It became clear to the Airacobra pilots that they could not avoid this unequal, difficult battle. Strength in numbers and superiority in altitude—the most important components of success—were on the enemy's side. Equally as alarming was the knowledge that this engagement would not be over quickly, and the P-39s' fuel cells were approaching empty. In summary, the situation of Petrov's flight of eight P-39s was almost hopeless. Every pilot understood this full well. But despite this most difficult situation, no one faltered. Every pilot maintained his position in the combat formation without any sign of panic. The flight of eight drew together as if in a fist, prepared for any maneuver. In his own turn, the enemy appeared to be 100 percent certain that he would obtain a victory, and no small one at that.

Petrov issued a quiet, terse command, "Let's engage!" First one, then another group of German vultures attacked our fighters. Each pair of P-39s flew in close coordination between themselves and other pairs. The Airacobras maneuvered feverishly in both the vertical and horizontal planes, changing their direction of flight often. This significantly hindered enemy pilots aiming fire at them.

The ring of encirclement around Petrov's group pressed in ever tighter. The P-39s made successive sliding turns, sharply changing altitude. This enabled the Airacobras to avoid enemy cannon tracers. Thus far they had suffered no losses. The score was zero-zero. How long would this last? Brief instructions from the group leader flashed across the radio, interspersed with warnings voiced by wingmen and commands from pair leaders. Strict radio discipline is top priority in such a complex situation.

Six Messerschmitts made a renewed attempt to attack from the flank and rear. Our pilots vigilantly monitored the enemy's maneuvers. The group faced this new threat with a rapid turn. Petrov constantly strove to engage the enemy on closing courses. This combat position of the Airacobras permitted their pilots to use the combined power of their machine guns and cannons to maximum effect.

At this moment one of the Bf-109s, positioned above, went into a steep dive and raced toward its selected victim. Its cannons erupted in long bursts. The Messerschmitt passed through the formation of P-39s like a meteor, its cannon shells having found a target. The aircraft of Aleksandr Poddubskiy shuddered, then turned over on its back and began to lose altitude in a flat spin.

In the literal sense of the word, the battle was raging. Tracers of our own and enemy aircraft guns were carving up the sky. The radio frequency was filled with shouted commands to Aleksandr: "Sasha, jump!" "Sasha, abandon ship!" Cutting through all of this traffic came the stern instruction of Petrov: "Poddubskiy, I order you to bail out!"

The efforts of Poddubskiy's comrades to help him were in vain. He could not hear them. Aleksandr Poddubskiy and his Airacobra plunged into the embrace of the Kuban steppe.

--- To be continued