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Sad to report my longtime friend went on his last mission. He flew with JG.26 and JG.27. We met in one of the latter unit's reunion, and often in the general reunions also. Shot down in the Battle of Britain, the day before his 24th birthday. In the mid-1980's he came to a reunion with his friend, who shot him down! Fluent English, perfected in POW camps, he rejoined the new airforce and then...fluent Russian. He translated and interpreted at many events for the Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger and it's successor. Warmly regarded by Russian airmen often taking part in reunions with the above organizations as well as those held in Russia. In 1991 he headed a private affair with the CO of the last remaining, intact Russian air unit in now reunited Germany and Marshal of the Soviet Union Skmorochow (twice Hero of the Soviet Union, once for Korean war), Lt. General Popkov (same decorations and wars as above) and several other former airmen. Thanks to Julius they answered my many questions, surprised at (relative) youth and knowledge of their forces. Even He was surprised.
A true gentle, non assuming man. There is a lithograph of him attempting to destroy his ME-109E before being taken prisoner.
Sorry for year of his passing, it was December 1, 2017. He was the longest lived veteran of these two units( JG. 26 and 27).
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