Masters of their Machines

[Albany Rifles]

The pilot was either The Kid or The Devil

I leave for others....but I got to meet him during German American Week in May 1983 at Goeppingen, GE. He was the guest of honor at a reception at the 1st Infantry Division (Forward) Officers Club.

[Gun Grape]

This is of course the Top BF-109 Ace and the highest scoring pilot of all time

Erich Hartmann with 352 kills.

His mother was a pilot and he learned to fly at 14. Flew over 1400 missions and engaged in combat over 800 times. Never shot down and never lost a wingman.

Did have to crash land 16 times because of damage to his plane from flying into debris.

After the war spent 10 years in Soviet Prison camps. Joined the West German Air Force and became the commander of JG-71. Had to retire in 1970 do to his opposition to the F-104.

He was the master of the close in kill. And went by his described tactic of "See–Decide–Attack–Reverse". Said you should 'Fill the gunsight" with the enemy before firing. Not a dog fighter

[Albany Rifles]

As I mentioned I got to meet General Hartmann at Goeppingen Germany in May 1983 during the festivities for the German-American Friendship Week. We opened the post to the local community and had military displays from multiple NATO members. There was some kind of tie in with Hartmann and our Division commander going back to Hartmann's days in post-war Luftwaffe....BTW I am talking 12th Panzer Division. I was in the 1st Infantry Division (Forward), a brigade sized force under VIIth Corps. 12th Panzer was a 2 brigade division whose 3rd brigade was a territorial force (think National Guard) brigade. In the war plans we would plug into 12 PZ DIV until 1st ID from FT Riley got to Germany...if there was anything left of us.

So the GE 2 star knew Hartmann. There was a reception at our O Club held by the German 2 star. Since we were the Palace Guard (only Infantry Battalion on the Division HQ Kaserne) all of us were invited. Got to meet him in a receiving line then a quick small talk cocktail reception. I knew of his record (I think I was about the only officer in my battalion as I was a WW 2 geek (why do you think I asked for 1st ID(F) in Germany for my assignment!?!?!) but I have no recall of what I talked about with him. It was only about a minute drive by.