Don Bend book 1942

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Mirek, the Hungarian captured few Il-2's as well in 1942 (in flyable condition also) but these planes (incl LaGG and Hurricane fighters) were never used by the Hungarian units in combat. The Hungarians used only few captured liaison and trainer planes (an UT-2, for example).

And you are wrong, there were some dogfights between the Soviet Hurricanes and Hungarian planes in 1942, you can find the details of an engagement in my aces book as well.

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Hi
Good, that I am wrong about combat between Hungarian fighters and Soviet Hurricanens. I do not deeply digg out this subject (mostly Soviet side) so it is possible, why not
BTW in which period these combat did took place? 235. IAD had used Hurricanes between beginning of June 1942 to 30 VIII 42, the last unit flying on Hurricane was 436. IAP and this is most probably one, which could fight versus Hungarians. Its pilot had also claimed the most victories climed on "Hurritones" - Soviet nickname for Hurricanes.

Yes I know that Ił-2 was also captured then, if I am right I have a photo of it in my colection, but Hungrians had also captured at least one Il-2 in 1941 and this was presented in Budapest "fest"/fair/? in the summer 1941.

This Ił-2 from 1942 was transported to Hungary too?
BTW yes LaGG-3 was also captured on railway station Novyj Oskol (if I am right), but thses 3 planes (2 Hurri + 1 LaGG-3) had severe combat damages and were just transported back to workshop.

Despite these 3 figters there were at last one mre Hurricane MK IIC with 4 Brithish 20 mm cannons - there is a photo of it, what about this plane?

Regards
mw
PS
Which language will be printed your book about aces?

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Mirek,

there were not just one engagements between the Hurricanes and Hungarians (and not just against the Hungarian fighters but recces as well) BTW you can find more info about these engagements from Soviet (TSAMO) sources, than Hungarians (Hungarian sources never mentioned Hurricanes, because the crews/pilots generally wrongly identifyed the type - the same happened from Soviet side as well)

Aces book is Hungarian, of course (will be an English edition as well in the future for sure)

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Mirek Wawrzynski

there were at last one mre Hurricane MK IIC with 4 Brithish 20 mm cannons - there is a photo of it...

Yes, that particular photo was published in my very first book, I co-authored, titled 'Horrido. Air Battles over the Eastern Front', published by OMIKK, Budapest, in 1992 (1st ed.) and 1993 (2nd ed.), respectively.
There is an interesting inscription just behind the cockpit, reading 'Empire Quill' (in Latin characters).

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Hi
yes this is this case, when Hungarian is standing in the front of Hurricane II C, which is made in UK. Photo was made in these period with quite "strange" version of British Hurricane MK IIC (which in more quantity would come to Russia next year).
Soviet did begin to rearme most of their Mk IIA (8x7,7), Mk IIB (12x7,7) on his own weapons (2x12, +2x20 mm or on the begining even 4x20 mm) since begining 1942. So the 436. IAP of 235.IAD, which fought on Don bend in the summer of 1942 had come to the front armed with Soviet orygin/armed Hurricanes (2x12,7+2x20 mm). This was regiment, which fought the longest period from the whole Soviet Hurricane division which was annihilated then mostly by German fighters.

The problem with Tsamo document is that, you should came there to read them and also have infor from Hungarian side because Soviet sources written most of all had flown over there (Don Bend ) as a Messerschmitts or Fw 190, ect. so they did not correctly idetifeied enemy side.
BTW, Csaba how did you get documents form Tsamo?

Regards
Mirek W