Leutnant (A1) Günther Rudolph - 12./JG 300

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good evening to all.

According to De Zeng's Files and Kracker, Leutnant Günther Rudolph first served as an ingenieur (engineer) on the Luftwaffe. He was then posted to JG 54 (not sure if he flew or if he served as an ingenieur).

He then flew with 12./JG 300 until his death.

I do not have J-Y LORANT 2nd Volume (Eagle Call Editions) on the JG 300 History.

I would like to know if (someone who may have it) there are any additional information about this pilot and his dismise/last action?

KRACKER do inform that he bailed out but that his parachute did not open.

From where this information comes from?

Historian JOOST de Raaf, who wrote about the 24th December 1944 informed that Lt. Günther Rudolph was probably shot down by American pilots from the 357th Fighter Group, who claimed around 15:15hs to the South of Kassel.

Adriano

[Maciej Góralczyk]

Record in JFV 13/VI:

24.12.1944
12./JG 300 Lt. Günter Rudolph
Gefallen
Luftkampf, Uttershausen bei Wabern, FSA, nicht geöffnet, 100%
Bf 109 G-10 WNr. 490323 schwarze 2

Rudolph had 1 or 2 claims depending on the source, in JFV only the one against B-24 from 17.12.1944 is listed. The other one was to be a P-51 on 06.08.1944.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Maciej,
My deepest gratitude for quoting the JFV 13/VI, which I did not possess too.
Surely, a member of JG 300 saw him bailing out and that his chute did not open...or during his post-morten it was found that the parachute did not open.
Adriano

[focusfocus]

source J-Y Lorant
"Lt Günther Rudolph managed to control the descent of his Bf.109 G-10 and attempted a landing with the landing gear retracted near Borgen-Lendorf.
The Messerschmitt struck the meadow at considerable speed,slid down to a bank planted with shrubs and overturned.
Witnessess found the aircraft slightly (<60%) damaged.
Günther Rudolph lay lifeless 20 meters away.
The impact of his body had left an imprint on the frozen ground"

no claim on 06/08/44

michel

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Michel,
You gave me a true "North" to follow now! I did not know from where the information that he bailed out comes from...
Now we do have a second information that he belly-landed and overturned.
It is interesting because one 357th FG claimant saw his Bf 109 G jettison his canopy after his second attack and spin. Since the body of Leutnant Günther Rudolph was found some 20 meters away from the overturned Messerschmitt, it could suggest that he jettisoned his hood sometime either during the combat or before landing. Otherwise, it is almost impossible that he would have passed throughout the canopy (I really never read someone doing so or witnessing a German pilot doing so).
My DEEPEST gratitude for that piece of information....
Adriano