Erich Hartmann

Erich Hartmann (born the April 19th 1922 with Weissach and deceased the September 20th 1993), German fighter pilot , the German ace with the prize list more provided.

Biography

Born in a family from impassioned Aviation (his/her mother founds in 1936 a school of gliding), Erich obtains at 14 years two Brevet S of pilot of sailplane, then becomes at fifteen years instructor in a group of gliding of the Jeunesses hitlériennes. It engages in the Luftwaffe in October 1940 and between at the school of pilot in March 1941. Its instructors notice his talent and send it to the school of hunting. As of the end of its training of pilot, it joined Group 3 of Jagdgeschwader 52 (III/JG52) on the face of Russia in March 1942 where it controls a Messerschmitt BF109, in particular the version Bf 109G.

The November 5th 1942, it obtains its first victory, one month after its first exit on mission of combat, against a Sturmovik. At the end of April 1943, Erich already carried out 110 missions in the capacity as winger and with eight victories with its credit becomes leader. As of this moment, it sets a rule which it will comply with in any circumstance: Never not to lose its winger.

Wounded and made captive in August 1943, he astutely manages to escape and takes again his service at once and is named chief of flotilla. Two months later its prize list is of 150 shot down apparatuses what is worth to him to obtain the Croix of knight. In February 1944, it passes the course of the 200 victories (and obtains the sheets of oak). In July 1944, continuing on its impetus, it counts 250 victories and becomes the second Lieutenant to only see itself giving the cross of knight with sheets of oak and swords. When it obtains its 300e victory in August 1944, it receives diamonds and, in September 44, the general Galland proposes to him to join his flotilla of ace (the JV 44 equipped with frightening the Messerschmitt Me 262). Hartmann refuses the proposal and, promoted Capitaine, takes again the command of a group of hunting within its flotilla.

With the end of the war, the conditions of combat are increasingly catastrophic for Lufwaffe: at the end of 44, it is thus confronted only with nine P51 Mustang and after having abbattu of it one, does not have that at its address to escape the shootings from the huits others. It cuts down its 352e plane, the score highest of all the times obtained by a fighter pilot, on most advanced of the versions of Messerschmitt, Bf 109K-4, the May 8th 1945, day of the capitulation.

Delivered to the Soviet , he is condemned to ten years of prison. Released in 1955, it contributes then to the installation of the new air force of the FRG then is allowed with the retirement in 1973 with the rank of Colonel.

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