Silently, their engines cut, the German Fieseler Storch planes swooped over the Russian airfield’s perimeter fence. Moments later, the quiet was shattered as small arms rattled and explosive charges lit up the night, destroying parked Red Air Force fighters in droves. And before the Russians even realised what was happeneing, the Fieselers were disappearing into the night sky.

The daring exploits of Erich Hartmann’s Air Kommando had begun with a bang!

Story: Ian Clark

Art: Carlos Pino

Cover: Ian Kennedy