STALINGRAD:
The German advance on Stalingrad was swift and deadly. The Red Air Force was forced to move its aircraft east of the Volga River for protection. The 77th was posted to a forward airbase just east of the city. Intense air action soon followed as the Triple 7’s battled some of the Luftwaffe’s greatest aces. The German BF-109F and G models were far superior to the P-39 and P-40 and exacted a heavy toll on the AVG. The newly introduced Focke-Wulf 190 also began operations over Stalingrad.
As the Soviet Army began to push the Nazis out of Stalingrad and encircle the German Sixth Army, the 77th began to take apart the German re-supply effort. German transports of all sizes fell victim to the American Cobras and Warhawks while trying to evacuate and re-supply the German Sixth Army.
The Triple 7’s also flew several escort missions for Soviet IL-2 Sturmoviks. The American pilots were fascinated by the tough and deadly ground attack aircraft. They were amazed at the level of destruction they wrought on the
battlefield. Not a single German tank or truck was safe while Sturmoviks were in the area. They were also prime targets for the German aces and the 77th scored many victories shooting enemy aircraft off of their tails.
By the time the Sixth Army surrendered in late January 1943, the 77th had destroyed an impressive 78 enemy aircraft, but at a cost of 21 of their own planes and 13 pilots. The AVG quickly gained a reputation for aggressiveness and skill on the Ostfront. Unfortunately, their exploits were largely unknown to Americans back home or the rest of the world due to the tight control of information by Stalin’s government. Only rumors and intercepted radio messages hinted at their existence.
I think you nailed it!
Operation Uranus: the Rooskies came in from behind, from the west, creating their own `kettle’ encirclement, while overrunning the Romanians to the north. Paulus didn’t see it until it was too late, but of course Hitler was refusing permission to withdraw.
Research is so damn sexy!