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Hallo Nick and Juha,
That passage is problematical at best. I suspect the estimated height was incorrect or perhaps they were under attack by VVS aircraft from below (eg. P-39s or Yaks).
In 1945 the main larger caliber AAA weapons used by the Soviet field armies would have been the 37mm and the 85mm. Sources differ as to the maximum effective ceiling of the former but just under 10,000 ft. is the most I have seen quoted - and that may be due to post-war advances in the ammunition used.
Another possibility is that the Soviet troops were using German 37mm Flak captured in and around Berlin. The more common later models had a maximum effective ceiling of up to 15,750 ft.
And why not so-called 'Friendly Fire' as another option ?
Hope this does not confuse matters more !
Martin Gleeson.
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