Ivan Kozhedub

[researcher111]

Along with my research on the Rumanian fronts 1941 / 1944 I have determined that
numerous VVS and VMF victories were subject to homologations by end of 90's and
further , one of which is the case of G.Retschkalov , in addition some of the
homologations may have been due to history revisionists. As into comment that
there were no Rumanian losses on April 11, 1944 the info may not be correct .

Around the area of Targul Frumous 2 Romanian ME-109 and a PZL-24 were lost
to 178 IAP . In addition 178 IAP themselves lost one plane to a an unknown
Romanian plane as such there were combat activities on that day.

Alex K

[Dénes Bernád]

Except for a single recce, there were no Rumanian combat losses on 11 April 1944.

[researcher111]

From the info I have Brizgalyov and Jigulenkov each shot down a ME-109 in that
area on that day ,the PZL may have been on a recon mission over Soviet territory
possibly escorted by Romanian ME-109's rather escorted by Luftwaffe, I doubt
that 3 Soviet pilots make claims in areas close to T.Frumos , then they lose a pilot
of their own on the same area, to be finally proven as inexistent story .

Is there a full data base on Romanian losses as of April 1944 ?

[Dénes Bernád]

There is no full database of Rumanian losses available.
I pieced together my database from various sources, incl. archival ones.

[researcher111]

This is the issue, no complete Rom data base available. The PZL may have
belonged to Esc de Obs of an unknown fleet trying to gather recon a day
after T.Frumos battle has started near Starca and further N.E. when brought
down by Ivan , the Romanian ME-109's were brought down near Targul Frumos
(Valea Oilor ) and an other near Muntenti . Also near Targul Frumos , St Lt
Kolesnikov was shot down or collided . There were no German assets on the air on
11.4.44 when 178 IAP was directed to the Romanian planes.

Russian sources cite an intense air battle near T.Frumos whereby
also Romanian IAR-80's participated. Kolesnikov leader was Amelin , later
on there were reports that Kolesnikov's LAGG-5 collided head on with a
IAR 80 or FW-190 who was busy attacking the Russian formation.

By the end of the battle 3 Romanian planes and one Soviet were
reported down.

For some reason you also don't have the loss of IAR-80 identified
by other Russians sources as FW-190 , maybe someone could determine
if there was such a Luftwaffe loss on that day.

In 1943 Kolesnikov was awarded R.B. order by Aprl 11, 44 he
was already deputy Sqd Com . Russian records homologated
the collision as a Taran which I highly doubt .

Strangely and later on also the Germans claimed a LAGG-3
on same area

Flugzeugführer unknwon pilot (Ofw.) 8./SG 2 LaGG-3
06:05 hrs alt .unknown ,Film C. 2032/I Anerk: Nr. 5

Corrections : SG2 operated JU 87 , SG-10 FW-190 ,
Husi & IASI airfields covered T.Frumos

[Andrew Arthy]

On 11 April 1944 8./S.G. 2 was flying the Ju 87 from Husi, and at least two missions were flown on this day: 13:25-15:00 to Targul Frumos, and 16:00-17:20 to Arama-Protogru. Enemy fighters were encountered on the latter mission.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[researcher111]

An unknown pilot of 8./SG2 brought down a LAGG 3 near T.Frumos , the name
of the plt and alt is missing , which may reflect the the mid air
with Kolesnikov. The time was 06:05 am which matches somehow
the Soviet pilots post briefing reports . If the time was at noon as
you stated, the 8./SG2 claim is irrelevant because the Soviets lost on that days only Kolesnikov's LAGG 5
through a middair air at early morning hours . The Soviets clearly described the enemy fighter as
FW 190 and not JU-87 which in that case may have been a IAR 80.

Interesting to know the complete figures who lost what on that day because
at this point is getting more confused than before . I will look for Kojedub's
memoires which is in Russian language a book I have somewhere in my
house , though I doubt that there will be more details .

[knusel]

Originally Posted by researcher111

Along with my research on the Rumanian fronts 1941 / 1944 I have determined that
numerous VVS and VMF victories were subject to homologations by end of 90's and
further , one of which is the case of G.Retschkalov , in addition some of the
homologations may have been due to history revisionists. As into comment that
there were no Rumanian losses on April 11, 1944 the info may not be correct .

Around the area of Targul Frumous 2 Romanian ME-109 and a PZL-24 were lost
to 178 IAP . In addition 178 IAP themselves lost one plane to a an unknown
Romanian plane as such there were combat activities on that day.

Alex K

Good afternoon Alex,

you mean Kozhedub's score might have been upgraded after the war ?

Kind regards,

Michael

[researcher111]

Michael

In the post WWII the Soviets and later on the Putin Admin historians homologated
many of the records in additions numerous gold stars of Russian Federation were
awarded to some of the homologees . Under scrutiny came the case of Retschkalov
who became the second Soviet leading ace .This issue and other I've discussed
time again with his daughter Lyuba in 2016 . Petition for his 3rd gold star was completed last year
which is pending Sergey Shoygu approval. Ivan scores may have also been higher
though I have no further info on that . Retschalov had lots of encounters with Romanian
flyers in 1941 and again in 1944 .

Alex K

[knusel]

Hello Alex,

you mean Retschkalov's score was upgraded (from 56+5 or 6 shared to 61+4 shared) postwar ?

Have a nice Thursday,

Michael