Forthcoming book Youngest Ace, Russian

[edwest]

http://www.stackpolebooks.com/cgi-bi...oks.storefront

Unfortunately, I can't get a link to the actual book page to work. You'll have to click on Search, and in the Author's box, type Heaton. And then click on the book's title to get to the description page with cover photo. Odd that.

Usual disclaimer,
Ed

[Dénes Bernád]

A highly suspicious story, I might add.

[MB]

OMG, it seems to be a 90% fake story, the real 'pulp fiction' IMHO ...

[Ruy Horta]

http://www.stackpolebooks.com/cgi-bi...117&2D3240&2D1



Driven by intense hatred for the Soviet Union-Bolsheviks murdered his uncle in 1917 and the secret police later executed his father-Prince Leonidas Maximciuc, nephew of the Russian tsar, joined up with Romanian and Free Russian forces in 1942 at the age of sixteen. Already a budding fighter pilot, the young prince began a career in which he scored fifty-two aerial victories, destroyed twenty-seven Soviet tanks, and survived being shot down nine times-all in under three years. After the war, Maximciuc fought with Romanian anti-Communists and eventually served twenty years in the US Air Force.

BTW, any comments on this title:

http://www.stackpolebooks.com/cgi-bi...5367&2D649&2D7



This is the extraordinary story of Vasily B. Emelianenko, the veteran pilot of the I1-2, one of the Soviet Union's most contradictory planes of WWII. This heavily armored aircraft was practically unrivaled in terms of fire power, but it was slow to maneuver and an easy target for fighters. The I1-2 had to attack enemy flak columns at extremely low altitudes, which led to enormous losses both in equipment and personnel.


Emelianenko, having flown eighty combat sorties against the Germans, was proclaimed Hero of the Soviet Union-its highest decoration. He went on to complete ninety-two sorties. His plane was shot down three times, and on each occasion he managed to pilot the damaged aircraft home, demonstrating remarkable resilience and bravery in the face of terrifying odds. Emelianenko's vivid memoirs provide a rare insight into the reality of fighting over the Eastern Front and the tactics of the Red Army Air Force. With remarkable clarity, he recalls what it was like to come face to face with a skilled, deadly, and increasingly desperate enemy. Hair-raising encounters with fighters, forced landings on enemy territory, and the death of friends are all brought dramatically and movingly to life in this rare first-hand account.

[MB]

BTW Emelianenko was proclaimed Hero of the Soviet Union for 88 sorties, not 80.

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by MB

OMG, it seems to be a 90% fake story, the real 'pulp fiction' IMHO ...

You're very generous, MB, by giving 10% truth to the guy's story...

[MB]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

You're very generous, MB, by giving 10% truth to the guy's story...

Just maybe any realistic historical background?.. But You're right - it really needs to correct the percentage to 99!

[edwest]

Well, then. I feel someone should contact the publisher in that he's paid money to someone for fiction instead of fact. Working for a publishing company myself, I would not like to be in the difficult position that after publication I would be contacted by historians disputing the claims made in the book and have my reputation (and credibility) diminished. From a business standpoint, it could result in a loss of sales.


Ed

[Dénes Bernád]

Ed, the problem with such an unsolicited intervention is that one would put himself in the centre of a controversy, which could lead to unpleasant issues or worse...

[MB]

BTW, Vasily B. Emelianenko's book is very good, realistic and without any Communist propaganda and ideological cliches, especially for the time when it was published 1st time (1970-s). It's the real 'front truth'. Highly recommended for all WW2(GPW) Soviet aviation enthusiasts!