Erich Rudorffer
Erich Rudorffer | |
---|---|
![]() Erich Rudorffer in 1944 | |
Nickname(s) | Fighter of Libau |
Born | Zwochau, Saxony, German Empire | 1 November 1917
Died | 8 April 2016 Bad Schwartau, Germany | (aged 98)
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | Template:Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1936–45 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | JG 2, JG 7 and JG 54 |
Commands | 6./JG 2, II./JG 2, I./JG 7 and II./JG 54 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Other work | airline pilot |
Erich Rudorffer (1 November 1917 – 8 April 2016) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace who was one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He was the 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare, with 222 victories claimed. Rudorffer fought in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, engaging in aerial combat over 300 times. Rudorffer was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute nine times.
Early life
Rudorffer was born on 1 November 1917 in Zwochau, at the time in the Kingdom of Saxony of the German Empire. After graduation from school, he received a vocational education as an automobile metalsmith specialized in coachbuilding. He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe with Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung 61 (Flier Replacement Unit 61) in Oschatz on 16 April 1936. From 2 September to 15 October 1936, he served with Kampfgeschwader 253 (KG 253—253rd Bomber Wing) and from 16 October 1936 to 24 February 1937 was trained as an aircraft engine mechanic at the Technische Schule Adlershof, the technical school at Adlershof in Berlin.[Note 1] On 14 March 1937, Rudorffer was posted to Kampfgeschwader 153 (KG 153—153rd Bomber Wing), where he served as a mechanic until end October 1938. He was then transferred to Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung 51 (Flier Replacement Unit 51) based at Liegnitz in Silesia, present-day Legnica in Poland, for flight training. There he was first trained as a bomber pilot and then as a Zerstörer, a heavy fighter or destroyer, pilot.[1]
On 1 October 1939, Rudorffer was transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force) and was posted to the Jagdfliegerschule 2 (fighter pilot school) at Schleißheim. Following this conversion training, he was transferred to the Jagdergänzungsstaffel Döberitz, the supplementary fighter squadron based at Döberitz, on 6 December 1939.[1] On 28 December 1939, he was transferred to the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Merseburg, another supplementary training unit stationed at Merseburg, where newly trained fighter pilots received instruction from pilots with combat experience. He stayed there until 7 January 1940, one day later, Rudorffer, now an Oberfeldwebel (staff sergeant), was posted to the 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), named after the World War I fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen.[2]
World War II
Rudorffer claimed his first kill, a Curtiss Hawk 75, on 14 May 1940. He scored eight more times before the capitulation of France. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain, and it is claimed he was pursued down Croydon High Street below rooftop level by a Hurricane.[3] He achieved his nineteenth victory on 1 May 1941; he was then awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz of the Iron Cross). On 19 May 1941, Rudorffer and his wingman attacked a diving submarine off the Isle of Portland. It was observed that both bombs struck close and that the submarine went down vertically.[4]
On 18 June 1941, II. Gruppe moved from Beaumont-le-Roger to Abbeville-Drucat where it stayed for the next six months. From this point on, the Gruppe defended against the RAF Fighter Command "non-stop offensive" over France.[5] In July 1941, while flying with the Stab (headquarters unit) of JG 2, Rudorffer claimed six aerial victories. This figure includes two Spitfires on 7 July, a Spitfire and a Hurricane on 9 July, one Spitfire on 10 and 11 July each.[6] He then served with 6. Staffel of JG 2 and claimed fifteen further aerial victories by the end of 1941, taking his total to 41.[7] Rudorffer was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 6. Staffel of JG 2 on 1 November 1941, thus succeeding Oberleutnant Frank Liesendahl who was transferred.[8] In March 1942, II. Gruppe began converting to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2. Conversion training was done in a round-robin system, Staffel by Staffel, at the Le Bourget Airfield near Paris. The conversion completed by end-April. From then on, the Gruppe was equipped with the Fw 190 A-2 and A-3 variant.[9] In 1942, Rudorffer participated in Operation Cerberus (Channel Dash) and flew over the Allied landings at Dieppe in August 1942.
Mediterranean Theater
In early November 1942, the Western Allies launched Operation Torch, the Anglo–American invasion of French North Africa. On 17 November, II. Gruppe of JG 2 was withdrawn from the English Channel Front and ordered to San Pietro Clarenza, Sicily. At the time, the Gruppe was equipped with the Fw 190 A-3, some Fw 190 A-2s, and received the A-4 variant in early December. This made II. Gruppe of JG 2 the only Fw 190 equipped fighter unit in the Mediterranean Theater. The Gruppe flew its first missions on 19 November, securing German air and sea transportation to Tunis. That day, elements of II. Gruppe began relocating to Bizerte Airfield.[10] On 9 February 1943 Rudorffer claimed to have defeated 8 British pilots during a 32-minute aerial battle, and for the first time became an "ace-in-a-day".[11] Again on 15 February he claimed 7 kills. Among his claims during the North Africa were 10 Allied bombers.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-727-0297-36A%2C_Russland%2C_Piloten_in_Freizeit.jpg/220px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-727-0297-36A%2C_Russland%2C_Piloten_in_Freizeit.jpg)
On 17 April 1943, Rudorffer was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 2. He replaced Hauptmann Adolf Dickfeld in this capacity who had been transferred to II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing). A little over two months later, on 30 June, he was transferred again, taking command of IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front. Command of II. Gruppe of JG 2 was handed over to Hauptmann Kurt Bühligen.[12] When on 30 July Hauptmann Heinrich Jung, the commander of II. Gruppe of JG 54 was killed in action, Rudorffer was again transferred, taking command of II. Gruppe on 1 August.[13] Command of IV. Gruppe was temporarily assigned to Hauptmann Alfred Teumer before it officially was handed to Hauptmann Rudolf Sinner on 14 September.[14]
He claimed his first victory in that theater on 7 August. Due to the experience gained in combat with the RAF he achieved considerable success. During his first sortie on 24 August 1943, 5 Soviet aircraft were downed in 4 minutes.
On 11 October 1943, Rudorffer was also credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 55th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[15] In aerial combat near Teremky and Glychow, he claimed a Yak-7, his 100th victory, at 12:22, a LaGG-3 at 12:22, and three more Yak-7 shot down at 12:24, 12:25 and 12:27 respectively.[16] On 6 November 1943, Rudorffer was credited with 13 aerial victories, eight Yak-7s and five Yak-9s in the timeframe 13:00 to 13:17, taking his total to 122 aerial victories.[17]
Flying the Messerschmitt Me 262
JG 7 "Nowotny" was the first operational jet fighter wing in the world and was named after Walter Nowotny, who was killed in action on 8 November 1944. Nowotny, a fighter pilot credited with 258 aerial victories and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), had been assessing the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet aircraft under operational conditions.[18] JG 7 "Nowotny" was equipped with the Me 262, an aircraft which was heavily armed and faster than any Allied fighter. General der Jagdflieger (General of the Fighter Force) Adolf Galland hoped that the Me 262 would compensate for the Allies' numerical superiority. On 12 November 1944, the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL—Air Force High Command) ordered JG 7 "Nowotny" to be equipped with the Me 262. Galland appointed Oberst Johannes Steinhoff as its first Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander).[19]
In the winter of 1944 Rudorffer was trained on the Me 262 jet fighter. In February 1945, he was recalled to command I. Gruppe JG 7 "Nowotny" from Major Theodor Weissenberger who replaced Steinhoff as Geschwaderkommodore. Rudorffer claimed 12 victories with the Me 262,[Note 2] to bring his total to 222. His tally included 136 on the Eastern Front, 26 in North Africa and 60 on the Western Front including 10 heavy bombers.
After the war
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/FW_190_A8_1.jpg/220px-FW_190_A8_1.jpg)
Rudorffer started out flying DC-2s and DC-3s in Australia. Later on he worked for Pan Am and the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, Germany's civil aviation authority. Rudorffer was one of the characters in the 2007 Finnish war movie Tali-Ihantala 1944. A Fw 190 participated, painted in the same markings as Rudorffer's aircraft in 1944.[20] The aircraft, now based at Omaka Aerodrome in New Zealand, still wears the colours of Rudorffer's machine. He died in April 2016 at the age of 98.[21] At the time of his death, he was the last living recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Rudorffer was credited with 224 aerial victories.[22] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 219 aerial victory claims, plus two further unconfirmed claims. This figure of confirmed claims includes 134 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 85 on the Western Front, including 11 four-engined bombers and 12 victories with the Me 262 jet fighter.[23]
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 53224". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 × 4 km in size.[24]
Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Rudorffer an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day. | |||||||||||
Claim! | Claim# | Date | Time | Type | Location | Claim! | Claim# | Date | Time | Type | Location |
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 –[25] | |||||||||||
1 | 1 | 14 May 1940 | 15:08?[Note 3] | Curtiss | southwest of Les Sees la Quesne[27] | 11 | 11 | 11 August 1940 | 11:49 | Spitfire | southeast of the Isle of Portland[28] |
2 | 2 | 17 May 1940 | 13:28 | LeO 451 | La Caponne[27] | 12 | 12 | 31 August 1940 | 09:40 | Hurricane | Dover[29] |
3 | 3 | 19 May 1940 | 12:30?[Note 4] | Morane 406 | east of Guise[27] | 13 | 13 | 1 September 1940 | 12:45 | Spitfire | Dover[29] |
4 | 4 | 25 May 1940 | 20:35 | Blenheim | Saint-Quentin[30] | 14 | 14 | 2 September 1940 | 18:20 | Hurricane | Faversham[29] |
5 | 5 | 26 May 1940 | 09:45?[Note 5] | Spitfire | northwest of Calais[31] | 15 | 15 | 4 September 1940 | 09:58 | Hurricane | Dover[29] |
6 | 6 | 26 May 1940 | 09:47?[Note 6] | Spitfire | northwest of Calais[31] | 16 | 16 | 7 September 1940 | 18:30 | Hurricane | Thames Estuary[29] |
7 | 7 | 6 June 1940 | 13:10 | Curtiss | north of Soissons[31] | 17 | 17 | 7 September 1940 | 18:40 | Spitfire | Thames Estuary[29] |
8 | 8 | 6 June 1940 | 20:45 | Martin 167[31] | Roye | 18 | 18 | 7 September 1940 | 18:43 | Spitfire | Thames Estuary[29] |
9 | 9 | 6 June 1940 | 20:50 | LeO 451 | north of Roye[31] | 19 | —
|
10 October 1940 | 18:43?[Note 7] | Spitfire | Isle of Portland[29] |
10 | 10 | 11 August 1940 | 11:38 | Hurricane | east of Weymouth[28] | 20 | 19 | 21 April 1941 | 15:03 | Blenheim | 30 km (19 mi) north of Jersey[33] |
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 2 –[32] | |||||||||||
21 | 20 | 7 July 1941 | 15:35 | Spitfire | east of Boulogne-sur-Mer[34] | 24 | 23 | 9 July 1941 | 13:45 | Hurricane | northwest of Saint-Omer[35] |
22 | 21 | 7 July 1941 | 15:40 | Spitfire | east of Boulogne-sur-Mer[34] | 25 | 24 | 10 July 1941 | 12:30?[Note 8] | Spitfire | south of Desvres[35] |
23 | 22 | 9 July 1941 | 13:40 | Spitfire | southwest of Saint-Omer[35] | 26 | 25 | 11 July 1941 | 15:00 | Spitfire | north of Boulogne-sur-Mer[35] |
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 –[36] | |||||||||||
27 | 26 | 19 July 1941 | 14:25 | Spitfire | southeast of Calais[35] | 51 | 49 | 8 January 1943 | 15:40 | P-51 | 55 km (34 mi) southwest of Kairouan[37] |
28 | 27 | 23 July 1941 | 13:18 | Spitfire | west of Calais[35] | 52 | 50 | 18 January 1943 | 08:13?[Note 9] | Spitfire | 2 km (1.2 mi) southwest of Zeroud Estuary[37] |
29 | —
|
5 August 1941 | 10:05 | Spitfire | north of Gravelines[35] | 53 | 51 | 4 February 1943 | 16:19 | Spitfire | 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Ousseltia[37] |
30 | 28 | 5 August 1941 | 19:05 | Spitfire | Dunkirk[35] | 54 | 52 | 4 February 1943 | 16:22 | Spitfire | 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Kef el Abiod[37] |
31 | 29 | 10 August 1941 | 14:15 | Hurricane | northeast of Calais[35] | 55♠ | 53 | 9 February 1943 | 13:59 | P-40 | 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Ousseltia[37] |
32 | 30 | 19 August 1941 | 11:59 | Spitfire | Dover[38] | 56♠ | 54 | 9 February 1943 | 14:00 | P-40 | south of Ousseltia[37] |
33 | 31 | 19 August 1941 | 12:06 | Spitfire | Dover[38] | 57♠ | 55 | 9 February 1943 | 14:01 | P-40 | Djebel Ousseltia[37] |
34 | 32 | 19 August 1941 | 12:15 | Spitfire | Dover[38] | 58♠ | 56 | 9 February 1943 | 14:02 | P-40 | 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Pichon[37] |
35 | 33 | 21 August 1941 | 15:10 | Spitfire | Calais[38] | 59♠ | 57 | 9 February 1943 | 14:05 | P-40 | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Besra[37] |
36 | 34 | 20 September 1941 | 16:55 | Spitfire | northeast of Dieppe[38] | 60♠ | 58 | 9 February 1943 | 14:06 | P-40 | 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Besra[37] |
37 | 35 | 21 September 1941 | 16:50 | Spitfire | English Channel[38] | 61♠ | 59 | 9 February 1943 | 14:21 | P-38 | 5 km (3.1 mi) east Djebel Barbrou[37] |
38 | 36 | 21 September 1941 | 16:55?[Note 10] | Spitfire | English Channel[38] | 62♠ | 60 | 9 February 1943 | 14:22 | P-38 | 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Djebel Barbrou[37] |
39 | 37 | 21 September 1941 | 17:05 | Spitfire | English Channel[38] | 63 | 61 | 14 February 1943 | 16:18 | Spitfire | 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Pichon[39] |
40 | 38 | 27 September 1941 | 15:40 | Spitfire | Le Touquet[38] | 64♠ | 15 February 1943 | 14:58 | P-38 | 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Pichon[39] | |
41 | 39 | 8 December 1941 | 12:55 | Hurricane | west of Boulogne-sur-Mer[38] | 65♠ | 62 | 15 February 1943 | 15:03 | P-38 | 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Hajeb El Ayoun[39] |
42 | 40 | 3 June 1942 | 16:35 | Spitfire | north of Le Havre[40] | 66♠ | 63 | 15 February 1943 | 15:07 | P-38 | 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Sbeitla[39] |
43 | 41 | 3 June 1942 | 16:38 | Spitfire | north of Le Havre[40] | 67♠ | 64 | 15 February 1943 | 15:08 | P-38 | 8 km (5.0 mi) northeast of Sbeitla[39] |
44 | 42 | 5 June 1942 | 15:46 | Spitfire | north of Le Havre[41] | 68♠ | 65 | 15 February 1943 | 15:15 | Spitfire | northern edge of Djebel Abiod[39] |
45 | 43 | 19 August 1942 | 16:52 | Spitfire | north of Dieppe[41] | 69♠ | 66 | 15 February 1943 | 15:16 | Spitfire | northern edge of Djebel Abiod[39] |
46 | 44 | 19 August 1942 | 16:53 | Spitfire | north of Dieppe[41] | 70♠ | 67 | 15 February 1943 | 15:18 | Spitfire | northern edge of Djebel Abiod[39] |
47 | 45 | 18 December 1942 | 11:05 | Spitfire | west of Mateur[42] | 68 | 15 February 1943 | 15:58 | P-38 | 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Pichon | |
48 | 46 | 20 December 1942 | 16:48?[Note 11] | Spitfire | 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Béja[42] | 71 | 69[Note 12] | 11 March 1943 | 13:12 | Spitfire | east of Ousseltia[39] |
49 | 47 | 8 January 1943 | 10:41 | Boston | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pichon[37] | 72 | 70[Note 12] | 11 March 1943 | 13:13 | Spitfire | east of Ousseltia[39] |
50 | 48 | 8 January 1943 | 15:35 | P-38 | 50 km (31 mi) southwest of Kairouan[37] | 73 | 71[Note 12] | 12 March 1943 | 14:25?[Note 13] | B-17 | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Makatar[39] |
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 2 –[43] | |||||||||||
74 | 72 | 15 May 1943 | 17:00 | Spitfire?[Note 14] | 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Poix[44] south of Senarpont |
75 | 73 | 15 May 1943 | 17:10 | Spitfire | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Dieppe[44] west of Conterville |
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[45] | |||||||||||
76 | 7 August 1943 | 14:38 | Il-2 | north of Karachev[46] | 145♠ | 140 | 3 July 1944 | 07:07 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Vyborg | |
77 | 7 August 1943 | 14:41 | Il-2 | north of Karachev[46] | 146♠ | 141 | 3 July 1944 | 07:08 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Vyborg | |
78 | 74 | 9 August 1943 | 17:57 | Yak-4 | PQ 35 Ost 53224, southeast of Nartschina[47] 20 km (12 mi) west of Oryol |
147♠ | 142 | 3 July 1944 | 07:09 | Il-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Vyborg |
79 | 75 | 13 August 1943 | 16:12 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 54781, southeast of Karachev[47] | 148♠ | 143 | 3 July 1944 | 07:10 | Il-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Vyborg |
80 | 76 | 13 August 1943 | 16:16 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 54751, southeast of Karachev[47] | 149 | 144 | 25 July 1944 | 12:05 | Yak-9 | 15 km (9.3 mi) sothwest of Narva |
81♠ | 77 | 24 August 1943 | 07:08 | DB-3 | PQ 35 Ost 4447, south of Orgon[48] | 150♠ | 145 | 26 July 1944 | 16:42 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) sothwest of Narva |
82♠ | 78 | 24 August 1943 | 07:12 | DB-3 | PQ 35 Ost 44523, west of Stajki[48] | 151♠ | 146 | 26 July 1944 | 16:43 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) sothwest of Narva |
83♠ | 79 | 24 August 1943 | 07:15 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 4461, south of Lipowo[48] | 152♠ | 147 | 26 July 1944 | 16:48 | Il-2 | 30 km (19 mi) sothwest of Narva |
84♠ | 80 | 24 August 1943 | 14:40 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 4461, southeast of Djatkowo[48] | 153♠ | 148 | 26 July 1944 | 16:53 | Il-2 | 25 km (16 mi) sothwest of Narva |
85♠ | 81 | 24 August 1943 | 14:41 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 4461, southeast of Djatkowo[48] | 154♠ | 149 | 26 July 1944 | 17:08 | Pe-2 | Gulf of Finland |
86♠ | 82 | 24 August 1943 | 14:42 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 4461, southeast of Djatkowo[48] | 155♠ | 150 | 26 July 1944 | 17:10 | Pe-2 | Gulf of Finland |
87♠ | 83 | 24 August 1943 | 14:43 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 4462, southeast of Djatkowo[48] | 156 | 151 | 27 July 1944 | 14:22 | Il-2 | 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Schwanenburg |
88♠ | 84 | 24 August 1943 | 14:44 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 4462, southeast of Djatkowo[48] | 157 | 152 | 27 July 1944 | 14:25 | Yak-9 | 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Schwanenburg |
89 | 85 | 26 August 1943 | 08:10 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 4343, southeast of Lokot[48] | 158 | 153 | 27 July 1944 | 14:28 | Yak-9 | 25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Ostrov |
90 | 86 | 7 September 1943 | 17:35 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 4425, east of Ljudinowo[49] | 159 | 154 | 30 July 1944 | 11:24 | Il-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) west-southwest of Hungerburg |
91♠ | 87 | 14 September 1943 | 16:41 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 35542, east of Berissowo[49] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Yelnya |
160 | 155 | 30 July 1944 | 20:12 | La-5 | vicinity of Kunda |
92♠ | 88 | 14 September 1943 | 16:42 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35541, east of Berissowo[49] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Yelnya |
161 | 156 | 6 August 1944 | 13:24 | Il-2 | Lake Peipus |
93♠ | 89 | 14 September 1943 | 16:44 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35542, southeast of Schatkowo[49] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Yelnya |
162 | 157 | 6 August 1944 | 13:27 | Il-2 | Lake Peipus |
94♠ | 90 | 14 September 1943 | 16:45 | La-5 | PQ 35 Ost 35542, southeast of Schatkowo[49] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Yelnya |
163 | 158 | 17 August 1944 | 13:09 | La-5 | Lake Peipus |
95♠ | 91 | 14 September 1943 | 16:46 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 35542, southwest of Schatkowo[49] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Yelnya |
164 | 159 | 17 August 1944 | 13:15 | La-5 | west of Lake Peipus |
96 | 92 | 15 September 1943 | 13:22 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 25432, west-southwest of Yelnya[49] 20 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Yelnya |
165 | 160 | 17 August 1944 | 13:20 | La-5 | west of Lake Peipus |
97 | 8 October 1943 | 08:30 | Il-2 | east of Borkij[16] | 166 | 161 | 23 August 1944 | 09:50 | Il-2 | 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Mālpils | |
98♠ | 93 | 11 October 1943 | 12:20 | Yak-7 | east of Teremky[16] | 167 | 162 | 23 August 1944 | 09:51 | Yak-9 | 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Mālpils |
99♠ | 94 | 11 October 1943 | 12:21 | Yak-7 | west of Teremky[16] | 168♠ | 163 | 25 August 1944 | 13:45 | Il-2 | 35 km (22 mi) north-northwest of Kreuzburg |
100♠ | 95 | 11 October 1943 | 12:22 | Yak-7 | south of Teremky[16] | 169♠ | 164 | 25 August 1944 | 13:46 | Il-2 | 35 km (22 mi) north-northwest of Kreuzburg |
101♠ | 96 | 11 October 1943 | 12:22 | LaGG-3 | south of Teremky[16] | 170♠ | 165 | 25 August 1944 | 13:47 | Il-2 | 35 km (22 mi) north-northwest of Kreuzburg |
102♠ | 97 | 11 October 1943 | 12:24 | Yak-7 | northwest of Glychow[16] | 171♠ | 166 | 25 August 1944 | 13:54 | La-5 | 40 km (25 mi) north-northwest of Kreuzburg |
103♠ | 98 | 11 October 1943 | 12:25 | Yak-7 | northwest of Glychow[16] | 172♠ | 167 | 25 August 1944 | 13:56 | Il-2 | 45 km (28 mi) east-southeast of Riga |
104♠ | 99 | 11 October 1943 | 12:27 | Yak-7 | northeast of Teremky[16] | 173 | 168 | 5 September 1944 | 18:56 | Yak-9 | northwest of Dorpat |
105 | 100 | 22 October 1943 | 06:35 | La-5 | west of Trachtemirow[50] | 174 | 169 | 6 September 1944 | 12:59 | La-5 | west of Lake Peipus |
106 | 101 | 22 October 1943 | 06:38 | Yak-7 | west of Trachtemirow[50] | 175 | 170 | 6 September 1944 | 13:01 | La-5 | west of Lake Peipus |
107 | 102 | 2 November 1943 | 15:16 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01414[50] Lake Ladoga |
176 | 171 | 6 September 1944 | 13:03 | La-5 | west of Lake Peipus |
108 | 103 | 2 November 1943 | 15:18 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01414[51] Lake Ladoga |
177 | 172 | 6 September 1944 | 13:04 | La-5 | west of Lake Peipus |
109♠ | 104 | 6 November 1943 | 07:18 | Il-2 | PQ 35 Ost 01811[51] 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Leningrad |
178 | 173 | 17 September 1944 | 13:51 | Il-2 | 25 km (16 mi) north of Walk |
110♠ | 105 | 6 November 1943 | 13:00 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01582[51] 40 km (25 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
179 | 174 | 17 September 1944 | 13:52 | Il-2 | vicinitz of Lake Wirz |
111♠ | 106 | 6 November 1943 | 13:01 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01583[51] 40 km (25 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
180 | 175 | 17 September 1944 | 13:57 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Wolmar |
112♠ | 107 | 6 November 1943 | 13:03 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01583[51] 40 km (25 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
181 | 176 | 20 September 1944 | 11:39 | Il-2 | 40 km (25 mi) east of Weissenstein |
113♠ | 108 | 6 November 1943 | 13:04 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01554[51] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
182♠ | 177 | 25 September 1944 | 10:21 | Yak-3 | vicinity of Tukkum |
114♠ | 109 | 6 November 1943 | 13:05 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01554[51] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
183♠ | 178 | 25 September 1944 | 10:23 | Il-2 | vicinity of Tukkum |
115♠ | 110 | 6 November 1943 | 13:07 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01582[51] 40 km (25 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
184♠ | 179 | 25 September 1944 | 10:31 | Yak-3 | 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Tukkum |
116♠ | 111 | 6 November 1943 | 13:08 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01554[51] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
185♠ | 180 | 25 September 1944 | 10:32 | Il-2 | vicinity of Tukkum |
117♠ | 112 | 6 November 1943 | 13:09 | Yak-9 | PQ 35 Ost 01554[51] 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk |
186♠ | 181 | 25 September 1944 | 10:32 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Tukkum |
118♠ | 113 | 6 November 1943 | 13:11 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01591[51] 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
187♠ | 182 | 25 September 1944 | 10:35 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Tukkum |
119♠ | 114 | 6 November 1943 | 13:12 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01591[51] 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
188♠ | 183 | 10 October 1944 | 10:12 | P-39 | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Libau |
120♠ | 115 | 6 November 1943 | 13:13 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01594[52] 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
189♠ | 184 | 10 October 1944 | 10:14 | P-39 | 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Libau |
121♠ | 116 | 6 November 1943 | 13:15 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01592[52] 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Zelenogorsk |
190♠ | 185 | 10 October 1944 | 10:17 | Pe-2 | 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Libau |
122♠ | 117 | 6 November 1943 | 13:17 | Yak-7 | PQ 35 Ost 01722[52] 25 km (16 mi) north of Leningrad |
191♠ | 186 | 10 October 1944 | 10:18 | Pe-2 | 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Libau |
123 | 118 | 10 December 1943 | 14:06 | Il-2 | northeast of Grebenki[52] | 192♠ | 187 | 10 October 1944 | 10:19 | Pe-2 | 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Libau |
124 | 119 | 11 February 1944 | 14:30 | Yak-7 | 30 km (19 mi) south-southwest of Luban | 193♠ | 188 | 10 October 1944 | 10:24 | P-39 | 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Libau |
125 | 120 | 19 March 1944 | 09:08 | LaGG-3 | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Pskov | 194♠ | 189 | 10 October 1944 | 10:30 | Pe-2 | 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Libau |
126 | 121 | 29 March 1944 | 09:03 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Narva | 195 | 190 | 22 October 1944 | 14:20 | Pe-2 | 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Libau |
127 | 122 | 3 April 1944 | 08:32 | Yak-9 | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Selo | 196 | 191 | 22 October 1944 | 14:21 | Pe-2 | 25 km (16 mi) south-southeast of Libau |
128♠ | 123 | 7 April 1944 | 07:42 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo | 197 | 192 | 22 October 1944 | 14:24 | P-39 | 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Libau |
129♠ | 124 | 7 April 1944 | 07:48 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo | 198 | 193 | 22 October 1944 | 14:25 | P-39 | 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Libau |
130♠ | 125 | 7 April 1944 | 07:49 | Il-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Selo | 199♠ | 194 | 28 October 1944 | 11:46 | Il-2 | |
131♠ | 126 | 7 April 1944 | 07:52 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Selo | 200♠ | 195 | 28 October 1944 | 11:47 | Il-2 | |
132♠ | 127 | 7 April 1944 | 07:56 | Yak-9 | 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Pskov | 201♠ | 196 | 28 October 1944 | 11:48 | Il-2 | |
133♠ | 128 | 7 April 1944 | 07:58 | Yak-9 | 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Pskov | 202♠ | 197 | 28 October 1944 | 11:49 | Il-2 | |
134 | 129 | 28 April 1944 | 17:56 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Idriza | 203♠ | 198 | 28 October 1944 | 11:50 | Il-2 | |
135 | 130 | 28 April 1944 | 17:57 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Idriza | 204♠ | 199 | 28 October 1944 | 11:52 | Il-2 | |
136 | 131 | 28 April 1944 | 17:59 | Il-2 | north-northeast of Linon-Yeu | 205♠ | 200 | 28 October 1944 | 11:53 | Il-2 | |
137 | 132 | 17 June 1944 | 11:25 | Pe-2 | 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Vyborg | 206♠ | 201 | 28 October 1944 | 11:54 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Velikiye Luki |
138 | 133 | 18 June 1944 | 08:35 | Il-2 | 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Zelenogorsk | 207♠ | 202 | 28 October 1944 | 11:56 | Il-2 | 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Velikiye Luki |
139 | 134 | 18 June 1944 | 08:36 | Il-2 | 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Zelenogorsk | 208♠ | 203 | 28 October 1944 | 15:01 | Il-2 | 40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Libau |
140 | 135 | 17 June 1944 | 15:00 | Il-2 | 30 km (19 mi) south-southeast of Vyborg | 209♠ | 204 | 28 October 1944 | 15:03 | Il-2 | 45 km (28 mi) east-southeast of Libau |
141 | 136 | 20 June 1944 | 16:32 | Il-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Vyborg | 210 | 205 | 30 October 1944 | 12:05 | Boston | |
142 | 137 | 20 June 1944 | 16:34 | Il-2 | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Vyborg | 211 | 206 | 30 October 1944 | 12:07 | Boston | |
143 | 138 | 20 June 1944 | 16:36 | P-39 | 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Vyborg | 212 | 207 | 5 November 1944 | —
|
unknown | |
144♠ | 139 | 3 July 1944 | 07:06 | Il-2 | 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Vyborg | ||||||
– Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 7 – | |||||||||||
According to Mathews and Foreman, Rudorffer had twelve confirmed victories flying the Me 262.[53] | |||||||||||
? | ? | 24 March 1945 | —
|
Tempest | ? | ? | 30 March 1945 | —
|
P-51 | vicinity of Hamburg | |
? | ? | 25 March 1945 | —
|
B-17 | ? | ? | 30 March 1945 | —
|
P-51 | vicinity of Hamburg |
Awards
- Wound Badge in Black[54]
- Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) (20 October 1940)
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000"[54]
- Combined Pilots-Observation Badge[54]
- Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty (2nd class)[54]
- German Cross in Gold on 9 December 1941 as Leutnant in the 2./JG 2[55]
- Iron Cross (1939)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Knight's Cross on 1 May 1941 as Leutnant and pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"[57][58]
- 447th Oak Leaves on 11 April 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 54[59][Note 15]
- 126th Swords on 26 January 1945 as Major (war officer) and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 54[57][60]
Dates of rank
28 October 1940: | Leutnant (Second Lieutenant), effective as of 1 November 1940[2] |
20 November 1941: | Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant), with a rank age dated 1 October 1941[2] |
1 January 1943: | Hauptmann (Captain)[2] |
1 January 1944: | Major (Major), with a rank age dated 1 May 1944[2] |
Notes
- ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations, see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
- ^ For a list of Luftwaffe Jet aces see List of German World War II jet aces
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 20:00.[26]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:30.[26]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:47.[26]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 09:50.[26]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:20.[32]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:20.[32]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 08:15.[32]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:50.[32]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 16:40.[32]
- ^ a b c According to Mathews and Foreman, this victory was claimed with the Stab of II./Jagdgeschwader 2.[43]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:28.[43]
- ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Hawker Typhoon.[43]
- ^ According to Scherzer as Hauptmann (war officer) and not Major.[57]
References
Citations
- ^ a b Stockert 2007, p. 101.
- ^ a b c d e Stockert 2007, p. 102.
- ^ Spick 1996, p. 221.
- ^ Goss, Cornwell & Rauchbach 2010, p. 64.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 429.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003, pp. 438–439.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003, pp. 439, 441.
- ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 434.
- ^ Prien et al. 2004a, p. 245.
- ^ Prien et al. 2004b, p. 45.
- ^ Prien et al. 2004b, p. 102.
- ^ Prien et al. 2010a, p. 466.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 264.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 344.
- ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 278.
- ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 281–282.
- ^ Forsyth 2008, pp. 6–10.
- ^ Forsyth 2008, p. 15.
- ^ Flug Werk's homepage with replica Archived 3 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ TracesOfWar.com
- ^ Zabecki 2019, p. 328.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1065–1069.
- ^ Planquadrat.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1065–1066.
- ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1065.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2001, p. 100.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2002, p. 101.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2002, p. 102.
- ^ Prien et al. 2001, p. 101.
- ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2001, p. 102.
- ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1066.
- ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 104.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 438.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2003, p. 439.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1066–1067.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Prien et al. 2010b, p. 102.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Prien et al. 2003, p. 441.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2010b, p. 103.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2004a, p. 258.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2004a, p. 260.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2004b, p. 51.
- ^ a b c d Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1067.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2010a, p. 474.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1067–1069.
- ^ a b Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 275.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 276.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 277.
- ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 280.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
- ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
- ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1069.
- ^ a b c d Berger 1999, p. 301.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 389.
- ^ a b Thomas 1998, p. 230.
- ^ a b c Scherzer 2007, p. 643.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 367.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 81.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 47.
Bibliography
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- Bergström, Christer. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Forsyth, Robert (2008). Jagdgeschwader 7 'Nowotny. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-320-9.
- Goss, Chris; Cornwell, Peter; Rauchbach, Bernd (2010). Luftwaffe Fighter-Bombers Over Britain: The Tip and Run Campaign, 1942–43. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0691-9.
- Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 3 M–R. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-20-2.
- Morgan, Hugh; Weal, John (1998). German Jet Aces of World War 2. London; New York: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-634-7.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
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- Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 8/I—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—November 1941 bis December 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 8/I—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—November 1941 to December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-74-8.
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- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
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- 1917 births
- 2016 deaths
- Luftwaffe pilots
- People from the Kingdom of Saxony
- German World War II flying aces
- Recipients of the Gold German Cross
- Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Liberty, 2nd Class
- Military personnel from Saxony
- People from Nordsachsen