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#

Theodor Nordmann in the Cockpit of His Stuka

Leutnant Theodor Nordmann (Flugzeugführer in 8.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 1) in the cockpit of his Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" aircraft. The picture was taken in September 1941 by Kriegsberichter Helmut Grosse.

On 17 September 1941 Leutnant Theodor Nordmann (Flugzeugführer in 8.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 1) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes after completed approximately 190–200 combat sorties. These included 60 missions during the 1940 Western Campaign and Battle of Britain with III./StG 1, followed by Mediterranean operations from Sicily against Malta in early 1941. There, flying the Ju 87, he contributed to the sinking of roughly 5,000 gross register tons of Allied merchant shipping, including one confirmed 5,000-ton vessel struck in a steep dive that sent it to the bottom after a direct hit amid heavy anti-aircraft fire from escort warships and shore batteries. Harbor installations and airfields on Malta were also hammered with pinpoint bomb runs that left runways cratered and supply dumps burning.

On 22 June 1941 the entire Gruppe transferred east for the opening day of Operation Barbarossa. Operating in support of Army Group North and later Center, Nordmann’s Staffel flew repeated low-level attacks on Soviet armored spearheads, supply columns, and Flak positions during the rapid advances toward Leningrad and the Smolensk-Moscow axis. In the first three months of the campaign his aircraft destroyed 21 Soviet tanks—many claimed during rolling barrages where entire columns were caught in the open—and silenced 14 anti-aircraft batteries. The typical mission involved forming up in Staffelkeil formation, climbing to 4,000–5,000 meters, then pushing over into the characteristic 70–80-degree dive with the Jericho-Trompeten siren howling, releasing the 250- or 500-kilogram bomb at 400–600 meters before pulling out low over the treetops under small-arms and machine-gun fire. These sorties were flown almost daily in the chaotic early weeks of Barbarossa, often in the face of intense Soviet fighter opposition and rapidly thickening ground defenses. The Ritterkreuz citation highlighted this sustained record of destruction and the personal leadership that kept his section intact through the first brutal summer on the Eastern Front.

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

Luftwaffe Ace Otto Schulz

31 years old Oberfeldwebel Otto Schulz was one of the oldest pilots in JG 27, was together with the "star of Africa", Joachim Marseille one of the top scores on the German side in North Africa.

Known as "one-two-three-Otto" by his fellow comrades, due to his talent of downing several British aircraft in a row. One example is on this day, 15 February 1942 when the British ace "imshi Mason led 20 P-40 Kittyhawks in an attack on II./JG 27 fighter base Martuba in Libya.

Only one Messerschmitt manage to take off during the attack to intercept the enemy formation, the machien of Obfw. Otto Schulz. Within a couple of minutes, five British pilots was shot down, Squadron Leader "Imshi" Mason, Sergeant Wightman, Sergeant Belcher, Pilot Officer Marshall and finally Sergeant McQueen, who was however able to force-land his brand new P-40.

Its interesting to note that "Imshi" Mason was by this time one of the most successful British pilots combatting the Italian Regia Aeronautica over North Africa. Flying in his Hurricane he took a heavy toll of the Italian biplanes and bombers encountered during the winter offensive in 1940/41. And in January 1942 he was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross for a total of 13 confirmed victories.

However fighting against the Germans was another matter, In April 1941 "Imshi" met the 7./JG 27 over Malta and he was promptly shot down and injured by Oblt. Klaus Mietusch. He would not be back into action over Africa due to his injuries utill early February 1942 when he took over the command of No 94 Squadron.

Otto Schulz, one of the leading experten on the German side would himself rerun to Africa in May 1942 after a well deserved leave, receiving the Ritterkreuz and and an a promotion to officer rank. On 17 June he would fly his last mission over Sidi Rezegh, shot down in combat with P-40E Kittihawks. By this time Oberleutnant Schulz had amassed a total of 51 confirmed victories.

Source :
ECPAD archive (DAA 1208 L.14)
https://luftwaffeinprofile.se/Bf%20109%20F4%20Schulz%20JG%2027.html

Herbert Otto Gille Arrived at Lublin

SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (nearest to the camera, Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") upon arrival at the airfield in Lublin, Poland, in May 1944 along with, from left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Manfred Schönfelder (Ia Operations Officer 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Scharff (Ib Quartiermeister 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), SS-Hauptsturmführer Hermann Kaufmann (O5 Aide de Camp Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), and SS-Sturmbannführer Karl-Willy Schulze (IIa Adjutant Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). The picture was taken from the book "From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash.

Source :
https://www.amazon.com/Realm-Dying-Sun-SS-Panzerkorps-July-November-ebook/dp/B082T2HPSG
https://reibert.info/threads/5-a-tankova-divizija-ss-viking-ss-division-wiking-5-ss-panzer-division-wiking.24489/page-13

Hans-Ulrich Rudel Stuka with His Gruppe

"Um 12.10 Uhr startet die Gruppe!" (The group starts at 12.10 p.m.!). The Junkers Ju 87s are at the start with their engines throttled down, waiting for the operational order. In the foreground is the machine of the Gruppenkommandeur of III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2), Eichenlaubträger Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel. The picture was taken in the summer of 1943.

Source :
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/a5675d7e-0259-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/e495de44-8646-53dc-fd3e-ee010b5b9b34?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=rudel&rows=1&page=2

Bio of Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos (1915-2003)

Johann Boos

Date of Birth: 01.08.1915 - Ney, Kreis St.Goar/Hunsrück, Rheinprovinz (German Empire)
Date of Death: 20.12.2003 - Kratzenburg, Rheinland-Pfalz (Germany)

Battles and Operations: Battle of France (1940), Battle of Britain (1940), Operation Barbarossa (1941), Crimea Campaign (1942)

Promotions:
01.10.1937 Gefreiter
01.04.1939 Unteroffizier
01.04.1941 Feldwebel
01.08.1942 Oberfeldwebel
00.00.194_ Oberfeldwebel (Bw) (Z)

Career:
00.00.1935 Served in 6.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 55 / 17.Infanterie-Division
00.00.1936 Joined the Luftwaffe
00.00.1938 Flugzeugführer-Lehrgang
00.12.1939 Flugzeugführer in 8.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 55 (KG 55)
00.02.1941 Flugzeugführer in 9.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 55 (KG 55)
16.05.1943 MIA on his 416th mission when his He 111 was shot down over Kropotkin
19.05.1943 captured with his crew by the Soviet - POW
02.06.1948 released

Awards and Decorations:
03.06.1939 Flugzeugführerabzeichen
12.06.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
25.09.1940 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
13.04.1941 Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Bronze
20.04.1941 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
25.06.1941 Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Silber
23.09.1941 Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
19.10.1941 Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold
10.07.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
16.10.1942 Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold mit Anhänger
15.03.1943 Krimschild
09.10.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberfeldwebel and Flugzeugführer in 9.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 55 (KG 55). Awarded after flying 416 bomber sorties

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johann Boos was born on 1 August 1915 in Ney, in the St.Goar/Hunsrück district. His military career commenced in the army, as part of the 6th company of the 55th Infantry Regiment, which belonged to the 17th Infantry Division. After completing basic training, he volunteered for the new Luftwaffe in Würzburg in the fall of 1936. His training as an aircraft pilot took place from spring 1938 in Detmold, Magdeburg, Münster, Celle and Tutow.

At the start of the war he was serving with 9.Staffel / Kampfgeschwader 55 (KG 55), in Neudorf near Oppeln, which was commanded at the time by Oberst Alois Stoeckl. Boos achieved significant success in attacking shipping targets, as well as industrial and railway facilities during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. Here he was wounded. He also demonstrated his skills in the campaign against the Soviet Union. Boos was the last pilot to escape from the besieged Stalingrad Pocket after flying a supply mission, and evacuating casualties on the way out.

His 416th combat flight, which he carried out on May 16, 1943, was his last flight for the German Air Force in World War II. During this flight, his Heinkel He 111H-16 (Werknummer 8529) "G1 + AT" bomber was shot down by Russian flak in an attack on the Krapotkin train station that was based near Armavir. He and his crew - Oberfeldwebel Helmuth Wagner (Observer), Oberfeldwebel Gustav Samorski (Radio Operator), Unteroffizier Eberhard Rode (Flight Engineer) and Unteroffizier Kurt Rothert (Gunner) - were declared MIA (missing in action), while in reality all the surviving aircrew tried to make their way to the German side, but were caught after 3 days and taken prisoner by Soviets. After 5 years abroad in Russia, he was released from the Tcheljabinsk camp in Siberia on June 2, 1948, seriously ill.

Johann Boos returned to Germany. Only now did he learn that he had been subsequently awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on October 9, 1943. Due to the award of the most coveted German medal, his parents received a monthly allowance of 100 Reichsmarks from February 1, 1944.

After his imprisonment, Boos worked as a worker in a high-voltage electricity plant from October 1950, and at times also as an unskilled laborer in wood procurement. From October 1st, 1969 to July 31st, 1980 he was a technical employee at the Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement in Koblenz until he was released into his well-deserved retirement.

Johann Boos died on December 20, 2003 in Kratzenburg near Koblenz.

Johann Boos as a member of Heer, in parade uniform.


Johann Boos (foreground) as a member of Heer before the war.



Unteroffizier der Luftwaffe Johann Boos.



Unteroffizier Johann Boos (right) in the cockpit.



Johann Boos (left) with comrades.

Johann Boos (below) with fellow air crew.



Johann Boos (left) with fellow air crew.



Bomber pilot Johann Boos.



Johann Boos (left) with comrade.



Johann Boos (left) with comrade.



Johann Boos (right) with comrades.



Johann Boos (third from right) with comrades.



Johann Boos (right) with comrades.



Johann Boos (second from right) with comrades.



Johann Boos (center) with comrades.



Johann Boos (center) with comrades.



Johann Boos in the cockpit of Heinkel He 111.



Johann Boos in the cockpit of Heinkel He 111.



Johann Boos (right) in the cockpit of Heinkel He 111.



Johann Boos (right) in the cockpit of Heinkel He 111.



Studio portrait of Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos (Flugzeugführer in 9.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 55) with added Ritterkreuz in his neck. By the time he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (9 October 1943), Boos already became the POW of the Soviets. On 16 May 1943 previously he was reported missing after his Heinkel He 111H-16 (Werknummer 8529) "G1 + AT" bomber was shot down by enemy flak over Kropotkin. It was his 416th flight mission. Remaining crew (POW): Oberfeldwebel Helmuth Wagner (Observer), Oberfeldwebel Gustav Samorski (Radio Operator), Unteroffizier Eberhard Rode (Flight Engineer) and Unteroffizier Kurt Rothert (Gunner). They headed for German lines after force landing, but after three days, they were captured by Soviet troops. Boos was the last pilot to escape from the besieged Stalingrad Pocket after flying a supply mission, and evacuating casualties on the way out. He was released by the Soviets only after the war is over (2 June 1948).

Awards and documents of Johann Boos, auctioned by Andreas Thies. Other items from this grouping can be seen HERE.

Source :
https://aircrewremembered.com/KrackerDatabase/?s=2100&q=A%2A
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/luftwaffe-pilots-6_C3E44F1B85
https://www.andreas-thies.de/auktionen/67-750774
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204238238625
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Johann_Boos
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28582/Boos-Johann-Kampfgeschwader-55.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20110105103052fw_/http://ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Luftwaffe/B/Bo/Boos-Johann.htm

Celebration for Ernst Kupfer's 500th Mission

Major Dr.jur. Ernst Kupfer (Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") is congratulated after returning from his 500th combat mission, 30 October 1942. Behind him is a Junkers Ju-87D "Stuka" dive-bomber. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Klaus Niermann.

Major Dr.jur. Ernst Kupfer (Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") and his rear gunner are congratulated after returning from their 500th combat mission, 30 October 1942. Behind him is a Junkers Ju-87D "Stuka" dive-bomber. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Klaus Niermann.

Source :
https://www.grenadierauctions.com/news.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/WW2info/comments/199jemb/the_commander_of_ii_stg2_major_ernst_kupfer_is/

Hans-Ulrich Rudel in Early 1944

Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2) in front of the Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" aircraft on a snowy field airfield in winter; before 1 March 1944. He is wearing the Schwerter zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes which he received on 25 November 1943. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Sperling, January-February 1944. From 9 to 21 February 1944 Rudel became the temporary Geschwaderführer of Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann".

Source :
https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/german-air-force/50897/oberst-hans-ulrich-rudel

Hans-Ulrich Rudel in the Stuka Cockpit

Oberleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Flugzeugführer in 1.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2) doing some microphone check before his 333rd combat mission on Volkhov front near Leningrad, September 1941. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Karl Bayer. On 21 September 1941, Rudel took part in an attack on the Soviet battleship Marat of the Baltic Fleet. Marat was sunk at her moorings on 23 September 1941 after being hit by one 1,000-kilogram (2,200 lb) bomb near the forward superstructure. It caused the explosion of the forward magazine which demolished the superstructure and the forward part of the hull. 326 men were killed and the ship gradually settled to the bottom in 11 meters (36 ft) of water. Her sinking is commonly credited to Rudel alone, but Rudel dropped only one of the two bombs that sank her.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Image-No.: 50153877)
https://biography.wikireading.ru/85230
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel
https://www.reddit.com/r/ww2/comments/ln0hy9/oberleutnant_hansulrich_rudel_microphone_check/

Five Pilots of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2)

Five pilots of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2) in early 1942. From left to right: Hauptmann Martin Möbus (Staffelkapitän 4. Staffel. Ritterkreuz on 8 May 1940 and Eichenlaub on 25 April 1944. Killed in a car crash in Pori, Finnland, on 2 June 1944), Leutnant Egbert Jaeckel (Flugzeugführer in 3.Staffel. Ritterkreuz on 14 May 1942. Killed on 17 July 1943 during the Battle of Kursk by Soviet fighters), Hauptmann Bruno Dilley (Gruppenkommandeur I. Gruppe. Ritterkreuz on 4 June 1942 and Eichenlaub on 8 January 1943. Survived the war), Oberleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Staffelkapitän 9. Staffel. Ritterkreuz on 6 January 1942, Eichenlaub on 14 April 1943, Schwerter on 25 November 1943, Brillanten on 29 March 1944, and Goldenem Eichenlaub on 29 December 1944. Survived the war), and Oberleutnant Armin Thiede (Adjutant II. Gruppe. Ritterkreuz on 14 June 1941. Killed in a crash with a glider on 9 July 1943). These men flew over 5,600 sorties in total, with Rudel alone achieving about 45%!

Source :
"Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries" by Henry L. deZeng IV and Douglas G. Stankey
"Stuka-lentäjä" by Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Hans-Ulrich Rudel and Erwin Hentschel Studies the Soviet Tank

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.

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
https://www.reddit.com/r/WWIIplanes/comments/lrf71i/hauptmann_hansulrich_rudel_studies_recognition/

Lothar Lau and Ernst Gadermann

Major im Generalstab Lothar Lau (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") and the rear gunner of famous Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel who was also a doctor in SG 2, Stabsarzt Dr.med. Ernst Gadermann (right), walking and talking. In the background is a Junkers Ju 87 D-5 "Stuka" with ground crew. The picture was taken in Hungary, September 1944.

Source :
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Ju-87/10%28Pz%29SG2/pages/Junkers-Ju-87D5-Stuka-Hans-Ulrich-Rudels-01.html
https://reibert.info/threads/stg2-i-sg2-immelmann-sturzkampfgeschwader-2-i-schlachtgeschwader-2-immelmann.72440/page-5

Hans-Ulrich Rudel's Stuka with "Kanonenvogel"

Hans-Ulrich Rudel's Junkers Ju 87G "Stuka", with twin BK 3,7 gun pods attached to the underside of the wings. The aircraft is being started with a hand crank. BK 3,7 equipped ground attack aircraft were developed for tank hunting on the Eastern Front in an effort to blunt the massive numerical superiority of the Soviet T-34 tank as the war turned against Germany. The concept was rather rudimentary, suffered from poor accuracy, severe weight penalty making the craft vulnerable to fighters, and low ammunition capacity; but could be extremely effective when operated by a sufficiently skilled and practised ground-attack pilot, such as Rudel. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Helmut Grosse in the Eastern Front, summer 1943.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BK_3,7

Walter Nowotny Watching a Game

Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz Schmidt from 2.Staffel / FAGr 5 (Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5) welcomes Hauptmann Walter Nowotny (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 101) upon his arrival at Mont-de-Marsan airfield, a long-range reconnaissance base in southwestern France, 24 May 1944. Nowotny arrived on his own Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-4 aircraft to watch a handball game between JG 101 and FAGr 5. Note the execution of the landing gear flap (meaning the presence of an internal flap) and the highly polished paintwork of this Fw 190. The crosses on the fuselage of the planes from JG 101 have an unusual proportion. It is believed that this particular aircraft also had a yellow spiral on the spinner. In this picture you can also see Nowotny's personal symbols - the "13" marking and the "Green Heart" emblem. Even in the presence of their encouraging commander, the handball team of JG 101 lost with a score of 17:4 to the FAGr 5 team.



Hauptmann Walter Nowotny (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 101) and Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz Schmidt (Staffelkapitän 2.Staffel / Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5) watching a handball game between JG 101 and FAGr 5 teams. The match were held on 24 May 1944 in Mont-de-Marsan airfield, a long-range reconnaissance base in southwestern France. Even in the presence of their encouraging commander, the handball team of JG 101 lost with a score of 17:4 to the FAGr 5 team.

White Triple Chevron 8, flown by Hauptmann Walter "Nowi" Nowotny, Jagdgeschwader 101 (JG 101), Pau-Ost/France, 24 May 1944.

Source :
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Fw-190A/JG54-S/pages/Focke-Wulf-Fw-190A-Stab-I.JG54-Walter-Nowotny-Russia-1944-01.html
https://live.warthunder.com/post/323272/en/
http://luftwaffeinprofile.se/Fw%20190%20A4%20Nowi%20JG%20101.html
https://reibert.info/threads/valter-novotny-walter-nowotny.81263/