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*,"13. (Slovak) Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 52","13.(slow.)/JG 52"|


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*,"Letka 13 was formed in January 1940 after the reorganization of the Slovak Air Force by merging former Letka 37 and part of Letka 39. 
In 1941, the Slovak state joined Germany as its first ally in the campaign against the Soviet Union. The Slovak government believed that by supporting Germany it would be possible to regain territories lost to Hungary after the First Vienna Arbitration in 1938.
At the end of June 1941, the unit began to transfer from its home base at Piešťany to eastern Slovakia. Combat operations against the USSR began on July 7, 1941, with the main task to support the ground forces of the Slovak army (the so-called Fast Brigade). It is further tasked with fighter escort of German recce Hs 126s. Equipped with Czechoslovak Avia B-534 biplane fighters, they often face Soviet I-15, I-153 and I-16 fighters. Due to a shortage of quality aviation fuel, spare parts, and also losses from anti-aircraft artillery, the number of combat-ready Avias declined rapidly. The remaining aircraft were withdrawn from frontline units, and on August 15, 1941 Letka 13 returned to Piešťany.
With its first experience on the Eastern Front, the Slovak government decided to purchase more suitable fighter planes to replace the obsolete Avias; Germany offered surplus Bf 109 Es. At the end of February 1942, the personnel of Letka 13 (including 19 pilots) were sent to Jagdgruppe Drontheim, stationed in Denmark (airbase Grove), to be trained on the new machines.
At the beginning of July, after finishing the training in Denmark, 10 Emils returned to Piešťany airfield. 13 pilots continued with advanced training under the command of stotník Ondrej Ďumbala. The unit was declared combat-ready after final trials at the military shooting range in Malacky-Nový Dvor (September 21-25, 1942).
On October 27, the unit re-deployed again to the Eastern Front. The unit’s pilots flew 7 Bf 109 Es and 1 Praga E-241 courier aircraft, reaching their assigned airfield at Maikop on November 4, 1942. The rest of the ground personnel were transported by railway.
On November 13, Letka 13 became part of II./JG 52 as 13.(slow.)/JG 52, replacing 15.(kroat.)/JG 52 (withdrawn to be re-equipped with the newest Bf 109 G-2s and G-4s). The first air victories over the Caucasus are claimed on November 28 in the area of Tuapse. As the situation worsens for the Germans in the southern part of the Eastern Front, Letka 13 moves in the first days of January 1943 to Krasnodar airfield.
At the beginning of February 1943, the unit relocated to Slavyanskaya. With the start of offensive actions by the Soviet South-Western front, the unit is forced to relocate again. This time it moves back to the Crimea. On February 17, the pilots fly their Friedrichs to Kerch-IV airfield.
On March 17, the unit relocated to Kuban, at Taman airfield. It was re-equipped with Bf 109 G-2s, returning the worn-out Friedrichs to their German owners. The Gustavs, as with the Friedrichs, are leased to the Slovak Air Force. Having standard Luftwaffe insignia, the only recognition mark is a Slovak tri-color painted over the propeller hub. On March 21, Letka 13 gained its 50th air victory when por. Ján Gerthofer shot down a Pe-2 bomber.
On April 1, the unit relocated to Anapa airfield, where it stayed until July 1943. It participated in the most fierce spring air fights over Kuban, scoring its 100th air victory on April 27, 1943.
July 7 is the last day for the so-called First Garniture of fighter pilots of Letka 13. The totals included 1504 combat sorties, 206 air battles, and claims of 154 confirmed and 16 probable air victories. The most successful pilot is rtk. Ján Režňák (32), followed by rtk. Izidor Kovárik (28) and npor.let. Ján Gerthofer (26).
Letka 13 continued to fight over Kuban till October 29, 1943 with the so-called Second Garniture of pilots, replacing the veterans of the First Garniture. While still able to fight, their performance and morale slowly declines. There are many desertions, and anti-German sentiment rises (on September 9, two pilots with Bf 109 G-4s equipped with new radios defected to the Soviets). At this time, unit commander Jozef Páleníček urges the Slovak government to withdraw Letka 13 from combat operations.
From September 12, the unit operated from Taman airfield, and at the end of month relocated to Kerch once again. From October 12, its last base of operation while stationed on the Eastern Front is Bagerovo. The unit was officially removed from frontline action on October 29, 1943. The remaining Gustavs were handed over to the Croatians of 15.(kroat.)/JG 52. Most of the personnel return home to Slovakia on November 12, 1943.
The Second Garniture totals included 1100 combat sorties and claims of 61 confirmed and 13 probable air victories. Overall, the pilots of Letka 13 flew 2600 combat sorties on the Eastern Front and claimed 216 air victories from October 1942 till October 1943.
From January 31, 1944, Letka 13 is also called Pohotovostná letka 13 (Emergency Flight). Its task is to protect the capital city of Bratislava. From June 1944 it becomes part of the Reichsverteidigung (VIII.Jagddivision).
During the tragic air battle on June 26, 1944 with escorting Mustangs (52nd FG) and Lightnings (82nd FG), 1 B-24 is shot down and 1 B-17 damaged (15th AF); Letka 13 suffers 3 pilots killed, 4 aircraft heavily damaged, and only one plane returns safely. With the beginning of the uprising against Germany on August 29, 1944, some of the pilots joined the insurgent air force with the last 2 Gustavs. Letka 13 practically ceased to exist at this time."
