Saluting the Count: Krupinski Biography

[mars]

Originally Posted by John Manrho

Maybe....but not so nice if you expect from your men something else.

Hartman did the same thing when he served with I/JG 53

[Farizz]

Originally Posted by John Manrho

Let me say that he did not put himself as much "in the line of fire" as might be expected....

As in he suffered a nervous breakdown or couldn't cope anymore with the stress of combat?

In the Final Hours, Steinhoff describes meeting him in a bar with Krupinski saying ''it's the best occupation I can think of at the moment''.

[superbee]

Is there going to be a english edition????

[FalkeEins]

unless I'm mistaken we are still waiting for the English edition of Feindberührung

[Gunther]

I met Krupinski and some other Luftwaffe veterans in the mid 80s. He was as approachable as Rall but seemed to have a subtle sense of humor; Rall had absorbed American humor learning to fly 104s at Luke AFB. Anyway, I asked K. about his gunnery training, and he said the first time he fired air to air was at an Anson over the Channel. He and his element leader "fired out" while the Anson motored away. The specifics are foggy but IIRC he had about 100 sorties before scoring his first victory.

[Ruy Horta]

Although I started reading this book almost as soon as it was available, I stopped just before Krupinski rejoined the Bundesluftwaffe, only to resume reading earlier this week and finishing it.

Kurt Braatz has delived another high caliber biography, perhaps his best when it comes to post war history.

The WW2 part is as good as I've come to expect with Kurt, no surprises here. Combined with the other JG 52 biographies the author is able to give a pretty exclusive insight into the workings and personalities of this Jagdgeschwader.

Personalities and aircraft of the Bundesluftwaffe get plenty of attention as Krupinski's career in the post war air force gives us a critical insight into policy, politics and controversy during the cold war years.

Through all of this you get a good idea of what kind of man Walter Krupinski must have been.

[Ruy Horta]

As for the point made by John Manrho, it would be interesting (and fair) to elaborate on the matter.

iirc this comment has to do with Krupinski's actions during Bodenplatte. Kurt's book does cover this episode on page 155. According to the sources used in the book the engine cowling of Krupinski's Bf 109 was hit by light Flak near the frontline. His aircraft was difficult to control, but he decided to fly on to the target without actually strafing.

He also describes the way the gruppe fell apart during take off (indicative of the low standard of profiency within the unit) and that Stab and Gruppe flew separated by a about a kilometer.

Kurt uses Priller and Krupinski's wingman Karl-Georg Genth as the source for this episode.