How the best German ace was twice captured by the Soviets

The Luftwaffe major had 352 air victories to his name, 344 of which were won against Soviet aircraft. Erich Hartmann is considered the most effective fighter pilot in the history of aviation.

The first time Hartmann fell into the hands of the Soviet troops was on August 19, 1943, near the city of Stalino (now Donetsk). After an air battle, he had to make an emergency landing on enemy territory in his Messerschmitt.

Related

The Soviet pilots who fought in WWII despite losing their legs

Seeing the approaching Red Army soldiers, the pilot pretended to be wounded. He was put on a stretcher and placed in a truck that was on its way to headquarters. 

Hartmann waited a moment to attack the only escort soldier and stunned him. He then jumped off the truck and was lost in a field of tall sunflowers. When crossing the front line, he was almost shot by a German soldier, who did not believe that he was facing a downed Luftwaffe pilot.

The second time Erich Hartmann found himself in Soviet captivity at the very end of the war – Spring 1945. This time, he was destined to stay there longer. The German ace returned home only in 1955.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.