Lt. Vasily Makarovich Starodubtsev KIA (combat report stated that the pilot was seen to bale out)
66th victory: 7.10.42/1325, LaGG-3, NE of Tuapse (PQ 95674) @ 2800m. These two claims likely against Ml. Lt. Aleksey Iosifovich Dogaev of 246 IAP, baled out safely (slight overclaiming). Note: All Barkhorn's victims reported to have baled out safely. (Also claimed by Werner Quast)

67th and 68th victories: 7.10.42/1325, LaGG-3, Gunaiberg (PQ 95674) @ 2800m. Engagement was with 5 LaGG-3s of 246 IAP and 2 Yak-1s of 518 IAP, 236 IAD, 5 VA. These two claims were likely against the 518 IAP Yaks, which lost Lt. Sergey Mikhaylovich Kolesnikov (official report dates his loss 6.10.42) and St. Serzhant F.B. Varfolomeev

75th victory: 29.10.42/1442. Yak-7B (claimed as a "Yak-1") 2km N of Altebinal (PQ 95732) @ 1200m. Possibly Podpolkovnik Dmitriy Leontyevich Kalarash (in a LaGG-3) of 402 IAP, 236 IAD. Said to be KIA in a Taran or WIA and returned home, DOW. Also possibility of Kapt. Segey Sergeevich Shchirov of 518 IAP

79th victory: 3.11.42/1445. LaGG-3 10km N of Tuapse (PQ 95741) @ 2000m. One source says Yak-1s and LaGG-3s of 6 GIAP, 25 IAP and 62 IAP of VVS ChF involved. Believe this was from 269 IAP, two losses including pilot Simonovich baled out (Barkhorn's claim seen to bale out)

81st victory: 15.11.42/0900. LaGG-3 5km SE of Lasarewskoje (PQ 94162) @ 1000m. 246 IAP. Serzhant K K Pozdnyakov KIA and Serzhant A Mitrofanov baled out WIA (the other loss was due to Otto Foennekold)

103rd and 104th victories: 9.1.43/1245 and 1250. Yak-1s. Kuberke railway station/Simovniki sector. 236 IAP. Said to be Lev Shestakov and Mladshiy Leytenant Vasiliyev both bellylanded and managed to escape before Barkhorn strafed the wrecks
105th victory: 10.1.43/0617 Yak-1 Remontnaja (Ramostnaja?) (PQ 28852) @ 2500m. Barkhorn is said to down Shestakov a second time in as many days…

112th and 113th victories. 12.2.43/0603 and 0610 I-16s Kabardinka sector. Legitimate victories: 236 IAD, 5 VA. Two losses

119th victory. 26.2.43/1045. LaGG-3 7km SW of Kabardinka (PQ 75463) @ 3000m. 269 IAP. Legitimate victories, two losses: 2742 of pilot Sokolov and serial unknown of pilot Malyshev (Quast downed the other)

122nd victory. 29.4.43/1320. Yak-1 (claimed as a “LaGG-3”) 8km NE of Mingrelskaja (PQ 86792) @ 4000m. 812 IAP, 265 IAD, 3 IAK, 4 VA. Losses include Leytenant G V Kramarenko, Leytenant A G Kostenko and Starshina I D Kukushkin. Ml.Lt. Konstantin Konstantinovich Adamchuk also severely WIA this date (several other pilots claimed victories in the engagement)

126th victory. 30.4.43/0745. Lend-lease Spitfire. 5km N of Cholmskaja (PQ 34 Ost 85161) @ 500m. 57 GIAP. Serzhant Marchenko reported MIA, later returned safely

165th and 166th victories: 5.9.43/1055 and 1105. La-5s (claimed as “LaGG-3s”) Poltava-Konontajew sector. One of these was 41 GIAP, 2VA. Kpt. Nikolay Fedorovich Klepikov (HSU) KIA

200th victory: 30.11.43/0950. LaGG-3 (Claimed as a "Yak-1") Western end of Kolonka @ 2500m. 249 IAP. Mayor F N Kulyakin, Lt P M Batyrev and MlLt S I Karlamov all damaged in this engagement (Duettmann also claimed)

203rd victory: 2.12.43/1039. P-39 Airacobra (Claimed as a “Yak-1”) S of Eltigen @ 500m. 101 GIAP. Ml. Lt. Yakov Dementeev KIA

204th victory: 2.12.43/1048. IL-2 Sturmovik E of Eltigen @ close to water's surface (Russian sources say into the sea, W of Taman). No. 1870571 of 210 ShAP, 232 ShAD. Ml. Lt. Valentin Elush KIA

216th and 217th victories 28.12.43/0847 and 0853 LaGG-3 ("Yak-1") and IL-2 Sturmovik Kerch – Dzhankoi LaGG-3s of 88 IAP (1 loss) escorting IL-2s of 55 OKAE (no losses). St.Lt. Georgiy Ivanovich Naumov WIA (6 personal + 3 shared kills), died 31.12.43 of gangrene after amputation of both hands

218th and 219th victories 28.12.43/1020 and 1023 2 x LaGG-3s (claimed as "Yak-1s") Kap Chroni sector 790 IAP. Ml.Lt. Nikolai Georgievich Moskalev (3 personal + 2 shared kills) baled out but KIA, came down into icy water 1km E of Osoviny - One of these is an overclaim

220th victory 28.12.43/1207 Yak-1 Kertsch harbour basin @ 4500m 42 GIAP. Kapitan Nikolai Pechony (17 personal + 3 shared kills) belly landed WIA in face and arm

221st victory 28.12.43/1210 Yak-1 ("P-39 Airacobra") N of Baksy (Laksig) @ 4500m 66 IAP. Ml.Lt. Aleksandr Andrievskii safe

222nd victory 28.12.43/1221 Yak-1 Kertsch harbour basin @ 3500m 42 GIAP. St.Lt. Akhmet-khan Talovich Kankoshev (14 kills), HSU, KIA

248th victory 12.2.44/1258 Yak-1 ENE of Bulganak (PQ 66641) @ 3000m Possibly 48 GIAP. Ml.Lt. Yury Sergeevich Rubtsov MIA

249th victory 12.2.44/1320 Yak-1 25km SE of Rusa (PQ 66473) @ 2500m Was this No.22147 of 812 IAP? Ml.Lt. Sergey Semenovich Zuyev KIA

250th victory 12.2.44/1550 Yak-9 Mayak-Bakny area (PQ 66614) @ 2000m 42 GIAP and 249 IAP, 229 IAD, 4 VA and (most likely opponent) 979 IAP, 230 ShAD. Overclaiming, no losses

267th Victory 8.5.44/0917 IL-2 Sturmovik mH Balaklava area or 10km S of Sevastopol (PQ 35473) @ 600m 47 ShAP. Losses were: Lt. N N Kuzmenko & M Serzhant G Mochalov, ditched near Belobek; Mladshiy Leytenant A N Mikhailenko & Serzhant N P Zhuvagin downed 5km from Lyubimovki plus ml. Lieutenant E.G.Udaltsov bellylanded back at base with shot-out hydraulics (two claims by Krah)

268th and 269th victories 30.5.44/1655 and 1705 2 x P-39 Airacobras 10km S of Tudora (PQ 78643) Were these also from 129 GIAP, 205 IAD, 7 IAK? 153 IAP in action this day as well. Engaged against Fw190s without suffering any losses. 438 IAP lost Alexey Panfilovich Skripnikov KIA

270th and 271st victories 31.5.44/0538 and 0545 P-39 Airacobras Husi/Lasi sector On the basis of timing, one of these may have been Kpt. Pawel K. Eryomin of 16 GIAP (said to have been downed near Zacharka in combat with Fw190, 0630ST)

280th victory 16.11.44/1340 Yak-3 Jaszbereny area (PQ 98478) @ 2000m 3429214/"34" of 150 GIAP, 13 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.lt. Agdantsev safe

281st victory 16.11.44/1345 La-5 20km SW of Gyoergyoes (Gyongyos?) PQ 98452 39214932/"32" of 192 IAP, 279 IAD, 5 VA. Ml.Lt. Ol'nev WIA

282nd victory 17.11.44/1023 La-5 40km ENE of Budapest (PQ 98615) @ 1500m Possibly overclaiming, no permanent La-5 loss this date

283rd victory 17.11.44/1500 Yak-1B ("Yak-3") 30km SW of Gyoergyoes (Gyongyos?) PQ 98622 @ 3500m 37191 of 149 GIAP, 13 GIAD, 5 VA. Ml.Lt. Vladimir Petrovich Isupov bailed out and returned on 19.11.44

293rd and 294th victories 3.1.45 IL-2 Sturmoviks Likely legitimate victories: 17 VA lost 13 IL-2s this date

295th and 296th victories 3.1.45 Yak-9s 17 VA lost 8 Yak-9s and 1 Yak-1B (No. 22167) this date

297th, 298th and 299th victories 4.1.45 3 x La-5s 17 VA lost 1 La-5F and 3 La-5FN this date

300th victory 4.1.45 Yak-9 17 VA lost 1 Yak-1B, 2 Yak-9D and 1 Yak-9T this date

301st victory 5.1.45 La-5 Possibly an aircraft of 31 IAP or 116 IAP

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Here's Guenther Rall


1st claim: 18.5.40/1840 Curtiss Hawk 75A S of Metz No. 27 of GC II/5. Sgt-Chef Otto Hanzlicek baled out safely (Lothar Ehrlich also claimed this one: slight overclaim)

2nd claim: 24.6.41/0725 DB-3 or SB (all 11 claims made in this engagement were identified as DB-3s) E of Constanza @ 6000m DB-3Fs of 2 MTAP, VVS ChF (3 losses) and SBs of 40 SBAP,, VVS ChF (7 losses)

4th claim 26.6.41/0510 SB (misidentified as a "DB-3") NE of Constanza @ 4000m 40 BAP, VVS ChF. Overclaiming, only nine losses (versus 18 claims in total)

11th claim: 13.8.41/1052 I-16 "Rata" NW of Kanev @ 1500m 88 IAP. Includes Mladshiy Leytenants Ivan Novikov and Yakov Kozlov, both KIA (Guenther Luetzow of JG 3 also claimed 2 x Ratas)

26th claim: 23.10.41/1332 Yak-1 (claimed as an “I-61”) S of Aleksandrowka 5 AE, 32 IAP, VVS-ChF. One loss (Koeppen and Steffen also claimed)

32nd claim: 22.11.41/1350 MiG-3 (claimed as an “I-61”) SE of Agrafenowka @ 1200m Possibly 55 IAP, Serzhant Leonid Mitrofanovich Stashevskij KIA (Wachowiak also claimed)

33rd claim 23.11.41/1335 IL-2 Sturmovik SE of Rostov @ 100m 4 ShAP. No further details known

35th and 36th claims 28.11.41/1027 and 1505 MiG-3 plus I-16 Rostov sector. Were these from 8 IAP? They lost Mudarakshe Sabirovich Saberzyanov KIA plus Aleksandr Petrovich Shcheglov shot down, returned later (several other pilots claimed…)

37th claim 2.8.42/0935 I-153 S of Ssalsk (PQ 17791) @ 1000m Could this actually have been Serzhant Synbulat Buranbaevich Synbulatov of 657 ShAP KIA?

49th claim 14.8.42/0952 DB-7 Boston N of Karagach 219 BAD. 859 BAP lost several Bostons this date, crews of Sergey Mikhailovich Lukaszewicz, Starshina Gavriil Nikolayevich Bryukhanov, Okinf Afanasovich Kuznetsov, Aleksandr Fedorovich Lushin

51st and 52nd claims 16.8.42/1004 and 1007 LaGG-3s N of Kuba (PQ 34134) 805 IAP, 4 VA. Seeking further details…
53rd claim 17.8.42/0723 I-153 W of Altud (PQ 34433) @ 200m 84 IAP, Leytenant Nikolay Litovchenko KIA

66th claim 4.9.42/1349 MiG-1 S of Mozdok One of these was likely Serzhant Sergey Mikhailovich Bassov of 805 IAP KIA, the other Nikolai Radionovich Bakhirev of 926 IAP KIA 6km S of Mozdok (ties in with two claims by Karl Gratz)

67th and 68th claims 6.9.42/0955 and 1035 LaGG-3s S of Mozdok Confirmed in Soviet loss reports (were escorting 219 BAD). Believe it was 926 IAP, they lost Alexey Grigoryevich Buldakov definitely in combat with fighters

69th claim 7.9.42/0842 LaGG-3 S of Mozdok (PQ 44452) 790 IAP, 219 BAD. Believed to be Batalyonnyy Komissar Fedosiy Dubkovskiy KIA, but there were seven other losses

70th claim 7.9.42/0846 Pe-2 S of Mozdok (PQ 44454) 366 BAP, 219 BAD. Three losses, includes crew of Starshina Nikolay Ivanovich Pyanikh all KIA

73rd claim 9.9.42/1648 LaGG-3 SE of Mozdok (PQ 44461) @ 1700m 4 VA. One of these was Starshina Sergei Semenovich Bespalov of 131 IAP KIA near Malgobek this date. 790 IAP, 219 BAD lost Yakov Maksimovich Skubickij and Dmitry Maximovich Fedorenko both KIA by fighters in LaGG-3s (several other claiming pilots…)

74th and 75th claims 10.9.42/1635 and 1642 LaGG-3s Mozdok sector 4 VA. Day's losses include 862 IAP lost Serzhant Yuri Anatolievich Serebryakov KIA. 962 IAP lost Serzhant Yuri Anatolievich Serebryakov and St.Serzhant Timofei Vasilievich Tretyakov (definitely to fighters) both over Mozdok Also lost over Mozdok was 790 IAP's Ml.Lt. Evgenii Efimovich Harol′skij KIA by fighters. 926 IAP lost Valentin Allakhiyarovich Emirov KIA in alleged taran (many claims this date, very hard to track…)

79th and 80th claims 22.9.42/0834 and 0836 IL-2 Sturmoviks Samakul-Daiskoje sector 47 ShAP, 217 IAD, 4 VA. St. Lt. Matyushin shot down and Serzhant V E Ryabchenko's IL-2 written off after landing

82nd claim 28.9.42/1602 LaGG-3 S of Werchnij-Kurp (PQ 44552) @ 1500m 4 VA. Day's LaGG-3 losses include Lt. Ivan Fedorovich Sushko of 131 IAP KIA. 790 IAP (part of 219 BAD) lost Ml.Lt. Petr Andreevich Shchurov KIA

83rd claim 28.9.42/1607 LaGG-3 S of Nishnij Kurp (PQ 44539) @ 1000m Likely Lt. Nikolai Andreevich Chebotarev of 979 IAP. Definitely MIA in a LaGG-3 this date, this area

96th and 97th claims 19.10.42/1301 and 1303 I-16 "Ratas" Elchotowo sector 88 IAP. Slight overclaiming, only one loss: Serzhant Viktor Illich Shakhov KIA

98th – 100th claims 22.10.42/1432-1436 2 x LaGG-3s and La-5 Werchnij-Kurp - Nishnij-Kurp - W of Werchne Atschakuli 131 IAP. Their losses this date include Serzhant Nikolai Afanasyevich Khudyakov KIA

117th and 118th claims 21.4.43/0604 and 0701 La-5s ("LaGGs") Kabardinka – Gelendzhik 229 IAD. Losses include 13 IAP's Starshina Nikolay Grinko baled out but KIA (parachute was burnt and failed) and 437 IAP's pilot Ivan Norin baled out safely (3 other claims by different pilots)

119th claim 23.4.43/0732 LaGG Into the sea, 10km W of Gelendzhik (PQ 75492) @ 2000m Massive overclaiming this day, 30 claims for 10 Fighters lost by 4 VA. Includes all damaged machines and two P-39s lost in a collision. 40 IAP La-5s were in action and suffered no losses.

120th claim 28.4.43/1215 Lend-lease Spitfire V NW of Krimskaya (PQ 75231) @ 500m 57 GIAP. Gv.St.Lt. Viktor Radkevich (5 personal and 4 shared kills) KIA

121st claim 28.4.43/1225 LaGG E of Krimskaya (PQ 85113) @ 3500m 291 IAP. This one said to be St.Lt. Shirobokov, baled out safely

122nd claim 29.4.43/0759 Lend-lease Spitfire V 10km N of Novo Cherkassk (PQ 85151) @ 400m 57 GIAP. Gv Lt. Semenov

126th claim 3.5.43/0758 P-39 Airacobra Abinskaya area (PQ 85144) @ 4000m 298 IAP, 229 IAD, 4 VA lost Kapt. Vasiliy Mikhaylovich Drygin baled out to Bf109s escorting Stukas this date (several other claiming pilots…)

133rd claim 5.5.43/1009 Yak-7 (claimed as a "LaGG") SE of Krimskaya (PQ 85141) @ 1500m 15 IAP, 278 IAD. Ml. Lt. Pavel Vlasovich Podmogil'ny

134th claim 5.5.43/1209 P-39D-2 Airacobra E of Krimskaya (PQ 85113) @ 2000m 41-38428 of 16 GIAP, St.Lt. or Kapt. Vadim Ivanovich "Boroda" Fadeyev KIA - bellylanded safely but found DOW

143rd claim 21.5.43/0734 La-5 (claimed as a "LaGG") Into sea 5km S of Kabardinka/Gelendzhik (PQ 75464) @ 800m 25 IAP. St.Lt. Vladimir Leontievich Khaldeev KIA

150th claim 8.7.43/1835 Yak-1? (claimed as a “LaGG”) 20km N of Prokhorovka (PQ 61132) @ 800m. Soviet report mentions the loss of three Yak-1s to fighters around this time (very likely legitimate victory therefore, Hartmann claimed the other two)

152nd and 153rd claims 9.7.43/1533 and 1543 N of Prokhorovka 27 IAP. Four losses: Mayor Aleksandr Volkov (Eskadrilya commander), Mladhsiy Leytenant Ivan Shpak, Mladshiy Leytenant Nikolay Shapkin and Leytenant Khopan Zabrodskiy all KIA (Melzer claimed the other two)

159 and 160thth claims 17.7.43/1908 and 1916 2 x Yak-7Bs (claimed as "LaGGs") Bolkhov-Orel sector Normandie Niemen Eskadrilya. Losses include unit CO, Maj. Jean Tulasne and Lt. Firmin Vermiel (name also given as Vermeil) both KIA plus Lt. Didier Beguin returned (other claim by Rudolf Trepte who claimed an IL-2 though none of those being escorted were actually lost so he must have misidentified…)

230th and 231st claims 22.10.43/1408-1420 P-39 Airacobras Mironovka sector One of these was M.Lt. Pavel Kleymenov of 16 GIAP

233rd claim 24.10.43/1520 P-39 Airacobra Kalinowka area (PQ 58562) @ 5000m M.Lt. Aleksandr Samsonov of 16 GIAP

249th claim 28.11.43/0827 Yak-1 (claimed as a "LaGG") S of Zaparozhe (Lagoroshje?) @ 2000m 15 IAP, no further details known to me at present

253rd claim 26.2.44/1437 P-39 Airacobra Aleksandrovka area (PQ 29522) @ 2500m 438 IAP. Rall and Bachnick are believed to have claimed against Mladshiy Leytenant Vodolazhskiy, who baled out safely.

274th claim 29.4.44/1115 P-38J-10-LO Lightning N of Hannover (PQ 05 Ost S/FU) @ 8000m Known to be against 364th FG. Their 384th FS had 3 losses: 42-67417/5Y-D of Lt. Shorndin D McCloud (fate unknown), 42-67438/5Y-I of Lt. Kenneth M Shaffer POW and 42-67447/5Y- of Lt. Eugene L Smith POW

275th claim 12.5.44/1220 P-47D Thunderbolt Frankfurt-Main area Said to be from the 56th FG but their loss locations match much better with JG 5's claims. Overclaiming?

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I don't have much on Otto Kittel, but here goes.....

24.6.41/24.6.41/0519 and 0542
2 x SB-2s
31 SBAP. 6 losses and 2 forcelanded. The crew of Nikolay Ermolayert Samokhin were among those that forcelanded after damage from fighters

6.7.41/1536
SB-3
41 SAD (includes 10 SBAP, 201 SBAP and 202 SBAP)

8.9.41/1625
R-5
202 OAES? They lost Lt. Sergey Fedorovich Turasov KIA this date

12.9.41/0600
I-153 (Fricke and Broennle also claimed)
153 IAP. Legitimate victories: there were indeed 3 losses

21.9.41/1658
MiG ("I-18")
5 IAP lost Kapt. N M Nikitin baled out and returned the next day

13.12.41/1245
DB-3
Was this the crew from 1 APDR, Viktor Grigorievich Sekach and crew all KIA?

14.5.42/1517 and 1518
2 x SB-2s
Were these from 44 BAP? Three losses to fighters this date, crews of: Lt. Nikolay Timofeyevich Donskykh forcelanded in friendly territory, Kapitan Gegham Yenokhovich Petrosyan and Lt. Mikhail Fyodorovich Merkushev failed to return

23.8.42/0920
IL-2 Sturmovik
Was this 565 ShAP, Starshina Georgii Aleksandrovich Khevsuriani?

7.9.42/1146 and 1150
2 x IL-2 Sturmoviks
2 AE, 15 GShAP. Losses were AE CO Fedor Andreevich Smyshlyaev, St.Lt. Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Kovalchuk, St.Lt. Nikolay Nikolayevich Kurov, Serzhant Ivan Pavlovych Volzhentsev POW (died in captivity 30.7.44) St. Serzhant Gennady Yakovlevich Shalnov, St.Serzhant Mikhail Fyodorovich Dunaev and Serzhant Nikolay Yakovlevich Krivushkin

22.10.42/0908
IL-2 Sturmovik (von Matuschka and Fischer also claimed)
Legitimate victory: 3 IL-2s lost this day. Two shot down outright and the third forcelanded on fire just inside Soviet lines

12.1.43/1034, 1056 and 1425
IL-2 Sturmoviks
57 ShAP, 8 BAD-KBF listed Lt. Aleksandr Semenovich Potapov HSU KIA this date

12.1.43/1420
I-153 “Tchaika”
71 IAP-KBF. Leytenant Ivan Josefich Makeyev KIA

11.2.43/0942
IL-2 Sturmovik
57 ShAP. 4 losses (there were 5 claims)

15.2.43/0828
IL-2 Sturmovik
448 ShAP. At least one loss: Nikolay Gavrilovich Perelaj returned but gunner G V Yegerev KIA
(there were about a half-dozen claims)

22.6.43/0219 and 0221
2 x IL-2 Sturmoviks
One source suggests these were from 9 ShAD? Were they actually from 943 ShAP, 277 ShAD? They lost Kapitan Sergey Pavlovich Simanov and Ilya Mironovich Kishinevskii both MIA-KIA plus Georgy Gavrilovich Martynov and Vasiliy Andreevich Chirov both POW, survived the war. One source says 939 ShAP, 4 losses

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Hafner was mentioned, so here goes

8th and 9th claims
12.9.41
2 x Su-2s ("R-3s")
135 BAP. Kapitan Lebedeva (female pilot) KIA and Starshiy Leytenant Yekaterina Zelyenko (female pilot) KIA (posthumous HSU in 1990)

13th claim
15.11.41/1310
DB-3
96 DBAP seems to have suffered at least one lost this date, navigator Emir Usinovic Abibulaev WIA and hospitalised, gunner Sergei Grigoryevich Bogatov KIA

15th claim
17.2.42/0955
R-Z
Possibly 735 NBAP's Lt. Herman Aleksandrovich Korotkov and St. Serzh. Georgy Mikhailovich Serenkov

17th claim
23.2.42/1105
"I-18"
148 IAP, 4 RAG, VVS Southwestern front lost 2 MiGs this date. One pilot KIA and the other baled out safely (versus 5 applicable claims)

25th claim
21.3.42/0820
Pe-2
Day's likely Pe-2 losses to JG 51 include 128 BAP, crew of Leonid Pavlovich Selivanov failed to return, Vyazma-Yartsevo sector (versus 3 claims in total)

26th and 27th claims
22.3.42/1730 and 1733
2 x “I-61s”
Possibly Hurricanes of 195 IAP, they lost St.Lt. Grigorii Pavlovich Shcherban KIA

28th claim
29.3.42/1455
R-Z
Day's Biplane losses include 695 NBAP's Lt. Pavel Petrovich Soloviev KIA near Smolensk in a U-2
(2 x claims by 7/JG 3 may also apply to this loss)

33rd claim
6.4.42/0840
Pe-2
There were two other claims. One of these was likely from 128 BAP. At least one loss to fighters, crew of Aleksandr Borisovich Rogozin. Another from 40 APDR, crew of Lt. Stepan Mikhailovich Moshkin

36th, 37th and 38th claims
5.7.42/0932, 0945 and 1120
IL-2 Sturmoviks
224 ShAD, 1 VA. One of the day's losses was Archil Vasilyevich Ameridze another was Viktor Nikolaevich Samusodov. 683 ShAP lost Fedor Fedorovich Screbkov KIA. 208 ShAP lost Serzhant Vladimir Pavlovich Starovojtov KIA. Definitely lost to fighters was Serzhant Dmitri Vasilyevich Chebanov of 214 ShAD

47th and 48th claims
11.7.42/0505 and 0508
2 x MiG-1s
236 IAP lost Serzhant Nikolay Ivanovich Aleksandrov KIA in air combat this date. 513 IAP lost Nikolai Tikhonovich Bondaryev, Lt. Nikolai Nikolaevich Tunikin and Lt. Vasily Vasilyevich Syomin all KIA as well. 18 GIAP lost Lt. Mikhail Aleksandrovich Chetyrkin near Verkhni Syaglo, Smolensk sector

49th claim
23.7.42/1020
Pe-2
15km NW of Bolchow @ 1800m
Was this from 778 BAP? Navigator Konstantin Pavlovich Borovitsky was KIA in aircombat this date near Yelets

Claims 57-60
22.8.42
2 x Yak-1
1 x MiG-3
1 x IL-2 Sturmovik
Day's Yak losses include Lt. Georgy Vasilyevich Yuzhakov and Ml.Lt. Nikolay Matveevich Stefashin both of 20 IAP, both KIA
122 IAP (MiGs) lost Ml.Lt. Vasily Ivanovich Afonin KIA
Day's IL-2 losses include Serzhant Leonid Anisimovich Shekolov of 62 ShAP KIA and 724 ShAP lost Nikolay Nikolaevich Yurkin KIA

61st claim
23.8.42/1720
IL-2 Sturmovik
25km S of Kozelsk (PQ 54281) @ low altitude
Likely 312 ShAP, one lost to fighters this date: Ml.Lt. Aleksandr Illich Sokolov KIA

63rd claim
16.11.42/1212
Spitfire
20km E of Bone @ 100m
81 sqn.Two losses: Sgt. Lowrey crashlanded WIA (returned to unit with help from Arabs) and F/O J R Diack KIA

64th claim
17.11.42/1338
Blenheim V ("Beaufort"/"Beaufighter")
15km NW of Bizerta @ low altitude
18 sqn. Losses include BA815/O of F/O G H Berry, Sgt. V G Rowen and Sgt. R E W Page all KIA; BA794/C of F/O C W Kaye, F/O E G Clegg and Sgt. J Walder all KIA and BA828/H Of F/S W L Williams, W/O J McCombie and F/S J Brown all POW. Additionally, BA780/B of S/L W J H Tucker, P/O W Docherty and F/S J Bartley plus BA819/M of P/O G W Sims, Sgt. S Litchfield and Sgt. C Cosens both bellylanded at allied airfields.

65th and 66th claims
27.11.42/0917 and 1648
2 x Spitfire Vs
152 and 72 sqns. 152 sqn lost Sgt. Kenneth Victor Lindquist RCAF KIA plus Sgt. W P Paris damaged, 72 sqn lost P/O J Lowe. 93 sqn possibly also involved. One source says Lowe lost later in the day (making him a good candidate for claim 66)

67th claim
28.11.42/1648
B-17F-1-BO Flying Fortress ("Stirling")
35km W of Bizerta @ 4000m
41-24374 of 32nd BS, 97th BG or 353rd BS, 301st BG. 1/Lt. Robert E Maher and crew all KIA to enemy fighters

68th claim
30.11.42/1447
P-38 Lightning
15km SW of Tunis @ 600m
41-7644 of 48th FS, 14th FG. Lt. Arthur V Cole failed to return

69th and 70th claim
1.12.42/1041 and 1046
2 x Spitfires
Mateur sector
93 sqn. Overclaiming, only two losses: F/O W R Guilfoyle MIA and F/O B E McPherson returned later in the day (there were 5 claims all up)

71st claim
2.12.42/0832
Spitfire
5km S of Tebourba @ 1800m
Were these from 152 sqn? F/O Harold Lindsay Cathcart Woolley KIA and P/O G E Glenwright safe (listed as having taken off at 1230 so massive time discrepancy)

72nd claim
3.12.42/1235
P-38 Lightning
15km SW of Tunis @ 800m
This one a known overclaim. 94th FS, 1st FG airborne at this time but did not even record any combat

73rd claim
5.12.42/1203
P-38 Lightning
10km S of Tebourba @ 6500m
1st FG. No known losses in combat this date (overclaiming?)

74th claim
5.12.42/1218
Spitfire
5km W of Tebourba @ 2200m
93, 72 sqn and 152 sqns. 93 sqn serials were ER330 and ER594, both shot down shortly after take off from Medjez-el-Bab, pilots were Sgt. Thomas Leon Mincher KIA and P/O A Y M Haley POW. 72 sqn lost Sgts. F M Browne MIA and A Mottram KIA, plus P/O John William MacDonald (RAAF) KIA and 152 sqn lost P/O Glenwin (returned)

75th claim
7.12.42/1208
Spitfire
3km NW of Tebourba @ 1200m
185 sqn? Two losses: BR295 of Sgt. D G Guy MIA and serial unknown of Sgt. J D Billing baled out and rescued (listed as having taken off at 1600, so large time discrepancy)

76th claim
17.12.42/1555
P-38 Lightning
8km NE of Medjez el Bab @ 2200m
1st FG. (Petr Kacha's site says this was Norman Widen, see next day's entry)

77th claim
18.12.42/1130
P-38 Lightning
8km NW of Tunis @ 9000m
94th FS, 1st FG. Either Lt. George W Sutcliffe returned safely, Lt. Victor Galbraith Giles KIA or Lt. Clark O Jennings also returned safely

78th claim
18.12.42/1134
P-38 Lightning
Tunis-el Aouina airfield @ 9000m
94th FS, 1st FG. Lt. Norman L "Cy" Widen, POW

79th claim
26.12.42
P-38 Lightning
94th FS, 1st FG. 2/Lt. Richard Bruce Jones KIA

80th claim
28.12.42/1531
P-38 Lightning
03 Ost 95631, Tunisia @ low altitude
49th FS, 14th FG. Overclaiming, only one loss: 5781/"Tangerine" of Lt. Levie F Mullinax Jr POW (returned after Italian surrender)
…Versus 5 claims

81st claim
2.1.43/1228
P-38 Lightning
10km SW of Pont du Fahs @ 200m
27th FS, 1st FG. Overclaiming, only two losses: Capt. Joseph H Glenn (CO, returned WIA) and Lt. Henry K Smith. There were several claims but these two are generally attributed to Hafner and Schultz

107th and 110th claims
28.10.43/1250 and 1455
Boston III
Loyev sector
57 BAP, 221 BAD, 16 VA. At least two losses: Crews of Mladshiy Leytenants Morozov and Utkin all KIA (there were 4 claims)

131st and 132nd claims
22.2.44/1504 and 1506
2 x IL-2 Sturmoviks
79 GShAP, 2 GShAD. 3 definite losses. Crews were: Alexei Ilyich Kolomeets & Kondrashov, Ivan Iosifovich Snegirev & Kuteikin plus Mikhail Ivanovich Arkhipov & Ryabov. Believe pilot Karputin returned the next day (versus 4 claims)

140th to 144th claims
3 x IL-2 Sturmoviks
2 x Yak-9s
Partischi-Bobruisk-Rogatschew sector
16 VA. Very likely overclaiming, very little substantiation of German claims in Soviet loss records

148th-150th claims
26.6.44
3 x Yak-9s
Bobruisk sector
16 VA. As a whole, it only lost 19 aircraft this day, the majority attributed to ground-fire

180th claim
24.8.44/1505
La-7 ("LaGG-5")
40km WSW of Mitau (PQ 37374) @ 1500m
63 GIAP, 3 GIAP, 1 GIAK, 3 VA. Mladshiye Leytenanty Ponomarenko and Melekhov both KIA (first La-7s lost in combat) (the other was shot down by Bernhard Vechtel)

181st claim
25.8.44/1632
La-7 ("LaGG-5")
40km WSW of Mitau (PQ 37378)
63 GIAP, 3 GIAD, 1 GIAK, 3 VA. Leytenant Mironov (details of fate pending)

186th claim
19.9.44/1536
Pe-2
45km NE of Telsche (PQ 27654) @ 3000m
1 GBAK, 3 VA. 5 losses: crews of St.Lt. Pochtar, Ml.Lt. Alenin, Ml.Lt. Kondrashev and Ml.Lt. Kumanev all shot down. Kapt. Mamontovsky crashlanded safely (versus 5 claims, so definitely legitimate victories)

187th claim
22.9.44
A-20 Boston III
40km SW of Tukkum (PQ 27422) @ 1000m
1 GMTAP VVS-KBF. Losses include St.Lt. Mark Ivanovich Zhilenkov KIA, Lt. Aleksandr Fedorovich Baranov, Lt. Thepermiaks (?), Gv.Ml.Lt. Mikhail Petrovich Permyakov and Ml.Lt. Sergei Petrovich Pudov all KIA (versus at least 5 claims)

203rd claim
17.10.44/0447
25km SE of Blumenfeld (PQ 25455) @ 3000m
Was this M.Lt. Vasilli Koval's (shot down) or Lt Nikolai Petrovich Vorobyev's (forcelanded) machine? One of them from 135 GBAP. Gw.Ml.Lt. Grigory V. Ugurân definitely from 135 GBAP definitely lost this date (Rudolf Trenkel may have been responsible for one of the losses too)

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Hermann Graf

7th claim
24.9.41/1210
DB-3A
near Balakliya
52 DBAD

8th claim
27.9.41/1422
DB-3F
50km W of Kharkov
This one is said to have been one of 8 BAP's losses, gunner was Starshina Vasiliy Kurayev, only one other survivor

13th and 14th claims
14.10.41/1610 and 1613
2 x “I-26s”
10-15km N of Walki
Day's fighter losses include 164 IAP, Ml.Lt. Aleksandr Nikolaevich Feoktistov KIA. 186 IAP lost Georgy Afanasyevich Chernyshev KIA (many claims throughout the day)

15th and 16th claims
24.10.41/1250 and 1252
2 x “I-61s”
Boisovka
Very likely 5/32 IAP/VVS-ChF. Fifteen losses in the last week of October

17th claim
25.10.41/1521
“I-61”
Aibary
Probably St.Lt. Mikhail Avdeyev of 5/32 IAP/VVS ChF, returned to base, damaged

18th claim
27.10.41/1538
“I-61”
10km S of Juschno (Yushno)
Very likely 5/32 IAP/VVS-ChF. Fifteen losses in the last week of October
(remaining claims for October 41 follow the same pattern….)

27th claim
23.11.41/1336
IL-2 Sturmovik
S of Rostov
4 ShAP, details pending

28th claim
29.11.41/1021
I-16 "Rata"
10km NNE of Rostov
Day's fighter losses near Rostov include 271 IAP, Lt. Mikhail Ivanovich Trushin KIA
(similar to 40th victory at 1307)

29th claim
29.11.41/1027
DB-3
ENE of Rostov
Could this have been the crew from 51 DBAP lost to fighters this date near Zagorsk? Crew of St.Lt. Sergey Bykov and crew all KIA. 81 DBAP lost crew of Ml.Lt. Sydor Semenovich Molochkov

32nd claim
6.12.41/1252
IL-2 Sturmovik
E of Lysogorskaya
4 ShAP details pending

38th and 39th claims
27.12.41/1201 and 1205
2 x I-16 “Ratas”
Taganrog – Azov
88 IAP, overclaiming - no losses

43rd and 44th claims
7.1.42/1450 and 1455
2 x I-16 “Ratas”
Ssansnoje/Nowaja-Slobodka
VVS Southwestern Front. Day's fighter losses include Sergei Vasilyevich Demenkov WIA. 438 IAP lost Ml.Lt. Nikita Andriyanovich Taranov KIA

47th claim
3.2.42/0935
Su-2
Nuwo
135 BBAP or 13 GBAP. Details pending

50th claim
23.3.42/1726
Su-2
E of Kotowka
135 BBAP or 13 GBAP. Details pending

51st claim
25.3.42/0625
Yak-1 ("I-180")
E of Staraya Saltow
Possibly the enagagement in which 296 IAP lost Lt. Mikhail Stepanovich Sedov KIA

52nd claim
27.3.42/1011
Yak-1 (I-26)
15km E of Volzhansk
Possibly St.Lt. Ivan Fedorov of 487 IAP KIA

58th claim
“I-61”
15km W of Burluk
Was this Lt. Petr Fedorovich Yakimov of 273 IAP? WIA and DOW in hospital on 1.4.42

61st, 62nd and 63rd claims
29.4.42/1210-1315
3 x Yak-1s
flight between Grammatikovo and Zuerichtal, Kerch Peninsula
247 IAP, details pending

65th claim
30.4.42/1405
I-16 "Rata"
Kertsch
36 IAP. Mayor Kartuzov WIA (shrapnel in leg)

79th – 85th claims
8.5.42
Day's losses in aerial combat include St.Serzhanti Vladimir Nikolaevich Belkov and Vladimir Grigorievich Svetovostokov of 269 IAP both KIA and Sergey Petrovich Bubyrev of 12 IAP KIA
36 IAP lost I-16 of Leytenant Martynov bellylanded and Kapitan Petr Grigorievich Safronenko and Lt. Kravchennko both baled out, 133 IAP lost Ml.Lt. Vasily Semyonovich Badanin KIA

88th and 89th claims
11.5.42/1745 and 1746
2 x I-16 "Rata" or MiG-1
Kerch Peninsula
VVS Crimean Front. 45 IAP lost St.Lt. Vasily Pavlovich Chernii (AE CO) KIA this date. One of these claims may pertain to him

91st – 96th claims
13.5.42
I-16 “Ratas”
Rogani sector
Graf's victims may include Lt. Arseniy Stepanov of 929 IAP, KIA this area

99th and 100th claims
14.5.42
Kharkov/Rogani area
13 GBAP. One known loss (slight overclaiming), details pending

105th claim
15.5.42
Fighter?
Kharkov/Rogani area
282 IAP lost St.Serzhant Leonid Sergeyevich Frolov KIA this date

106th claim
20.5.42/1737
Pe-3
Kharkov area
99 BAP/4 RAG?
Note that 8 GBAP lost crew of Lt. Ivan Arkadievich Shilov this date

112th claim
3.8.42/1835
IL-2 Sturmovik
Caucasus (PQ 00667) @ 400m
7 GShAP, 4 VA

116th and 117th claims
14.8.42/1014 and 1020
2 x I-16 "Ratas"
Kuban area

118th – 120th claims
Yak-1, Hurricane and LaGG-3
5 VA's fighter losses this date include Lt. Alexey Savin of 482 IAP KIA in a LaGG-3. 45 IAP lost Ivan Lukich Svinarenko and Serzhant Nikolai Georgiyevich Zjuzins baled out POW (later freed)

123rd – 125th claims
17.8.42
3 x I-153 "Tchaikas"
Kuban sector
238 ShAD, 5 VA. Details pending

126th claim
18.8.42/1642
I-153 "Tchaika"
Krasnogorsk/Kuban area (PQ 85253) @ 600m
238 ShAD, 5 VA. Details pending

127th claim
18.8.42/1643
R-5
Krasnogorsk/Kuban area (PQ 85494) @ low altitude
763 LBAP. Details pending

129th claim
22.8.42/1403
Yak-1
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49154) @ 600m
Believe this was the engagement in which Lt. Aleksandr Stepanovich Bochkov of 287 IAP was KIA (several claims around this time)

131st claim
23.8.42/0727
Yak? ("I-180")
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49194) @ 2200m
8 VA. Day's Yak losses include Starshina Grigory Yakovlevich Bondarev of 12 IAP KIA

134th claim
24.8.42/0928
Yak-1 ("I-180")
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49421) @ 1200m
(There were at least 3 claims made during the engagement)
512 IAP. Slight overclaiming, only two aircraft lost with their pilots. Includes Politruk Grigoriy Kuznetsov KIA

136th and 137th claims
25.8.42/1151 and 1727 (is one of these timings in error?)
2 x LaGG-3s
5km E of Stalingrad
572 IAP, 864 IAP or 9 GIAP. 9 GIAP definitely lost Lt. Mikhail Mikhailovich Sarkin KIA this date

138th claim
29.8.42/1422
LaGG-3
Stalingrad area (PQ 59173) @ 1800m
8 VA. Day's fighter losses include St.Serzhant Ivan Ivanovich Snetkov of 867 IAP KIA

2.9.42/0912 and 1711
P-40 Kittyhawks
Stalingrad sector
731 IAP. Two P-40s lost this date, pilot details pending. There were 6 claims in total for P-40s over the Stalingrad

142nd claim
2.9.42/0915
IL-2 Sturmovik
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49441) @ low altitude
8 VA. 2 IL-2s lost this date. One was from 211 ShAP, Serzhant Arkady Vasilyevich Sokolov KIA over the target (may have been attributed to Flak)

143rd claim
2.9.42/1332
Pe-8 or DB-7
Stalingrad sector (PQ 59143) @ 7000m
Could this at all have been an aircraft of 840 APDD? Navigator Alexei Mikhailovich Fomin KIA this date

146th – 149th claims
3.9.42
Several fighters
Stalingrad
4 Yak-1s and 3 Yak-7Bs lost this date. Anatoly Nikolayevich Alexandrov of 867 IAP was certainly KIA

150th claim
4.9.42/1012
Yak-1
Stalingrad (PQ 49241) @ 2000m
8 VA, 16 VA (220 and 283 IADs) or 102 IAD/PVO. 8 VA lost one Yak-1 and one LaGG-3 this date whilst 16 VA lost 17 Yak-1s.
Known to me are: 273 IAP lost Serzhants Mikhail Semyonovich Budnikov, Nikolai Lavrentevich Bessonov and Aleksandr Stepanovich Chetvertukhin all KIA. 43 IAP lost Nikita Timofeevich Syusyukalov also KIA. 581 IAP lost St. Serzhant Alexander Ilyich Fedorinin KIA

151st claim
5.9.42/1658
I-153 "Tchaika"
Stalingrad sector (PQ 40881) @ low altitude
629 IAP. Details pending

152nd claim
6.9.42/1321
IL-2 Sturmovik
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49163) @ 400m
8 VA (6 IL-2s lost this date, includes Aleksandr Mikhailovich Smetanin of 694 ShAP and Serzhant Aleksandr Maximovich Shashin of 503 ShAP both KIA) or 16 VA (10 IL-2s lost this date)

8.9.42/1128 and 1135
2 x La-5s
Stalingrad sector
27 IAP, 287 IAD. Legitimate victories: two losses: Starshiy Leytenant Yevgeniy Bykob and Starshiy Serzhant Anatoliy Yegoshin both MIA

159th and 160th claims
9.9.42/1321, and 1324
3 x La-5s
Stalingrad sector
3 GIAP, 15 IAP or 27 IAP, 287 IAD, 8 VA. Very likely a misidentification or overclaiming, no La-5s lost this date

163rd claim
11.9.42/1558
Pe-2
Know to have come from 270 BAD. Their 284 BAP lost two Pe-2s this day. Crew details pending

164th claim
11.9.42/1609
P-40 Kittyhawk
731 IAP, actually made it home (I need to chase this one up…)

167th and 168th claims
14.9.42/0800 and 0804
2 x I-16 "Rata"
Stalingrad sector
629 IAP, includes Starshiy Politruk Teplitskiy MIA

169th claim
14.9.42/0809
Yak-1
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49411) @ 1000m
8 VA or 16 VA (220 and 283 IAD) or 102 IAD/PVO. Losses include Ml.Lt. Ivan Stepanenko of 4 IAP, baled out

170th claim
15.9.42/0635
I-16 "Rata"
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49423) @ 400m
629 IAP, St.Lt. Lysenko bellylanded safely

174th claim
16.9.42/0739
P-40 Kittyhawk
Stalingrad sector (PQ 40882) @ 3500m
731 IAP, Starshina Vasiliy Prokhorov KIA

178th and 179th claims
18.9.42/1157 and 1159
2 x LaGG-3s
Stalingrad sector
If correctly identified: 572 IAP, 864 IAP or 9 GIAP. However, much more likely misidentified Yaks. 8 VA (no known Yak losses this date) or 16 VA (18 Yak-1s and 2 Yak-7Bs lost this date)

180th claim
18.9.42/1212
IL-2 Sturmovik
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49134)
228 ShAD or 291 ShAD. Losses include a whole formation of 6 IL-2s from 245 ShAP. Losses in total: 8 VA (2 IL-2s lost this date) and 16 VA (12 IL-2s lost this date including that of Mayor Konstantin Vasilyevich Yarovoi and St.Serzhant Vasily Ivanovich Tuzukov, 688 ShAP). 954 ShAP (16 VA) lost Ml.Lt. Tikhon Ivanovich Khudyakov KIA. Note: 688 ShAP losses are generally attributed to I/JG 53 and III/JG 3

181st claim
20.9.42/0820
LaGG-3
Stalingrad sector (PQ 40784) @ 4200m
If correctly identified: 572 IAP, 864 IAP or 9 GIAP. However, more likely a misidentified Yak. 8 VA (2 Yak-1s and 1 Yak-7B lost) or 16 VA (6 Yak-1s and 5 Yak-7Bs lost) or 102 IAD/PVO.

21.9.42
3 x Yak-1s
8 VA (2 Yak-7Bs lost) or 16 VA 3 Yak-1s and 1 Yak-7B lost) or 102 IAD/PVO, day's Yak-1 losses include Leytenant Sultan Akmet-Khan of 4 IAP, baled out. Same unit lost Leytenant Vladimir Prokofyevich Anashkin KIA

184th claim
21.9.42/1624
IL-2 Sturmovik
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49412) @ low altitude
8 VA (2 IL-2s lost) or 16 VA (no known losses). One of the two losses from 8 VA was Serzhant Vasily Nikolaevich Travin of 944 ShAP KIA

186th claim
22.9.42/1120
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49272) @ 1200m
629 IAP, Ml.Lt. Peshekhonov KIA

189th claim
23.9.42/1103
IL-2 Sturmovik
Stalingrad sector (PQ 49131 or 49201) @ 100m
8 VA (only 1 IL-2 lost this date) or 16 VA (no known IL-2 losses this date). Overclaiming? 503 ShAP lost Serzhant Vasili Mikhailovich Fedin KIA

198th and 199th claims
25.9.42/1441 and 1446
2 x La-5s
Stalingrad sector
287 IAD. 8 VA Only one known loss of a La-5 this date. Overclaiming?

200th claim
26.9.42/0853
I-153 "Tchaika"
Pitomnik airfield (PQ 49294) @ 800m
(Hermann Wolf claimed as well)
3 AE, 629 IAP (102 IAD-PVO). Pilots Pavlov, Sergeev and Ovchinnikov in I-153s plus Mal’chenko and V. Smirov in I-16s. Overclaiming, no losses

201st and 202nd claims
26.9.42/1642 and 1658
LaGG-3 and Yak-1
Stalingrad sector
Do these pertain to the only Yak-7B lost by 16 VA this date? (No known losses by 8 VA)

205th and 206th claims
6.9.43/1050 and 1108
2 x B-17 Flying Fortresses
Stuttgart – Southern edge of the Black Forest
92nd BG, 7 losses including B-17F-80-BO 42-30000 of 327th BS (definitely over Germany) and B-17F-80-BO 42-30010 of 407th BS (will eventually update my database, then re-post)

209th claim
6.3.44/1448
B-24H Liberator HSS
W of Berlin
42-54457 of 453rd BG. 1/Lt. Elmer Crockett and crew made it back to the channel then ditched. 5 survivors, 1 man KIA, 4 men MIA (already damaged by Flak)

211th and 212th claims
29.3.44
2 x P-51B-5 Mustang
N of Hannover – Schwarmstedt area
4th FG, most likely attributable loss is 43-6759/WD-P of 335th FS, Lt. William E Newell baled out and POW

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

If anyone can help correct, update or share extra info, I hope everyone agrees that it would be good to hear from them. My lists contain many gaps and there is even some info that I have been asked not to share at this point, but I hope you all find this interesting to check out. All help and assistance very welcome

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Hello Nick
thanks a lot for the info!
Especially that on Hafner. On him I had only limited info and a recollection having read somewhere very long ago that he was a reliable claimer. And that he was a likeable and modest man.

Juha

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Wow.

Wow-o-wow.

Some OUTSTANDING information was just posted for all to enjoy.

I'm fairly certain that printers are melting down around the planet.

Bronc

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Very welcome Juha

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

He was mentioned too...

Heinz Baer

25.9.39/1230 Curtiss Hawk Weissenburg/Lauterburg Probably No. 112 of GC 4/4. Capt. P Claude baled out but shot at in parachute, DOW (also claimed by Pitcairn)

21.5.40/1620 Hurricane (D-520?) Samer Not likely to have been a Spitfire or a Hurricane, no attributable losses found

23.5.40/1110 Hurricane Dunkirk or Bethune Serial unknown of 253 sqn. P/O J D Ford believed POW

20.8.40/1610 Spitfire I Overclaiming, only 1 attributable loss: R6818 of 65 sqn. P/O K G Hart, baled out and rescued from sea (versus 4 claims in total)

24.8.40/1413 Hurricane I L1659 of 501 sqn? Sgt. William J Green crashlanded at Hawkinge after combat over Manston, unhurt (attributed to friendly Flak, two other claims at this time)

29.8.40/2010 Spitfire Judging by timings alone, were these actually the two 501 sqn Hurricanes lost at 1920-1930 BT? R4223 of Sgt. William J Green baled out, rescued safely plus P3102 of F/L John Albert Axel Gibson (NZ) baled out slightly WIA (Joppien also claimed at this time, as did Rolf Pingel of I./JG 26)

2.9.40/0915 Spitfire Unit definitely in action against 54 sqn at this time. Overclaiming, no apparent losses. Or possibly 603 sqn: X4250/XT-X of Sgt. Jack Stokoe damaged (Terry and Fleig also claimed)

8.11.40/1218 Hurricane Was this N2649 of 605 sqn? P/O P Tarkowski safe, cat.3 damaged over Maidstone-Staplehurst, also possibly V6870 of 257 "Burma" sqn, Sgt. A D Page KIA over Maidstone or V7652 of 615 sqn, P/O L N Landels WIA over Cranbrook

8.11.40/1505 Hurricane N of Dungeness @ 5000m Possibly V6805 of 501 sqn, Sgt. Harry Cyril Grove KIA. Lost near Blackheath/Sevenoaks around this time.

16.4.41/1825 Hurricane 15km or 20km W of Le Touquet @ 3-4000m 15km or 20km W of Le Touquet @ 3-4000m (versus 4 claims)

21.4.41/2007 Hurricane IIA NW of Ashford @ 6500m 1 sqn. Overclaiming, only one aircraft damaged. F/L Velebnovsky safe (also claimed by Joppien)

6.5.41/1410 Spitfire II 15-20km NW of Calais @ 200m 74 sqn, 3 losses and one damaged. P8364 or P7928 of P/O J Howard, KIA. P7537 of Sgt. A D Arnett, POW. P7428 of Sgt. A F Wilson baled out safely as the engine caught fire. P/O R G E Boulding, cat. 2 damage, safe (versus 5 claims)

11.5.41/2140 Spitfire (actually a Hurricane II?) 8km E of Deal @ 50m
Day's only known loss and definitely a victim of JG 2 was Hurricane II V7175 of 504 sqn. F/L B E G White WIA


22.6.41/0725 MiG ("I-18") near Starnice 41 IAP, 124 IAP, 126 IAP or 129 IAP, 9 SAD. 126 IAP lost pilots G Alaev, Panfilov and V Ushakov

22.6.41/0940 and 0945 2 x SB-2s Bug River sector/Kossow-Siedlce/near Starnice @ 1200m 39 SBAP, 10 SAD. 18 losses (the whole formation)

25.6.41/1130 and 1133 2 x SB-2s near Terespol VVS Western Front. SB losses to fighters in the morning include 130 SBAP, crew of Boris Vladimirovich Bastanzhiev (likely JG 51 victim, already damaged by Flak), they also lost crews of Mikhail Pavlovich Bugorkov and Pavel Borisovich Shakhmatov

30.6.41/1055, 1112, 1920, 1935 and 1940 5 x DB-3s Bobruisk/Histowka sector
VVS Western Front. 96 DBAP definitely lost one near Bobruisk, navigator was Lt. Alexey Alekseevich Egorov and gunner was Aleksey Vasilyevich Shiroborkin. 98 DBAP lost St.Lt. Ivan Mikhailovich Trejbsho (AE CO)

1.7.41/1345 I-16 "Rata" near Nowo Histowka Said to be from 161 IAP by at least one published source. Was it actually Ml.Lt. Vladimir Ivanovich Borisov of 163 IAP KIA?

3.7.41/1345 ("V-11") Bobruisk sector Likely 4 ShAP IL-2 Sturmoviks. Possible losses to fighters include Starshiy Politruk Dryukov and Jnr Lts Krivich and Alekseykin (versus at least 9 claims)

5.7.41/1344 and 1345 2 x DB-3s Bobruisk sector Day's DB-3 losses include at least one from 96 DBAP. Gunner was Serzhant Nikolay Alekseevich Borzenko KIA, navigator Ivan Semenovich Frolov also KIA as was Ml.Lt. Fedor Sergeevich Shipiko (all from the same crew?) another gunner KIA was Alexander Ivanovich Burenkov (Orsha sector)

11.7.41/1502, 1505 and 1645. 3 x DB-3s Bobruisk sector Were these claimed against 96 DBAP, 42 DBAD? They suffered gunner Nikita Maksimovich Balabanov WIA by fighters this date and St.Lt. Demiyan Stepanovich Borodavka (AE CO) KIA. 207 DBAP lost several crews as well: those of Lt. Ivan Fedorovich Zverev, St.Lt. Vasily Vasilievich Zybnev, Ml.Lt. Boris Sergeevich Zhekov, Ml.Lt. Ivan N. Pohodeev, Ml.Lt. Alexander Vasilyevich Suhovskij. Another gunner from 96 DBAP was Viktor Petrovich Sakharov KIA

23.7.41/1257, 1302 and 1310 3 x Pe-2s raids on Shatalowo airfield/Dankowow
411 BAP/OSNAZ. Overclaiming, only 3 losses in this engagement (versus 5 claims all up)

3.8.41/1355 Pe-2? (Claimed as an “R-3”) Could this have been from 136 BAP? Ml.Lt. Stepan Ivanovich Astapov KIA this date. A definite loss to fighters was 33 BAP, Alexey Maksimovich Burkov KIA in Guta sector

9.8.41/1330 and 1334 2 x DB-3s Day's losses include 21 DBAP, crew of Lt. Nikolay Gavrilovich Ozeranin brought down by flak and fighters

9.8.41/1900 SB-3 3 AE, 57 BAP. 5 losses (two over the target, 3 forcelanded at separate bases) (Versus 5 claims so this one is indeed a legitimate victory)

10.8.41/1055 I-15 Was this Lt. Anatoli Danilovich Yaremchuk of 127 IAP KIA this date?

28.8.41/1812 and 1815 2 x Pe-2s SE of Nowgorod 261 BAP. Crews of Kapitan Yuriy Mykolayovych Garbko (AE CO, returned later with some of his crew), Lt. Alexander Ilyich Lyagushin and Lt. Nikolai Stepanovich Bocharov all shot down (third claim was made by Karl-Gottfried Nordmann so these are again legitimate victories)

31.8.41/1120 and 1125 2 x Pe-2s Likely 261 BAP. Crews of Lt. Petr Ivanovich Bormatin and Nikolay Grigoryevich Shirokii all KIA

2.12.41/1015 Pe-2 Day's recce losses to fighters include 366 RAP, crew of pilot Pepelevim KIA and navigator Farvaz Husainov WIA. 2 APDR lost crew of Lt. Fiodor Antonovich Koshelev failed to return

Also on 2.12.41, Baer claimed 3 x MiGs throughout the day. Day’s losses include Lt. Alexander Petrovich Bogdanov of 177 IAP KIA

7.12.41/1130 and 1357 2 x Pe-2s One of these was likely 46 BAP. Crew of Lt. Alexey Yemelyanovich Khatuntsev, Lt. Ahtem Abdarman Adji-Khalil and Serzhant Aleksandr Sivkov all KIA

19.5.42/0942 R-5 According to allaces.ru, TsAMO 709 NBAP tells us Gersh Nikolaevich Bibikov was listed as killed in a crash this date. Was it due to enemy action and therefore possibly Baer’s victory?

11.10.42 Spitfire BR183 lost off Malta this date, EP550 damaged and crashlanded Luqa

13.10.42/0758 and 0814 2 x Spitfires 185 sqn. They lost Mk VB Trop EP316 this date

14.10.42/1759 Spitfire Day's losses include AR470 of 1435 sqn and AR489 of 126 sqn off Kalafrana. AR471 was damaged by Bf109s this date. Other losses were EN979 of unit not specified, EP203 of 1435 sqn (versus nine claims)

17.10.42/1332 Spitfire Day's losses include EP341 and EP521, damaged by Bf109 and crashed on approach to Hal Far. EP955 of 229 sqn lost this day as well

3.11.42/1208 and 1210 2 x Hurricanes? (Claimed as "Spitfires") SW of El Alamein
80 and 127 sqns. 80 sqn lost BP337/B, F/L R G Foskett returned; 127 sqn lost BN406 of F/L R C Lawrence KIA, BP292 of Sgt. R R Mayze MIA, BP289 of Sgt. D G Andrews baled out WIA-POW (arm shot off), HM130 of P/O A D Melville KIA, HL629 of P/O A R Rebman KIA, HL773 of Sgt. N G Thomas forcelanded in a minefield; BG904 of F/S B Wilshaw safe and HM140 of Sgt. A R Moulden safe

3.11.42/1555, 1558 and 1612 3 x Hurricanes? (Claimed as “Curtiss P-40s") Quotaifiya – El Alamein sector
Likely 33 sqn. BP161/P of Sgt. F Henfry MIA W of Daba and BP471 of P/O G S M Maxwell safe (both left at 1635 British Timing)

5.11.42/1340 and 1350 Curtiss P-40 and Spitfire Day's losses include P/O Wilson of 80 sqn. 145 sqn lost F/S Frederick Arthur Stillman. 274 sqn had W/O Neil bale out into sea after being hit by Bf109. 260 sqn had Sgt. Hartting shot down by Bf109. 112 sqn had FR245/GA-B of Sgt. J M McAuley damaged by a Bf109. Another serial lost this day was P-40F 41-14028/FL350. Definite Spitfire losses were BR477 and BR481

9.11.42/1450 P-40 Kittyhawk III 450 sqn RAAF. FR259 of Sgt. B V Crist was badly damaged, pilot safe and 4 others were slightly damaged

10.11.42/1434 and 1438 Curtiss P-40E-1 Kittyhawk I E of Sollum 2 claims for Curtiss P-40E-1 Kittyhawk I 41-36579/EV325 of 2 sqn SAAF. Capt. Jack E Parsonson POW, escaped and returned 17.11.42

11.11.42/0930 and 0938 2 x Curtiss P-40 Day's losses include 2 sqn, SAAF: Lts. Allen-White and Theron, Lts. V R Burdon (KIA EV356/DB-A) and H S McMaster (KIA in a later combat) Lts. Hope and Burls both crashlanded back at base 260 sqn lost Sgt. Williams (forcelanded at Mersa Matruh) and F/S Hill. 4 sqn, SAAF had Maj. Du Troit shot up and forcelanded (returned later on foot). One of the losses was P-40F Kittyhawk IIA 41-13783 or 13784/FL234. 112 sqn had FR217/GA-C of P/O Brian Anthony Fredrick Cuddon shot down near Arco Philaenorum and KIA

7.12.42/1450 and 1452 2 x Spitfires Was this EP779 of 92 sqn? P/O J Joerns baled out (lost around this time)

8.12.42/1040 and 1055 2 x Curtiss P-40s AK483 of 5 sqn SAAF. Lt. F T Van Niekerk crashlanded and returned next day

11.12.42/1535 P-40 Kittyhawk E of Ras Umm el Grainagh 112 sqn, two losses: FR255/GA-J of F/S W D Brown (Canadian)(WIA and forcelanded at Magrun) and FR217/GA-C of P/O Brian Anthony Fredrick Cuddon MIA (Heinz-Edgar Berres claimed the other)

14.1.43 3 x Kitthawks, 2 x B-25 Mitchells
The Kittyhawks:
3 and 450 sqns RAAF plus 250 & 260 sqns. 3 sqn lost FL323 of S/L Bobby Gibbes (crashlanded), FL330 of P/O Les Weatherburn (baled out and POW), 41-14049/FL363 of Sgt. Norm Caldwell (crashlanded), FL346 of F/O William George Diehm and FL346 of F/O Allan Edward Henry Tonkin (KIA). Other losses were F/S Nickolson, Sgt. Frost, Sgt. Cameron, Sgt. Harrison, Sgt. Webster, and Sgt. Kirkman. Total of 11 Kittyhawks shot down. Also lost by 3 sqn was 41-14021/FL345. 41-13990/FL323 also lost this date

The Mitchells
Is this a misidentification of B-26B-2 41-17890 "Swamp Angel" of 17th BG, shot down 12 miles W of Gabes this date? Or more likely 30 sqn SAAF Boston?

21.1.43/1515 2 x P-38 Lightnings 97th FS, 82nd FG. Two losses: Lts. Ervin A Lewis and Lloyd F Luddington. One source says they were to Bf109s and another says they were to Italian fighters. FOT says these were from 1st FG, no losses

25.1.43/1235 and 1238 2 x P-40 Warhawks Said to be US-flown machines, otherwise no matching losses

27.1.43/1448, 1501 and 1505 3 x P-40E Kittyhawks/Warhawks US known to have suffered one loss (Lt. Middleton of 81st FG?), Free French also involved in this engagement

4.2.43/1420 B-17F-30-BO Flying Fortress 301st BG. Losses were 42-5076 of 32nd BS, 1/Lt. William C Broderick and crew all POW. Attributed to Puschmann, originally to Flak, and 41-24397 "Phyllis" of 352nd BS, Capt. Paul S Julienne Jr plus 7 safe, 1 KIA, 1 WIA

15.2.43/0745 and 0746 2 x Spitfire Vs Combat was with 308th and 309th FS, 31st FG. Only one loss: 1/Lt. Joseph C Reed of 308th FS, KIA (Wolfgang Ernst and Kurt Ubben also claimed in the engagement)

26.2.43/1055 Spitfire V One source says this was IR-G of 244 Wg (borrowed 'Widge' Gleed's Spitfire). S/L L C Wade of 145 sqn bellylanded after cannon strike (attributed to Flak, Baer possibly claimed it)

26.2.43/1405 and 1415 2 x P-40 Kitthawks 450 sqn RAAF certainly lost P-40K-5-CU 42-9883/FR125 of Sgt F J Silk near Gabes to Bf109s and FR346 of Sgt J Stonely KIA. 3 sqn RAAF lost FL356 of Sgt J G Beer in a crash landing due to combat damage

26.2.43/1703 and 1708 2 x P-40 Kitthawks 2 and 5 sqns SAAF. 2 sqn lost Lt. Platt, 5 sqn lost Lt G.A.L. Dold plus one other unidentified crashlanded

27.2.43/1050 Beaufighter Overclaiming, no losses

1.3.43/1450 Spitfire V Timing matches with 243 sqn. Two losses: ER495 of Sgt. Payne baled out and ER724 of Sgt. C G Aitken KIA. Location does not match up so well as 243 sqn served in the north, I/JG 77 in the south…

3.3.43/0740 Hurricane (mistaken for a "Spitfire") HL931 of 73 sqn. F/S J D A Wright POW

3.3.43/0745 P-40 Kittyhawk (mistaken for a "Spitfire" as well) Kittyhawk AK967/I of 4 sqn SAAF. Lt. A J Mullany POW

5.3.43/0700 Spitfire (mistaken for a "P-40E") 92 sqn. This one said to be ER646/QJ- of F/O Bernard Lawrence "Happy" McMahon KIA

5.3.43/0745 Spitfire (also mistaken for a "P-40E") 601 "City of London" sqn. This one said to be BR284/UF-T of F/S John Tilston, baled out safely (Ernst Laube appears to have claimed it as well)

6.3.43/0758 and 1323 2 x Spitfires Day's losses include ER646, presumed downed by a Bf109 this date

10.3.43/1632 Fuma/Tatauin area (Foum Tatouine) 112 sqn, 6 other losses:42-45865/FR275 of F/S Richard DeBourke (RCAF, American) KIA, FR361 of Sgt. John Henry Oliver RCAF KIA, 42-45885/FR295/GA-G of F/O David Alastair Bruce KIA, also FR292 of Sgt. W Richard Blake (RCAF, American) damaged, FR335 believed to be of Ray "Goose" Guess severely damaged, 42-45798/GA-D of P/O George William Wiley, RCAF ( murdered by Gestapo after the Great Escape) and 42-46154/FR131 of P/O Randolf Charles Carlyle "Smithy" Smith KIA (versus nine claims in total)

13.3.43/1227 P-40E Kittyhawk Day's losses include Maj. Archie J Knight of the 65th or 66th FS, shot down and returned. 57th FG lost 4 P-40s to JG 77. 64th FS lost William E Jenks 324th FG lost Robert F Worley in Y-10 to II/JG 77 (returned, later KIA in Vietnam) and Capt. John D Simpson jnr. 64th FS lost Robert K Douglas POW

23.3.43/1053 P-40 Kittyhawk Was this Lt. L J S Tapson of 4 sqn SAAF? (Possibly actually a flak victim)

23.3.43 Spitfire? ("P-39 Airacobra") Possibly a P-39L-1-BE of 154th OS, 68th OG listed as lost the previous day (date of Baer's claim in error?). Lt. William C Nutzel

24.3.43/1010 and 1012 2 x P-40E Kittyhawks Said to be from 58th and 59th FS, 33rd FG. Massive Overclaiming. Only one known loss: 42-10524 of Lt. Robert P Kanter of 58th FS bellylanded in a field, aircraft burnt out (versus at least 5 claims)

16.4.43/1550 Spitfire into the sea off the Tunisian coast Was this ER116 of 145 sqn? Appears to have been lost around this time

19.4.43 Unconfirmed Spitfire Day's losses include Vc EE857 of 232 sqn shot down by Bf109s near Pont du Fahs; EN116 of 72 sqn collided with a Bf109 near Oued Zarga. ER343, ER634 and ES135 of 417 sqn RCAF lost on P-40 escort (versus at least 11 claims….)

10.2.44/1113 B-17G-20-DL Flying Fortress Zwolle-Meppen (PQ FN) @ 7000m Likely two claims for 42-37960 of 728th BS, 452nd BG. 2/Lt. Hugh E Noell Jr and 6 others POW, remaining 3 crewmen all KIA (Hermichen claimed in the same area but much later. I have not yet determined who really shot 42-37960 down.)

21.2.44/1403 P-51B-1-NA Mustang 5km N of Stadthagen (PQ 05 Ost S/GT-58) Likely 43-12161/FT-D of 353rd FS, 354th FG. 1/Lt. John Duane Mattie baled out POW

21.2.44/1525 B-17F-20-DL Flying Fortress NNW of Rheine (PQ 05 Ost S/GP-6)(crashed at Bexten, near Salzberg) 42-3040 "Miss Quachita" of 323rd BS, 91st BG. 2/Lt Spencer K Osterberg and 7 others POW, 2 KIA

25.2.44/1343 B-17F-115-BO Flying Fortress eV Stuttgart area (PQ 04 Ost N/AT-8/9)
Likely 42-30678/KY- of 366th BS, 305th BG. 1/Lt. Robert A Safranek and 6 others POW, remaining 3 crewmen all KIA. Definitely already damaged by Flak, so eV is legitimate

3.3.44/1140 P-51B-5-NA Mustang Verden area/SE of Soltau (PQ 05 Ost S/EU-3/6) @ low altitude 43-6740/VF-R of 336th FS, 4th FG. Lt. Glenn A Herter KIA

6.3.44/1210 W of Diepholz (FS-45) @ 6000m Judging by the timing, was this 42-32002/OE-X "Berlin First" of 335th BS, 95th BG? 2/Lt. Thomas L Barksdale and crew all baled out POW near Barnstorf (Quakenbrueck area)

6.3.44/1445 B-17G-25-BO Flying Fortress Deventer area (PQ 05 Ost S/GO/GN)
42-31680/PY-P of 407th BS, 92nd BG. Crew of 1/Lt. Elmyran R Cooper all POW except one man KIA

29.3.44/1325 and 1335 2 x P-51B Mustangs Sollingen-Obeisfelde 355th FG? Likely 43-12452/OS-I of 357th FS, Lt. Benjamin D Johnston Jr POW, possibly also 43-6508/OS-O of Lt. Howard L Lambert KIA. 43-6317/YF-C "Duel Purpose" of 358th FS, Capt. James H "Lippy" McConnell POW also lost

11.4.44/1059 B-17F-115-BO Flying Fortress 10km NE of Fallersleben (PQ 15 Ost S/FB-7)
Possibly 42-30649/UX- of 327th BS, 92nd BG. 2/Lt. John E Harris and crew all KIA

22.4.44/2008 B-24H-10-CF Liberator Ahlen area (PQ 05 Ost S/JQ or JG 89) @ 7000m (crashed near Hoetmar) 41-29273 "Flak Magnet" of 753rd BS, 458th BG. Crew of 1/Lt. George N Spaven Jr and Lt. Robert L Zedeker (already damaged by Flak)

1.1.45/0923 Typhoon Ib (mistaken for a "Tempest V") Eindhoven airfield
PD503/F3-R of 438 sqn, RCAF. F/O Ross Keller KIA

1.1.45/0925 Typhoon Ib (mistaken for a "Tempest V") Eindhoven airfield
MN486/D of 168 sqn. F/L Howard Plaistowe Gibbons KIA

19.3.45/1215-1300 P-51D Mustang Near Ingolstadt 52nd FG. 2/ Lt. B H Nippert KIA

9.4.45/1005 B-26G-5-MA Marauder 9km SW of Amberg 43-34334 "Vulgar Vulture" of 556th BS, 387th BG. Lt. J D Stroud

9.4.45/1006 B-26G-1-MA Marauder Amberg-Kuemmersbruck area
43-34190 of 558th BS, 387th BG. Severely damaged, written off upon return to base

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Thanks. I hope it helps your original question at least a little. I'll own up to the somewhat woeful incompleteness of some of these lists, but I think it helps show the enormity of the task as I mentioned it to Peter earlier in the thread

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

A few of Wilhelm Batz’s

3rd and 4th claims
15.4.43/1205 and 1512
2 x LaGG-3s
Krymsk – Abinskaya sectors
At least 9 LaGG-3s lost this day. 4 from 267 IAP, 2 from 979 IAP, 2 from 926 IAP and 1 from 269 IAP more specific info is impossible due to large number of claims/losses
(At least 8 other claims on my database)

5th – 7th claims
20.4.43/1105 and 1614, 2 x IL-2 Sturmoviks
1612, LaGG-3
The IL-2s: several raids by 47 ShAP. Pilot Kulish KIA, Gagiev and Andreichuk were both WIA
The LaGG-3: 42 GIAP, 216 SAD, 4 VA. Overclaiming, no losses?

12th claim (not witnessed)
7.8.43/1750
Spitfire ("P-39 Airacobra")
N of Kessjetowa (PQ 76863) @ 3500m
21 IAP. Wingman of Mladshiy Leytenant Vladimir Lobachyov (who had just rammed an Fw189), seen to bale out

18th, 19th and 20th claims
9.9.43/0629, 0637 and 1650
3 x Yak-1s
Olshany – Andrejewka – Bogoduchow sectors
These are likely the engagements in which Ml.Lt. Vasilii Fedotovich Makarov of 427 IAP and Ml.Lt. Yakov Filippovich Sakunov of 515 IAP were KIA

21st claim
25.9.43/1450
Yak-1
10km SW of Pereyaslav-Chmel'nickij (PQ 10114) @ 1500m
Very likely a legitimate victory:
812 IAP suffered 3 losses this date: No. 48 of Alexei M Mashenkin POW (returned thanks to Partisans) whilst Kapitan I F Popov and Lt. P G Peskavev forcelanded back at base. 42 GIAP lost Kapt. Alexei Lukich Prikaznikov KIA

34th and 35th claims
25.10.43/1235 and 1240
2 x Yak-1s
10km SW of Melitopol (PQ 57182/57183) @ 2000m
Very likely the engagement in which 43 IAP lost Ml.Lt. Igor Vasilievich Shipulya KIA

90th claim
2.3.44/0955
Yak-1
Kap Tarkhan – Gryazevaya Puchina (PQ 66534) @ 1000m
Two claims for 42 GIAP, damaged. St.Lt. Zaytsev uninjured (Waldmann claimed as well, but Batz's is the more likely claim)

92nd and 93rd claims
10.3.44/1423 and 1425
2 x P-39 Airacobras
Kerch – Taman
45 IAP. Includes Kapitan Nikolai Yefimovich Lavitskii HSU, OL, 2 x ORB, Order of A Nievskii and OPW 1st class, KIA

99th claim
19.3.44/0725
P-39 Airacobra
E of Cap Chroni (PQ 66612) @ 50m
66 GIAP. Ml.Lt. Ivan Borchenko bellylanded 1.5km from own airfield

139th and 140th claims
30.5.44/1129 and 1736
2 x P-39 Airacobras
Jassy sector
129 IAP lost Lt. L. V. Zadirako 218662 WIA; Ml. Lt. S. V. Akinshin 29233 KIA; Ml. Lt. N. I. Gromov 43312 MIA; Ml. Lt. A. S. Kozinov 28934 WIA; Ml. Lt. S. Z. Bukchin 43712 WIA; Ml. Lt. V. N. Chesnokov 42777? WIA
438 IAP lost Lt. K. V. Myaskov 219188 MIA; Ml. Lt. Alexei Panfilovich Skripnikov 28916 KIA; Ml. Lt. N. A. Androsenko 219837 Parachuted; Lt. A. A. Egorov 42827? Unharmed; Ml. Lt. G. I. Vodolazhskiy 29289 MIA
508 IAP lost St. Lt. M. I. Orlov 42823 Parachuted; Ml. Lt. A. V. Khlopov 42715 WIA; Ml. Lt. S. P. Krylov 42781 MIA; Ml. Lt. P. V. Kalinin 42713 unharmed.

146th – 149th claims, 155th claim
31.5.44/1117, 1120, 1124, 1133 and 1139, 1914
6 x P-39 Airacobras
Jassy, Sulani, Tudora sectors
5 VA'. P-39 losses include Lt. Nikolay Fedorovich Burgunov of 129 GIAP, POW and returned postwar. 508 IAP lost Viktor Aleksandrovich Sandalinov and Ml.Lt. Vasily Demianovich Shkondin KIA
(several other losses known, but they are accounted for by other pilots’ claims)

16.1.45
Yak-3
Stalluponen
Sous Lieutenant Charles Miquel of Groupe de Chasse "Normandie"/Normandie Niemen Regiment KIA

231st claim
14.3.45
A-20B-2L Boston
By process of elimination, this was perhaps 41-3643 of 449 BAP, 244 BAD, 17 VA. Crew of St.Lt. Pavlov

235th claim
19.3.45
La-5
Possibly the engagement in which 116 IAP lost Lt. Andrei Nazarovich Sidorovskii KIA

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Nick

Please send us a PM regarding the claims of Hafner over Tunisia, I feel there is much to discuss; e.g. 7th Dec 42. The 185 losses were in the Malta Sicily area, and no where near the Tunisian mainland.

Cheers

Russell

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Acknowledged. Done.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Hi Nick

My writing partner John Foreman stated to me decades ago that Marseille, Bär Müncheberg and Schroer were honest, and that Dahl and Bartels were not.

Regarding Batz, he flew a lot with the staff...….never a good sign, yet a lot of his confirmed claims early on had no air witnesses, but did have witnesses from ground units, so we would expect these at least to be "real", nobody but Batz would gain from fraudulent claims in that scenario.


Actually as a child I wondered why Erich Hartmann should have to have 202 victories for the Eichenlaub, and even more strange 148 for the Ritterkreuz. My friend Bernd Barbas thought that JG52 didn't lobby so hard for decorations! I know that Hartmann at this point was moving swiftly through the numbers, but I suspect his Kommandeur or Kommodore might have smelt a rat! Hartmann was not popular amongst his comrades...…….I wonder why, he has been associated with Walter Krupinski, yet they must not have been together so long, in fact Hartmann's claims become staggering at a certain point, by memory July 1943, perhaps a new regular wingman. I have been surprised looking at flugbücher of how few Luftwaffe aircraft flew together in the East. With Emil Lang's eighteen claims(seventeen confirmed) in a day, he according to Norbert Hannig pre-planned who would be his wingman for each mission that day.....that can't be good. I still believe that you can have honest pilots flying in a Staffel of cheats, the lead cheater would probably only overclaim whilst in the company of certain people.


Kind Regards


Johannes

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Nick,

Concerning your Heinz Bär list. I believe his victims on Jan. 1st 1945 were two Typhoons of No. 438 Sqn just in the process of taking off. These were F/Lt. Pete Wilson and F/O Ross Keller. I believe Gibbons was shot down by Lt. Oskar Zimmermann of 9./JG 3.

John

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

John, thanks,
I will update my database to include a notation with words to this effect


Any further help would be gratefully accepted....


Nick

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Hello Nick
on Graf on 6 Sept 1943, according to Bishop & Hey, Losses of the US 8th and 9th AFs ETO area – June 1942 – December 1943
B-17F-80-BO 42-30000 UX:D “Attacked by fighters on the return flight over Northern France…crashed at 1230hrs near Estissac, 12 mls W of Troyes, France.”
Better candidates e.g. B-17F-95-BO 42-30300 BG:C 334BS “Hit by ME109 S of Stuttgart…blew up shortly after the crew had all baled out safely S of Stuttgart.” Or B-17F-100-BO 42-30335 LN:U 350BS “With the No 1 and 3 engines out after fighter attacks, a/c crash landed in the area of Villingen, NW of Donaueschingen in southern Ger…”

HTH
Juha

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Thanks Juha, I will go back and check my copy of Bishop & Hey vol 1

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Fritz Tegtmeier

Unconfirmed claim
22.6.41/Ca.0330
I-153 "Tchaika" ("DJ-6")
Kedainiai airfield
Legitimate victory: 61 ShAP. Deputy AE CO St.Lt. V G Andreichenko KIA, whilst Deputy AE CO P I Kamyshnaya and Lt. I T Abramchenko were able to bale out safely
(Kinzinger claimed 2 as well, accounting for the other two losses)

1st Claim
23.6.41/1024
SB-2
312 RAP

2nd and 3rd claim
24.6.41/0544 and 0548
2 x SB-2s
31 SBAP. 6 losses and 2 forcelanded. The crew of Nikolay Ermolayert Samokhin were among those that forcelanded after damage from fighters

4th claim
18.7.41/1354
LaGG-3 ("I-18")
19 IAP. Lt. Inya Krakhmal’ MIA

7th claim
3.9.41/1550
1km N of Krasnogwardeisk
157 IAP. Lt. Kharlamov MIA. One other I-16 was damaged

9th claim
10.6.42/1020
Pe-2
117 ORAE lost gunner Daniil Aleksandrovich Samoylov KIA this date. Was it this engagement? 2 BAP lost crew of Lt. Igor Rozhin failed to return this date

10th claim
22.6.42/1845
MiG-3
(August Mack claimed one as well)
Were these actually LaGG-3s from 92 IAP? Serzhant Iosif Nikolaevich Sinkevich KIA this date

11th claim
22.7.42/1026
Yak-1
Was this St.Serzhant Stepan Stepanovych Akimenko of 124 IAP? KIA in air combat near Krasnogwardeisk this date

12th and 13th claim
5.8.42/1510
2 x MiG-3s
E of the Wolchow river, 45km E of Lyuban – Tschudowo
Were these actually from 195 IAP (flying Hurricanes and P-40s at the time) as they lost Lt. Konstantin Ivanovich Afanasyev KIA this date

18th claim
20.8.42/0620
Yak-1
15km S of Staritza (PQ 47662) @ 1000m
Was this actually claimed against a LaGG-3 of 5 GIAP? Serzhant Aleksandr Pavlovich Urodenko KIA (believe this may have been him)

21st and 22nd claims
5.9.42/1240 and 1245
2 x Yak-1s
SE of Schluesselburg
Day's Fighter losses to JG 54 include Vasilii Ivanovich Chernenko of 5 IAP-KBF, survived. 2 Hurricanes and pilots from 3 GIAP lost and 4 were damaged. 160 IAP lost Apollon Ivanovich Sobolev

25th claim
7.1.43/1130
LaGG-3
20km NNE of Leningrad (PQ 01792) @ 4000m
Was this actually the MiG-3 of 12 KOAE, IABR, KBF? Pilot Kornilov baled out from 4500m over Dubno 1115 Soviet Timing

12.1.43/1422
IL-2 Sturmovik
E of Mga (PQ 10184) @ 200m
57 ShAP, 8 BAD-KBF listed Lt. Aleksandr Semenovich Potapov HSU KIA this date
(MANY claims for IL-2s throughout the day….)

50th claim
10.4.43/1150
LaGG-3 ("Yak-1")
10km S of Lomonosov (PQ 80242) @ 300m
3 GIAP, 61 IABR, KBF. Lt. Vyguzov

51st claim
13.4.43/1757
10km SE of Leningrad (PQ 00163) @ 2000m
13 GBAP, 13 VA. 2 losses. This would include Maj. Yurchenko, navigator of one of the Eskadrilya. Posthumously awarded Gold Star of HSU

55th claim
14.9.43/1151
Yak-9
25km NE of Moschna (PQ 26231) @ 3000m
Was this G I Titarev of 168 IAP, 303 IAD, 1 VA? Definitely shot down around this time. 18 GIAP, 523 IAP and Normandy Niemen group also in action around this time
(Doebele and von Bonin claimed in this engagement as well)

57th and 58th claims
15.9.43/0850 and 1410
2 x Yak-9s
Moschna – Yelnya
149 IAP lost Evgenii Nikolaevich Klimov KIA, possibly to one of these claims

66th claim
9.10.43/0720
Yak-9T ("P-39 Airacobra")
10km E of Nevel (PQ 07772) @ 4500m
Acutally a Yak of 86 GIAP, 240 IAD, 3 VA. Gv.Ml.Lt. Ivan Yakovlevich Zhlobin
(Kurt Pabler claimed as well)

83rd – 87th claims
7.2.44
4 x La-5s
Day's La-5 losses to JG 54 include Vladimir Nikolaevich Arapov of 3 GIAP-KBF KIA. 4 GIAP-KBF list Kapitan Vladimir Mikhailovich Dmitriev and Ml.Lt. Mikhail Fedorovich Serov (2 AE) listed as KIA this date

92nd claim
6.3.44/0755
La-5
25km S of Narva (PQ 80742) @ 4000m
Day's La-5 losses include Kapitan Alexei Mikhailovich Milovanov of 193 IAP WIA and KIA on landing at Rotmistrovka airfield. 254 IAP lost Vasilij Kuzmich Sidorenkov badly damaged W of Novgorod. 3 GIAP had Yuri Petrovich Shorin WIA

96th claim
9.3.44/0908
La-5
SW of Narva (PQ 80573) @ 3500m
4 GIAP-KBF listed St.Lt. Sergei Fedorovich Protasov KIA this date

99th claim
23.3.44/1535
IL-2 Sturmovik
Was this from 7 GShAP? Gv.Ml.Serzhant Vasilii Grigorievich Kuznetsov listed KIA this date

102nd claim
4.4.44/0810
La-5
Day's Fighter losses include Mikhail Machabeli of 10 GIAP-KBF, POW whilst Aleksandr Gerasimovich Baturin was WIA but made it home

104th claim
26.5.44/1850f
La-5
Into the Baltic, 25km from Hungerburg (PQ 70431)
Losses include Nikolay Romanovich Fatov of 10 GIAP, lost in aerial combat this date as was Vladmir Grigorievich Koba of 1 AE, 4 GIAP KIA

112th claim
27.7.44/1555
Tu-2 ("Pe-2")
Mitau (PQ KH-4.6) @ 4000m
334 BAD, three losses. Crew details pending
(versus 3 claims, so legitimate victories)

113th claim
28.7.44/1515
PQ OL-1.3 @ 3500m
65 GIAP. 0632 of Ml Lt Mikishkov, who successfully bailed out in the area of Puttli village and 0920, with Ml Lt Krasnopevtsev, who was killed
(Bruno Tezzele inflicted the other loss)

116th claim
7.8.44/1343
P-39 Airacobra
PQ MK-7.3 @ 3800m
Possibly A.P. Oborin, CO of 438 IAP, KIA

123rd claim
29.8.44/1830
La-7? ("La-5")
PQ LG-1.3 @ 2500m
(Guenther Schack claimed as well)
Believe these two claims were for 63 GIAP, 3 GIAD, 1 GIAK, 3 VA. Mladshiy Leytenanty Bainov and Teleshov, both baled out safely and returned the next day

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I am bringing this topic around again to see if there is any movement in finding "the answer"--or at least a better answer.

For whatever reason, I believe correcting the record is important--the history is cherished by young and old literally all over the world--and the history is wrong. (The members of this forum know the "truth" about the official list: Hartmann 352, Barkhorn 301, etc, but the vast majority do not.)

What will it take? A collaboration of the experts on this forum? Funding by an interested benefactor? A publisher willing to be involved?

A problem--THE problem--I think, is Hartmann. His claims were/are sooo unsupportable AND we are at a loss for an explanation as to why. Correcting the record means addressing Hartmann (and the other over-claimers) but this MUST be done in a sensitive and delicate way. (But, what that sensitive, delicate way is, I have no idea, because I can't come up with an explanation that doesn't involve outright fraud.

Still, it must be done...somehow.

Bronc

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Is there any evidence, any shred of evidence or even a hint of evidence that over-claiming was officially sanctioned for certain Luftwaffe pilots for press and propaganda purposes?

We have discussed the "boom and zoom" tactics that Hartmann likely utilized as a potential explanation for his over-claiming. He never got slow. He never got low. He never tried to dogfight. He came down at full throttle, made a single pass at an unsuspecting target, and zoomed past and back up to altitude. I don't think he even looked back. And if he saw smoke, a sudden jerk or a sharp dive from his target: that was a victory. Every boom and zoom attack was a victory.

Does this theory have factual, historical support?

Bronc

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Interesting thread, and I believe the scores of some Experten certainly need intense review. I can only offer an anecdotal story from my personal research involving my uncle, Major Dr. Albrecht Ochs. He was posted as 'Abschuss-Offizier' to JG27 in 1942 (probably officially Major beim Stabe) and as such had some role in the 4. JG27 fraud involving Sawallisch, Bendert, Stigler et al. I corresponded with Edu Neumann as I had a copy of a Beurteilung about my uncle which states 'vor dem Feind besonders bewaerht', which seems to imply that he flew patrols in the desert. Neumann was very unhelpful with me, to the point of open hostility, and stated that my uncle had been posted out of theatre because he 'wasn't physically able to cope with desert conditions'. His posting out of Africa almost exactly coincided with the apparent suicide of Sawallisch, and since my uncle was in civilian life a lawyer, I think he ran afoul of some covering-up by Neumann and the staff. Also, when I met Stigler here in Canada over the years, he was always very wary around me, I believe due to my family connection to the JG27 scandal. This is also why I have always been very sceptical of the story of the B-17 which Stigler allegedly didn't shoot down and which became a much celebrated media event in the 1990's. Anyway, I know this doesn't involve the 'top scorers', but it does throw light on the difficulties we have in trying to disseminate fact from fiction in the claims made by the Jagdwaffe.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

For what it's worth, I agree that correcting the record is important. And as a researcher with this topic and others,
I have looked for credible information for a long time. For the sake of perspective, it should be brought up that wars are fought by people.
That propaganda existed on all sides. I have read that some material exists in private archives. There was a period where an unidentified buyer
was paying large sums for original photos on eBay. And were it not for researchers here and various publishers, a lot of details would not
be known today. And there are still classified records from the war. Some were declassified at 50 years, some at 70 but others remain.
The US National Archives continues to declassify records on a quarterly basis, but some document descriptions are very vague.

This sort of research is largely a volunteer effort and trips to archives, along with visits with former combatants, are made at personal expense.
An anecdote. A couple of researchers had located the man credited with the highest number of enemy tanks destroyed. They wanted to interview him.
He asked that he be left alone and they left.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

I think you are alluding to 'sudek13', Ed, yes?

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

Yes. This was followed by comments about such pictures disappearing forever.

Re: In hindsight, who was the top day scorer?
 

A 'muy interesante' comment. Would you be able to 'elaborate' on another thread or perhaps by PM?