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Bf 109G-6, Lt. Anton Hafner, CO of 10./JG 51, Tilsit-East,
the Soviet Union, August 1944
Bf 109G-14, Hptm. Erich Hartmann, CO of I./JG 53, Veszprém,
Hungary, February 1945
Anton Hafner achieved a total of 204 victories,
all within the ranks of JG 51. He also fought with
the unit in Tunisia, where he was shot down and
wounded, but the vast majority of his successes
were achieved on the Eastern Front. He was
awarded the Knight’s Cross on August 23, 1943,
and received the Oak Leaves on April 11, 1944.
He became the commander of 8./JG 51 (later
redesignated 10./JG 51) in mid-May 1944. At that
time, III./JG 51 completed the rearmament from
Fw 190A to Bf 109G aircraft. Hafner, at the helm
of his Staffel, achieved 68 victories. His last fatal
engagement was on October 17, 1944, when he shot
down a Yak-9, but then crashed into trees east of
Schweizersfelde in East Prussia, apparently due
to a pilot’s error. He did not survive the impact.
The Bf 109 shown is one of three Hafner aircraft
that are photographically documented from
the summer and autumn of 1944, but its serial
number is unknown. The original Stab markings
on the sides of the fuselage appear to have been
painted over.
Erich Hartmann, the fighter ace with the
highest number of claimed victories in history,
commenced his combat career with 7./JG
52 on October 10, 1942. He remained loyal to
JG 52 until the end of hostilities when he held
command of I./JG 52. His tally of claims ceased
at 352. In recognition of his achievements, he
was bestowed with the Knight's Cross with Oak
Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds on August 25,
1944. Post-war, he was handed over to the Soviets
by the Americans and was not released until 1955.
During the initial half of February 1945, he briefly
assumed command of I./JG 53. The young airmen
sought his guidance for experience and moral
support, yet Hartmann remained notably passive,
engaging in only one combat flight, during which
he claimed his 337th victory. The standard RLM
74 and RLM 75 camouflage had large white
patches on the upper surfaces. A black, white-
lined tulip graced the nose, while a heart bearing
Hartmann's wife's name was added under the
cockpit on the left side. A yellow band denoted
the machines serving on the Eastern Front.
Additionally, a large yellow V on the left wing
distinguished Bf 109 from Romanian machines in
the area, as Romania at the time fought on the
Allied side.
KITS 04/2024
INFO Eduard46
April 2024