Hello, Evgeny!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evgeny Velichko
03.11.1943
3 IL-2 of 47 ShAP strafed german positions at Eltigen, near Kertch. Crimea. After they completed their mission and turned to base, leader - L-t B.N.Volovodov - spotted a group of Ju88's with escort of Me110's, who was preparing to bomb soviet positions.
Ardering his wingmen to return to base, L-t Volovodov attacked head-on german formation, ramming one of Me-110's. Both a/c exploded to pieces.
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According to 47.ShaP documents, both returned crews had said that Volovodov's Il-2 exploded in the air after AA hit or even after mortar shell hit. Nothing about his order to return or about ramming. Only 4.Nov 11.ShAD's staff told to 47.ShAP's staff: your pilot made a ram. No doubt the initial info was from many ground witnesses. Apparently two a/c collided due to very bad visibility.
From several Il-2 groups only Volovodov's group could find an ordered target - "tanks" (Stugs really) in very bad weather conditions. Germans used that day in Eltigen area a few Bf110 only (in solo flights) - for the same reason. Not "groups of Ju88". Some ground witnesses also said that German a/c was "Me-110", not Ju88.
Volovodov was an experiensed pilot and made his job well, but ram story appeared due to concurrence of circumstances.
Best regards,
Andrey