Erich Hartmann (Hartmann)

Hartmann, Erich (Hartmann), Luftwaffe fighter pilot, Major. According to official statistics, shot down 352 enemy aircraft, heading the list of German aces in the 2 nd World War. Born April 19, 1922 in Veyszahe. He spent his childhood in China, where his father worked as a. In 1936 he flew gliders in aviaklube under the leadership of his mother - athletes, pilots. With 16 years of piloting aircraft. Since 1940 trained in the 10 th training regiment Luftwaffe at Konigsberg, and then in flight school in Berlin. Military flying career began in August 1942 in the 52 th Fighter Aviation Regiment, who fought in the Caucasus. Participated in the Battle of Kursk was shot down, taken prisoner, but managed to escape. In 1944 was appointed commander of the 53rd formations. He was awarded many orders and medals, t. h. the sixth Luftwaffe pilot who received the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Nazi propaganda she called

Hartman, blond Germanic knight ". His last 352-S Hartman scored a victory May 8, 1945 in the skies of Germany. After the last, 1425 th combat sortie, Hartman ordered the burning aircraft and survivors, along with his subordinates had surrendered to the Americans. 16 May he was handed over by the Soviet occupation authorities. Spending 10 years in a Soviet prison camp, Hartman was released in 1955. In 1959 he joined the newly established Luftwaffe, commanded the 71 th regiment of fighter aircraft "Richthofen" in Oldenburg. Later he retired and lived in a suburb of Stuttgart.

Many military historians have questioned the number of planes downed by Hartman.