German Air Force

Hartmann's 300th

Archiv Erich Hartmann

As his squadronmates wave and cheer, Erich Hartmann waggles his wing tips to signal his 300th downed plane. Before he took off on August 24, 1944, Hartmann counted 290 victories in air combat. In two sorties that day, he destroyed 11 Russian aircraft, bringing his total score to 301 victories. For this feat he would receive the coveted Diamonds to his Knight Cross.