Russian pilot captured Bf109

[Brian]

"21 January 1942: Lt Semion Arkadyevich Kuznetzov, a flight commander in an IL-2 Shturmovik fighter squadron, was shot down by a Bf109 over Vulko Ostrolenkovo (Poland) and crash-landed in a field. The Messerschmitt landed nearby and Kuznetzov, who was hiding, saw the pilot jump out, Luger in hand, who then closely inspected the crash-landed IL-2. Kuznetzov seized the chance and spinted over to the Messerschmitt and although in a strange aircraft, took-off and flew back to his airfield on the Kalinin front. As he approached the airfield, two IL-2s from his squadron took off to intercept but he managed to evade and landed safely."

Hi guys
Did this really happen? If so, who was the German pilot and his fate?

Cheers
Brian

[Nokose]

Brian, The only one I found in JFV 9/I for the 21Jan42 in the Kalinin Front area was 3./JG52 Lt. Ernst Gelich v. Luftkampf Chwljepen 100% Bf109F-2 (9547) ge. 3+. Poland seems a far stretch from the Kalinin Front in Jan42. I don't really see Il-2's taking off for a figther interception. Also a captured Bf109 would be a photo shoot that would be taken advantage of at that time.

[Nikita Egorov]

Brian,

You can throw this rubbish away. That has never happened in reality.

[Brian]

Thanks Nokose and Nikita

I had my doubts. The story appeared in an old flying magazine.

Best for 2010
Brian