"Red Star Airacobra"

[Brian]

Hi guys

I'm currently reading "Red Star Airacobra" the memoirs of Soviet fighter ace Evgeniy Mariinskiy. Not exactly the best translation and rather disjointed but well worth a read, IMHO.

Mariinskiy served with the 129th GUIP in 1943/44. I've picked up on one or two incidents and wonder if anyone can provide more details:

Mariinskiy was apparently shot down in error by his Regiment commander LtCol Vladimir Bobrov (43 victories) sometime in November or December 1943. I seek the actual date, please.

A colleague, Lt Bourgonov (also an ace?) was shot down by own AA fire sometime late in 1943. Baled out, but later shot down and POW. Full identity and dates of both incidents?

Fedor Trutnev was shot down and killed by own AA, sometime in January 1944. Confirmation required please.

Over to the experts
Cheers
Brian

[Nokose]

Brian,
For Guards Ml. Lt. Fedor Grigorevich Trutnev (born 1920) of the 129 GIAP (205 IAD) it shows KIA in an air battle on 17Jan44 4 km w. of Kirovograd.

[Brian]

Hi Nokose

Thanks for that. Good to hear from you again.

With best wishes
Brian

[Nokose]

Hi Brian,
Guards Lt. Nikolay Fedorovich Burgonov (1920) 129 GIAP shot down in an air battle 31May44 (another 30May44) and POW. Had 8 victories (or 7). POW but returned after the war.

Best Regards,
Michael

[Nikita Egorov]

Brian,

Mariinskiy describes this accident as being shot down by mistake. In fact documents say that it was a sudden attack by 2 Me-109. Date is 22.11.1943

Trutnev is definetely your client. On January 17, 1944 he was shot down by own Flak in the vicinity of Kirowograd.

Burgonov was shot down twice in late 1943: on October 21 and December 15 in both cases by German fighters.

[Brian]

Many thanks Michael and Nikita

Having actual dates always adds authenticity to undated accounts that appear in memoirs.

Should either of you have note of Eastern Front friendly fire incidents, particularly for 1942 and 1943, I would appreciate being advised.

Many thanks
Brian

[Nokose]

I have read about Soviet troops being "worried" about certain Il-2 units in their area attacking them by mistake more then once but nothing about what happen. This happened during Kursk.

[Brian]

Hi guys

I've just noted that Mariinskiy stated that on the date that Trutnev was shot down by his own airfield AA (17/1/44), the same AA unit had accounted for a PE-2.

Do we have confirmation and details of this?

Thanks in advance
Cheers
Brian