Books on Erich Hartmann

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Marko Jeras
Erich Hartmann biography
Tue May 22 16:41:22 2001


Please tell me which books on Erich Hartmann exist. Is there one book on him that has list of all his aerial victories and history of his WWII flying career? I would like to buy the best book on him and I know that several biographies exist, but if you listed or read any, please give me your oppinion and short review of it's content. Thank you very much. Best regards,

Marko Jeras
Zagreb, Croatia

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

David P. Williams
Erich Hartmann
Tue May 22 16:46:34 2001

Probably the best book on Hartmann was written by Toliver and Constable entitled 'The Blonde Knight of Germany' ISBN 0-8306-8189-2, this has been in paperback for a while now and is priced $21.95. I got my copy when I was last in the U.S from Barnes and Noble. A list of his victories are found on pages 290-294. Well worth the money

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Sergio Luis dos Santos
Re: Erich Hartmann biography
Tue May 22 17:50:51 2001


And to compliment Toliver and Constable work, you can also check this one to "bring life" with Hartmann images.

http://www.schifferbooks.com/military/luftwaffe/0887403964.html

(This takes you to a Schiffer ad for the book "German Fighter Ace Erich Hartmann, The Life Story of the World's Highest Scoring Ace", ISBN 0887403964.

Regards,
Richard)

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Darryl
Erich Hartmann Book
Sun Sep 9 04:16:21 2001


Can anyone recommend a good book on Hartmann? I've seen one called the Blond Knight of Germany and was wondering if there where others or if this is the best one.

Darryl

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Kenneth Miner
Hartmann Books
Mon Sep 10 01:26:14 2001


The two titles I am familiar with are:

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

2. "German Fighter Ace Erich Hartmann The Life Story of the World's Highest Scoring Ace"
by Hartmann and Jäger.

The former is often criticized because of several inaccuracies that are contained within the book. Many readers complain that the authors did not make use of or used very little archival research in the writing of the book.

The latter is more of a pictorial history of Hartmann's life using many of his personal photographs and includes his post war career as well.

Kenneth Miner

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Darryl
Thanks for the response
Mon Sep 10 01:46:10 2001

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Chris Livingston
Blond Knight is good entertainment
Mon Sep 10 05:24:13 2001


I have a copy within reach now. It is good reading but is not to be relied on as an historical source.

For starters, there's the title, which is, como se dice, "hokey", as is the writing style. Did anyone, other than Herr Goebbels maybe, actually refer to "Bubi" as "The Blond Knight of Germany"? Other writers even call him "The BLACK Knight of Germany", oh please, if he was of African descent he would not have been allowed in the LW at all, unless they mean the tulip decoration he had on his 109 sometimes. "TBKOG" seems to be aimed at 12-year-olds; I would have preferred something more serious and Don Caldwellian. His JG 26 history, instead of relying on sappy rhetoric, is well written AND carefully researched and all the more interesting for it.

I do not believe, in particular, the story about a captured VVS mechanic dumping gasoline in the 109's oil tank to keep the oil from congealing, as if the 109G-2 (whose Flugzeug-Handbuch is available for download free of charge at www.bf109.com (http://www.bf109.com)) didn't already have an oil dilution pump.

(The website address above has been changed to:

http://www.bf109.com/frameset.html

Regards,
Richard)

[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 14 October 2001).]

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Rob Romero
Eric Hartmann record
Wed Feb 20 07:48:51 2002
209.246.74.131

I understand there are more updated and complete listings of Eric Hartmann's victories than that posted by Toliver & Constable in 'Blond Knight'. Are there any other bios ((ie. Bobek) or good articles on Hartmann? How do they rate? Where can I get ahold of them?

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Goran
Hartmann vs. mustangs
Fri Apr 5 22:37:52 2002
213.250.7.133

How many mustangs did he shot down (6,7?), Where and when were they shot down? Did he encounter any other US or british aircrafts in combat?

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

V.Marsanic
Re: Hartmann vs. mustangs
Sat Apr 6 13:42:43 2002
195.29.138.217

Horrido!
In book "The Blond Knight of Germany" it was sad that Buby had air combat with P-51 around Budimpesta (Hungary) in April or May.
There were 4 or 5 of P-51 and he had shot some of them but they did shot down him too.
I'm sorry that I can't be more acurate it's because it's been a whail since I have read this book.

Vedran.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Jan Bobek
Hartmann´s P-51 victories and sources
Mon Apr 8 17:41:06 2002
213.246.78.70

I POSTED THIS MESSAGE FEW MINUTES AGO (BY ERROR) AS COMPLETELY NEW POSTING, INTENDED TO HAVE IT HERE.
SORRY
http://www.lwag.org/ubb/smile.gif

Concerning Hartmann´s P-51 victories, I would like to summarize three sources:

1) Obermaier says that Hartmann had 4 Mustang victories (If I remember well)

2) Hartmann (but more likely Toliver and Constable) in his book says that based on his correspondence his P-51 victories were achieved on May 21 and June 1, 1944. I am not sure but if I remember well, there were no Allied raids on the above days over Rumania ...

3) Bernd Barbas is listing 6 kills:
262. - 263. - 2 Mustangs on June 23, 1944
264. - 266. - 3 Mustangs on June 24, 1944
346. - Mustang in March 1945

On May 21 Hartmann shot down two Airacobras (224. - 225.) and On June 1 he shot down 4 Jaks-9 and 2 Airacobras (232. - 237.) with JG 52 completely busy with air support to operation "Sonja" and being rejected from operations against US AF.

Earlier in this forum I submitted longer posting including Hartmann coments related to his June 24 combat (see also Prien JG 77 for reference). I somebody has my message saved (C. Herrera?) it would be nice to post it here.

Hope that my posting brought some light in to this repeated topic. I personally rely to Barbas data.

Hals und Beinbruch

[Richard T Eger]

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Dave Pawlikowski
I'm glad I'm not alone here....
Thu Aug 15 23:24:00 2002
24.60.71.18

I just finished the book (biography of Gunther Rall by Jill Amadio) last night, and when I put it down Tammy asked me how it was. I replied that it was mediocre.

I was not a big fan of Toliver and Constables " Blonde Knight", mainly because it came off as being very vague in spots. Kind of a rushed story. This book reminded me of BKoG.

Ralls WW2 career was over and done with before mid-book. I expected much more on this part of his life, as it defines who he became and the path he chose.

For example, his glowing references to the F-104, seemed in stark contrast to Hartmann's impression of the machine. Who was right or wrong? My knowledge of 1950' 1960's US fighter aircraft is not very deep, so this left me a bit confused.

I appreciate the fact that he finally put out a book about his life, but this volume seemed more like a two part article for "People" magazine.

Very light, and very fast reading.

[Richard T Eger]

For commentary on Tolliver & Constable's book on Erich Hartmann, the reader is referred to the "References & Reference Materials" forum, the "Books by Col. Raymond F. Toliver, USAF (Ret.) & Trevor J. Constable" topic.

Regards,
Richard

[Richard T Eger]

For a discussion of a book covering Hartmann's 350th victory, the reader is referred to the "References & Reference Materials" forum, the "Books on fighter aces & their aircraft - 8" topic.

Regards,
Richard

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Richard Aigner
Markings for Hartmann's last Bf 109?
Sat Jun 7 07:03:01 2003
195.170.76.8

Did the it carry the tulip-design? What sub-type was it (late G or K)?Are there any fotos published showing this plane?
TIA, Richard

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

John Beaman
This has been addressed....
Sat Jun 7 19:35:08 2003
24.167.165.58

...many times on this forum. We used to have a FAQ file on it but it appears to have disappeared (Ruy?).

The only thing we have of one of Hartmann's last aircraft (we are not sure if this was the last) is that it was a G-10 built by Erla. The only known photo is from the frame 1 back to about frame 3 from about 8 o'clock. It shows the heart with his wife's name and partial points of what could be a grey or gren gruppen kommandore marking. That's it. No other markings visable. Neither is the time frame known: could have been any time in the last 6 months of the war.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Bernd Barbas
Hartmann
Tue Jun 24 13:10:27 2003
194.45.48.11

This ac is shown in the Hartmann picture book , showing Hartmann in a camouflaged suit in front of the ac . The ac is a G-10 with the rectangular cover for the MG bump . In a flight book of I Gruppe is mentioned Dual Chevron , 109G .
No tulip marking at this ac . Hartmann had at this day his 350th victory , April 45 . ( Exact date , see any newspaper ! )
Probably Green Dual Chevron and very probably his last ac .
I have a picture of 8.5.45 with burning ac of I Gruppe , besides smoke , no details .
I try to show this picture once more in my I Gruppe book , hopefully appearing 2004 , after my II Gruppe book , hopefully appearing this year !

[Richard T Eger]

For commentary on Erich Hartmann's book "Blonde Knight of Germany", its list of Hartmann's claims, his claims, and the general question of overclaims, the reader is referred to the topic "Luftwaffe victory claims - 5" on the "Luftwaffe Units & Operations" forum.

Regards,
Richard

[Richard T Eger]

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Tom Davis
Re: Book
Thu Dec 25 08:32:59 2003
205.188.208.167

Steve,

The best book on Hartmann, is the "The Blond Knight of Germany."

Tom

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve
Blond Knight
Thu Dec 25 20:12:58 2003
166.70.13.167

Agreed.I wish he, Hartmann would have given a bit more detail on the differences between the various mark 109s, G-6, G-10, K-4 etc. Nonethless good story.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Rob
Re: Blond Knight
Fri Dec 26 02:42:49 2003
65.34.98.182

Particularly wish there was more info on Hartmann's comment that his 109 had 30mm wing pods - a combo that many posters here say never flew.