BIRTHDAY PARTY

August 20, 1943.  The Soviets are in an
offensive near the Donets Basin, and
Erich Hartmann is ordered to fly cover
for Rudel's Stukas and to destroy the
enemy Shturmoviks which are supporting a
Russian breakthrough.  Hartmann was
acting as the commander of 7.III/JG-52
at the time.  Before he could lead his
eight Bf109s into a rendevous with Rudel,
he had a heavy encounter with forty
Shturmoviks and an equal number of Lagg-
5s and YAK-9s as escort.  Trying to
protect the German infantry, Hartmann
shot down two of the IL-2s but took a
massive ground fire hit to his engine.
After a forced landing in a field, he
found himself surrounded by Russian
soldiers.  He faked injury, and a few
hours later escaped from the Russians and
made his way back to German lines.  Every
pilot in his Geswchader who escaped death
received a "birthday party" to mark the
beginning of a new life, and Hartmann had
earned his party easily.

              MISSION

Prevent the Russian Shturmoviks from
obliterating the ground targets, which
represent retreating German ground
troops.  Consider this one a victory if
you can manage to down all the Il-10s,
a decisive victory if you can do that and
stay in the air.

               SOURCE

"The Blond Knight of Germany" by Toliver
and Constable"

            SCENARIO DESIGN

      Gregory M. "Sturmer" Smith