The knowledge of the weak points of the enemy armored weapons was the key to further success. Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel studies recognition chart with his gunner Oberfeldwebel Erwin Hentschel (holding model of KV-1) and his aircraft mechanic Obergefreiter Wolfgang Slabbers, September 1943. On 21 May 1941, Erwin Hentschel flew his first combat missions on the Eastern Front of World War II. In late September 1941, he became Hans-Ulrich Rudel 's regular air gunner. Flying with the I. and III. Gruppe of StG 2, he received the Ehrenpokal on 16 March 1942, was promoted to Feldwebel (technical sergeant) on 1 December 1942, received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 9 January 1943, and was promoted to Oberfeldwebel (senior technical sergeant) on 1 June 1943. Hentschel flew his 1,200th combat mission on 9 October 1943, and was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 December 1943 after approximately 1,300 combat missions. On 20 March, Rudel landed behind enemy lines, trying to rescue a downed aircrew. The takeoff failed due to the soft ground. Walking back to German held territory, the four attempted to swim across the Dniester River. Hentschel drowned in the attempt. In total he shot down 7 Soviet fighters as a rear gunner.
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Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2) explaining the weak points of enemy armored weapons to the pilots of 10. Staffel, September 1943. In the table is the three model of Soviet tanks : T-34, KV-1 and KV-2.
Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2).
Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Image-No.: 30033088)
"St.G2 Immelmann" by Marek J. Murawski
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