Constantin Cantacuzino (aviator)
| Constantin Cantacuzino | |
|---|---|
Constantin Cantacuzino
|
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| Nickname(s) | "Bâzu" |
| Born |
11 November 1905 Fălticeni, Romania |
| Died | 26 May 1958 (aged 52) Madrid, Spain |
| Allegiance | Romania |
| Service/branch | Romanian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |
|
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Iron Cross, 1st Class |
Constantin Cantacuzino (nicknamed Bâzu; 11 November 1905 – 26 May 1958) was a Romanian aviator, one of his country's leading World War II fighter aces, and a member of the Cantacuzino family.
In 1939 he won the national aerial aerobatics contest with his Bü 133 Jungmeister and in 1941 was named chief pilot of the Romanian national air transport company LARES. Even though this was a comfortable job, he managed to get in the front line as a fighter pilot in the 53rd Fighter Squadron (equipped with Hurricane Mk. I). After the capture of Odessa, the Romanian Army reduced the number of front line troops and he was one of the reservists who were sent home. He took up his position at LARES. However he managed to arrange a return to active duty in 1943. On 26 April 1943 he was remobilized and assigned to the 7th Fighter Group, which was equipped with the new Bf-109. On 5 May he arrived on the front line and was named commander of the 58th Fighter Squadron. On 29 June, he and his wingman engaged 4 Yaks, 2 La-5s and 4 Spitfires, while trying to protect 3 Romanian Ju-88s. His wingman was badly hit and forced to return to base. He continued the fight on his own and shot down 2 Spitfires. His aircraft was damaged, but managed to escape and make a belly landing. Two of the bombers were destroyed. In July he flew both day and night missions, even though his aircraft was not equipped for low-visibility flying. Cantacuzino tried to stop the Soviet night bombings of his airfield. The Germans protested, considered him a little mad, so he eventually gave up the night missions.
On 27 July 1943, he shot down the VVS flying ace Nikolay F. Khimushin (12 kills). Between 2 and 5 August he shot down 9 airplanes (4 Yaks and 5 Il-2s), raising his score to 27. On 5 August he was alone on patrol and he encountered a Soviet formation about 40-50 planes strong (Il-2s and Yaks). He realized that he could not destroy them all, but felt he could inflict some damage on the formation. He dove into the Il-2 formation and shot down 2 of them before he was attacked by the Soviet fighters. He managed to shake them off and shoot down one. The day of 16 August was an excellent day for the pilots of the 7th Fighter Group. They scored 22 confirmed kills and 5 probables, with Cantacuzino shooting down 3 (2 La-5s and 1 Il-2). On 28 August he received the Iron Cross, 1st class.
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