[HGabor]

Well, 17 VA La-7s did not make a big difference during the Balaton campaign, because they arrived only in late March, when the battle was basically over. They had bigger role over Austria (Vienna campaign) with minimal losses (eg. л-т Михалев Федор Сергеевич (KIA) on April 16, 1945 at Vienna-W in 164 IAP La-7FN S/n: 45212337, engine: 82134519, - yellow '37'). Ironically 17 VA had only a single La-7 since 1944: Maj. Nikolai Romanov's (295 IAD HQ.) personal, 'experimental' La-7, which was borrowed by eg. 31 IAP top scorer ace, Capt. Skomorokhov as well. This Lavochkin La-7 was from Zavod 381., S/n: 3811716, white '16'. The 30 new La-7FN fighters in March, 1945 were from Gorky factory No. 21., S/n: 4521XXXX.

Other thing is that 17 VA Bostons were usually escorted by 288 IAD Yaks, - not Lavochkins. 5 VA Bostons were mainly escorted by Lavochkins, especially 179 GvIAP La-7s since 1944, which can explain why 5 VA, 218 BAD lost much less Bostons in air combat than 17 VA, 244 BAD. 179 GvIAP had 20 new La-7s on January 1, 1945, 19 on February 1 and 24 on March 1, 1945. They were protecting the A-20G Bostons very often with much better result than the Yaks.

Generally speaking the Soviet fighters were great in free-hunting with smaller formations, with quick ambush (scoring several victories), but they were not the best at bomber or IL-2 escort.

Gabor