[Dan History]

Dear Sebastian,

I have looked at some of the Soviet reports for 5 August and it appears somewhat possible that Paul-Heinz was shot down by Junior Lieutenant Noskin of 761 IAP (fighter regiment), 259 IAD (fighter division), 3 VA (Air Army). Noskin shot down 1 Fw 190, flying in a group of 8 Yaks which engaged 4 Fw 190s. His own aircraft, which was most likely a Yak-7b, was damaged in combat and he force-landed near Mitau (Jelgava). The aircraft was probably written off.

The relationship between the above incident and the loss of Paul-Heinz is just conjecture, based on the fact that Paul-Heinz is reported to have been lost in combat with Yak fighters and the fact that Noskin force-landed near Mitau. There were 5 fighter divisions in 3 VA, of which 2 flew Airacobras, 1 flew La-5s, 1 flew Yak-9s (4 GIAD) and 1 flew a mix of Yak-7s and La-5s (259 IAD). These divisions made other claims on 5 August 1944, of course, but I don't have the full details.

I wish you the very best of luck in your search.

Regards,

Dan