Erich Hartmann was a German fighter pilot during World War II, known for being the most successful ace in the history of aerial warfare. He flew for the Luftwaffe and is credited with shooting down 352 enemy aircraft. His exceptional skills and tactics made him a prominent figure in air combat. Born on April 19, 1922, in Weimar, Germany, Hartmann joined the military at a young age. After the war, he was captured by Soviet forces and spent ten years in captivity. Upon his release, he returned to Germany and became a successful airline pilot, living until 1993.