Schulz, Armin 697, Montur-Start, Überfahrt zu Halifax-Start, Kanal 1. Die Geschichte des Jagdfliegergeschwaders-1

The Fighter Squadron 1 "Fritz Schmenkel" embodies the development of military aviation in the GDR like hardly any other flying squadron of the NVA air force. From the beginning in the 1950s until German reunification, it always fulfilled its tasks, was equipped with the most modern technology until the beginning of the 1970s, and usually had the highest level of training and combat value. Until it was transferred from Cottbus, it was the only LSK/LV squadron that had to complete its flying training directly in a large city. With Holzdorf the squadron took over the most modern airfield of the LSK/LV at that time.

The manifold tests, especially the combat firing with guided missiles on remote-controlled air targets on the polygon Astrakhan it always passed with very good results. It was the first NVA MiG-21 squadron to deploy to Astrakhan with its own technology. During its last stay in Astrakhan, it started with elements of combat training that were not feasible on the territory of the GDR. However, this chronicle does not only report on the results achieved in combat training, but also on the living conditions, the development of the living environment, the cultural and political work in the surroundings of the squadron and its securing units. Many former members have made the chronicle vivid and worth reading, not only for those familiar with the subject, with their personal accounts of their experiences.