Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the two pilots of I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53 (KG 53) "Legion Condor", which were held on 29 February 1944 in the Eastern Front. In the middle is Oberstleutnant Fritz Pockrandt (Geschwaderkommodore Kampfgeschwader 53). He is flanked by Major Karl Rauer (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53) at left and Oberleutnant Kurt Unruh (Flugzeugführer in 2.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53) on the right. Rauer was awarded for his successes as both a commander of bomber units as well as his own personal successes as a bomber pilot. During the fighting on the Eastern front he destroyed at least as much enemy materiel as is listed here: 1 ammunition and 7 fuel dumps, 2 railroad bridges, 5 anti-aircraft positions, 30 tanks, and 17 aircraft on the ground. Unruh was awarded following his transfer to training duties in recognition of his 392 combat missions flown as a bomber pilot in the east. BTW, on the right hand side is Oberleutnant Wolfgang Lührs (Staffelkapitän 2.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53), which himself would received the same medal on 24 October 1944.
From left to right: Major Karl Rauer (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53) and Oberleutnant Kurt Unruh (Flugzeugführer in 2.Staffel / I.Gruppe
/ Kampfgeschwader 53)
New Ritterkreuzträger Major Karl Rauer (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53) in chats with his Geschwaderkommodore, Oberstleutnant Fritz Pockrandt. At right in the background is another Ritterkreuz recipient, Oberleutnant Kurt Unruh (Flugzeugführer in 2.Staffel / I.Gruppe
/ Kampfgeschwader 53)
Generalleutnant Rudolf Meister (Kommandierender General IV. Fliegerkorps) awarded the Ritterkreuz to, from left to right: Major Karl rauer (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53) and Oberleutnant Kurt Unruh (Flugzeugführer in 2.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 53)
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2396345#p2396345
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/25804/Rauer-Karl.htm
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/27425/Unruh-Kurt.htm
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