[kennethklee]

Originally Posted by Jan Gazda

Kenneth,

Hartmann´s wingman on this occasion was Maj.G. Capito and this dogfight was discussed in Revi Magazine a few years back. The Russian pilot was reported to be a captain and an ace with 25 vics and had more than 20 000 rubles with him. Sadly, it is not quite clear on what date the dogfight took place. The author in Revi Magazine came to the conclusion that it had been in the first half of March 1945 and the only Soviet pilot matching the above mentoined characteristics had been Cpt. S.I. Lazarev from 728.IAP (22+3 victories, KIA 1.3.1945). However, Lazarev is reported to be lost when escorting PE-2 bombers and the place of his loss (near Bunzlau) is too far from the place of the dogfight in question (near Weidengut)..

FWIW

Jan

Jan-

Thanks for the detailed response. I recall now that Capito was a former bomber pilot and I recall Hartmann had only reluctantly accepted him for a combat mission after trying to persuade him that the war would end soon and going on a mission was not worthwhile for Capito. I had forgotten Capito was actually shot down on this mission, reportedly as legend tells it, the only wingman Hartmann lost, although Capito bailed out successfully and returned.

Thanks again.

KL