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Re: 291 IAP on 17 April 1943
Hello Rob and Nikita,
According to the recollections of the ground-crew members of Slovak 13./JG 52, who have taken "Smirnov´s" aircraft and its pilot into custody, this Yak-1 has actually landed at Anapa on 11 May 1943 (at 14.25 hrs) only, i.e. not in April. Unfortunately, there is nothing about the exact identity of VVS pilot, who reportedly held a rank of starshiy leytenant. The next day, on 12 May, the aircraft was test-flown by the Germans for the first time and it was transferred to Taman in the evening of that day (escorted by a Rotte led by Ján Gerthofer of 13./JG 52). Later it was flown to Kerch, where it was inspected with interest by other Luftwaffe members, including Dieter Hrabak, the Kommodore of JG 52.
Hope this helps,
Ota
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