Erich Rudorffer
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| Erich Rudorffer | |
|---|---|
| 1 November 1917 | |
| Place of birth | Zwochau |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Years of service | 1939-1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | JG 2, JG 7 and JG 54 |
| Commands | 6. JG 2, /II./JG 2, I./JG 7 and II.JG 54 |
| Awards | Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwerten |
Erich Rudorfer (born 1 November 1917 in Zwochau/Sachsen) was one of a few handful of Luftwaffe German fighter aces who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He had a total of 222 victories, fighting in all the major German theaters of war, including ETO, MTO and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, was engaged in aerial combat over 300 times, was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute 9 times. His 222 aerial victories include 58 heavily armoured Il-2 Sturmovik ground attack aircraft. He was also responsible for sinking a British submarine.
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[edit] Early life
Rudorffer was born in Zwochau/Sachsen. He flew for the Deutsche Luft Hansa when two months after the beginning of World War II all pilots were transferred to the Luftwaffe. In early 1940 Rudorffer was transferred to to Jagdgeschwader 2 Richthofen.
[edit] World War 2
Rudorffer got his first victory over 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 legend has him being pursued down Croydon High Street below rooftop level by a Huricane! He achieved his nineteenth victory on May 1, 1941; he was appointed Staffekapitän of 6./JG 2 the following month.
In 1942 Rudorffer participated in Operation Cerberus (Channel Dash). After 45 victories in November 1942 his unit was transferred east to Sicily and later Tunisia. On 9 February 1943 Rudorffer defeated 8 British pilots during a 32 minute aerial battle and collected his first with multiple victories. Again on 15 February he was victorious over 7 allied aircraft. Among his victories over North Africa are 10 allied bombers.
In July 1943 Hauptmann Rudorffer was appointed to command II./JG 54. He achieved his first victory here on 7 August. Due to the experience gained by fighting the RAF he achieved incredible success. During his first sortie on 24 August 1943 5 enemy aircraft were downed in 4 minutes. On 11 October 1943 Erich Rudorffer wrote history when during 17 minutes he was victorious 13 times. In the winter 1943/1944 Major Rudorffer was trained on the Messerschmitt Me 262 Jet fighter. In February 1945 he was recalled to command I./ JG 7. He scored twelve victories with the Me 262, to bring final total 222.
[edit] After the war
Erich Rudorffer started out flying DC-2 and DC-3 in Australia. Later on he worked for PANAM. In the 80ties he returned to fly for Lufthansa.
[edit] Awards
- Verwundetenabzeichen in Bronze
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe
- Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty (2. class)
- German Cross in Gold
- Eisernes Kreuz 2. and 1. Klasse (1940)
- Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
- Ritterkreuz (1 May 1941)
- Eichenlaub (11 April 1944)
- Schwerter (26 January 1945)
[edit] References
- Florian Berger (2006), Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Selbstverlag Florian Berger.
- Mike Sprick (1996), Luftwaffe Fighter Aces: The Jagdflieger and their combat tactics and techniques. Ivy Books.
