Max-Hellmuth Ostermann

The distance to the Spitfire diminished to 100 metres - by which time the wings of the Spitfire covered the circle in his gunsight - and Ostermann was still holding his fire. In the next second, the Spitfire opened fire and the Bf 109 in front dived away. This was the moment Ostermann had been waiting for. He pressed both firing buttons and immediately scored a series of direct hits. The Spitfire burst into flames and descended vertically, leaving a grey plume of smoke. A moment later a sudden white eruption of spray in the sea below indicated the point where the Spitfire went in¿ From a young, inexperienced, novice pilot who struggled to master the twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer in early 1940 to a fearsome exponent of the Bf 109 over the English Channel, Yugoslavia and the Russian Front, Max-Hellmuth Ostermann's war ended in August 1942 with 102 confirmed aerial victories to his credit - the majority of them against the Soviet Air Force. Whilst to date, the diminutive Ostermann has not been regarded by English language historians as one of the most renowned of the Luftwaffe Experten, he was nevertheless decorated with the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords - the tenth officer in the German armed forces to receive the award - for his 'repeatedly proven herosim'. Ostermann frequently scored two victories in one day and his final operations saw him in command of a Staffel of JG 54, the famous Grünherzgeschwader.