Monday, March 11, 2024

Hans-Ulrich Rudel in a Pilot Cap


Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") in a picture taken by Kriegsberichter Helmut Grosse in 1943. He is wearing the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes which he received on 14 April 1943 as as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän 1.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2), awarded for his achievements throughout 1942, by the end of which he had flown over 750 sorties. During this time he was credited with the following successes: Destroying Soviet batteries at Swinowojka and Marajewa through direct hits (21 and 30 January 1942); Paralyzing a Soviet attack on 27 January 1942 by destroying two buildings occupied by an hostile brigade staff in Barsuki. He also eliminated 3 vehicles and 2 trucks in this attack; Damaging a freighter (with 4000 GRT) in the harbour of Tuapse (23 September 1942); Destroying a Soviet supply dump (29 September 1942); Creating a landslide at the Induk pass, which blocked it to Soviet forces for quite some time; Destroying 3 aircraft, 2 batteries, 3 guns and 2 bunkers (23 September - 26 October 1942); and destroying 3 tanks, 1 battery, 9 vehicles and 2 trucks (13 November - 14 December 1942).



This picture was published on 2 January 1945 after Hans-Ulrich Rudel received the Goldenem Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz. It is a retouch of the photo that was taken in 1943, a common practice at that time when the recent images are not available.



Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R64055
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/gen9.htm
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/hans-ulrich-rudel-officer-stuka-dive-bomber-pilot-d-news-photo/545939149
https://www.granger.com/results.asp?image=0653849&itemw=4&itemf=0001&itemstep=1&itemx=5
https://reibert.info/threads/xans-ulrix-rudel-hans-ulrich-rudel.6079/page-12
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/205/Rudel-Hans-Ulrich-Schlachtgeschw-2-Immelmann.htm

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