Walter Krupinski

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Walter Krupinski
November 11, 1920 - October 7, 2000
Nickname	Graf Punski
Place of birth	Domnau, East Prussia
Allegiance	Germany
Years of service	1940-1976
Rank	Staffelkapitän
Unit	JG 52, JG 5 and JV 44
Commands	JG 52 and JG 5
Awards	Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Walter Krupinski (November 11, 1920 - October 7, 2000) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II and a senior West German air force officer after the war. He was one of the highest-scoring pilots, accredited with 197 victories in 1,100 sorties. Krupinski was one of the first to fly the Me 262 jet fighter in combat as a member of the famous aces squadron JV 44 led by Adolf Galland.

1 World War II
2 After World War II
3 External links
4 Notes

[edit] World War II

Walter Krupinski entered the Luftwaffe in September 1939 as an ensign. From November 1939 to October 1940, Krupinski entered basic air training and after being assigned as a fighter pilot, the fighter school. After his training Krupinski was sent to join his new unit Jagdgeschwader 52, where he was placed in 6.Staffel.

Krupinski won his first aerial victory in the early stages of the Russian campaign. By December 1941 his tally stood at seven confirmed victories and by August 1942 at 50, for which he was awarded the German Cross in gold. After an other six victories Krupinski was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. In March 1943 Krupinski was promoted to Staffelkapitän and was given command of 7.Staffel. He was awarded the Oak Leaves to his knight's cross for his 174th victory.

Krupinski (left) with Erich Hartmann, 1944

After achieving 177 victories, Krupinski was transferred from the Russian front to Germany, where he was assigned to 1.Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5. Promoted to the rank of Hauptmann (captain) in May 1944, Krupinski was made commander of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11, with whom he was sent to fight the invasion in Normandy. By September he was transferred to III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwaders 26. In March 1945, Krupinski was transferred to the aces unit Jagdverband 44, which flew the Me 262 jet. After having shot down 197 enemy planes, Krupinski went into American captivity on May 5, 1945.

[edit] After World War II

Released from captivity in September, by November 1952 entered the German provisional defense ministry. Given the rank of major in 1957, Krupinski went to England to lead the first post war German jet fighter wing. In 1966 Krupinski took command of the German forces of the Luftwaffen-Ausbildungs-Kommando in Texas with the rank of brigadier general. In July 1969 Walter Krupinski became commander of the 3rd Luftwaffe division. In 1971 he became chief of staff of 2 ATAF. In October 1974 Krupinski was promoted commanding officer of the airfleet. He retired with the rank of lieutenant-general. Walter Krupinski died in Neunkirchen-Seelscheid in 2000.