[HGabor]

Hi Paul,

Yes, you are right that the majority of the La-5 losses were combat losses. During the Battle of Budapest only the 295 IAD lost about 25 planes in January, early February, 1945. Konrad I-II-III, then Spring Awakening panzer offensive all claimed several planes. But: these numbers are only snapshots on the first days of the months. Planes were lost and new planes came at the same time, so these numbers are just the actual summary of the changes. It is true that the losses were gradually replaced by newer La-5FNs, which -in March, 1945- changed for more modern La-7s of the Gorky factory. (30 La-7FNs) Fighter cover problems did not disappear with the new models completely, since sometimes still the Bostons 'escorted' their own fighter cover, leading the way ;-)))

Regards,

Gabor