Re: E.Rudorffer early war claims question
 

From the book "Focke-Wulf FW 190 In North Africa" by Andrew Arthy & Morten Jessen

18Dec42 Spitfire (#46) 72nd & 152 Sqn (Looks like JG53 got the only loss from this unit)
20Dec42 Spitfire (#47) 72nd Sqn P/O Robertson
8Jan43 Boston (#48) -
8Jan43 P-38 (#49) 82nd or 14 FG (Lost 3 & 2 damaged) II/JG2 claimed 6.
8Jan43 Mustang (#50) 58 FS/33 FG No loss
18Jan43 Spitfire (#51) 232 Sqn S/Ldr Winskill (Looks like he "shared" with Lt Fritz Karch 6./JG2
04Feb43 Spitfire (#52 & 53) 5th or 6th FS/52nd FG (3 Losses) II/JG2 6 claims
09Feb43 Curtiss P-40 (54-59) GC II/5 (3 Losses) II/JG2 12 claims
09Feb43 P-38 (60 & 61) 94 FS/1st FG No losses
14Feb43 Spitfire (62) ?
15Feb43 P-38 (63-65) 1st & 82nd FG No losses
15Feb43 Spitfire (66-68) -
15Feb43 P-38 (69) 1st & 82nd FG No losses
11Mar43 Spitfire (70-71) 52nd FG one loss
12Mar43 B-17 (#72) -

Re: E.Rudorffer early war claims question
 

Hi guys,

There have already been a few good discussions on this board about the claims by II./J.G. 2 and Erich Rudorffer in Tunisia.

Mark Reardon did some excellent work matching up P-38 claims and losses in Tunisia in this thread, including the P-38 claims by Rudorffer and his II./J.G. 2 comrades: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=24947

Please also see this thread: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=4966

Also: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=7155

Finally, for the 4 February 1943 combat: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=4860


Regarding Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in North Africa, Morten and I missed a few 82nd FG losses in our book, but I'm still happy with most of our conclusions regarding the Rudorffer combats.

I don't wish to slander the man. Despite some dubious claims in Tunisia and on the Eastern Front, he was an outstanding combat pilot and leader who fought throughout the war, and submitted more 'genuine' aerial victory claims than most other pilots in history.


Cheers,
Andrew A.

Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com

Re: E.Rudorffer early war claims question
 

Andrew:thanks a lot, I saw that threads, and noted.

John: I mean 5 september 1944, air combat around Tartu, Estonia.

Re: E.Rudorffer early war claims question
 

Regarding the Dieppe claims, these seem relatively accurate.

During the period mentioned 2./JG2 clashed with the Ibsley Wing (129 and 501 Sqn's) which suffered one Spitfire shot down and two damaged (one so badly it crashed on return and the other in which the pilot was wounded by splinters). And then with 111, 308th FS, 350, 402 and 611 Sqn's which suffered one Spitfire damaged.

Together with Oblt Rudorffers two claims, Fw Mascher claimed on Spitfire at 1650. Therefore Luftwaffe claims for three Spitfires shot down are not too far off the actual losses of one shot down, one badly damaged and two damaged.

Regards,

Steve

Re: E.Rudorffer early war claims question
 

Steve - thanks, but as I know, Rudorffer was with 6./JG2, not 2./JG2?

Re: E.Rudorffer early war claims question
 

Rob, John, Michael:

answered in this thread (Libau 28 10 44).