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The Second World War in General Please use this forum to discuss other World War Two related subjects not covered by the main categories.

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  #1  
Old 18th May 2021, 12:34
Leendert Leendert is offline
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Top (un)lucky pilots?

The 'ace' specialists focus on the pilots who could destroy so many or even the most enemy a/c., sometimes leading to heated debates.

On the reverse side, have there ever been efforts made to find the pilots who were shot down most and lived to tell the tale?

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Leendert
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Old 18th May 2021, 17:03
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knusel knusel is offline
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

Good afternoon Leendert,

that's an interesting question.
Hans-Ulrich Rudel was shot down or forced to land 30 times due to anti-aircraft artillery. To me that record appears hard to beat.

Have a nice Tuesday,

Michael
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Old 18th May 2021, 23:17
TigerTimon TigerTimon is offline
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

From what I remember there was a pilot who made dozens of night-time training flights and was extremely experienced in night-flying in the end but when posted to one of the 'Wilde Sau' Geschwader JG 300/301/302 he was shot down and killed on while flying a day-light mission on his first Feindflug!
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Old 19th May 2021, 17:11
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

Good afternoon,

Manfred von Richthofen was shot down three times and credited to aces each time:

6.3.1917
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/benbow.php
survived unharmed but maybe rather bested by Gregory while Benbow got Lübbert

6.7.1917
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/cunnell.php
survived wounded but probably rather shot down by friendly fire

21.4.1918
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/brown3.php
killed but probably rather shot down by ground fire
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Old 2nd June 2021, 18:25
James A Pratt III James A Pratt III is offline
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

PO VMM Ortmans shot down 6 times last on 27 Oct 41 POW 609 Sqn

PO Roland Patterson wrecked 5 RAF fighters called himself " The only German Ace in the RAF. 7 Dec 1041 with 121 Sqn shot down and KIA flak
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Old 7th June 2021, 13:58
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

Hello James,

this duo clearly was on the receiving end.
Did they also shoot anything down for the balance ?

Cheers,

Michael
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Old 8th June 2021, 17:19
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Chris Goss Chris Goss is offline
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

Ortmans claimed Bf 109s destroyed on 21 May 41, 4 Jun 41, 30 Jun 41, 18 Aug 41 and a Fw 190 21 Oct 41. He also had a number with 229 Sqn and damaged and probables-he is listed in the book Aces High
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Old 9th June 2021, 02:41
Adriano Baumgartner Adriano Baumgartner is offline
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

Maybe we would need to segregate the thread in 2 categories:
1- Shot down by enemy fire, like Rudel (30 times), G. Rall, Galland, etc.
2 - Those who crashed landed by cause of WX (weather), engine failure, a/c malfunction; during training (lack of experience), etc...

There is NO doubt that some airmen seems to have been followed by the "Grim Reaper" since training....
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Old 10th June 2021, 13:24
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

Good day Gentlemen,

I found Mr Ortmans at cieldegloire:
http://www.cieldegloire.fr/006_ortmans.php
ACES HIGH is duly cited

Best greetings from Switzerland,

Michael
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Old 28th June 2021, 18:07
James A Pratt III James A Pratt III is offline
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Re: Top (un)lucky pilots?

The info I got on Ortmans and Paterson was from Airwar 1941 the non Stop Offensive
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