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Leutnant Erich Hartmann, nick-named "Bubi" ("Boy") because of his childish appearance, developed into the world´s most successful fighter pilot on the Eastern front between 1942 and 1945. His main successes began during the first day of the Battle of Kursk on July 5, 1943, when the Germans, alerted by their radar-stations managed to intercept the incoming Soviet attack on their airfields. And over the front lines the Jagdwaffe pilots managed to file claims for no less than 432 VVS aircraft. "Bubi" which pervious had experienced some hard times of learning to fight in the East, harshly teached by the two non-commissioned officers´ Edmund Rossman and Alfred Grislawski was finally forced on leave by his commander von Bonin after being totally exhaust after a number of crashes and close shaves in air combat. However on 5 July 1943 Hartmann manage to down two Il-2s and a LaGG thereby reaching 20 confirmed victories. During the days fighting over the Kursk battlefields the III./JG 52 pilots manage to down an incredible 123 Soviet machines, all for an own loss of five Bf 109s and with them three pilots listed as killed in action. It´s interesting to note that from the start of the Kurk offensive until the end of September 1943, close to three month of action, Hartmann´s number of aerial victories grew from 18 to 115. Fritz Obleser, a fellow fighter pilot from the neighbouring 8 Staffel, expressed loud doubts over the newcomer Hartmann´s claims. However, after flying a mission together with Hartmann on first October 1943 and witnessing "Bubi" shooting down two La-5 within ten minutes, Obleser who himself bagged another La-5 for his 68th abschuss during this mission, refrained from his earlier suspicions. Note "Bubi" Hartmanns personal "Karaya" hart "Dicker Max" under the cockpit. Please note that
during the last week I have not been able to make any new profiles
as I´m occupied with my upcoming Profile Book No 15. |
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