Erica Hartmann

Erica Hartmann is one of the main characters from the Strike Witches anime and light novels.

Erica  is a witch of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, originating from Karlsland and affiliated with the Karlsland Air Force and her home unit: the Luftwaffe's JG52. Some call her by the pet name of Frau (Furau), especially her friends. However, she became renowned as the Black Devil (Burakku Debiru). Her radio callsign is 'Karaya-1' (Karaya Ain). She is the twin sister of Ursula Hartmann, a scientist & witch. Erica is Karlsland Airforce's (and, therefore humanity's) 1st greatest ace.

Her familiar is the Dachshund, although her twin sister's familiar is a Badger in the light novels. Unlike other witches, Hartmann twins didn't actually grow animal ears; instead the tips of their hair turn black.

In the AWA fics, Erica is a student at the AWA Academy and is part of Class 3.

Appearance
Erica has a short blonde hair and has blue eyes. She wears a dark-brown jacket over dark-green dress shirt and dark-brown boots.

Personality
While extremely efficient and strategic in battle, Erica is rather sloppy on the ground, and her room (which she has never cleaned) is extremely messy. She is the sort of person who is only serious when the situation calls for it. Her carefree attitude stands in stark contrast to her twin sister's quieter, more reserved demeanor. However, while seemingly lighthearted, she actually cares a lot about safety and well-being of her teammates and friends. She is also a quite rebel, even don't cares about violate regulations and is not interested in promotion.

She doesn't talk much, and she likes doing things at her own pace, but Erica is really brave in battle and always performs accurate strikes. However, she dislikes the bureaucratic nature of the military. Her favourite hobby is sleep. Brilliant and innocent, Erica is amazing in combat, but otherwise she seems a little dreamy. She also likes the food, especially potato. However, she might not look like it, but she can be very stubborn sometimes, and she always looks at everything with critical eyes, so Erica isn't liked by the people above of the military.

Flippant, arrogant and somewhat selfish girl. It seeks to do what she wants, not always paying attention to the surrounding. Hartmann sometimes allows himself hooliganism. But no matter what, she always remains faithful and reliable friend, you can rely on in battle and in life. She has a reputation for cheerful and carefree merry prankster.

The people never know what this one is thinking. She's quite mysterious. She's a truly amazing ace in the sky, but down on the ground, it seems like she thinks even just moving her finger is making too much an effort. Consequently, she is the frequent target of the strait-laced Barkhorn's disciplinary lectures but Erica normally ignores and tune it out. A cheerful, upbeat and friendly breath of fresh air who doesn't hold grudges and can get along with anybody. Erica also never seems to get stressed up or agitated. She even sleeps through an alarm clock and having books thrown at her. Though, mention the possibility of having candy and she'll wake up instantaneously.

She has a close relationship with Flight Lieutenant Barkhorn and worries a lot about her, in despite with her very different personalities. Although Barkhorn is forever scolding her, the two has a very close relationship as best friends. Erica also has a good relation with Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke, like a relation of older and little sisters, and a surprisingly close relationship with Flying Officer Litvyak with whom she like talking. She considers Flight Sergeant Rossmann and Flying Officer Krupinski good friends since her times in the JG52.

Also, she likes cooking, but Wing Commander Wilcke and Flight Lieutenant Barkhorn told she that 'You don't have to cook anything from now on…'. Since it was “orders from superior officers”, they even forced Erica to sign a paper on it. Her favourites foods are potatos and sweets.

Abilities
Her special technique is an offensive barrel roll named Sturm (Shutorumu; German for "Storm") which manipulates gusts of ether to attack enemies. Classified in the attack system, is the ability of manipulate the air, divert the enemies's attacks and facilitate a special flight in a normal condition. Erica can attack the enemies whether she's concentrated. In the movie, Hartmann has been seen combining her Sturm ability with Flying Officer Clostermann's Tonnerre attack, creating an attack which more than double their effectiveness. It's powerful enough to blow holes through Neuroi. It is a function that come with the striker unit type of flight basically, except operable by the power of their own is different from the others it. Also possible to cut through the goal as cut caused by whirlwind if concentrate consciousness, power is low but can be attacks on a wide range.

She is the extremely efficient and strategic in battle, even in small-scaled battles, which is a evidence of her biggest battle abilities. By Gertrud own word 'she is the most expert witch in the unit'. Bury the enemy surely to understand the situation around in a calm power of observation and intuition of genius, and she is the Ultra Ace of top class in the world. She also has never lost a wingman, same as Eila.

Equipments

On her Strikers, one can see the Black Tulip pattern that adorned Erich Hartmann's aircraft. Her Striker Unit, the Messersharf Bf109G-6, it's a new model with a lot of details have been updated, and the power of the engine has been increased.

She also uses in combat a Karlsland-made MG42

Trivia

 * Her ace archetype is Erich Hartmann. Erica's hairstyle is based on Erich's nickname "Bubi". She has her hair in a "Bubischnitt", which is the German term for a "bob". Her striker unit has the black tulip pattern also present on Erich Hartmann's aircraft. Also, her sister is named Ursula, the name of Erich Hartmann's wife. Like Erica, Erich also had a problem with discipline, and the hubbub over her stealing Lucchini's underwear is based on Erich Hartmann accidentally taking Hitler's hat. Both of them share the nickname Black Devil due their abilities in aerial combat.


 * Her nickname, Frau, is a feminization of "Bubi". Erich Hartmann was nicknamed Bubi as a reference to his boyish appearence. Frau, on the other hand, has the complete opposite meaning.
 * Erica's Black uniform resembles that worn famously by Luftwaffe mechanics during the early stages of the conflict.