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It's Erica day! The best day of the year. It's doubly special because today would be his 100th birthday.
Erica is based on Erich Hartmann, the world's Ace-of-Aces with 352 kills. He served with JG-52 on the Eastern Front, mainly flying over the Caucasus and Ukraine. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds.
After the war, he was imprisoned by the Soviets for ten years. Released in 1955, he rejoined the West German Air Force. He retired from military service in 1970 at the rank of Colonel. He died in 1993.
Ursula is based on Hartmann's wife. They met in high school. They married in 1944, with Krupi as best man and Barkhorn as official military observer. Ursula remained loyal to Erich throughout his imprisonment and relentlessly pressured the West German government to negotiate his release. They reunited after his release and remained together.