Erich Alfred Hartmann (19 April 1922 – 20 September 1993) was a German fighter pilot during World War II and the most successful fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare. He flew 1,404 combat missions and participated in aerial combat on 825 separate occasions. He was credited with shooting down a total of 352 Allied aircraft: 345 Soviet and seven American while serving with the Luftwaffe. During the course of his career, Hartmann was forced to crash-land his fighter 16 times due either to mechanical failure or damage received from parts of enemy aircraft he had shot down; he was never shot down by direct enemy action.Hartmann, a pre-war glider pilot, joined the Luftwaffe in 1940 and completed his fighter pilot training in 1942. He was posted to the veteran Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52) on the Eastern Front and placed under the supervision of some of the Luftwaffe's most experienced fighter pilots. Under their guidance, Hartmann steadily developed his tactics.
On 29 October 1943, Hartmann was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for 148 enemy aircraft destroyed and the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross for 202 enemy aircraft on 2 March 1944. Exactly four months later, he received the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves for 268 enemy aircraft shot down. Ultimately, Hartmann earned the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds on 25 August 1944 for 301 aerial victories. At the time of its presentation to Hartmann, this was Germany's highest military decoration.Hartmann achieved his 352nd and last aerial victory at midday on 8 May 1945, hours before the German surrender. Along with the remainder of JG 52, he surrendered to United States Army forces and was turned over to the Red Army. In an attempt to pressure him into service with the Soviet-friendly East German National People's Army, he was tried on war crimes charges and convicted. He was initially sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, later increased to 25 years, and spent 10 years in various Soviet prison camps and gulags until he was released in 1955. In 1997, the Russian Federation (posthumously) relieved him of all charges.
In 1956, Hartmann joined the newly established West German Air Force in the Bundeswehr, and became the first Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen". He was retired in 1970, due to his opposition to the procurement of the F-104 Starfighter. In his later years, after his military career had ended, he became a civilian flight instructor. Erich Hartmann died on 20 September 1993 aged 71.
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Some of their strengths
Erich Hartmann has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Honest, Generous, Loyal, Optimistic, Bold, and Responsible.
Independent and Brave
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Erich Hartmann is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who seems to identify with family, heritage and ancestry.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Erich Hartmann well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Optimistic and Frank
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Erich Hartmann as someone who is optimistic, principled, adventurous, and direct.
A person who isn't shy about expressing their opinions, loves competition, loves learning things themself, who is known for being inventive and original, and who loves being surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Assertive and Protective
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Erich Hartmann is someone who is a somewhat private person who has a strong personality and ability to read other people.
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Independent and Dynamic
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Erich Hartmann tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.
Some of Erich Hartmann's challenges
While Erich Hartmann has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Erich Hartmann can be Stubborn, Self-centered, Short-tempered, Impulsive, Suspicious, Pushy, and Restless.
Short-tempered and Impulsive
One of Erich Hartmann's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.
Erich Hartmann must also exercise caution as they can have a hard time reconciling wants and needs.
Pushy and Restless
Erich Hartmann is someone who can be arrogant and bossy, who can have difficulty concentrating and focusing, be unable to separate emotions from business decisions, and who can engage in excessive spending in support of an expensive lifestyle and habits.
Aggressive and Domineering
Finally, Erich Hartmann also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.
