The long polar summer was almost over. The sun, which for several months could be seen high above the horizon, now barely crested the hills. The sky was frequently shrouded with heavy, banked clouds.
18th August 1943 was such a day. That afternoon, the Kommandeur of \\\J]G 5 'Я/smeer' arrived at Petsamo to greet his former unit, 6У|С 5. Under his leadership it had become the famed 'Expertenstaffd', a nickname earned when half of its pilots had been credited with dozens of individual scores within a short time. Not surprisingly, Ehrler still liked to fly in their company, although such opportunities were becoming scarce. Several of its pilots had been wounded or killed in action - others had been promoted and had their own Staffeln to look after. The Kommandeur therefore decided that this was to be his last venture with his old comrades from 6/JG 5.
Mindful that Hptm. Ehrler still liked to fly with his old 'ExpertenstaJfeF, his groundcrew kept a Bf 109G-6 marked "Yellow 12" combat-ready at all times. It had been Ehrler's machine when he was Kapitan of 6J]G 5. Ehrler unfolded a map on the wing of his favored mount and, with his wingman beside him, checked the shortest route to the target area. He decided they would stalk around the Soviet base at Lou-chi I, looking for prey...