[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Hi

I remeber one similar story but I do not know where I have found it (it was some time ago and was small remark in one article or a book) about one Soviet gunner, which balled out in June/July 1941 (over Western Front if I am right) to rescue his life (plane was shotr down) and he returned to the bomber regiment only to be shot by fire squad for cowards!

Over Yugoslavia one Italian pilot in Fiat G.50 had balled out too after several pass made by 2 VVKJ pilot on Me 109 E on 22 II 1941. Yugolsvian pilots (102, 103 Eskadrila) did not opened fire only making mock attack on G.50 and the pilot decided to better leave own plane (he returned to Italy).
Going back to Soviet order I think this is always period and reasons. Soviet commands were not very human towards Soviet/Russian soldiers and they many times did not take care about their subordiantes. So such a pilot for even smaller faults like not funy stories about Soviet military power could be sentenced on penalty comapny or other sentence improson by NKVD and send to Gulag (Solzenitsyn case from 1945 for example)
In Soviet regiments also pilots who made damage on the plane could be heavly sentences too (suc orderes were given before the end of 1941). This is specific Soviet/Russian mantaly where material equipment are more improtant the human life (like Kursk Sumbmarine case perfectly showed).


Regards
Mirek Wawrzyński