Hans Hahn/Maximilian Stotz

[kirche]

Originally Posted by Nick Hector

16.8.42/0738 and 0741
2 x La-5s (the second was misidentified as a Curtiss P-40)
Golovskoye-Sukhinikhi
49 IAP, 309 IAD, 1 VA. Three losses, personnel details pending
(versus 5 claims in total)

19.8.42/1345 and 1347
2 x La-5s (misidentified as “Curtiss P-40s”)
S of Sukhinikhi
49 IAP, 309 IAD, 1 VA. Legitimate victories, there were apparently two losses, personnel details pending

08/16/1942 49 IAP had one battle in 8.40 (the first flight). The task of the mission is to cover their troops in the Chern-Dretovo area. 8 La-5s (Zeskin-Spiridenko-Ochagovsky-Steshich-Sorokin-Kolomin-Karagodin-Petrov) fought an air battle with 5 He-111, 8 Me-109 and 1 Ju-87 for 20 minutes. 2 Me-109s damaged. Zeskin shot down one Ju-87 (the fall was confirmed by the commanders of the 523rd IAP and 122nd Rifle Division). Zeskin's plane (La-5 #37210105) is set on fire, the pilot is slightly injured, bailed out. Petrov (La-5 #37210225 ? or 37210111) was hit, made an emergency landing near the village of Saburovshchina, the plane was broken, the pilot was unharmed. Karagodin (La-5 #37210104) did not return from a combat mission (the pilot was captured, during interrogation he incorrectly indicated the regiment number, type of aircraft, a/f site, etc.; he survived in captivity; the plane crash site was found in 2017 near the village Vosty).

08/19/1942 one air battle is indicated during a mission to cover friendly troops in the Volkonskoye-Aleshnya-Gretnya area. 6 La-5s (Tsyganov-Razinov-Ochagovsky-Olkhovsky-Khodun-Petrov) fought in the Pavlovo-Aleshnya area at an altitude of 600-1200 against 9 Ju-88s, 3 Ju-87s, 7 Me-109s and 1 Fw-189. 2 Ju-88s, 2 Ju-87s are indicated as downed, as well as 1 Ju-88 and 1 Fw-189 damaged. Losses: Petrov (La-5 #37210111 ?) was shot down by a Me-109 fighter, crashed into the ground and burned down (seen by Khodun and Tsyganov). Olkhovsky was hit in battle, made an emergency landing 5 km southwest of his airfield, the plane was destroyed, the pilot was unharmed.

[@irnimal]

Originally Posted by kirche

08/16/1942 49 IAP had one battle in 8.40 (the first flight). The task of the mission is to cover their troops in the Chern-Dretovo area. 8 La-5s (Zeskin-Spiridenko-Ochagovsky-Steshich-Sorokin-Kolomin-Karagodin-Petrov) fought an air battle with 5 He-111, 8 Me-109 and 1 Ju-87 for 20 minutes. 2 Me-109s damaged. Zeskin shot down one Ju-87 (the fall was confirmed by the commanders of the 523rd IAP and 122nd Rifle Division). Zeskin's plane (La-5 #37210105) is set on fire, the pilot is slightly injured, bailed out. Petrov (La-5 #37210225 ? or 37210111) was hit, made an emergency landing near the village of Saburovshchina, the plane was broken, the pilot was unharmed. Karagodin (La-5 #37210104) did not return from a combat mission (the pilot was captured, during interrogation he incorrectly indicated the regiment number, type of aircraft, a/f site, etc.; he survived in captivity; the plane crash site was found in 2017 near the village Vosty).

08/19/1942 one air battle is indicated during a mission to cover friendly troops in the Volkonskoye-Aleshnya-Gretnya area. 6 La-5s (Tsyganov-Razinov-Ochagovsky-Olkhovsky-Khodun-Petrov) fought in the Pavlovo-Aleshnya area at an altitude of 600-1200 against 9 Ju-88s, 3 Ju-87s, 7 Me-109s and 1 Fw-189. 2 Ju-88s, 2 Ju-87s are indicated as downed, as well as 1 Ju-88 and 1 Fw-189 damaged. Losses: Petrov (La-5 #37210111 ?) was shot down by a Me-109 fighter, crashed into the ground and burned down (seen by Khodun and Tsyganov). Olkhovsky was hit in battle, made an emergency landing 5 km southwest of his airfield, the plane was destroyed, the pilot was unharmed.

Kirill, thanks for clarifying the data. Major help.

[Nokose]

[quote=kirche;325598]08/16/1942 49 IAP had one battle in 8.40 (the first flight). The task of the mission is to cover their troops in the Chern-Dretovo area. 8 La-5s (Zeskin-Spiridenko-Ochagovsky-Steshich-Sorokin-Kolomin-Karagodin-Petrov) fought an air battle with 5 He-111, 8 Me-109 and 1 Ju-87 for 20 minutes. 2 Me-109s damaged. Zeskin shot down one Ju-87 (the fall was confirmed by the commanders of the 523rd IAP and 122nd Rifle Division). Zeskin's plane (La-5 #37210105) is set on fire, the pilot is slightly injured, bailed out. Petrov (La-5 #37210225 ? or 37210111) was hit, made an emergency landing near the village of Saburovshchina, the plane was broken, the pilot was unharmed. Karagodin (La-5 #37210104) did not return from a combat mission (the pilot was captured, during interrogation he incorrectly indicated the regiment number, type of aircraft, a/f site, etc.; he survived in captivity; the plane crash site was found in 2017 near the village Vosty).

On 16 August 1942 air battle the La-5 was probably a new type fighter to the pilots of the JG 54 pilots. The larger engine was probably why they associated it with the Curtiss P-40. They had been use to seeing the P-40 in the Leningrad sector before being assigned to this sector. The LaGG-3 claimed by Stotz is curious claim as it is listed to the west of Flolowskoye (in Prien’s JFV 9/III) and as west of Grolovskoye (in Tony Woods llisting). Since there is only 3 La-5 shot down compared to 4 claims for “Curtiss P-40” it seems only one pilot either overclaimed or was allowed to share in the victory. The fact that the commander of the 523 IAP was a witness is what brings up the question about the LaGG-3 that Stotz claimed.