Hans Hahn/Maximilian Stotz

[Nokose]

The fever for Hahn’s 100th victory and Stotz’s 150 victory. (From my unfinished history of JG 54)
26 January 1943
For covering Soviet ground forces in the area of Sinyavino - Dubrovka at 16:00 (M) were five LaGG-3 from 3 GIAP KBF led by deputy AE commander Guards Kapitan Ageev at an altitude of 3500 meters. They engaged two Bf 109 over the shore and Lake Ladoga, which turned out to be Major Hans Hahn of Stab II/JG 54 and his wingman Leutnant Maximilian Stotz of 4./JG 54. Kapitan Ivan Minaev made an attack on one Bf 109 at a distance of 100 meters claiming it as a probable in the area of Sinyavino. Hahn claimed a LaGG-3 (99) at 14:00 at an altitude of 3000 m and another LaGG-3 (100) at 14:03 at an altitude of 2100 meters. Stotz claimed a LaGG-3 (148) at 14:00 at an altitude of 3000 meters. He then claimed a LaGG-3 (149) at 14:01 at an altitude of 2000 meters and another LaGG-3 (150) at 14:05 at an altitude of 2000 meters.
Kapitan Minaev’s claim for a Me-109 does not match JG 54 records and the two pilots involved had no damage listed to their aircraft. The Soviets were not the only ones with wishful thinking for a victory, as only one LaGG-3 was shot down with Serzhant Stepanov listed as missing. It can’t be determined which JG 54 pilot shot him down as his fate was not observed by the Soviet naval aviators. These claims appear to be the problem with many German pilots in the case of Hahn to reach his 100th victory and Stotz his 150th victory.