Erich Hartmann Worlds Highest Scoring Ace 352 Victories

Erich Hartmann is the most successful fighter pilot in history. Hartman flew 1,425 combat missions all on the Eastern Front starting his career as 'Paule' Rossmans wingman. It soon became apparent that he was a very special pilot . In July 1943 he was promoted Stafflelkapitan of 7./JG52, and in September took over 9./JG52. In March 1942 he had scored his 200th victory. He was lastly promoted to GruppenKommandeur off I./JG52. Hartman was awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds and was also known as the Black Devil of the Ukraine because of the "black tulip" he had painted on his aircraft (which he later removed). Hartmann was said to be quiet and unassuming not for the Russians though who had a 10,000 ruble price on his head.

Eric Hartmann scored an amazing 352 victories. Hartmann was feared and hated by the Russians, so much so that he had to remove the "black tulip" painted on the nose of his aircraft as they would rather turn and flee than face the' Black Devil'. In all, Hartmann engaged in more than 800 dogfights and suffered 13 accidents, preferring to crash land 12 times and bail out only once. Hartmann was only 17 when the War began and upon leaving college in 1940 he joined the army transferring to the Luftwaffe 6 months later - he soloed in less than a month.

Hartmann's crew chief Heinz Mertens became a very close friend

This great photograph shows Hartmann celebrating his 1st victory by hoisting his mechanic on his back

By October of 1940 Hartmann was assigned to his first unit 7/JG52 where he was assigned to Edmund Rossman as his wingman. Hartman did every wrong including separating from his leader, running out of fuel and crash-landing. He was then assigned to Walter Krupinski who took a more relaxed attitude towards him, this is where Hartman learned to get so close to his enemy before firing, that hits were guaranteed. This combined with the fact that Hartmann was a crack shot, enabled him to score most of his kills with little ammunition. This is also around the time Hartman was nicknamed Bubi (Boy) as he looked far younger than his 20 years.

Hartmann wincing at a warm toast to celebrate his 300th victory

Hartmann scored his first kill on the 5th of November 1942 to intercept 18 heavily armoured Sturmovik ground attack aircraft escorted by 10 Lagg-3 fighters. Hartmann headed for the nearest Sturmovik, he fired at a range of 200 ft, as the Stormovik went down, Hartmans own aircraft was hit by debris which resulted in Hartman crash landing on his first kill. During his combat career on the Russian front, Erich met US planes shooting down seven Mustangs during just three engagements.

In the morning of the 8th of May Hartmann scored his 352 victory - a Russian fighter thought to be celebrating the impending Russian victory. Hartman struck fast and the Russian became his 352nd victory. Hartman was handed to the Russians by the US, once they found out they had the 'Black Devil' he was singled out for very harsh brutal treatment. including long periods in solitary confinement Hartmann spent 10 years as a prisoner of War. Hartmann was to be sorely tested, offered a position in the new East German Air Force he refused, it was then he was sentenced to 25 years hard labour. Finally West Germany effected his release, he returned to a hero's welcome. Hartmann became Kommodore of JG71 the new German Air Force. Erich Hartmann is truly the Ace of all Aces a feat that will never be repeated.