15./JG 51 on 14 July 1943

[Nokose]

On checking through Prien's JFV 12/II for the 14 Jul 43 for 15/JG 51 there was listed Maj. Mariano Caudra Medina LaGG-3 (1st) at 17:30 and Oblt. Manuael Sanchez-Tabernero de Prada LaGG-3 (1st) 17:35. Both these claims have no loss in the 49 IAP. The 15./JG 51 lost Lt. Eduardo Garcia Amigo Fw 190 A-2 and Lt. Manuel Sanchez-Tabernero de Prada Fw A-3, both MIA. In this same battle after the Fw 190 losses the 49 IAP claimed one He 111 from the KG 4 with a split of 1/3 each.

Three La-5 of the 49 IAP left their escort duty after crossing the line and attacked the escort first then the bombers. Kapt Nikolay Kuz'mich Spiridenko got one of Fw 190 which he shot off his wingman's tail and Kapt Ivan Mikhaylovich Astakov got the other Fw 190 both in the area of Shchigry. Spirdenko's score in Mikhail Bykov's book shows the 1/3 for a He 111 but Astakov's 1/3 isn't listed. Not sure who the third pilot could be.