Everyone knows the exploits of Soviet pilots aces, showed his heroism during World War II.But little is said about the fact that the German pilots of this period were not inferior to our aviators.Moreover, the German pilot Erich Hartmann is an ace, having the highest number of victories in the history of world aviation.Let's take a detailed look at his biography.
Youth
Erich Hartmann Alfred was born April 19, 1922 in the small town of Weiss, in the land of Wuerttemberg.He was not the only child in the family, the future ace had a younger brother, Alfred, later also a combat pilot.
In the 20s the family Hartmann decided to move to China.The reason was the extreme poverty in which there was a family in Germany, while experiencing a severe economic crisis.However, already in 1928, Erich Hartmann, with his parents and his brother were forced to return to their homeland, where they settled in the town of Weil im Schönbuch in Wuerttemberg.
love of aviation was at Erich blood because his mother Elise Hartman was one of the first female pilots in Germany.In the 30s she even opened her own glider school that her son was successfully completed.
After graduation, Erich Hartmann in 1936 he entered the National Institute of Political Education.Three years later he proposes to girl, Ursula, whom he met while studying in the school in Korntal.Of course, she could not refuse such an interesting and promising young man like Erich Hartmann.Photos of their family album can be seen below.
Home Service
After the start of World War II, the future pilot Erich Hartmann decided to serve in the Luftwaffe - the air force of the Wehrmacht.In the wake of the brilliant victories of the German aces of his desire only grew stronger, and in October 1941 he successfully completed his flight training.
In the first months of 1942 with Erich was teaching and coaching one of the best German aces - Hogan.This fact, of course, in the future, could not affect its excellent results.Of paramount importance was their occupation on the fighter "Messerschmitt Bf109», with whom Erich Hartmann tied the rest of his career as a pilot.
Finally, in October 1942, the future ace was sent to the North Caucasus as part of the ninth Squadron 52 th Fighter Squadron (JG-52), which had by that time the glory and fame, led by their commander Dietrich Grabakom.
Worst-first
soon happened baptism Erich Hartmann.There is nothing heroic or outstanding future ace did not committed.Making a flight together with his direct mentor Edmund Rossman, he lost sight of the older man.In addition, the aircraft of Erich Hartmann suffered a sudden attack of the Soviet fighter.But we must pay tribute to the young pilot - he still was able to get away from the enemy and put your machine.
Many experts later said that Erich Hartmann just scared.But fear has characterized nearly all pilots, made its first sortie, and even those who in the future became undisputed ace.However, in a further flight Erich never gave a fright to take over the top.
first victory
But despite such a depressing beginning of his military career, in early November, Erich Hartmann was able to gain his first victory over the enemy in the air.
victim twenty pilot became a Soviet attack plane IL-2, which has always been very inconvenient and dangerous opponent for the German pilots.But Erich managed to cope with it masterfully.He was able to approach the enemy aircraft as close as possible and aiming to get his oil cooler.This battle tactics of the young pilots trained German ace Alfred Grislavsky.Later, the pilot Hartman has repeatedly used this trick in battle with the machines of this type.
However, as always, in the ointment was the fly in the ointment.The proximity of the distance from the downed aircraft played a cruel joke, and fragments of it hooked the machine Erich.He was forced to make an emergency landing.This was a good lesson for the young pilot, and continue it after striking the enemy at close range, always tried as quickly as possible to divert his plane out of the way.
finest hour
After this relatively successful battle was followed by a series of unsuccessful missions.So, Erich Hartmann for the next three months was able to knock down only one enemy unit.
present hour of triumph for the young pilot took place in the time of the Battle of Kursk, takes place in July and August 1943.Despite the overall deplorable outcome of this battle for the German troops, it was then that Eric has demonstrated the most impressive results.After the Kursk battle him rightly stuck rank - flying ace.Erich Hartmann just one day of battle showed a phenomenal result, shooting down seven enemy aircraft.
In the future, the pilot only increase the number of their victories.During August 1943 he shot down 43 Soviet aircraft, and the total number by this time reached ninety.
Miraculous rescue
In one of these battles barely escaped captivity Erich Hartmann.Memoirs written by himself, explain in detail about the incident.
When the German pilot fought the Soviet pilots his aircraft suffered a serious injury.After another enemy unit knocked Erich Hartmann, a boomerang fragments covered his own car.This forced the ace to land in enemy territory.
Erich engaged in repairing his plane.But then he saw that the place where he carried out repairs, approaching detachment of Soviet soldiers.The only chance to escape and avoid capture was to pretend to be badly injured.Hartmann took advantage of this opportunity well.His acting was so flawless that the soldiers of the Red Army to believe that Eric is in a dying condition.
Soldiers loaded the German ace on a stretcher and sent by truck to the unit.But Erich, improving the moment, jumped out of the car and ran.No bullet aimed towards Hartman, do not hit the target, but, ironically, already on the German side of the front he was wounded sentry own army, which adopted the pilot of the enemy had fled.
difficult to judge how much a true story told Erich Hartmann.Memoirs of the pilot are the only source from which the world knew it.
Further progress
While the German army was retreating farther to the borders of the Reich, Eric Hartman with every fight has increased the number of its personal victories.By the end of 1943 their number was equal to almost one hundred and sixty.By the time Al had managed to get as a reward Knight's Cross - the highest distinction in the German army.
huge number of victories Hartman planted a seed of doubt in their reliability, even in the German command.But later, Eric was able to prove that such suspicions unfounded.At the beginning of March 1944 the number of enemy planes shot down a German ace, exceeded two hundred, as of July 1, has reached two hundred and fifty.
By this time the war in the European theater of hostilities entered the US Air Force.And now it is the American aircraft, mainly the "Mustangs" were the main opponents of a German pilot.
But the glory of the medal has two sides.Once in August 1944, the number of victories of Erich exceeded three hundred, he became a living legend, the most successful ace of all time.It made us think about the leadership of the Wehrmacht, that in the event of his death, this fact greatly demoralize the German army.It was therefore decided to withdraw from the area of the legendary pilot of active hostilities.With great difficulty, Hartman managed to defend their right to be at the forefront.
end of the war in early 1945, Erich Hartmann was given command of a squadron link.He showed himself very well in this position.
His last fight German ace held May 8, 1945, in fact, after the signing of the surrender of Germany, on the Czechoslovak city of Brno.On that day he shot down a Soviet fighter.However, realizing the futility of resistance, eventually Hartman with the remnants of his unit was forced to surrender to the US Armed Forces.
After the war After the Second World War, according to the agreements between the winners, Erich Hartmann was handed over to the Soviet side as the American soldiers who fought against the Red Army.
Hartman in the Soviet Union was sentenced immediately to 10 years for war crimes.And then 25 years for organizing a riot in the prison.But in 1955, the legendary ace was released, according to the bilateral agreement between the USSR and Germany on the repatriation of prisoners of war.
Immediately after returning home Hartmann recovered the military service as officers.He was appointed commander of the squadron.The resignation of the famous ace left in 1970, although it continued to work after an instructor in aviation.
Death overtook Erica Hartman September 19, 1993, at age 71.
Personality outstanding ace
Hartman was characterized by his colleagues as a sociable and cheerful person.He quickly poured a new team, and always enjoyed the respect and sympathy of their comrades.Not everyone could so to win as Erich Hartmann.Photos that we have available, confirm once again evidence of his outgoing nature.They almost always smiling, he was captured and cheerful, often in the company of friends.
Colleagues gave Hartmann playful nickname "Bubi", which means "Little Boy."The reason was his short stature and the fact that he looked young for his age.
Erich Hartmann never liked to get involved in a long exhausting air battles, preferring to act suddenly and quickly, but at close range.When he tried to strike as soon as possible to withdraw from the battle, not to be covered with shrapnel from a downed aircraft or overtaken by other pilots of the enemy.Perhaps precisely because of this tactic Hartman was able to achieve such an impressive number of victories.
achievements and significance
Currently, many military historians and biographers are exploring way of life of such an outstanding pilot, Erich Hartmann.Photos, documents, memoirs are a major help in this difficult work.
Erich Hartmann rightfully wore the title of the greatest ace of all time.Total of World War II, he participated in 802 air battles, of which 352 ended in a victory that is still unsurpassed results.At the same time they were made 1404 sorties.
