Rudolf Zwesken

[FalkeEins]

the subject came up when we were preparing the JG300 volumes.
Zwesken did indeed commit suicide, I don't recall Leo's "..complication's.." although that sounds eminently possible. The story I heard was much more outlandish and probably shouldn't be repeated here since probably based on hearsay...

[Johannes]

Hi Bart


I have yet to see evidence that he flew for Jg52, certainly didn't get any claims with this unit. Committed suicide on n22nd February 1946.

Claims are(those after 24th December 1945 are not found on the Micro films, so somewhat open to question!) all with 6./Jg300.

21st June 1944 B-17 Oranienburg 1027 hrs 4500 metres Nr1.
26th June 1944 B-24 Tullen area 0944 hrs 6000 metres E.V Nr2.
7th July 1944 B-24 Magdeburg area 0940 hrs 6000 metres Nr3.
19th July 1944 P-38 South of Munich 1135 hrs 5500 metres Nr4.
22nd August 1944 P-38 Balkony Forest 1004 hrs 7000 metres Nr5.
22nd August 1944 P-38 40km North of Pecs 1005 hrs 2500 metres ASM Nr6.
22nd August 1944 P-38 10km South of Mor 1009 hrs 7000 metres Nr7.
22nd August 1944 B-24 Bohonye area 1325 hrs 4000 hrs ASM Nr8.
24th August 1944 B-24 Neuhaus/Bohmen 1245 hrs 6000 metres Nr9.
29th August 1944 B-17 Brno 1102 hrs 7500 metres Nr10.
12th September 1944 B-17 North-East of Eberswalde 1131 hra 8000 metres Nr11.
13th September 1944 P-51 West of Eisenach u/c
17th December 1944 B-24 Prerau area 1153 hrs 7500 metres Nr12.
17th December 1944 B-24 5km North of Sternberg 1156 hrs 7500 metres Nr13.
24th December 1944 P-51 1458 hrs 7000 metres Nr14.
31st December 1944 B-17 Rotenburg area 1205 hrs
31st December 1944 B-17 Rotenburg area
14th January 1945 B-17
2nd March 1945 B-17 Torgau area
2nd March 1945 B-17Trogau area
27th March 1945 unknown
14th April 1945 P-47 North of Bamberg.

So no less than fourteen confirmed claims, mostly heavy bombers, but likely twenty-one claims, of which at least fourteen heavy bombers. He is also thought to have claimed another two kills in March 1945 not listed.

Regards

Johannes

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

Bart, I do not have a web site. What I have done is simply use the template that Kacha used on his web site for the biographies that I have compiled. Many thanks to Johannes for the date of his suicide as I did not have that information. As Johannes and I were discussing some time ago it may very well be that he never did serve with JG 52.

Horrido!

Leo

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what we have about this fellow:


ZWESKEN, Rudi (“Bulle”).
(DOB: 13.08.19 in Marschendorf/Mähren).
1943 in 1./JG 52.
1944 trf to 6./JG 300.
1945 in III./JG 300.
21.03.45 Ofw. in 6./JG 300, reportedly awarded the Ritterkreuz, but confirmation lacking. In fact, the very existence of this pilot needs confirmation.
Credited with c.45 air victories.
1947 said to have committed suicide in Sachsen (Saxony).
†22.02.46.


We hope that this helps. Any additions or corrections would be appreciated.

HLdZ
DGS

[Bart V.]

Originally Posted by FalkeEins

the subject came up when we were preparing the JG300 volumes.
Zwesken did indeed commit suicide, I don't recall Leo's "..complication's.." although that sounds eminently possible. The story I heard was much more outlandish and probably shouldn't be repeated here since probably based on hearsay...

If you want, could you PM me about it? I sadly have so less on him and not much confirmed (as the year of his suicide or why he did..), therefor I am very interested in all information.

[Bart V.]

Originally Posted by Johannes

Hi Bart


I have yet to see evidence that he flew for Jg52, certainly didn't get any claims with this unit. Committed suicide on n22nd February 1946.

Claims are(those after 24th December 1945 are not found on the Micro films, so somewhat open to question!) all with 6./Jg300.

21st June 1944 B-17 Oranienburg 1027 hrs 4500 metres Nr1.
26th June 1944 B-24 Tullen area 0944 hrs 6000 metres E.V Nr2.
7th July 1944 B-24 Magdeburg area 0940 hrs 6000 metres Nr3.
19th July 1944 P-38 South of Munich 1135 hrs 5500 metres Nr4.
22nd August 1944 P-38 Balkony Forest 1004 hrs 7000 metres Nr5.
22nd August 1944 P-38 40km North of Pecs 1005 hrs 2500 metres ASM Nr6.
22nd August 1944 P-38 10km South of Mor 1009 hrs 7000 metres Nr7.
22nd August 1944 B-24 Bohonye area 1325 hrs 4000 hrs ASM Nr8.
24th August 1944 B-24 Neuhaus/Bohmen 1245 hrs 6000 metres Nr9.
29th August 1944 B-17 Brno 1102 hrs 7500 metres Nr10.
12th September 1944 B-17 North-East of Eberswalde 1131 hra 8000 metres Nr11.
13th September 1944 P-51 West of Eisenach u/c
17th December 1944 B-24 Prerau area 1153 hrs 7500 metres Nr12.
17th December 1944 B-24 5km North of Sternberg 1156 hrs 7500 metres Nr13.
24th December 1944 P-51 1458 hrs 7000 metres Nr14.
31st December 1944 B-17 Rotenburg area 1205 hrs
31st December 1944 B-17 Rotenburg area
14th January 1945 B-17
2nd March 1945 B-17 Torgau area
2nd March 1945 B-17Trogau area
27th March 1945 unknown
14th April 1945 P-47 North of Bamberg.

So no less than fourteen confirmed claims, mostly heavy bombers, but likely twenty-one claims, of which at least fourteen heavy bombers. He is also thought to have claimed another two kills in March 1945 not listed.

Regards

Johannes

Many thanks for the list! (a) Suicide date: 22.02.46 or year 1947 - I sadly do not have a year confirmed as the year 1947 is based on hearsay. What I have on him starts with his career as Verbandsführer in 6. Staffel des Jagdgeschwaders 300. So, the same with you, I have not any confirmation on his career with Jagdgeschwader 52 rather than only a "note" that he would've served there.

Doug, thanks for the data. I have so less on him otherwise I certainly would have corrected or helped with more information (also to others).

Many thanks in advance and for all the reactions yet!

[Gaston]

Somewhere on the Internet I read this (Unfortunately I don't know where. It's about two or three years back):

Zwesken after his release from American / British captivity, still this day (reportedly February 22, 1946) went to drink freedom to a nearby pub. Too bad she was full of British and American soldiers. When they learned it was German, one of the British or American soldiers shot him. To avoid a scandal, they called it suicide. And to this day, the circumstances of his death are unclear and incomplete.

Who knows if it's true or not ...

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

Rudolf Zwesken may had been murdered in the year 1947.

Edward L. Hsiao

[FalkeEins]

no suggestion of that at all in the Kripo documents posted on jg300.de
Have a look here if you want the 'gist'
Strange (post-war) deaths of the aces

still too 'bizarre'

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

One of the most obscure aces, especially considering his Ritterkreuz.

Zwesken almost certainly made no claims with JG52, in fact I doubt if he ever flew with them.

recently even his death is in question. New story is that upon his release from prison cape he celebrated by going to his local pub, here he was murdered by American service men, and it was covered-up by saying he committed suicide, date given is 22nd February 1946.

The mikrofilms have fourteen victories confirmed until 24th December 1944 when they cease for this unit. I have dates for another seven, but cannot be 100% sure they are legitimate. All were claimed during the day, no "wildsau". probably got the Ritterkreuz for his "viermot" expertise. I have him only ever flying for 5th and 6th staffeln JG 300.

Kind Regards

Johannes