By this time, in late September 1942, III./JG 52 had been shifted to Soldatskaya Airdrome, another primitive airstrip close to a desolate hamlet near the Terek River. When the novice Leutnant claimed out of the Ju 52 that had brought him to this godforsaken place, the Gruppenkomandeur Major Hubertus von Bonin was out on a combat sortie as Obrfeldwebel Alfred Grislaski´s wingman.

When they returned, Grislawski was first to land. Grilslawski jumped out of his cockpit with black looks and ran over to von Bonin´s Bf 109, high was taxiing in to the parking grounds. "That no-good son of a bitch made a complete mess of it all! I'll have his ass for this," Grislawski confined to the personnel that stood around.

The canopy of von Bonin´s aircraft had merely been opened before Grislawski started to give free rein to his anger. "You incompetent bastard" he yelled; "How many times have I told you to listen to me and do what I say? What the hell came into your mind during that combat? It seams at though you had ventured to join the Ivans! I could have got that bastard, if I hadn't been forced to come to your assistance! Where the hell did you learn to fly?"

Major von Bonin made a shamefaced appearance as he stood in attention in front of his Oberfeldwebel. He made en attempt to stutter a reply, but was interrupted by a new explosion of rage from Grislawski. The veteran Oberfeldwebel used the entire specter of depreciatory expressions that he had learned during his own recruit training and in the same forced volume.

When Grislawski had finished and turned around to walk away, leaving the pale von Bonin standing where he was, the newcomer approached him: "Sir, Leunant Hartmann reporting to 7./JG 52 from the replacement Gruppe," the newcomer adressed Grislawski.

Grislawski ghastly turned his face against the fresh Leutnant. "What a baby," it flashed trough Grislawski´s head as he saw the greenhorns childish face. "Leave me alone," Grislawski snubbed: "The C.O. is over there!" He pointed at von Bonin and left.

"Welcome, Leutnant Hartmann," von Bonin said. Then slightly embarrassed he aded: "You see, here in the first line, ranks and such privileges don't count, only experienced. On combat missions, the most experienced pilot is the commander, and we all have to obey his instructions, including myself, as you just have seen Oberfeldwebel Grislawski, whom you met, is one of my best men."

Usually, the pilots utilize either mainly their skills, or simply their physical strength to exhaust their enemy in the air. but Grislawski in one of the few who carries out air combat with both his head and his muscles. He also seems to have a "nose" to find Russian aircraft in the air, and that's why I asked to accompany him on this mission. Unfortunately, I made a mess out of myself, and Grislawski was right to tear me up like that"

The twenty-year-old son of a military doctor, now an Leutnant would soon learn the hard way, under the leadership of harsh non-commissioned officers like Alfred Grislawski and Edmund Rossman, soon he earned the nickname "Bubi" Baby.

This text comes from Christer Bergströms book "Graf & Grislawski a pair of Aces" published by Eagle Editions in 2003.

Checking the log books, the III./JG 52 arrived to Soldatskaya Airdrome on 20 September, and as Grislawski left for the 7th Staffel on 3 October, pinponted this "Yellow 10" to that period. It is interesting to note that Grislawski did not add any abschusse during this period, however on 4 October he downed a Boston for his 60th confirmed victory.

This profile was one of seven newly made profiles this week. This machine would be included in one of my upcoming Profile Books.