Stuka Ace Theodor Nordmann and His Gunner Gerhard Rothe

Stuka ace Oberleutnant Theodor Nordmann (Staffelkapitän 8.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 1) boarding a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka aircraft before takeoff for a combat mission, 1942. In the backseat is his trusted Bordschütze (rear gunner/radio operator), Feldwebel Gerhard Rothe (later promoted to Fahnenjunker). Rothe flew hundreds of missions with Nordmann (estimates around 850 total for Rothe, most of them paired with Nordmann). He was one of only about 15 Stuka gunners awarded the Ritterkreuz (in November 1943), recognizing his skill in defensive fire and overall contributions during dive-bombing operations.

Source :
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/en/search/?yearfrom=&yearto=&query=theodor+nordmann#