Brillantenträger Major Hermann Graf in a Tita Binz postcard Nr. P 283. Flying from Pitomnik Airfield, Graf achieved his 172nd aerial victory on 9th September 1942 for which he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) on 16th September, the fifth member of the Wehrmacht to receive this distinction. Within a time-frame of 235 days he had received every grade of the Knight’s Cross available at the time! The next day, on 17th September, he claimed three more victories and on 23rd September, victories 188 to 197. On 26th September, he became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 200 enemy aircraft shot down. He claimed three victories that day taking his total to an unprecedented 202. Following this he received a promotion to Major on 1st October 1942. Some time after this Graf was ordered not to fly operationally anymore, as the High Command was concerned about the potential morale loss if he was to be shot down.
Source :
https://www.flying-tigers.co.uk/2016/hermann-graf-luftwaffe-acenew-model-announcements-and-updated-photos/
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