From Barbarossa to Odessa (Luftwaffe Strikes Pt 1)

[Franek Grabowski]

Denes, you know that I am not referring to you!

[Nokose]

Denes, are these two books going to cover the areas of the Russian South and Southwest Fronts or just the Southwest?

Phil, since you read the "other book" and this one is more area focus, How does the Russian bomber offensive compare for detail?

[John Beaman]

I agree with Dénes and Phil that the subject of comparing USSR/other Allied and Luftwaffe aircraft on the eve of Barbarossa is a potentially interesting discussion. However, the current thread is discussing Dénes new book (congratulations BTW), so those of you who wish to, please start a new thread on the subject of aircraft comparisons. I would suggest the General WWII section rather than either Allied or Luftwaffe.

In the meantime, let keep this thread focused on Dénes' book.

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Nokose

Denes, are these two books going to cover the areas of the Russian South and Southwest Fronts or just the Southwest?

From the Soviet side, the books cover the action of mainly the Southern Front, obviously, and only incidentally the South-Western Front, in cases when there were some overlaps in the areas of action, or some Southern Front units - less pressed than their northern neighbours - went to help the hard hit SWF, particularly in late July.

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Franek Grabowski

Denes, you know that I am not referring to you!

Yes, I know, but others might not. That's why my request.

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Before that, let's remember that on the Southern Front there were no Yak-1s, Il-2s or Yer-2s at the start of Operation Barbarossa.

I put my 2 cents to this topic.
Of course Il-2 were not on 22 VI 1941, the 4. SzAP was send on Western Front in the end of June 41. Anyway during the battle for Odessa there were separate assoult unit equipted with Il-2.
Soviet used them - Il-2s - as a "fire brigade", so you should also mentioned this particular small thing in your book (?).
Karlenko, if I am right, is well aware about this topics too.

Yer-2 was a long distance bomber introduced into combat unit in July/August 1941. Firs use during night attak on Berlin in August 1941 ( a few planes)
Such planes (Yer-2) were never used as a "army or frontal bombers" It was high comand reserve - Stalin.
Anyway for example in 55. IAP you have from the begining MiG-3, which was very modern in June 1941.
Secon Su-2 was quite good "assoult-dive" plane, ane there were a few regiment with this bomber.

Romanian P.11, P.24, or He 112, or Hurricane I were not so "factory fresh" like this Soviet fighters. The same was with bombers like P.23 or Blenheims or P.37 and Soviet SB with M-103 engines ect.


Regards
Mirek Wawrzynski,
an author, for example, "Hurricane over Constanca and Odessa" from 2006.

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Mirek Wawrzynski

Of course Il-2 were not on 22 VI 1941, the 4. SzAP was send on Western Front in the end of June 41. Anyway during the battle for Odessa there were separate assoult unit equipted with Il-2.
Soviet used them - Il-2s - as a "fire brigade", so you should also mentioned this particular small thing in your book (?).

Actually, the Il-2 was first introduced in combat on the Southern Front on 17 July, with 232 ShAP.

For the details, I recommand you to read the book.

[Dénes Bernád]

Any opinions by those who have read the book?

P.S. Currently working hard on vol. 2...

[Franek Grabowski]

His memoirs are not reliable in respect of his claims and confirmed victories.

[Csaba B. Stenge]

If you can read Russian, worth to check it about Pokrishkin (and the mentioned affair with Rechkalov) in Mikhail's site:

http://www.avia-hobby.ru/publ/pokr_r...okr_rechk.html