[researcher111]

Thanks for this update. In my vew the YAK-9DD based at Balti ,Bivolari and elsewhere in Moldova were part of 5th VA , to my knowledge 17 VA did have fighters based in Moldova during that time frame . Therefore 6 IAP / 427 IAP , 149 IAP , 178 IAP may come in question. The YAK Polk selected must have had some prior long range training in order to fly such specific mission .From Russian records I was never able to determine which Avia Polk escorted the Bostons. 659 IAP was on Aug 25 not located at Balti but Ratzdelnaya and after Aug 31, 44 at Izmail and Galati . I therefore doubt that 20 fighters from this group were dispatched to Balti. Russian aviation history ends sometime with guessing . One last thing, YAK-9DD's from a Poltawa and Pyriatin Avia Polk escorted 15th AF bombers during one or two Frantic Missions to Romania eventually elsewhere as such there is also a great possibility that this Polk was dispatched from Poltawa to Balti specifically for this purpose due to their long range experience and prior joint training with 15th AF crews from Italy.

BR
Alex