Vitalii Viktorovich Rybalko, 122. IAP (1942) - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Dénes Bernád · #1 1st May 2005, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB

LOL, Bodrikhin's book is not bad, mainly cos it's the 1st work of such kind in Russia, but it is not a Bible anyway

...

I realize that, but that's the only Russian book on aces I have (the first edition, 1997).

If I am not mistaken, you're currently working on a similar topic, albeit much more comprehensive. If so, I am looking forward to it...

MB · #2 2nd May 2005, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

If I am not mistaken, you're currently working on a similar topic, albeit much more comprehensive. If so, I am looking forward to it...

Yeah we're working on it now, You're right, but unfortunately that's a very long and difficult work...

Now it continues over 3 years already and it is impossible to say when it will be finished.

Andy Fletcher · #3 2nd May 2005, 19:36

Hi Mikhail,

Will your book be available in English? If so I can't wait.

What is your opinion of Stalin's Falcons and Stalin's Eagles (both of which I own). I've read that most Russian researchers regard these works as not being very accurate.
Regards

Andy Fletcher

Dénes Bernád · #4 2nd May 2005, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher

What is your opinion of Stalin's Falcons and Stalin's Eagles (both of which I own). I've read that most Russian researchers regard these works as not being very accurate.

I am not mistaken, neither authors used primary archival sources, only secondary, published sources. Therefore their works are incomplete and often contradictory, at the best. Nevertheless, since they are the only works on the topic available in English, they are certainly useful.

MB · #5 2nd May 2005, 20:52

Completely agree with Denes. Those books, especislly 'Falcons', are based mainly on pilots' memoires... Just remember that and don't believe 'victory lists' information, those are fakes over 99%, in other ways those books are average.

Dénes Bernád · #6 4th May 2005, 05:33

As a sidenote, V. V. Rybalko is not listed in the two-volume red book on the Heroes of the S. U.

Csaba B. Stenge · #7 4th May 2005, 09:33

Dénes, that two wolume red book contains sometimes significant mistakes also...

Andy Fletcher · #8 4th May 2005, 16:11

Thank you Dénes and Mikhail for your comments. I've noticed that they are indeed often contradictory.

I find it very hard to find accurate info on Soviet airmen (in English), which is a real pity considering their achievements and sacrifices.

I look forward to a book on the subject that is sourced from primary data.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher