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Quote by Erich Hartmann

“It was my view that no kill was worth the life of a wingman. . . . Pilots in my unit who lost wingmen on this basis were prohibited from leading a [section]. The were made to fly as wingman, instead.”

Quote by Erich Hartmann

Author

A renowned German pilot during World War II, known as the 'Red Baron'. Limited information is available, but Erich Hartmann achieved remarkable combat victories, becoming the pilot with the most aerial victories in history. more

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“And I have yet to find one single individual who has attained conspicuous success in bringing down enemy aeroplanes who can be said to be spoiled either by his successes or by the generous congratulations of his comrades. If he were capable of being spoiled he would not have had the character to have won continuous victories, for the smallest amount of vanity is fatal in aeroplane fighting. Self-distrust rather is the quality to which many a pilot owes his protracted existence.”

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“In every squadron there were, perhaps, four or five pilots who exuded confidence. They knew that they were going out to shoot. The rest knew sub-consciously, that they would make up the numbers, mill about, and get shot at.”

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Book:Thunderbolt! The Extraordinary Story of a World War II Ace

Source: Thunderbolt! The Extraordinary Story of a World War II Ace

“The duty of the fighter pilot is to patrol his area of the sky, and shoot down any enemy fighters in that area. Anything else is rubbish.”

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“When one has shot down one's first, second or third opponent, then one begins to find out how the trick is done.”

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Book:The Red Baron

Source: The Red Baron