Erich Hartmann's individual victories researched

[Christer Bergström]

I am starting a thread where everyone can contribute with their research and theories on Erich Hartmann's individual victories, which is a subject that very many are interested in.

I have taken the liberty to insert some of the research of others.

When anyone makes additions, please copy all from one of these three posts ("Erich Hartmann’s victories 1942-1943", "Erich Hartmann’s victories 1943", "Erich Hartmann’s victories 1944", and "Erich Hartmann’s victories 1945" respectively) and insert your addition with a source note to yourself or your source.

Maybe this could be made a "Sticky" post?

All the best,

Christer Bergström

[Christer Bergström]

Erich Hartmann’s victories 1942-1943

Nick Hector:
No.1, IL-2 on 5.11.42/1205 over PQ 44793, Digora (Caucasus) @ 400m: 7 GShAP, 4 VA. No further details known.
No.3, LaGG-3 on 9.2.43/0655-0750 over Slawjanskaja (PQ 86722) @ 1000m: 66 IAP lost St.Lt. Ilya Vladimirovich Khludenev KIA this date (was this him?)
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55807


Bergström, Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 4:
February 9, 1943:
4 VA prepared to attack the German airfields in the
Kuban. The first mission of the day was flown by seven
I-16s of 41 GIAP to reconnoiter the intended targets, the
airdromes at Slavyanskaya and Timoshevskaya.32 At the
former airfield, Leutnant Erich Hartmann scrambled in
his Bf 109 “White 3,”33 but was forced down on the airfield
by the I-16s after only ten minutes. It is possible that
his Bf 109 was the one claimed shot down by 166 IAP’s
Leyenant Vladimir Levitan, who flew a LaGG-3 against
Slavyansk. But Hartmann was unhurt, and his aircraft had
not sustained
any damage. As soon as the Soviet aircraft
had disappeared, he took off in the same machine again,
together with Feldwebel Günther Toll, and pursued
the
I-16s and LaGG-3s toward the southwest. When they
returned to base after over an hour, Hartmann could report
one LaGG-3 shot down.34 This might be the LaGG-3
piloted by 166 IAP’s Leytenant Leonid Rubtsov, which was
reported damaged by ground fire near Slavyanskaya.

Nick Hector:
No.4, Boston on 10.2.43/0615 over Slawjanskaja (PQ 86671) @ 3200m: 63 BAP, 132 BAD, 5 VA.Crew of St. Serzhant Isatov, navigator of the crew, Andrei Yakovlevich Smolyar baled out POW, returned 1945.

Bergström, Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 4:
March 19, 1943 was filled with action for Airacobra-equipped
298 IAP, which flew four combat missions between 0915 and
1635 hrs, each leading to heavy engagements with JG 52’s Bf
109 pilots. This cost a loss of three Airacobras26—recorded
by the Germans as Willi Nemitz’s 79th, Oberstleutnant
Dietrich Hrabak’s 75th, and Feldwebel Viktor Petermann’s
14th victories. 298 IAP claimed to have shot down three Bf
109s, one of which might have been “White 10,” piloted by
Erich Hartmann, who carried out a force-landing due to
unspecified reasons.

Nick Hector:

No. 7, P-39 on 15.4.43/1533 over Taman: 45 IAP, either 41-38451 of Starishiy Leytenant M Petrov or 42-4606 of Serzhant Bezbabnov (but see Waldemar Eyrich's claim). Both KIA.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55807


Bergström, Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 5 (not yet published) :
Pilots of JG 3 also clashed with 16 GIAP during another mission by that regiment in the afternoon of this April 15, 1943. Even though the Soviet fliers were credited with four victories, two Airacobras were shot down (Leytenant Nikolay Naumenko was listed as missing) and two others were damaged without, in fact, any German losses. With one of these Airacobras, Leutnant Erich Hartmann of 7./JG 52 scored his seventh victory.
(Also April 15, 1943: Having attacked 16 GIAP, Wolf Ettel and his Schwarm returned to the battle zone, where they were bounced by four Airacobras and three Kittyhawks of 45 IAP who had been alerted by the Soviet vectoring station. But they evaded the attack and blew two of the former and one of the latter out of the sky. Having claimed his twentieth victory (unsubstantiated), Dmitriy Glinka had to take to the parachute and bailed out wounded. His wingman, Starshiy Serzhant Mikhail Petrov, suffered the same fate, and Starshiy Serzhant Venyamin Bezbabnov’s Kittyhawk fell in flames. Wolf Ettel returned from that engagement with his seventy-fourth and seventy-fifth victories, claimed against LaGG-3s, although a misidentification is not excluded.)

Nick Hector:
No.16, U-2 on 15.5.43/1210 over Titarovskaya station (Taman) (PQ 86544) @ low altitude: HQ 278 IAD. Leytenant Vladimir Ivanovich Ershov (senior pilot)[KIA] 274 IAP (3 IAK) and passenger Ml.Lt. Evgeniy Ivanovich Kryukov [MIA] 43 IAP (3 IAK)
No.20, IL-2 on 5.7.43/0340 over Ugrim. 241 ShAP, no further details known
No. 22, IL-2 on 7.7.43/0350: 1 ShAK. Losses in this mission include Kpt. Stepan Poshivalnikov of 800 ShAP, already damaged by flak, belly-landed in German territory but rescued by a mate (may have been the only loss in this engagement)
No. 23, IL-2 on 7.7.43/0352: 1 ShAK. Losses in this mission include Kpt. Stepan Poshivalnikov of 800 ShAP, already damaged by flak, belly-landed in German territory but rescued by a mate (may have been the only loss in this engagement)
No. 29, LaGG on 8.7.43/0905 over Ugrim (PQ 61223) @ 2500m: 40 GIAP, 8 GIAD. Overclaiming, only one loss: Mayor Moisey Tokarev KIA
No. 30: LaGG on 8.7.43/0910 over Ugrim (PQ 61221) @ 2500m: 40 GIAP, 8 GIAD. Overclaiming, only one loss: Mayor Moisey Tokarev KIA
No. 31, Yak-1 on 8.7.43/1805 over Ugrim (PQ 62872) @ 2500m: Soviet report mentions the loss of three Yak-1s to fighters around this time (very likely legitimate victory therefore)
No. 32, Yak-1 on 8.7.43/1825 over Ugrim (PQ 61134) @ 1000m: Soviet report mentions the loss of three Yak-1s to fighters around this time (very likely legitimate victory therefore)
No. 39, "LaGG" on 16.7.43/1415 over PQ 54661 @ 1500m: 18 GIAP and Normandie Niemen Eskadrilya. 18 GIAP lost Serzhant Ivan Stolyarov while Normandie Niemen lost Kpt. Albert Littolff (possibly by Hartmann), Lt. Noel Castelain and M.Lt. Adrien Bernavon. All KIA
No. 52, Yak-7B on 4.8.43/1019 over Warwarowka/Tomarowka (PQ 35 Ost 61391) @ 3500m: 728 IAP, 265 IAD. At least one loss: Ml. Lt. Ivan Emelyanovich Marya KIA
No. 53, Yak-7B on 4.8.43/1030 over Warwarowka/Tomarowka (PQ 35 Ost 61331) @ 2000m: 728 IAP, 265 IAD. At least one loss: Ml. Lt. Ivan Emelyanovich Marya KIA
No. 78: La-5 on 15.8.43/1810 La-5 over Peretschepino (PQ 70762) (Sukhaya Kamenka) @ 3000m. No.3810123 of 5 GIAP, 207 IAD, 17 VA, Lt. Samoilenko safe. Plane damaged in combat with Bf109s, crashed due to lack of fuel and written off
No. 89: IL-2 on 20.8.43/0607 over Kutelnikowo (PQ 88263) @ 50m: Apparently from 232 ShAP, 7 ShAK. Overclaiming, no losses but two were damaged
No. 90: IL-2 on 20.8.43/0608 over Kutelnikowo (PQ 88263) @ 50m: Apparently from 232 ShAP, 7 ShAK. Overclaiming, no losses but two were damaged
No. 94, "LaGG" on 18.9.43/1355 over Zaporozhe (PQ 68392) @ 5000m: Were these the three out of four Yaks from 812 IAP lost in one engagement? Ml.Lt. Petr Ivanovich Kondyakov, Ml.Lt. Anatoliy Sergeevich Rusakov and Serzhant Mikhail Vasilievich Belous all failed to return
No. 95, "LaGG" on 18.9.43/1355 over Zaporozhe (PQ 68392) @ 4000m: Were these the three out of four Yaks from 812 IAP lost in one engagement? Ml.Lt. Petr Ivanovich Kondyakov, Ml.Lt. Anatoliy Sergeevich Rusakov and Serzhant Mikhail Vasilievich Belous all failed to return
No. 96, "LaGG" on 19.9.43/1440 over PQ 58614 @ 1200m: Likely a Yak of 812 IAP. Lt Georgiy Pavlovich Churakov KIA (came down Andreyevka, landed safely but found dead in his aircraft by Soviet troops the following day. Best match by location, timing a little out)
Nos. 98-100, 2 LaGGs and a P-39 on 20.9.43: 288 IAD, 17 VA lost at least one Yak-7 this date
Nos. 106 & 107, P-39s on 26.9.43: 9 GIAD (16, 100 and 104 GIAPs), 8 VA. Misidentification or overclaiming, no losses this day
No. 112, P-39 on 29.9.43/0855 over Zaporozhe (PQ 58682) @ 4000m: Probably Maj. Vladimir Grigorievich Semenishin HSU, 2 x OL, ORB and OPW 1st Class of 104 GIAP KIA
No. 120, P-39 on 2.10.43/1140 over Novo Zaporozhe (PQ 58 581) @ 5000m: possibly Podpolkovnik (?) Arkadiy F Kovachevich of 9 GIAP. Baled out near Melitopol and survived
Nos. 145 and 146. P-39s on 26.10.43, Novo Zaporozhe sector. 9 GIAP. Overclaiming, Kapitan Ivan Korolev returned safely with damage.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55807

[Christer Bergström]

Erich Hartmann’s victories 1944

Nick Hector:
Nos. 163-165, P-39s on 8.1.44: 5 VA, including 7 IAK (205 and 304 IAD). These claims are believed to be against 69 GIAP, 304 IAD. Starshiy Leytenant Belyaev damaged and returned safely (three bullet holes) and one other damaged and bellylanded
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55807


January 8, 1944. Area of Kirovograd. Pilots of I and III/JG52 in the air against units of 5 VA, including 7 IAK (205 IAD and 304 IAD), equipped with Aircobras. Fierce battle begun at around 15.00 (Moscow time) and lasted for approx. two hours. Groups of Yaks from 6 and 427 IAPs and 205 IAD's Aircobras took off first and immediatelly engaged formation of He-111s possibly from KG55, escorted by Bf-109s of I/JG52. On this first stage of battle none of Aircobras from 205 IAD were shot down or damaged in combat. One Aircobra conducted belly landing due to misorientation without battle damage.
On the second stage of the battle Aircobras from 69 GIAP/304 IAD entered the scene. Their task was pimarily to patrol the frontline and engage any enemy plane in the area. Thus, pair of Starshiy Leytenant Belyaev claimed one Bf-109 south-west of Kirovograd. Belyaev was himself attacked by pair of Bf-109s hunters off the clouds. With three bullet holes he conducted landing on the home field safely.
At the same time Hartmann claimed Three! Aircobras between 14.15 and 14.30. (Via Nikita Yegorov)

Nick Hector:
No.172:
17.1.44/1406
La-5 ("LaGG")
15km NW of Kirovograd (PQ 29341) @ 4000m
No.3676 of 240 IAP. Lt. Boris Zhigulenkov forcelanded slightly WIA

Nos. 178 and 179
30.1.44/1005 and 1010
2 x La-5s ("LaGGs")
25km SSE of Signajewka (PQ 19274) @ 400m and 40km SW of Alexandrovka (PQ 19283) @ 300m
240 IAP, 302 IAD. Includes Lt. Alexandr Ivanovich Kolesnikov KIA (over Shpola?) and Ml.Lt. Proskurin baled out POW (escaped and returned to unit 26.3.44)
Via Ivan Lavrinenko


Nick Hector:
No. 192, P-39 on 4.2.44/1140: 129 GIAP. St.Lt. Bekashonk and his wingman (Ml.Lt. Koshel'kov). Overclaiming, no actual loss
No. 193, P-39 on 26.2.44/0908: 129 GIAP. Ml.Lt. Leontiya Zadiraki baled out and returned safely
No. 194, P-39 on 26.2.44/0916: 205 IAD or 304 IAD. Overclaiming, no other losses at this time
No. 195-199, P-39s on 26.2.44: 438 IAP. Three P-39s lost from a formation of four: Starshiy Leytenant Rybakov baled out safely, Starshiy Leytenant Nikolay Arsenovich Zinchenko (HSU) KIA and Leytenant Mamin also baled out. Ml.Lt. Demchenko's P-39 was slightly damaged and Ml.Lt. Motuzko's was sent to PARM for major repairs after bellylanding 12km S of Kirovograd)
Nos. 200 & 201, P-39s on 26.2.44: 438 IAP. These were likely the P-39 of Leytenant Lusto, only damaged or another claim for Vodolazhskiy (also claimed by Rall and Bachnick)
No. 202: 438 IAP P-39 on 26.2.44/1440. This was likely Leytenant Oleynikov, known to have baled out safely 10 minutes after Vodolazhskiy did
No. 212-217, LaGGs on 5.5.44: One of these may have been Leytenant Ivanov of 402 IAP, 265 IAD. KIA this date, attributed to Lipfert or Hartmann
227. 30.05.1944 12:25 P-39 - possible - P-39 of 438 IAP, lt. K. V. Myaskov, baled out
228. 30.05.1944 15:38 P-39 - possible - P-39 of 508 IAP
229. 31.05.1944 19:05 P-39 - overclaim
230. 31.05.1944 19:08 P-39 - overclaim
231. 31.05.1944 19:13 P-39 - overclaim
232. 01.06.1944 12:31 LaGG - overclaim
233. 01.06.1944 12:38 LaGG - overclaim
234. 01.06.1944 15:20 LaGG - possible but unlikely - P-39 of 438 IAP, m. lt. N. T. Motuzko, MIA
235. 01.06.1944 15:30 LaGG - overclaim
236. 01.06.1944 15:32 P-39 - overclaim
237. 01.06.1944 15:35 P-39 - overclaim
238. 02.06.1944 18:10 P-39 - overclaim
239. 02.06.1944 18:15 P-39 - overclaim
240. 03.06.1944 14:30 P-39 - overclaim
241. 03.06.1944 14:33 P-39 - overclaim
242. 03.06.1944 15:00 LaGG - overclaim
243. 03.06.1944 17:17 LaGG - overclaim
244. 04.06.1944 16:10 P-39 - overclaim
245. 04.06.1944 16:25 LaGG - overclaim
246. 04.06.1944 18:13 P-39 - overclaim
247. 04.06.1944 18:23 P-39 - overclaim
248. 04.06.1944 18:53 P-39 - possible, damaged - P-39 of 16 GIAP, m. lt. G. G. Statsenko, slightly injured
249. 04.06.1944 19:15 P-39 - overclaim
250. 04.06.1944 19:18 P-39 - overclaim
251. 05.06.1944 14:12 P-39 - P-39 of 100 GIAP, m. lt. N. I. Zaytsev, survived (?)
252. 05.06.1944 14:19 P-39 - overclaim
253. 05.06.1944 16:15 LaGG - possible - La-5 of 240 IAP
254. 05.06.1944 19:07 LaGG - possible - La-5 of 240 IAP, m. lt. E. A. Karpov, survived
255. 05.06.1944 19:35 P-39 - overclaim
256. 05.06.1944 19:40 P-39 - overclaim
257. 06.06.1944 16:25 LaGG - overclaim
258. 06.06.1944 16:30 LaGG - overclaim
259. 06.06.1944 20:15 P-39 - possible but unlikely - P-39 of 438 IAP, m. lt. A. I. Sopin, survived
260. 06.06.1944 20:25 P-39 - overclaim
261. 06.06.1944 20:35 P-39 - overclaimNos 249 & 250, P-39s on 4.6.44: During 4th sortie, Hartmann and Birkner were jumped by 2 Aircobras, Hartmann claimed both. They were flown by Mayor B. B. Gakhaet and Leytenant Nikolay L. Trofimov of the famous 16 GIAP. Both returned home unscathed
No. 264, P-51C-5-NT Mustang on 24.6.44/0950: Day's only loss was 42-103599/42 of 318th FS, 325th FG. Joseph W Harper MIA (Diekmann and Birkner claimed as well)
Nos. 296, 299 & 300, P-39s on 24.8.44: 9 GIAD. Very likely overclaiming, only one loss this date: an aircraft that was separated from its parent formation, pilot MIA


24 Aug 1944 – Hartmann claimed his 300th victory: A juzgar por el reportaje los "Airacobra" del 7º Cuerpo de caza (eran ellos quienes, según los archivos soviéticos, patrullaban sobre los puntos de paso del Vístula a Sandomierz) solo estaban ese día para servir de objetivos al as alemán. En realidad, los adversarios opuestos este 24 de agosto de 1944 Hartmann eran los pilotos bien implicados y experimentados del 9º División de caza del Guardia, controlados por el Coronel Pokrychkine. La página 29 del documento citado permite afirmar que ningún avión soviético fue derribado en combate aéreo por el día de 24 agosto, y que ningún otro este mismo día era considerado como "no regresó de la misión". el 23 y 24 de agosto. En los documentos del 2º Ejército aéreo, las pérdidas soviéticas de estos dos días se elevan a 11 aparatos: dos derribados por la caza enemiga, un desaparecido, uno destruido en el suelo por la artillería alemana, y siete víctimas de la Flak. No se puede asignar a Hartmann por ese día mas que un biplano Po-2 del 208º División de bombardeo nocturno (Hartmann no reivindicó victoria sobre un infeliz biplano), y un P-39 del 7º Cuerpo de caza. Dimitri Khazanov in Le Le Fana de L'Aviation No. 423.
http://www.halconesrojos.com/index.p...1&limitstart=3


Nick Hector:
No. 304, Yak-9 on 27.10.44/1016 over Nyregynaza (PQ 18265) @ 2500m: Previously thought to be 2912 ("29-292-12")/"29" of 2 AE, 150 GIAP, 13 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.Lt. Nikolai Matveevich Knut, now thought to be an overclaim….
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55807


Gabor:


305: -OVERCLAIM 27.10.1944 10:16 Yak-9 4./JG 52 18 265: at 2.500m

3 Yak losses this day:

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP Yak-1B (S/N: 20150) destroyed on the ground at Debrecen airfield in air raid.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP Yak-9T (S/N: 2515338) destroyed on the ground at Debrecen airfield in air raid.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 IAP Yak-3 (S/N: 3929212) downed by Fritz Schröter (Stab.I/SG.10 - Fw 190F) at 13:42 local, 6 Yak-3 vs. 4 Bf 109 and 16 Fw 190 at 2000 m in the Nyíregyháza area. Gv.Ml.Lt. Nikolai Matveevich Knut bailed out, POW.

5 VA, 279 IAD, 192 IAP, La-5FN (S/N: 39213433, '33') at 13:55 local, at 300 m, pair of recce. La-5s in the Kecskemét area. 1Lt. Sergei Fedorovich Gukov was hit by flak, belly landed at Kecskemét-NW, 8 km near a lake at Méntelek. Captured, later liberated.


306: - VICTORY! 31.10.1944 15:30 Yak-7 4./JG 52 98 799 – it was La-5F (S/N: 39215187) around 15:25 local, in the same area!

NO YAK loss!

5 VA, 14 GvIAD, 177 GvIAP, La-5F (S/N: 39215187, '87') Lost in the Kecskemét-Kerekegyháza area, Gv.Capt. Pavel Yakovlevich Morduhovich was MIA. At 15:25 local, pair of Gv.Capt. Morduhovich - Gv.Lt. Abramov was patrolling in the Kerekegyháza-N area. At 2000 m combat with 2 Fw 190 and 2 Bf 109. Morduhovich attacked the Fw 190s, when the Bf 109 pair got in his tail. His wingman, Gv.Lt. Abramov broke away and has not seen or heard his leader in the radio anymore.

5 VA, 14 GvIAD, 177 GvIAP, La-5FN (S/N: 41210105 – metal wing!) free hunting and recce. mission in the Cegléd-Szolnok-Jászapáti area. Lost near Cegléd, Gv.Lt. Alexei Alexandrovich Kunshin was MIA. At 09:25 La-5s of 177 GvIAP were strafing a truck convoy on the road between Szolnok-Cegléd. After the attack Kunshin was missing. Most likely downed by flak, or brought down by the explosion of one of the attacked trucks.

Note to victory No. 306. At the same time (15:42, i.e. 12 minutes later) Ltn. Heinz Ewald claimed "ŁaGG-5". Isn't he more likely a candidate for La-5F S/N: 39215187?
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55840

Nick Hector: No. 306, La-5 on 1.11.44/1435: Overclaiming. Only loss of an La-5 in Hartmann's area of operations this date is attributable to Hungarian pilot Capt. Laszlo Pottyondy


Gabor
307?: -OVERCLAIM 1.11.1944 14:35 LaGG-5 4./JG 52 98 836: at 2.500m

1 Lavochkin loss this day:

5 VA, 14 GvIAD, 177 GvIAP La-5F (S/N: 39215336) downed by Pottyondy László szds. (Hungarian 102/2. Bf 109 Sq.) at Szolnok. Gv.Ml.Lt. Evgenii Ivanovich Batyunya was wounded.

5 VA, 6 GvIAD, 73 GvIAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 08175) Lost at Lakitelek-NW, Gv.Lt. Alexandr Semenovich Andrianov, bailed out, badly wounded, POW. 8 Yaks, led by Zuev vs. 8 Bf 109 at 4500-6000 m in the Nagykőrös area. Attack on the leading pair.
5 VA, 6 GvIAD, 73 GvIAP, 1st Sq., Yak-9D (S/N: 18166046) – NOT A LOSS, only damaged in a dogfight, repaired on its airfield!!!

307?: -OVERCLAIM 7.11.1944 13:35 Yak-7 4./JG 52 98 563: at 1.000m

1 Yak loss this day:

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 IAP Yak-3 (S/N: 3229214) at 12:19 local at 1200 m, 6 Yak vs. 4 Fw 190 in the Lajosmizse area. Gv.Lt. Evgenii Andreevich Pyankov bailed out, badly burned.


5 VA, 279 IAD, 92 IAP, La-5FN (S/N: 39211227, '27') Lost at 15:00 local at Szarvas-SE from a group of 4 La-5, 2 IL-2 from 800 m. Sq. commander, Capt. Mihail Afanasevich Kazanovskii bailed out, his La-5FN went down in flames.

Nick Hector:
No.307, Yak-7 on 7.11.44/1335 over PQ 98563 @ 1000m: Initially thought to be Possibly HQ of 13 GIAD, serial 32(292)14? Gv.Lt. Evgenii Andreevich Pyankov. 6 Yaks at 1400m in the Lajosmizse area against 4 ‘Fw 190’s. Frontal attack, the Yak burst into flames. Pilot baled out WIA. Now thought to be an overclaim….
No. 309, Yak-9 on 13.11.44/1410: Possibly 0215354 of 179 IAP, 331 IAD, 5 VA.


Gabor:
308: – POTENTIAL VICTORY? 13.11.1944 14:10 Yak-9 4./JG 52 89 ---: at 5.000m
309: – POTENTIAL VICTORY? 13.11.1944 14:15 Yak-9 4./JG 52 9866-: at 4.200m
310: -OVERCLAIM 13.11.1944 14:25 Yak-9 4./JG 52 0854-: at 4.000m
311: -OVERCLAIM 13.11.1944 14:30 Yak-9 4./JG 52 98 637: at 4.000m


7 Yak losses this day:

5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-9M (S/N: 2715382), Gv.Lt. Nikolai Mikhailovich Grisaev (unhurt) - take-off accident at Külső-Kiritó airfield.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 149 GvIAP, Yak-1B (S/N:11186), lost at Jászberény, Gv.Ml.Lt Alexandr Titovich Kotlyar POW. Between 13:55-14:50 4+4 Yaks, led by Kalchenko and Kadagidze attacked 4 Fw 190 and 2 Bf 109 at 3000 m, which were attacking the road at Jászberény-S. Kalchenko downed a Bf 109, Kotlyar bailed out and got captured. Heavy fragmentation in both of his hands. After being liberated by the Allies, remained in hospital until June 18, 1945. Returned to the USSR on June 20 1945.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 149 GvIAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 42178), lost at Abony-N, 20 km, GvMl.Lt Stephanov unhurt. At 12:55 local, 8 Yaks at 3000 m were attacked by 6 Bf 109 from the sun. Hidraulics damaged, crashlanded on one wheel. AC lost, pilot returned the same day to his unit.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 GvIAP, Yak-3 (S/N: 3529218), lost at Ócsa, Gv.1Lt. Nikolai Alexeevich Kireev wounded. At 08:41 local, 6 Yak-3 over Ócsa met 13 Bf 109 at 3500 m. As a wingman of his leader, who was attacking a pair of Bf 109s got hit, bailed out, and with injured legs was sent to hospital.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 GvIAP, Yak-9D (S/N: 1815358), lost in Nagykáta area, Gv.1Lt. Nikolai Sergeevich Egorov, Sq. Comm. returned. At 11:54 local at 1000 m, 6 Yak-3 and 2 Yak-9 met a large group of 8 Fw 190, 8 Ju 87, escorted by 15 Bf 109. Egorov downed a Bf 109 and a Ju 87, but was hit, caught fire by a Fw 190 and bailed out. Landed on enemy territory, hid, then in the darkness returned to his own side.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 179 IAP, Yak-9M (S/N: 2715317), lost at Újszász-E, 5 km, Svistkov unhurt. Hit by flak in the Jászberény area, crashlanded burning at Újszász-E, 5 km Pilot returned on the next day.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 179 IAP, Yak-9T (S/N: 0215354). Lost near Zsámbok, Ml.Lt. Evgenii Ivanovich Teplishev MIA. At 13:50 local 4 Yaks, covering 6 IL-2 in the Jászberény area met 8 Bf 109. Got hit, crashlanded at Zsámbok-SW, 6 km.

5 VA, 14 GvIAD, 177 GvIAP, La-5FN, 3rd Sq. (S/N: 41210201 – metal wing!) lost at Újszász in a sharp, turning dogfight with Heinz Ewald near the frontline at low, deadly altitude. Heroic soviet pilot, Gv.Lt. Boris Georgievich Kalinin (1922-1944), who alone accepted the turning duel from his flight of four La-5 with Heinz Ewald, was KIA. Burning crash seen on the swampy shore of the Tisza river. Radial engine (S/N: 8212559) recovered in September, 2007, restored, now on display in our Szolnok Aircraft Museum.

Nick Hector:
No. 311, Yak-9 on 13.11.44/1425: Possibly 11186 of 149 GIAP, 13 GIAD, 5 VA. Gv.Ml.Lt Aleksandr Titovich Kotlyar


Gabor:

312: 14.11.1944 – OVERCLAIM 11:35 LaGG-5 4./JG 52 98 494: at 2.000m
313: 14.11.1944 – POTENTIAL VICTORY? 11:45 LaGG-5 4./JG 52 08 471: at 800m

1 La-5 loss this day:

5 VA, 279 IAD, 92 IAP La-5FN (S/N: 39213519) Ml.Lt. Sergei Alexeevich Matveev injured. At 11:20 local 4+2 La-5 escorting 6 IL-2 vs. 2 ‘Fw 190’ and flak in the Valkó - Tarnaörs area. Engine and pilot’s head at 800 m was hit, lost consciousness, then at around 100-50 m he regained consciousness and with final effort took control and belly landed on soviet controlled territory. Plane written-off. A veeery lucky guy!

14 (9 Novosibirsk-, 5 Saratov-built) Yak-losses this day.

Nick Hector:
Nos. 313 and 314, La5s on 14.11.44. Originally thought that these were likely claims for 39213519 of 92 IAP, 279 IAD, 5 VA. Ml.Lt. Sergei Alekseevich Matveev WIA. Day's only known loss of an La-5 but was lost at 1520hrs, to Flak and 2 x Fw190s (Soviet records)
No. 315 Yak-9 on 16.11.44. Originally thought possibly 2015315 of 73 GIAP, 6 GIAD, 5 VA. Alexandr Stepanovich Shuvalov. Now believed to be an overclaim


Gabor:

314: 16.11.1944 – POTENTIAL VICTORY 8:45 Yak-9 4./JG 52 98 368: at 4.000m
315: 16.11.1944 – POTENTIAL VICTORY 8:50 Yak-9 4./JG 52 98 487: at 1.000m

5 VA, 6 GvIAD, 31 GvIAP, Yak-9D (S/N: 2015370). Gv.Ml.Lt. Valerii Arkadevich Koptelov was unhurt. At 12:20 local, at 3000 m 4 Yaks were patrolling in the Jászberény-N area, when 2 of 6 Bf 109s attacked them in a frontal attack from below. After a 180 degree turn they started to chase the 109s. After the attack his engine started to smoke. Kortelov turned to the East towards the Tisza river and at 12 km East of Jászkisér at 800 m his engine caught fire. Pilot bailed out right away and landed safely. Returned on November 18, 1944 without his plane.

5 VA, 6 GvIAD, 73 GvIAP, Yak-9D (S/N: 2015315). Gv.Ml.Lt. Alexandr Stephanovich Shuvalov went missing. 10 Yaks, led by Lt.Col. Mikhailyuk were covering the soviet troops in the Jászberény - Pusztamonostor – Jászárokszállás triangle at 4000 m. Over Jászárokszállás the pair of Savchuk-Shuvalov separated from the group and Shuvalov went missing. Radio connection was good, dogfight was not reported. Fate is unknown. Perhaps Erich Hartmann caught him at 08:45?

5 VA, 6 GvIAD, 85 GvIAP, Yak-9D (S/N: 2015329). Mutually downed by Debrődy György fhdgy. (Hungarian 101/3. Sq., 26 kill Bf 109 ace) between Jászberény-Jászárokszállás in a ‘suicidal’, frontal attack. Gv.Ml.Lt. Ismail Semenovich Rulev exploded mid-air (KIA), Debrődy’s belly was shot through, with final effort belly landed along the Hatvan-Budapest RR line, rushed to hospital, saved. 1 bullet stayed in his body, removed in the U.S.A. after the war.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 22183). Landing accident at the airfield of Külső-Kiritó-N, 600-700 m at 15:20 local, after escorting the 90 GvShAP IL-2s to Hatvan. Ml.Lt. Mihail Ivanovich Sapa was unhurt.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 06179). Lost at Hatvan-S, Capt. Petr Grigorevich Artemev was KIA. At 12:00 4 Yak and six 92 GvShAP IL-2 in Hatvan area. Battle with 4-5 Fw 190, 4 Bf 109 at Csányi. Artemev was missing.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-9M (S/N: 2715305). Crashlanded at Törökszentmiklós-SE, 6 km, Ml.Lt. Boris Alexandrovich Horkin was injured. While covering 92 GvShAP IL-2s in the Hatvan area at 12:00 local, at 1300 m over Csányi a Fw 190 hit him, he lost altitude, then at 200 m another 6 Fw 190 attacked him, (2 of them collided behind him during the chase and probably crashed), then he crashlanded at Törökszentmiklós with leg injury.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-9 (S/N: 2515332). Lost at Jászfényszaru-E, 1Lt. Anatolii Mihailovich Znamenev went missing. 4 Yaks at 12:30 local at 1200 m escorted six 92 GvShAP IL-2 in the Hatvan area when they met 6 Bf 109. Formation loosened up, his leader returned to airfield alone.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-9 (S/N: 2515396). Lost at Jászfényszaru-NE, Ml.Lt. Ivan Constantinovich Babanin went missing. 4 Yak-9 at 12:20 local at 1200 m vs. 16 Bf 109 in the Hatvan area.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 179 IAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 12152). Lost at the airfield of Tiszapüspöki.
At 13:55 local, 4 Yaks covering 8 IL-2 of 91 GvShAP, returning from the Hatvan mission. Plane broken at landing due to bad weather/turbulance.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP, Yak-9T (S/N: 1015328). Lost at Hatvan, pilot, Lt. Georgii Dorofeevich Yarovoy was KIA. At 10:52 local, 4 Yaks of 513 IAP (Capt. Malikov, Lt. Kovalenko, Lt. Astaskevich, Lt. Yarovoy) at 2000 m, while covering 264 ShAD IL-2s met 16 Fw 190. Downed during the 3rd attack by 4 Fw 190.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 149 GvIAP, Yak-9M (S/N: 3615389). Lost at Alsódabas-NE, 6 km. Gv.Ml.Lt. Vladimir Andreevich Ustich was injured. At 9:00 local, pair of recce. Yak-9s was checking the roads in the Hatvan-Budapest-Vác-Esztergom area. Near the city of Vác at 3500 m they met 6 Bf 109. First Ustich, then his wingman, Merzlenko claimed 1-1 Bf 109. Soon after this Ustich got minor hits into the fuselage. They headed for home, but while crossing the frontline, Ustich’s engine was hit by flak, his plane fell in the Alsódabas-NE area. Wingman Merzlenko returned home alone and landed safely. Ustich was picked up by own troops and was taken to hospital. Potential victory at 08:50.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 GvIAP, Yak-3 (S/N: 1229217). Lost at Pécel, Budapest-E. Gv.Lt. Sergei Grigorevich Yefimenkov MIA. At 15:15 local, 8 Yak-3 at 3000 m met 6 Bf 109 and 8 Fw 190. While covering his leader, he performed a frontal attack on one of the Bf 109s and was shot down. Fate unknown.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 GvIAP, Yak-3 (S/N: 3429214). Lost at Isaszeg, Budapest-E, Gv.Lt. Alexandr Nikolaevich Agdantsev went missing. At 13:42 local, between 2000-3500 m 8 Yaks covered their own troops and met 4 Bf 109. Agdantsev while protecting the first group of four was hit and bailed out with parachute. Downed by Gerhard Barkhorn (Stab.II/JG.52) at 13.40.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 GvIAP, Yak-9D (S/N: 2315371). Landing accident. In a dogfight over Kóka, pneumatic/hydraulic system got damaged, at landing ran into a parking IL-2. Pilot, Gv1Lt. Grigorii Yakovlevich Bekkerman was unhurt, plane written off.

On this very intense day of November 16, 1944 over the 2nd Ukrainian Front the soviet 5th Air Army reported the following losses:

3 IL-2
2 Yak-1B
3 La-5
3 Yak-3
7 Yak-9.

(Note, this list has a typo, as the real loss was 3 Yak-1B and 2 Yak-3, not 2 Yak-1B and 3 Yak-3!)

November 16, 1944:
5 VA, 14 GvIAD, 178 GvIAP, 1st Sq., La-5FN (S/N: 39212952, ‘52’) Crashed in a dogfight with Bf 109 fighters at Besenyszög-E, 3 km. Gv.1Lt. Boris Vasilevich Zhigulenkov (famous fighter ace, Hero of Soviet Union) was KIA. 09:45-10:35 local, 5 (3+2) La-5, led by famous fighter ace, 2 x HSU, Gv.Capt. Kirill Alexeevich Evstigneev (3, La-5FN, ‘14’) and Gv.1Lt. Petr Romanovich Setinin (2) in the Jászberény-Pusztamonostor-Jászárokszállás area. Combat with 12 Bf 109, 8 Fw 190. Over Pusztamonostor another 5(6) Bf 109 attacked and hit Zhigulenkov, who crashed at Besenyszög-E, 3 km.

5 VA, 279 IAD, 192 IAP, La-5F (S/N: 39214932, '32') Lost at Nagykáta at 14:00 local. 4 La-5, covering 9 IL-2 of 5 VA, 12 GvShAD, 188 GvShAP in the Hatvan-Hort-Atkár-Csány area. Combat with 6 ‘Fw 190’ at Nagykáta-NE, 2-3 km at 2400 m. Ml.Lt. Vladimir Mihailovich Olnev was hit, injured, bailed out at 2000 m. On November 20, 1944 he returned to his unit without his plane. This day -according to their diary- the 188 GvSAP IL-2s in 40 missions dropped 26 FAB-100, 25 FAB-50, 56 AO-25, 1838 AO-2.5, 1084 PTAB (anti-tank) bombs, fired 89 RS-82 wing rockets, 4690 (23 mm) cannon-rounds, 7760 SKAS machine gun-rounds.

Nick Hector:
No.316 La-5 or Yak-9? on 16.11.44. If an La-5, was this Boris Vasilevich Zhigulenkov of 240 IAP, KIA? If a Yak-9 Possibly 2015315 of 73 GIAP, 6 GIAD, 5 VA. Alexandr Stepanovich Shuvalov


Gabor:

316: 17.11.1944 – OVERCLAIM 14:25 Boston III 4./JG 52 98 584: at 2.000m

2 A-20G Boston losses this day:

5 VA, 218 BAD, 453 BAP, A-20G-10-DO (S/N: 42-53956), lost at Ócsa, downed by Hungarian Bf 109 ace, Capt. Pottyondy László (102/2. Sq) at 14.30. Lt. Norayr Sumbatovich Danielyan was injured. Recce. flight over Budapest-S. Hungarian ace, Capt. Pottyondy this time flew in pair with Hartmann as his friend! The plane was delivered through the ‘ALSIB’ (Alaska-Siberia) route.

5 VA, 218 BAD, 453 BAP A-20G (S/N: 42-54223), lost at Kevermes-S, 1 km in a ferry flight, mech. Accident/fog. Capt. Vasilii Kirillovich Yurchenko was unhurt.

Nick Hector:
No. 317, Boston on 17.11.44/1425 over PQ 98584 @ 2000m: Overclaiming. 453 BAP, 218 BAD, 5 VA did indeed lose a Boston but it is attributable to Hungarian Capt. Laszlo Pottyondy. Csaba B Stenge states this was a "shared" kill


317: -OVERCLAIM 22.11.1944 11:40 Yak-9 4./JG 52 98 453: at 3.500m
318: -POTENTIAL VICTORY 22.11.1944 11:45 La-5 4./JG 52 98 452: at 4.500m
319: -OVERCLAIM 22.11.1944 - Il-2 4./JG 52 -
320: -OVERCLAIM 22.11.1944 - Il-2 4./JG 52 -
321: -OVERCLAIM 22.11.1944 - Il-2 4./JG 52 -
322: -OVERCLAIM 22.11.1944 - Yak-3 4./JG 52 –

1 La-5 and 1 IL-2 loss this day:

5 VA, 14 GvIAD, 177 GvIAP La-5FN (S/N: 39211746), Downed in dogfight in the Hatvan-E area, pilot Kovrigin unhurt.

5 VA, 264 ShAD, 809 ShAP IL-2m3 (S/N: 1878785), downed by flak at Gyöngyöspata. Six 809 ShAP IL-2, covered by six 513 IAP Yak-9 attacked ground targets at Gyöngyöspata. During the 2nd strike Polunin’s engine started to smoke. Plane lost altitude and belly landed at Csány-NE, 7 km. Crew of Lt. Fedor Stepanovich Polunin - Kuptsov unhurt. Repaired, then lost again, -this time permanently- on March 20, 1945 between Kocs-Dad, Hungary with the Ml.Lt. Volosyankin crew in 5 VA, 264 ShAD, 451 ShAP.

Nick Hector:
No. 319, La-5 on 22.11.44/1145 over PQ 98452 @ 4500m: Possibly 177 GIAP, 14 GIAD, 5 VA. Pilot Kovrigin shot down in dogfight in Hatvan area

Nos. 320 & 321, IL-2s on 22.11.45: Possibly 809 ShAP, 264 ShAD, 5 VA. Overclaiming, only one loss: crew of Polunin-Kuptsov, crashlanded 7km NW of Csany. Repaired and returned to service (attributed by Soviet sources to AAA).



Gabor:

323: -OVERCLAIM 23.11.1944 - Yak-3 4./JG 52 -
324: -OVERCLAIM 23.11.1944 - Yak-9 4./JG 52 -
325: -OVERCLAIM 23.11.1944 - Yak-9 4./JG 52 -
326: -OVERCLAIM 23.11.1944 - Yak-9 4./JG 52 -
327: -POTENTIAL VICTORY? 23.11.1944 - Yak-9 4./JG 52 –

3 Yak losses this day, and only 2 in the air, during mission! Hartmann’s details are unknown, but thus 3 Yaks for sure (and in his case probably more) had to be overclaim out of his 5 claims…!!!

5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 32161). Take off accident. At 08:40 local, during take off Ml.Lt. Evgenii Semenovich Titov turned to the right and his right wing touched the ground. Plane broken, pilot unhurt. Plane written off without the engine as it remained in good condition and probably was reused later. Cannot be an aerial victory!

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 29156, or 45168), Ml.lt. Yakov A. Goychenko unhurt. At 10:38 local, 6 Yaks, covering 6 IL-2 of the 809 ShAP in the Rózsaszentmárton (Rose-St. Martin) area met 6 Fw 190. 4 attacked the Yaks, 2 the ILs. Goychenko’s radiator got hit, force landed at Kál-S, 15 km. Plane not subject to repair, pilot unhurt.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 29156, or 45168), Ml.Lt. Pavel Petrovich Kuyanov MIA/KIA. At 10:38 local, 6 Yaks, covering 6 IL-2 of the 809 ShAP in the Rózsaszentmárton (Rose-St. Martin) area met 6 Fw 190. 4 attacked the Yaks, 2 the ILs. Kuyanov fell behind his formation and was brought down immediately. Plane fell and crashed in the target area. (Lipfert’s 158., ‘Yak-9’ victory at 10:40 at nearby Atkár! - confirmed)

328: -OVERCLAIM 5.12.1944 13:20 LaGG-5 4./JG 52 98 419: at 1.200m
329: -OVERCLAIM 5.12.1944 13:25 LaGG-5 4./JG 52 98 278: at 1.000m

1 La-5 loss this day:

5 VA, 279 IAD, 486 IAP, La-5FN (S/N: 39212724), lost at Ercsi, Budapest-S. Ml.Lt. Vladimir Grigorevich Snagovskii was MIA. At 11:55 local, recce. pair, led by Lt. Blinov vs. 6 ‘Fw 190’. Snagowskii was shot down and MIA.

December 5, 1944:
5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-9M (S/N: 3015336, '36') At 15:05 local at 2000 m, 4 Yaks covering 10 IL-2 in the Heréd area met 4 Bf 109. Received hit in the hydraulics system and belly-landed in the Pusztamonostor area. Plane broken, pilot, Lt. Georgii Alexandrovich Ulanov was slightly injured. The soviets gave air support to Gv.St.Lt. Dmitrii Fedorovich Loza’s 46 Guards Tank-Brigade, that was fighting in the Heréd-(Nagy)Kökényes area. This was the very first tank-battle, in which the new, 76 mm M4A2(76)W ’Shermans’ tasted battle and immediately suffered huge losses (eg. Gv.Ml.Lt. Nikolai Fedorovich Zhilin, Gv.Lt. Fedor Ivanovich Dankin, tank-commanders' Shermans, etc.) - in soviet service. The Emchas had not much chance, as the Germans fired from covers, and pushed them in a swampy area, where many sank, and became like 'sitting ducks':

2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(76)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080561, turret: ’♠4 7’
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(76)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080791, turret: ’♠4 5’
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(75)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3056452, turret: ’♠4 21’
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(75)D ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080322, turret: ’♠4 ??'
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(76)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080787, turret: ’♠4 ??'
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(76)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080813, turret: ’♠4 ??'
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(76)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080847, turret: ’♠4 ??'
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(76)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080858, turret: ’♠4 ??'
2nd UF, 9 GvMK, 46 GvTBr: M4A2(76)W ’Sherman’, chassis no.: U.S.A. 3080908, turret: ’♠4 ??'

(Previously the soviet Shermans were older, 75 mm models.)


5 VA, 331 IAD, 122 IAP, Yak-9T (S/N: 1615383, '83') At 10:12 local, at 1500 m, 6 Yaks covering 10 IL-2 in the Erdőtarcsa area met 8 Bf 109. 4 Bf 109 turned agaisnt the Yaks, 4 against the ILs. Ml.Lt. Mihail Semenovich Yerko went missing.

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 151 GvIAP, Yak-3 (S/N: 1529219, '15') Lost over Ercsi, Jewish Gv.Maj. Yezro Markovich Ravikovich, commander of 151 GvIAP was KIA. At 14:00 local, 8 Yaks (4 Yak-3, 4 Yak-1B), led by Gv.Maj. Ravikovich took off from Kecskemét to cover the Danube river crossings of soviet ground forces in the Ercsi area, south of Budapest. Large groups of enemy planes tried to attack and stop the crossing: Bf 109s, Fw 190s, then (~Rudel’s 10.(Pz)/SG.2) Ju 87G-2 Stukas, covered by Bf 109s, Fw 190s. Yak-3s of Gv.Maj. Yezro Markovich Ravikovich and Gv.St.Lt. Dmitrii Alexeevich Menshikov rolled over, and jumped on the first pair of the Fw 190s, then started to chase a Ju 87G-pair, downing one from each. Ravikovich went to 400-500 m, his wingman, Menshikov to 200 m and lost Ravikovich from his sight. This time they were attacking the Ju 87s. The other 6 Yaks were still busy fighting the enemy fighters South of Ercsi. It is believed, that Ravikovich was hit (either killed, or seriously wounded) in the return fire of the (~SG.2) Stukas. Total claims: 3 Fw 190, 2 Ju 87G, 1 Hs 129 (~14.(Pz)/SG.9). (Lt.Col. Borovoy, Maj. Gavrilin, Gv.Ml.Lt. Lyashin – ’Sword group’.)

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP, Yak-1B (S/N: 20153) Lost near Szirák. At 11:00 local, 8 Yak-1, Yak-9, escorting 12 IL-2 of the 809 ShAP in the Erdőtarcsa area. Over the target at 1500 m combat with 8 Bf 109. Ml.Lt. Ivan Arhipovich Guryev went missing. The IL-2s suffered no losses.

5 VA, 14 GvIAD, 177 GvIAP, La-5FN (S/N: 39211776, '76') Downed by flak, Ml.Lt. Nikolai Lukyanovich Vereshak was unhurt. (His next La-5FN was No.41210115 – metal wing!)

Nick Hector:
Two La-5s on 5.12.44: 486 IAP, 279 IAD, 5 VA lost 39212724 of Ml.Lt. Vladimir Grigorevich Snagovski MIA at 1155 local time over Ercsi, S of Budapest (was this it?)


Gabor:

330: -OVERCLAIM 9.12.1944 13:10 Yak-9 4./JG 52 88 683: at 2.000m
331: -OVERCLAIM 9.12.1944 13:20 Yak-9 4./JG 52 88 694: at 2.000m

3 Yak losses this day:

5 VA, 13 GvIAD, 150 GvIAP, Yak-3 (S/N: 2329218). Lost at his airfield (crashlanding) after recce. mission to Baracska area. Gv.Ml. Lt. Lev Gerasimovich Kamanyan was unhurt. At 14:50 local, at 1000 m 2 Yak-3 and 2 Yak-9 in the Baracska area met up to 20 Fw 190s, attacking the soviet first lines. While covering his leader, Kamanyan was hit. After return, during landing his engine gave up. Plane crashed, pilot unhurt.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP, Yak-9M (S/N: 2515361). Lost at Tiszanána. At 13:50 local, at 1500 m, 4 Yak-9 were escorting 6 IL-2 of the 809 ShAP in the Csömör area. Over the target the plane was hit by flak and after return, crashlanded at Tiszanána. Plane broken, 1Lt. Vasilii Pavlovich Fedosov, Sq. commander was unhurt.

5 VA, 331 IAD, 513 IAP, (Omsk-built) Yak-9D (S/N: 19166063). At 13:20 they took off to protect IL-2s in the Veresegyháza area. During landing the soil was too soft and the plane nosed in. Pilot, Capt. Alexandr Kuzmich Fokin had bruises on his hands while protecting his face.


Nick Hector:
Two Yak-9s on 9.12.44: 150 GIAP lost 2329218 of Gv.Ml.Lt. Lev Gerasimovich Kamanyan crashlanded at 1450 local time after dogfight


Gabor:
Conclusion: In the given time period, Hartmann had 8 potential victories out of his 28 claims, which represents about 28-29% accuracy. If this is a representative average of his flying career, Erich Hartmann had about 100 real victories during WWII.

Gabor
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55840

[Christer Bergström]

Erich Hartmann’s victories 1945


1 March 1945 Hartmann tiene de punto al Comandante G. Kapito, transferido recientemente de la aviación de bombardeo sin haber acabado su formación de caza, la patrulla se deshizo a partir de las primeras maniobras, el 1º marzo de 1945. Kapito se distanció, recibió el fuego de un aparato identificado como "Airacobra" y tuvo que abandonar su avión en paracaídas. Pero el avión soviético a su vez fue atacado por Hartmann que le derribó. Kapito dice haber visto al enemigo expulsado de la cabina en el momento del impacto, y muerto en el acto.
En el fuselaje de ese avión había 25 estrellas. El "Messerschmitt" que acababa de derribar fue su 26ª y última victoria. El historiador checo Kolewski se basa en las memorias de los mecánicos del I.JG52 a quienes Hartmann mandó a partir de febrero de 1945, para concluir que su víctima del 1 de marzo de 1945 fue el Capitán Sergey Lazarev, del 728º Regimiento de caza, de la 256ª División. No lejos de la ciudad de Brenzlau, los alemanes descubrieron los restos de un Yak (y no de un "Cobra" como lo habían identificado erróneamente los pilotos alemanes) con el cono de la hélice pintado de rojo y tres hileras de estrellas sobre el costado. Según documentos oficiales soviéticos, Lazarez contaba en el momento de su fallecimiento, 22 victorias individuales y tres colectivas.
Dimitri Khazanov in Le Le Fana de L'Aviation No. 423.
http://www.halconesrojos.com/index.p...1&limitstart=4


Nick Hector:
No. 352, Yak on 8.5.45: 2 VA, 5 VA or 17 VA, pilot said to be KIA
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55807

[Christer Bergström]

Thanks a lot, Nick. I added that to the post called "Erich Hartmann’s victories 1944".

[Falcon]

[Boris Ciglic]

Erich Hartmann’s victories 1942-1943:

Originally Posted by Christer Bergström

Nick Hector:

No. 7, P-39 on 15.4.43/1533 over Taman: 45 IAP, either 41-38451 of Starishiy Leytenant M Petrov or 42-4606 of Serzhant Bezbabnov (but see Waldemar Eyrich's claim). Both KIA.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55807

Bergström, Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 5 (not yet published) :
Pilots of JG 3 also clashed with 16 GIAP during another mission by that regiment in the afternoon of this April 15, 1943. Even though the Soviet fliers were credited with four victories, two Airacobras were shot down (Leytenant Nikolay Naumenko was listed as missing) and two others were damaged without, in fact, any German losses. With one of these Airacobras, Leutnant Erich Hartmann of 7./JG 52 scored his seventh victory.
(Also April 15, 1943: Having attacked 16 GIAP, Wolf Ettel and his Schwarm returned to the battle zone, where they were bounced by four Airacobras and three Kittyhawks of 45 IAP who had been alerted by the Soviet vectoring station. But they evaded the attack and blew two of the former and one of the latter out of the sky. Having claimed his twentieth victory (unsubstantiated), Dmitriy Glinka had to take to the parachute and bailed out wounded. His wingman, Starshiy Serzhant Mikhail Petrov, suffered the same fate, and Starshiy Serzhant Venyamin Bezbabnov’s Kittyhawk fell in flames. Wolf Ettel returned from that engagement with his seventy-fourth and seventy-fifth victories, claimed against LaGG-3s, although a misidentification is not excluded.)

This does not corroborate with the research of Andrey Kuznetsov, who is working on a in-depth study about the Kuban air battles. This is a excerpt from my "Messerschmitt Bf 109 The Yugoslav Story Vol.II", and based on Andrey's research:

"In the afternoon of 15 April, Lt. Mato Dukovac and Obfw. Viktor ‘Viki’ Mihelčič of 15.(kroat.)/JG 52 went on a sweep between Krymskaya and Abinskaya rail stations... Lt. Dukovac reported his victory (against P-39) as taking place at 15.30 southeast of Krymskaya.
At 15.30, but much further to the northeast, another Airacobra was claimed by Lt. Wolf-Udo Ettel of 4./JG 3, matching perfectly with the battle report of 16 GIAP which noted damage to the plane of st.leit. Vadim Fadeev who was returning to his base. At least six more claims were filed by other German Bf 109G pilots between 15.12 and 15.35 in the same area: two LaGG 3s by Obfw. Heinrich Sturm and one by Oblt. Wilhelm Batz of Stab II./JG 52, a P-39 by Lt. Erich Hartmann of 7./JG 52
and two LaGG 3s by Uffz. Wilhelm Hauswirth of 8./JG 52. On the opposite side, seven Airacobras of 298 IAP fought a pro-longed battle with a force of 16 German fighters, which riddled the plane of leit. Georgiy Klimanov, who force-landed at Novotitarovskaya airfield. Six LaGG 3s of 267 IAP engaged the same number of Gustavs west of Abinskaya and lost two of their own: st.ser. Mikhail Vahnev bailed out and ser. Nikolay Gorbachev perished near Erivanskaya. Any data about four claims made by Fw 190s of II./SchG 1 during the day is lacking and some of these might have been the cause of the above-mentioned Soviet losses."

I will paraphrase what he concluded in our correspondence for the battles fought between 15.17 and 15.35:
Total 8 claims for 2 planes shot down, 1 force-landed and 1 damaged. If we take out the case of Ettel - Fadeyev, what remains are 2 shot down and 1 force-landed for 7 claims, almost all in the area of the Croat claim (not counting possible II./SchG 1 claims). Only Hartmann's claim at 15:33 was further away - SSE of Kholmskaya. Keeping in mind that the battle reported by 298 IAP lasted for 35-40 minutes, it is possible that Hartman hit Klimanov's plane.

Cheers,
Boris

[Christer Bergström]

It is very hard to piece together the German and Soviet combat reports on this day, since the times given do not corroborate to each other. Different Soviet sources give different times for the same events, and it seems as though several of the German victory claims give the wrong time and the wrong place.

In my preliminary manuscript to Black Cross/Red Star Vol. 5, this is my conclusion:

Two hours later, six Airacobras of 16 GIAP were returning from a combat mission when suddenly a Bf 109 struck down on them, shooting down Starshiy Leytenant Fadeyev and then making a quick escape. Fadeyev survived unhurt, but if we study 16 GIAP’s results for the day objectively, the results were quite negative: 41 Airacobras had flown combat sorties, and of these, three had been shot down and eight damaged. In exchange for this, only one German aircraft had in fact been shot down—hardly a convincing result for a crack unit.
It seems as though Fadeyev was shot down by either II./JG 3’s Leutnant Wolf Ettel or the Croatian pilot Leutnant Mato Dukovac of 15./JG 52, who both claimed an Airacobra in that area by that time.
Having claimed this victory, Wolf Ettel and his Schwarm returned to the battle zone, where they were bounced by four Airacobras and three Kittyhawks of 45 IAP who had been alerted by the Soviet vectoring station. But they evaded the attack and blew two of the former and one of the latter out of the sky. Having claimed his twentieth victory (unsubstantiated), Dmitriy Glinka had to take to the parachute and bailed out wounded. His wingman, Starshiy Serzhant Mikhail Petrov, suffered the same fate, and Starshiy Serzhant Venyamin Bezbabnov’s Kittyhawk fell in flames. Wolf Ettel returned from that engagement with his seventy-fourth and seventy-fifth victories, claimed against LaGG-3s, although a misidentification is not excluded.
Six LaGG-3s of 267 IAP (of 236 IAD) and seven Airacobras of 298 IAP also took part in that fight, with the former unit losing two planes—Starshiy Serzhant Mikhail Vakhnev bailed out of his stricken machine and Serzhant Nikolay Gorbachyov was killed—and Leytenant Georgiy Klimanov of 298 IAP force-landing his Airacobra at Novotitarovskaya airdrome. All in all, 236 IAD lost six LaGG-3s on this day.
Total losses by 5 VA on April 15, 1943 were at least six LaGG-3s and three I-153s. 4 VA had nineteen aircraft shot down. The Luftwaffe’s losses were confined to five aircraft—three He 111s and two Hs 129s—of which only two were shot down by Soviet fighters.

[Boris Ciglic]

Fadeyev was not shot down, his plane was only damaged. As I wrote, this piece of data came from Andrey Kuznetsov who for many years already is doing a in-depth research of the air battles over Kuban at TSAMO and went through the archival funds of all participating VVS units, from regiment to VA level. The data available online at Pamyat naroda, Podvig naroda and OBD Memorial, although occasionally very useful, is just a minor fragment of what is stored at TSAMO. A fine example is comparision of what there is on 5 VA in Hungary in 1944/45 and what is Gabor posting on this forum.


Cheers,
Boris

[Christer Bergström]

Yes, that was a sloppy writing. He force-landed at the airfield with a machine so badly damaged that it required reparations from a PARM mobile workshop. This is only the raw (unedited) manuscript.