Dear Don and Johannes ,
it is possible that E is a taping error and in fact “Tony” Dobele has 94 victories but, if the letter is written by Nowotny in 44, he was posthumously promoted Leutenant and awarded the Ritterkreuz on 26-03-44, after the deadly collision on 11-11-43.For me it is very hard to believe that Nowotny talk of one of his best friend as if still living. In my opinion the fight in question took place in march 44 between day 21 and the end of the month. Hauptmann Nowotny left his family on 6-01-44 returning to his Command of I JG 54 and was appointed Kommodore of JG 101 on 2-04-1944.Did he stay on the ground watching his men for three month in a terrible situation?
Best regards
Eugenio