Eric Rudorfer combat Feb. 4, 1943

[JACK COOK]

I'm interested in the combat of Feb. 4, 1943 in tunisia when Eric Rudorfer flying a FW-190 downed Lt Harold Pederson of the 52nd FG flying a Spit V. Pederson was awarded the DSC was trying to protect another pilot he believed was about to be straffed in his parachute.

[Nick Beale]

Try: FOCKE-WULF Fw 190 IN NORTH AFRICA
Morten Jessen & Andrew Arthy
Classic Publications
ISBN: 1903223458

[marsyao]

Jack, according to "Focke-Wulf FW 190 in North Africa" : At 1600 eight FW 190s were scrambled from Kairouan airfield to intercept enemy aircraft flying reconnaissance over the Sbeitla and Fondouk area. The Enemy formation came from Thelepte airfield, and consisted of six Spitfires from the 4th FS/52nd FG and six Spitfires from the 5th FS/52nd FG, escorting five P-39s. The FW 190s were south of Ousseltia when air combat with the escorting Spitfires began. During the engagement, Oblt Buhligen claimed three Spitfires Destroyed, Oblt Rudorffer claimed two Spitfires, and Ofw Goltzsch claimed one Spitfires. Either Oblt Buhligen or Oblt Rudorffer shot down Capt Hugh L Williamson, who baled out with a wounded leg. While he desceded on his parachute, Lt Harold L Pederson flew protective circles around him, but the II./JG 2 pilot got on his tail and after one and half circles, Lt Pederson was shot down in flames the 52nd GF lost at least one more Spitfire in this combat. Capt Williamson claimed one German fighter probably destroyed and two damaged, but not one II/JG 2 machine was hit by enemy fire

[yogybär]

So the germans claimed 6 vs. min. 3 Spits destroyed. Were there more british losses?

[marsyao]

yogybär, II/JG 2 submitted some very widly overclaims in their brief stay in North Africa, their claims for the air combat on Feb. 4 was one of more accurate, some times II/JG 2 could claim 10+ kill and none could be confirmed by allied loss records

[JACK COOK]

Thanks for the info.I have the mission report and individual statements.Is there anyway to determine the a/c cide letter and serial # for Pederson'sSpit Vb (Trop)??