Hans-Jörg Merkle

[Nikita Egorov]

I think Litwyak was not able to fly more than two sorties on that day. However this needs further clearance.
I've got info about 31 GIAP in TsAMO as usuall:-)) The regiment recorded two Yaks failed to return from combat that day.
Soviet documents are not missing and for 6 GIAD they are fully complete.
As regards to Shestakov the sircumstances of his death is a matter of future research I hope.

Originally Posted by Monaco

Thanks for your infos gentlemen,
it seems that it´s more difficult than I thought at first. I think we could assume that Lt L. Litvyak was lost in the afternoon (or evening) since she was on her fourth sortie that day (165-168).
Nikita where you´ve got the info about 31 GIAP from, did it lose some of it´s Yak-1s?
Like always the soviet documents are missing...I´ve also came upon another incident about which I would like to know more: On 13.03.44 the soviet ace Shestakov was lost in the Proskurov area reportedly in combat with Ju.87s, but I have the assumption that he could have fallen to a JG.52 fighter ace or even rammed the Bf.109 flown by Hans Dammers, who DOW 3 days later. To be sure more infos about the VVS La-5 losses in this area on that day would be needed. Also of interest would be the report of the soviet witnesses of Shestakov´s last fight.
I´m curious what the experts say....?

Regards Monaco

[Monaco]

Thanks Nikita,
just two more questions: how do you come to the conclusion that Litwyak flew only two sorties on her last day. According to Seidl and Polak she flew 4 which from the number was common at that stage of war (for example on 10.10.42 she flew 5 and after 05.05.43 she was grounded for two days, because of exhaustion); but maybe Seidl & Polak quote the same source which could be wrong.
The other question is about TsAMO. How can somebody get access to it and is there an english translation in existence?

Regards

Monaco

[Nikita Egorov]

It is my assumption. I do not know exact number of her sorties on August 1, but judging by time of death it can be nearly second flight for the day.

Regarding TsAMO, unfortunatelly I don't know the procedure of access for foreigners, but I guess it is not easy one... No translation services could be found there. It is for sure.

[Monaco]

Thanks for this info...

Monaco