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Major Erich Rudorffer
Erich Rudorffer was born on November 1st 1917 in the town of Zwickau in Saxony. Erich Rudorffer joined the Luftwaffes I./JG2 Richthofen in November 1939, and was soon flying combat patrols in January 1940 and was assigned to I/JG 2 Richthofen with the rank of Oberfeldwebel. He took part in the Battle of France, scoring the first of his many victories over a French Hawk 75 on May 14th, 1940. He went on to score eight additional victories during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. Rudorffer recalled an incident in August 1940 when he escorted a badly damaged Hurricane across the Channel - ditching in the English Channel was greatly feared by pilots on both sides. As fate often does, Rudorffer found the roles reversed two weeks later, when he was escorted by an RAF fighter after receiving battle damage. By May 1st 1941 Rudorffer had achieved 19 victories, which led to the award of the Knights Cross. In June 1941 Rodorffer became an Adjutant of II./JG2. In 1942 Rudorffer participated in Operation Cerberus (known as the Channel Dash) and flew over the Allied landings at Dieppe. Erich Rudorffer along with JG2 was transferred to North Africa in December 1942. It was in North Africa that Rudorffer showed his propensity for multiple-victory sorties. He shot down eight British aircraft in 32 minutes on February 9th 1943 and seven more in 20 minutes six days later. After scoring a total of 26 victories in Tunisia, Rudorffer returned to France in April 1943 and was posted to command II./JG54 in Russia, after Hauptmann Heinrich Jung, its Kommodore, failed to return from a mission on July 30th 1943. On August 24th 1943 he shot down 5 Russian aircraft on the first mission of the day and followed that up with three more victories on the second mission. He scored seven victories in seven minutes on October 11th but his finest achievement occurred on November 6th when in the course of 17 minutes, he shot down thirteen Russian aircraft. Rudorffer became known to Russian pilots as the fighter of Libau. On October 28th 1944 while about to land, Rudorffer spotted a large formation of Il-2 Sturmoviks. He quickly aborted the landing and moved to engage the Russian aircraft. In under ten minutes, nine of the of the II-2 Sturmoviks were shot down causing the rest to disperse. Rudorffer would later that day go on and shoot down a further two Russian aircraft. These victories took his total to 113 and he was awarded the Oak Leaves on April 11th 1944. Rudorffer would on the 26th January 1945 on his 210th victory receive the addition of the Swords. In February 1945 Rudorffer took command of I./JG7 flying the Me262. He was one of the first jet fighter aces of the war, scoring 12 victories in the Me262. He shot down ten 4-engine bombers during the 'Defense of the Reich missions'. He was the master of multiple scoring - achieving more multiple victories than any other pilot. Erich Rudorffer never took leave, was shot down 16 times having to bail out 9 times, and ended the war with 222 victories from over 1000 missions. He was awarded the Knights Cross, with Oak Leaves and Swords. Erich Rudorffer died on 8th April 2016.
Erich Rudorffer during a print signing session
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Open Assault by Robert Taylor. The Junkers Ju87 Sturzkampfbomber, known to the British simply as the Stuka, had already acquired a deadly reputation across Europe, its siren screaming as the ungainly dive-bomber struck terror into the hearts of those below. In 1940 its pilots crossed the Channel with their grim-looking aircraft to terrorise the southern towns and ports of England. Robert Taylors painting Open Assault, depicts Hurricanes of 501 Squadron attacking a force of Ju87 Stukas as they dive-bomb naval vessels and installations in the port of Dover on 29 July 1940. High explosive bombs detonate within the sheltered anchorage as escorting Bf109s from JG51 race in to protect their lumbering charges. Four Stukas and two Me109s are despatched, for the loss of just one RAF aircraft. |
The Long Short Days by Robert Taylor. It was known as the Jagdverbande, the fighter arm of the Luftwaffe, and by June 1940 it boasted some of the world's greatest fighter pilots. With tactics honed to perfection, these battle-seasoned veterans dominated the skies of Europe. But as the war progressed, the Luftwaffe fighter pilots faced another battle, the increasingly desperate war of attrition as the Allied air forces slowly, but inevitably, ground the German war machine into defeat. By early 1945 Allied air supremacy was overwhelming. And yet despite overwhelming odds, from within their ranks came the most successful air Aces ever to fly in combat - names such as Hans-Joachim Marseille, the top-scoring fighter pilot in the West, the legendary Erich Rudorffer who scored more multiple victories than any other pilot and of course the Fighter General, Adolf Galland, who achieved all of his 104 victories in the West. In total more than 100 Luftwaffe fighter pilots are known to have scored 100 or more victories, and 568 Jagdverbande flyers were holders of the Knight's Cross, Germany's highest awarded military honor. Robert Taylor's stunning painting, beautifully captures a group of Bf109Gs from III./JG26, as they return to their forward base after a long fighter sweep along the Channel coast in early 1944. In his unmistakable style, and with inordinate skill, Robert deftly evokes a moment of rare tranquility amidst the carnage of war as the lengthening sun glints across the frozen landscape during the short days of winter. |
Assault on the Capital by Robert Taylor Robert Taylors final painting in his 60th Anniversary trilogy features a scene from the attacks on the afternoon of September 7, 1940. Led by Herbert Ihlefeld, Me109Es of II/LG 2 dive through the bomber formation giving chase to Hurricanes of 242 Squadron as Ju88s of KG30, having unloaded their bombs, head for home. One Ju88 has been hit and is already losing height, and will not return. Following behind He111s of KG53 try to keep formation as they fly through flak. The sky is alive with action. |
Eye of the Sun by Robert Taylor. You can feel the tension in this evocative painting as Messerschmitt Bf109s from 7./JG2 Richthofen head out on a long-range fighter patrol in September 1940. With the sun behind them they hope to launch a surprise attack on unsuspecting RAF aircraft, however these enemy raiders will soon be intercepted by some of Fighter Command's most determined 'defenders of the realm'. |
Savage Skies by Robert Taylor. The weather on the morning of 31 December, 1944 was already unpleasant. In the Ardennes, hard-pressed German troops were battling Allied ground forces advancing through several inches of snow. Above, darkening skies heralded the arrival of more snow. At 10.45am, in deteriorating weather, a battle formation of 30 Fw190D fighters climbed out of Varrelbusch and headed south over the snowcovered landscape. Under the command of 12./JG54 Staffelkapitan, Oblt. Hans Dortenmann, and initially tasked to provide air cover to their beleaguered comrades below, the group was re-assigned to intercept enemy aircraft in the region of Limburg almost immediately the pilots were airborne. Flying south they ran directly into the oncoming weather, and with visibility dangerously reduced, Dortenmann elected to climb through the solid cloud into clear air. As the Fw190s broke cloud above the area of Koblenz they sighted a formation of nine 2nd Air Division B-24 Liberators and formed up for an attack. Some 6000 feet above, top-cover P-51 Mustangs had watched the Fw190s climbing through the banks of clouds, and turned 180 degrees to position behind the Luftwaffe fighters. Diving in from their height advantage, the Mustang pilots entered the fray and within seconds the sky was filled with swirling dogfights. |
Jet Hunters by Robert Taylor. On 10th April 1945, thirteen hundred bombers of the Mighty Eighth set out to destroy the last of the Luftwaffe's jet force. But, unknown to the bomber crews and their fighter escort, the enemy jets were already airborne and waiting to spring their deadly trap. As the war in mainland Europe entered its final, bloody phase, the German Armies defending Berlin fought on with a savage determination, slowly disintegrating before the mighty weapon of war unleashed against them. What remained of the Luftwaffe was mercilessly pounded from the air, their airfields hammered relentlessly. Aircraft, fuel, spare parts, ammunition and pilots all in short supply but still they fought on, with deadly effect. At the forefront of the German offensive and pivotal during the defence of the Reich, were the highly advanced jet fighters of the Luftwaffe, and in particular the legendary Me262. B17s of the First Air Division with streaming contrails in the cold clear air as they turn for home. Several Me262s have already torn through the massed formation, but a P-51 from the escorting 356th Fighter Group has quickly spotted his target and presses home his attack. The hunter becomes the hunted as the Mustang pilot, Wayne Gatlin, skillfully positions himself behind the Me262 ready for the kill. Throughout the final stages of the war there were many examples of the determination and skill of Allied pilots flying slower piston-engined fighters triumphing over the cream of the Luftwaffe in their highly advanced but often temperamental jet fighters. |
Running the Gauntlet by Robert Taylor. Though some 1400 of Germanys remarkable Me262 jet aircraft were built, fewer than 300 ever saw action during its short 10 month combat career, the 550 mph fighter-bomber arriving in service too late to make any impression on the course of the war. Most famous of all Me262 units was Jagdverband 44, commanded by General Adolf Galland. Instructed by Hitler to set up a small defensive fighter unit to make the most of the new Me262, Gallands JV44 attracted other top-scoring pilots, including top aces Macky Steinhoff and Walter Krupinski, and the unit soon became dubbed Gallands Squadron of Experts. Though doing their best to repel daylight attacks on jet production plants in Southern Germany, JV44 were fighting a losing battle. During a raid on 9 April 1945 the unit lost nine aircraft - a pattern that was to continue. Also, American fighter pilots, unable to catch the 262 in the air, found success taking the jets out as they took off or landed, catching them while at their most vulnerable. With the Allies driving deeper and deeper into Germany, production of aircraft, spares, fuel, and ammunition, steadily dried up. The point came when JV44, Gallands now legendary Squadron of Experts, finally ground to a halt. Running the Gauntlet shows Me262s of JV44 returning to base in southern Germany, having come under attack from P-51 Mustangs of the 353rd Fighter Group. Almost out of fuel and ammunition, the Me262s have little option but to complete their landing sequence, hoping fervently they are not bounced by American fighters loitering in the area. They are out of luck on this occasion, and although Galland has organised a unit flying Focke-Wulf Fw190D-9s to provide air cover in the area of the airfield, they too have been caught by the 353rd Fighter Groups surprise attack. At the relatively slow speed required on final approach, the Me262s handling is sluggish and the pilot is having enough trouble without the attentions of a bunch of P-51 pilots. At this point the JV44 Me262 remains unscathed, and with the arrival of the Fw190s, there is the possibility this particular jet pilot will survive the day. |
Knight of the Reich by Robert Taylor. On the morning of 15th October 1943, as Bf109G's from III./JG52 dive into attack a group of Russian fighters high over Zaporozhye in south-east Ukraine, their Kommandeur Hauptmann Gunther Rall pounces on a Soviet La-5 to claim his 222nd victory. During this astonishing one month period Rall shot down 40 aircraft and at the end of November 1943 achieved 250 victories - at the time only the second Ace to do so after Walter Nowotny. By the time he was posted back to the West, he was well on the way to his final score of 275 victories, making him the third highest-scoring Ace in history. Had he not been wounded in action numerous times and forced to spend months in hospital, he might well have been the highest-scoring Ace of them all. |
Knight's Move by Robert Taylor The awesome battleship Tirpitz under the command of Admiral Schniewind, in company with battleships Scheer and Hipper, setting sail during Operation Rosselsprung, destined for the open sea and the North Atlantic convoy traffic. Messerschmitt Me109s of JG5, based at Petsamo, provide overhead cover while flotilla escort vessels make up the fearsome armada. The magnificent Norwegian mountains provide a spectacular backdrop this comprehensively realistic and stirring World War Two image. |
Dawn Eagles Rising by Robert Taylor. September 1940: The Battle of Britain reaches a crescendo as Me109s of the 1./JG52, their bright yellow noses glinting in the sun, gather speed and altitude as they form up after take-off from their base at Coquelles, near Calais. Led by Hauptmann Wolfgang Ewald, the Scharwm settle into their loose, finger-four formation, the pilots alert for danger and ready for yet another raid on England, just a few miles across the Channel. |
Air Armada by Robert Taylor. In just six weeks Hitler's forces had overrun western Europe as once proud armies swiftly fell before the might of the German blitzkrieg. It was a devastating defeat, and now only Britain stood alone. Few thought she could survive. As Churchill pledged that Britain would never surrender, a German invasion seemed inevitable. But before any invasion could take place the Luftwaffe must neutralise the RAF and win control of the skies over southern England. Awaiting them was a small but resilient band of young men, the pilots of RAF Fighter Command. First the Germans attacked the coastal convoys, hoping to draw the RAF en-masse into battle. They failed. And then on 12th August, they turned their full attention to the forward fighter bases and radar stations, hoping to obliterate them once and for all. From Norway in the north, through the Low Countries and northern France to Brittany in the west, the Luftwaffe threw every available aircraft into the attack. For the young men of Fighter Command the next seven days of fighting would leave them exhausted and all but spent. They were to be the hardest days of the Battle of Britain, culminating on Sunday 18th August. This painting recreates a moment on that day as Heinz Bar, the Luftwaffe's top-scoring NCO Ace of the Battle of Britain and one of the greatest Aces in history, climbs away from his airfield near Calais with the other pilots of 1./JG51 to escort the Dornier Do17s of KG76 for yet another deadly attack on the RAF. Away in the distance, Me110s from EPRG210 also prepare to join the epic encounters that lie ahead. |
Horrido! by Robert Taylor. Of the many outstanding Luftwaffe fighter Wings of World War II, JG52 became the most successful. Many of the most famous Aces flew with this legendary wing, including one-time Squadron Commander Adolf Galland. JG-52 was home to the only fighter Aces in history to destroy more than 300 enemy aircraft - Erich Hartmann and Gerhard Barkhorn. The wings top ten scoring Aces amassed a staggering 2286 aerial victories and, by the end of the war, JG-52s pilots had recorded over 10,000 aerial victories; sixty-seven of their number were awarded the coveted Knights Cross or higher decorations, but the cost to the Wing was high: 678 of its aircrew perished in combat, while many others were taken prisoner following combat. Appropriately, Robert Taylor has chosen the Me109s of JG52 as his subject to represent the fighter pilots of the Luftwaffe in his tribute to these courageous flyers, with his breathtaking painting Horrido! With the traditional battle cry ringing in their ears, Squadron Commander Hptm Wolfgang Ewald leads pilots of I./JG52 into combat. Based at Coquelles/Calais in September 1940, the JG-52 Me109s hurtle down in a high-speed dive to engage the enemy during the ferociously fought Battle of Britain. Robert eloquently depicts these sleek and deadly fighters high over the Channel, glinting and menacing against an ominous backdrop of heavy cumulous clouds. |
Birth of a Legend by Robert Taylor. On November 5, 1942, flying wingman in a Schwarm of four Me109s of JG-52, his flight had scrambled to intercept Russian Lagg-3s and IL-2 fighter-bombers bound for the Front. Splitting into two elements they dived steeply into attack, screaming in behind and below the enemy aircraft a few hundred feet off the deck. Selecting on of the IL-2s, the rookie pilot closed at high speed, commencing firing with 20mm cannon from about two hundred feet. His first pass was unsuccessful but, undeterred, Hartmann zoomed up and dived over for a second run at the Russian machine. Holding his fire till the IL-2 filled his gun-sight, he drilled cannon shells into the oil-cooling system setting the enemy aircraft on fire. Closing rapidly from behind, Hartmanns Me109 was showered with debris from the doomed Russian plane, causing an explosion in the young pilots own aircraft, which immediately caught fire. Now at very low altitude, Hartmann had no alternative but to belly in. With great presence of mind he cut power, fuel and ignition switches as he crash-landed at high speed in a massive cloud of dirt and dust. Though he lost his aircraft, Hartmann had made his first kill, the IL-2 crashing with a resounding explosion a few miles distant. Unhurt, the young future Ace was picked up and returned to base almost immediately by a German car. And thus a legend was born: It was the first of 352 air victories that would make Hartmann the top scoring fighter pilot in history. Birth of a Legend, set in the picturesque Caucasus mountain region bathed in the golden hues of autumn, captures for posterity the dramatic moments that launched the career of a fighter pilot legend. |
Eagles out of the Sun by Robert Taylor. Supplied with companion print Night Hunters. |
Stormbirds over the Reich by Robert Taylor. Me262s of JV 44 make a high speed rocket attack on a formation of B-26 Marauders. |
Combat over the Reich by Robert Taylor. Approaching their target at the oil refinery at Zwickau, 60 mikes southwest of Dresden, the 452nd Bomb Groups B-17 Flying Fortresses were bounced by 28 ME-262 jets from JG-7. Screaming in from the six oclock position, the jet pilots singled out the 3rd Division just as they began their bombing run. The crew of one B-17 desperately defend their bomber against the determined, high-speed attack by the ME-262 interceptors. Closing at almost three times the speed of their targets, each ME-262 pilot has just fractions of a second to find his mark. Each interception is over in the blink of an eye. |
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Erich Rudorffer signing the print - Fighter General - by Graeme Lothian |
Erich Rudorffer with artist Graeme Lothian and the original painting of Fighter General. |
| Major Erich Rudorffer Aircraft details |
 Fw190 Manufacturer : Fokke-Wulf | Fw190 The Focke-Wulf 190 development project began in 1937. Conceived as a hedge against total dependence on the Messerchmitt 109, the 190 was designed by Kurt Tank utilizing a radial engine. This was against generally accepted design criteria in Germany, and many historians believe that the decision to produce a radial engine fighter was largely due to the limited manufacturing capacity for in-line, water-cooled engines which were widely used on all other Luftwaffe aircraft. Despite these concerns, Tanks design was brilliant, and the 190 would become one of the top fighter aircraft of WWII. The first prototype flew in mid-1939. The aircraft had excellent flying characteristics, a wonderful rate of acceleration, and was heavily armed. By late 1940 the new fighter was ordered into production. Nicknamed the butcher bird, by Luftwaffe pilots, early 190s were quite successful in the bomber interceptor role, but at this stage of the war many Allied bombing raids lacked fighter escort. As the war dragged on, Allied bombers were increasingly accompanied by fighters, including the very effective P-51 Mustang. The Allies learned from experience that the 190s performance fell off sharply at altitudes above 20,000 feet. As a result, most Allied bombing missions were shifted to higher altitudes when fighter opposition was likely. Kurt Tank had recognized this shortcoming and began working on a high-altitude version of the 190 utilizing an in-line, water-cooled engine. Utilizing a Jumo 12-cylinder engine rated at 1770-HP, and capable of 2,240-HP for short bursts with its methanol injection system, the 190D, or Long Nose or Dora as it was called, had a top speed of 426-MPH at 22,000 feet. Armament was improved with two fuselage and two wing mounted 20mm cannon. To accommodate the changes in power plants the Dora had a longer, more streamlined fuselage, with 24 inches added to the nose, and an additional 19 inches added aft of the cockpit to compensate for the altered center of gravity. By mid 1944 the Dora began to reach fighter squadrons in quantity. Although the aircraft had all the right attributes to serve admirably in the high altitude interceptor role, it was not generally focused on such missions. Instead many 190Ds were assigned to protect airfields where Me-262 jet fighters were based. This was due to the latter aircrafts extreme vulnerability to Allied attack during takeoff and landing. The 190Ds also played a major role in Operation Bodenplatte, the New Years Day raid in 1945 which destroyed approximately 500 Allied aircraft on the ground. The High Command was impressed with the 190Ds record on this raid, and ordered most future production of the Doras to be equipped as fighter-bombers. In retrospect this was a strategic error, and this capable aircraft was not fully utilized in the role for which it was intended. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Me262 Manufacturer : Messerschmitt Built : 1400 | Me262 The Messerschmitt Me-262 Swallow, a masterpiece of engineering, was the first operational mass-produced jet to see service. Prototype testing of the airframe commenced in 1941 utilizing a piston engine. General Adolf Galland, who was in charge of the German Fighter Forces at that time, pressured both Goring and Hitler to accelerate the Me-262, and stress its use as a fighter to defend Germany from Allied bombers. Hitler, however, envisioned the 262 as the aircraft which might allow him to inflict punishment on Britain. About 1400 Swallows were produced, but fortunately for the Allies, only about 300 saw combat duty. While the original plans for the 262 presumed the use of BMW jet engines, production Swallows were ultimately equipped with Jumo 004B turbojet engines. The wing design of the 262 necessitated the unique triangular hull section of the fuselage, giving the aircraft a shark-like appearance. With an 18 degree swept wing, the 262 was capable of Mach .86. The 262 was totally ineffective in a turning duel with Allied fighters, and was also vulnerable to attack during take off and landings. The landing gear was also suspect, and many 262s were destroyed or damaged due to landing gear failure. Despite its sleek jet-age appearance, the 262 was roughly manufactured, because Germany had lost access to its normal aircraft assembly plants. In spite of these drawbacks the 262 was effective. For example, on April 7, 1945 a force of sixty 262s took on a large force of Allied bombers with escort fighters. Armed with their four nose-mounted cannons, and underwing rockets the Swallows succeeded in downing or damaging 25 Allied B-17s on that single mission. While it is unlikely that the outcome of the War could have been altered by an earlier introduction or greater production totals for this aircraft, it is clear to many historians that the duration of the War might have been drastically lengthened if the Me-262 had not been too little too late. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major Erich Rudorffer Squadron details |
JG2 Country : Germany | JG2 Jagdgeschwader 2 was formed from parts of Jagdgeschwader 131 "Richthofen" on 1 May 1939 in Döberitz and its first commander was Oberst Robert Ritter von Greim. At the outbreak of the war JG 2 was tasked with defence of the Reich and based in the Berlin area under Luftgaukommando III. Stab and II. Gruppe were equipped with the Bf 109E and were located at Döberitz with 10.(N) staffel flying the Bf 109D in Straussberg. 10.(N) Staffel was one of the first night fighter units formed in the Luftwaffe. Later this staffel was expanded into IV.(N) Gruppe. This Gruppe gained the Luftwaffe’s first night kill over the RAF Bomber Command on the night of 25/26 on April 1940 when Ofw Förster shot down a Handley Page Hampden. The unit saw little combat until the Western offensive against France and the Low Countries from 10 May 1940 onwards. During the campaign against France, JG 2 was tasked with escorting raids and defending German airspace to the south of Heinz Guderian's Panzer forces which were encircling the French and the British Expeditionary Force further north. Leutnant Helmut Wick, who later became part of a trio of outstanding aces (including Adolf Galland from Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26) and Werner Mölders from Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51)) in the Battle of Britain, attained his first and the Geschwader's second kill on 22 November 1939, a French Curtiss Hawk Model 75. The first victory for the JG 2 was scored by Oberfeldwebel Kley (3. Staffel) at the same day. JG 2 took part in the Battle of Britain, operating Bf 109Es over the South Coast of England and the English Channel from bases in Cherbourg and Normandy. Major Helmut Wick emerged as one of the Battle’s top Luftwaffe aces, claiming 31 kills for a personal total of 56, before being killed (MIA) in action versus Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron in November 1940. Wick was seen to bail out successfully but was not found by German Air/Sea Rescue attempts. The Spitfire who dispatched him was immediately shot down by Oberleutnant Rudolf Pflanz. Ofw. Schnell, Ofw. Machold and Olt. Hans "Assi" Hahn also claimed heavily during this period, with 16 kills each. Some 42 JG 2 pilots were killed or made POW during the battle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JG54 Country : Germany | JG54 I./JG 54 was initially formed as I./JG 70 near Nuremberg in July 1939, just two short months before hostilities broke out. As was to become tradition within Grunherzgeschwader, the Gruppe took the Nurember coat-of-arms (a veritcally divided shield with a black heraldic bird on the left, and red and white diagonal stripes on the right) to represent the region the unit came from. On September 15, 1939, I./JG 70 was redesignated I./JG 54 The initial unit designation for II./JG 54 was I./JG 138. This unit was raised in 1938 after the Austrian annexation. Naturally many Austrian nationals were recruited when I./JG 138 was formed. The Aspern coat of arms (black lion's head surmounting a white cross on a red field) was taken by the Gruppe for its identity. I./JG 138 was briefly designated I./JG 76 before finally becoming II./JG 54 on April 6, 1940. The III./JG 54 has its roots in Prussia. Initially I./JG 21, the members were drawn from the Jesau region in Prussia. The modified Jesau coat-of-arms (a shield with a Jesau cross with three diving aircraft on a red background, with a white outline on the shield) was adopted as the Gruppe's own. On July 15, 1939, I./JG 21 was redesignated III./JG 54. However, the bureaucratic nature of the young Luftwaffe was such that it was over a year before records would reflect the new designation. Consequently, III./JG 54 fought in Poland and France as I./JG 21. Kommodoren of JG 54 : Major Martin Mettig; 2 Feb 40 to 25 Aug 40. Oberst Hannes Trautloft; 25 Aug 40 to 5 Jul 43. Major Hubertus von Bonin; 6 Jul 43 to 15 Dec 43. Oberstleutnant Anton Mader; 28 Jan 44 to Sep 44. Oberst Dieter Hrabak; 1 Oct 44 to 8 May 45. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JG7 Country : Germany | JG7 Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing of World War II and the first operational jet fighter wing in the world. It was created late in 1944 and served until the end of the war in May 1945, and it operated the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter exclusively. JG 7 was formed under the command of Oberst Johannes Steinhoff, with Kommando Nowotny (the initial Me 262 test wing ) renumbered III./JG 7. Under the command of Major Erich Hohagen III./JG 7 was the only element of JG 7 ready to operate against the Allies. Throughout its existence JG 7 suffered from an irregular supply of new aircraft, fuel and spares. With such a radically new aircraft, training accidents were also common, with 10 Me 262s being lost in six weeks. The technical troubles and material shortages meant initial tentative sorties were only in flight strength, usually no more than 4 or 6 aircraft. Flying from Brandenburg-Briest, Oranienburg and Parchim, the Geschwader flew intermittently against the huge USAAF bomber streams. By the end of February 1945 JG 7 had claimed around 45 four-engine bombers and 15 fighters, but at this stage of war this success rate had no affect whatsoever on the Allied air offensive. During March JG 7 finally began to deliver larger scale attacks against the heavy bomber streams. 3 March saw 29 sorties for 8 kills claimed (one jet was lost). On 18 March III./JG 7 finally managed their biggest attack numerically thus far, some 37 Me 262s engaging a force of 1,200 American bombers and 600 fighters. This action also marked the first use of the new R4M rockets. 12 bombers and 1 fighter were claimed for the loss of 3 Me 262s. The total numbers of aircraft shot down by JG 7 is difficult to quantify due to the loss of Luftwaffe records, but at least 136 aircraft were claimed, and research indicates as many as 420 Allied aircraft may have been claimed shot down. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Known Victory Claims - Erich Rudorffer | |||||||
DATE | PILOT | UNIT | JG | CLAIMED | LOCATION | TIME | FRONT |
| 14/05/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Curtiss | SW Les Sees la Gresn: 2000m | 15.08 | Western Front |
| 17/05/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | LeO 451 | La Caponne | 13.28 | Western Front |
| 19/05/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Morane 406 | E. Guise | 7.3 | Western Front |
| 25/05/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Blenheim | St. Quentin | 20.35 | Western Front |
| 26/05/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Spitfire | NW Calais: 2500m | 9.45 | Western Front |
| 26/05/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Spitfire | NW Calais | 9.47 | Western Front |
| 06/06/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Martin 167 | N. Roye | 20.45 | Western Front |
| 06/06/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | LeO 451 | N. Roye: 1500m | 20.5 | Western Front |
| 06/06/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Curtiss | N. Soissons | 13.1 | Western Front |
| 11/08/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Spitfire | SE Portland: 7000m | 11.49 | Western Front |
| 11/08/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Hurricane | E. Weymouth | 11.38 | Western Front |
| 31/08/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Hurricane | Dover | 9.4 | Western Front |
| 01/09/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Dover | 12.45 | Western Front |
| 02/09/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Hurricane | Faversham | 18.2 | Western Front |
| 04/09/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Hurricane | Dover | 9.58 | Western Front |
| 07/09/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Hurricane | Themesmündung | 18.3 | Western Front |
| 07/09/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Themesmündung | 18.4 | Western Front |
| 07/09/1940 | Fw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Themesmündung | 18.43 | Western Front |
| 10/10/1940 | Ofw. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Portland | 16.2 | Western Front |
| 21/04/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 2 | JG 2 | Blenheim | 30km N. Jersey | 15.03 | Western Front |
| 07/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Spitfire | E. Boulogne | 15.35 | Western Front |
| 07/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Spitfire | E. Boulogne | 15.4 | Western Front |
| 09/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Hurricane | NW St. Omer | 13.45 | Western Front |
| 09/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Spitfire | SW St. Omer | 13.4 | Western Front |
| 10/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Spitfire | S. Desvres | 12.3 | Western Front |
| 11/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Boulogne | 15 | Western Front |
| 19/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | SE Calais | 14.25 | Western Front |
| 23/07/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | W. Calais | 13.18 | Western Front |
| 05/08/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Gravelines | 10.05 | Western Front |
| 05/08/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Dünkirchen | 19.05 | Western Front |
| 10/08/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Hurricane | NE Calais | 14.15 | Western Front |
| 19/08/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Dover | 12.15 | Western Front |
| 19/08/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Dover | 11.59 | Western Front |
| 19/08/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Dover | 12.06 | Western Front |
| 21/08/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Calais | 15.1 | Western Front |
| 20/09/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | NE Dieppe | 16.55 | Western Front |
| 21/09/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Ärmelkanal | 17.05 | Western Front |
| 21/09/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Ärmelkanal | 16.55 | Western Front |
| 21/09/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Ärmelkanal | 16.5 | Western Front |
| 27/09/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Le Touquet | 15.4 | Western Front |
| 08/12/1941 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Hurricane | W. Boulogne | 12.55 | Western Front |
| 03/06/1942 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Le Havre | 16.35 | Western Front |
| 03/06/1942 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Le Havre | 16.38 | Western Front |
| 05/06/1942 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 5 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Le Havre | 15.46 | Western Front |
| 19/08/1942 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Dieppe | 16.52 | Western Front |
| 19/08/1942 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Dieppe | 16.53 | Western Front |
| 18/12/1942 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | 8km W. Mateur: 4500m | 11.05 | Western Front |
| 20/12/1942 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | 5km S. Béjà: 300m | 16.4 | Western Front |
| 08/01/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Boston | 10km S. Pribon: 200m | 10.41 | Western Front |
| 08/01/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | P-38 | 50km SW Kairouan: 100m | 15.35 | Western Front |
| 08/01/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Mustang | 55km SW Kairouan: tiefflug | 15.4 | Western Front |
| 18/01/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | 2km SW Godara-Mündung: 50m | 8.15 | Western Front |
| 04/02/1943 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | 5km SW Ousseltia: 1500m | 16.19 | Western Front |
| 04/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | 4km S. Kef el Abied: 1000m | 16.22 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Curtiss P-40 | 12km NW Pribon: 200m | 14.02 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Curtiss P-40 | 10km SE Kerra: 300m | 14.04 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Curtiss P-40 | 15km SE Kerra: tiefflug | 14.06 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | P-38 | 5km E. Djebel Barbraü: 6000m | 14.21 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | P-38 | 5km W. Djebel Barbraü: 6000m | 14.22 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Curtiss P-40 | Djebel Ousseltia: 200m | 14.01 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Curtiss P-40 | 5km SE Djebel Ousseltia: 1500m | 13.59 | Western Front |
| 09/02/1943 | Oblt. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Curtiss P-40 | S. Djebel Ousseltia: 500m | 14 | Western Front |
| 14/02/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | 10km W. Pribon: 100m | 16.18 | Western Front |
| 15/02/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | P-38 | 15km NW Pribon: 5500m | 15.58 | Western Front |
| 15/02/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | P-38 | 10km NW Hadjel El Aictu: 5000m | 15.03 | Western Front |
| 15/02/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | P-38 | 8km NE Sbeitla: 5200m | 15.08 | Western Front |
| 15/02/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | P-38 | 10km SE Sbeitla: 5000m | 15.07 | Western Front |
| 15/02/1943 | Ltn. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Djebel El Abeid: 200m | 15.15 | Western Front |
| 15/02/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Djebel El Abeid: 200m | 15.16 | Western Front |
| 15/02/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | N. Djebel El Abeid: 300m | 15.18 | Western Front |
| 11/03/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Ousseltia: 20m | 13.12 | Western Front |
| 11/03/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | Spitfire | Ousseltia: 20m | 13.13 | Western Front |
| 15/05/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Spitfire | 400m S. Senarpont: 100m | 17 | Western Front |
| 15/05/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 2 | Spitfire | 400m Conteville: 2000m | 17.1 | Western Front |
| 09/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-4 | 53 224: 5000m | 17.57 | Eastern Front |
| 12/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | 6 | JG 2 | B-17 | 10km W. Maklar: 6500-20m | 14.28 | Western Front |
| 13/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 54 781: 50m | 16.12 | Eastern Front |
| 13/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 54 751: 50m | 16.16 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | DB-3F | 44 523: 2500m | 7.08 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | DB-3F | 44 47: 2800m | 7.12 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 44 61: 2500m | 7.15 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 44 61: 500m | 14.4 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 44 61: 400m | 14.41 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 44 61: 400m | 14.42 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 44 62: 300m | 14.43 | Eastern Front |
| 24/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 44 62: 200m | 14.44 | Eastern Front |
| 26/08/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 43 43: 1500m | 8.1 | Eastern Front |
| 07/09/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 44 25: 20-50m | 17.35 | Eastern Front |
| 14/09/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 35 542: 100m | 16.41 | Eastern Front |
| 14/09/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 35 541: 1000m | 16.42 | Eastern Front |
| 14/09/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 35 542: 3000m | 16.44 | Eastern Front |
| 14/09/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 35 542: 2000m | 16.45 | Eastern Front |
| 14/09/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 35 542: 2000m | 16.46 | Eastern Front |
| 15/09/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 35 432: 2000m | 13.22 | Eastern Front |
| 11/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | E. Yerenzoy: 1000m | 12.2 | Eastern Front |
| 11/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | W. Yerenzoy: 800m | 12.21 | Eastern Front |
| 11/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | S. Yerenzoy: 700m | 12.22 | Eastern Front |
| 11/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | LaGG-3 | S. Yerenzoy: 600m | 12.22 | Eastern Front |
| 11/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | NW Geybot: 400m | 12.24 | Eastern Front |
| 11/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | NW Geybot: 300m | 12.25 | Eastern Front |
| 11/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | NE Feremzoy: 800m | 12.27 | Eastern Front |
| 22/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | W. Trakhtemirov: 3000m | 6.35 | Eastern Front |
| 22/10/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | W. Trakhtemirov: 3000m | 6.38 | Eastern Front |
| 02/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 01 414: 2000m | 15.16 | Eastern Front |
| 02/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 01 414: 1800m | 15.18 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 01 811: 150m | 7.18 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 582: 150m | 13 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 583: 200m | 13.01 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 583: 100m | 13.03 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 01 554: 50m | 13.04 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 01 554: 100m | 13.05 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 01 582: 120m | 13.07 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 01 554: 150m | 13.08 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 01 554: 120m | 13.09 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 591: 150m | 13.11 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 591: 100m | 13.13 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 594: 150m | 13.15 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 592: 100m | 13.17 | Eastern Front |
| 06/11/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-7 | 01 722: 600m | 13.19 | Eastern Front |
| 10/12/1943 | Hptm. Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | NE Grebenki: 50m [Kiev] | 14.06 | Eastern Front |
| 19/03/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | LaGG-3 | 88 352: 800m | 9.08 | Eastern Front |
| 29/03/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 70 691: 50m | 9.03 | Eastern Front |
| 03/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 88 371: 3000m | 8.32 | Eastern Front |
| 07/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 88 361: 6000m | 7.42 | Eastern Front |
| 07/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 88 362: 1000m | 7.48 | Eastern Front |
| 07/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 88 392: 1000m | 7.49 | Eastern Front |
| 07/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 88 363: 1000m | 7.52 | Eastern Front |
| 07/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 88 441: 1500m | 7.56 | Eastern Front |
| 07/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 88 442: 1500m | 7.58 | Eastern Front |
| 28/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 87 836: 80m | 17.56 | Eastern Front |
| 28/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 87 839: 30m | 17.57 | Eastern Front |
| 28/04/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | NNE Linon-Yeu: 100m | 17.59 | Eastern Front |
| 17/06/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 81 262: 1500m | 11.35 | Eastern Front |
| 18/06/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 91 581: 1100m | 8.35 | Eastern Front |
| 18/06/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 91 557: 400m | 8.36 | Eastern Front |
| 19/06/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 91 176: 400m | 18 | Eastern Front |
| 20/06/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 81 456: 1000m | 16.22 | Eastern Front |
| 20/06/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 81 462: 1000m | 16.24 | Eastern Front |
| 20/06/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Airacobra | 81 466: 1600m | 15.36 | Eastern Front |
| 03/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 81 294: 200m | 7.06 | Eastern Front |
| 03/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 81 297: 200m | 7.07 | Eastern Front |
| 03/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 81 298: 200m | 7.08 | Eastern Front |
| 03/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 81 433: 200m | 7.09 | Eastern Front |
| 03/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 81 434: 200m | 7.1 | Eastern Front |
| 25/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 70 696: 2200m | 12.05 | Eastern Front |
| 26/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 70 831: 200m | 16.42 | Eastern Front |
| 26/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 70 839: 200m | 16.43 | Eastern Front |
| 26/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 70 689: 150m | 16.48 | Eastern Front |
| 26/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 70 823: 100m | 16.53 | Eastern Front |
| 26/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 60 824: 2000m | 17.08 | Eastern Front |
| 26/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 60 816: 1800m | 17.1 | Eastern Front |
| 27/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 78 565: 200m | 14.22 | Eastern Front |
| 27/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 78 561: 2000m | 14.25 | Eastern Front |
| 27/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 78 637: 1800m | 14.28 | Eastern Front |
| 30/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 70 668: 300m | 11.24 | Eastern Front |
| 30/07/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 60 479: 150m | 20.12 | Eastern Front |
| 06/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 79 611: 100m | 13.24 | Eastern Front |
| 06/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 79 614: 100m | 13.27 | Eastern Front |
| 17/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 79 819: 3000m | 13.09 | Eastern Front |
| 17/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 79 588: 10m | 13.15 | Eastern Front |
| 17/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 79 576: 10m | 13.2 | Eastern Front |
| 23/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 57 246: 100m | 9.5 | Eastern Front |
| 23/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 57 249: 500m | 9.51 | Eastern Front |
| 25/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 57 284: 500m | 13.45 | Eastern Front |
| 25/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 57 283: 500m | 13.46 | Eastern Front |
| 25/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 57 282: 400m | 13.47 | Eastern Front |
| 25/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 57 258: 1200m | 13.54 | Eastern Front |
| 25/08/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 57 259: 1200m | 13.56 | Eastern Front |
| 05/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-9 | 69 616: 1200m | 18.56 | Eastern Front |
| 06/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 79 555: 3500m | 12.59 | Eastern Front |
| 06/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 79 554: 3000m | 13.01 | Eastern Front |
| 06/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 79 554 | 13.03 | Eastern Front |
| 06/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | La-5 | 79 554: 2000m | 13.04 | Eastern Front |
| 17/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 69 777: 300m | 13.51 | Eastern Front |
| 17/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 69 775: 300m | 13.52 | Eastern Front |
| 17/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 58 333: 200m | 13.57 | Eastern Front |
| 20/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 69 164: 300m | 11.39 | Eastern Front |
| 25/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-3 | 37 125: 3500m | 10.21 | Eastern Front |
| 25/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Jak-3 | 37 126: 3500m | 10.23 | Eastern Front |
| 25/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 37 137: 200m | 10.31 | Eastern Front |
| 25/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 37 128: 200m | 10.32 | Eastern Front |
| 25/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 37 151: 150m | 10.33 | Eastern Front |
| 25/09/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 37 155: 150m | 10.35 | Eastern Front |
| 10/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Airacobra | 17 516: 2800m | 10.12 | Eastern Front |
| 10/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Airacobra | 17 524: 2800m | 10.14 | Eastern Front |
| 10/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Airacobra | 17 641: 2000m | 10.24 | Eastern Front |
| 10/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 17 553: 2000m | 10.17 | Eastern Front |
| 10/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 17 563: 2000m | 10.18 | Eastern Front |
| 10/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 17 645: 2000m | 10.2 | Eastern Front |
| 10/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 17 658: 2000m | 10.3 | Eastern Front |
| 22/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 17 557: 2000m | 14.2 | Eastern Front |
| 22/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Pe-2 | 17 582: 2000m | 14.21 | Eastern Front |
| 22/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Airacobra | 17 559: 2500m | 14.24 | Eastern Front |
| 22/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Airacobra | 17 564: 2500m | 14.25 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 17 619: 300m | 15.01 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 17 624: 200m | 15.03 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 632: 1300m | 11.46 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 635: 1200m | 11.47 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 661: 1100m | 11.48 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 662: 1000m | 11.49 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 667: 1000m | 11.5 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 668: 800m | 11.53 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 641: 800m | 11.53 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 683: 800m | 11.54 | Eastern Front |
| 28/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Il-2 | 07 684: 400m | 11.56 | Eastern Front |
| 30/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Boston | 07 613: 100m | 12.05 | Eastern Front |
| 30/10/1944 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab II. | JG 54 | Boston | 07 611: 50m | 12.07 | Eastern Front |
| 24/03/1945 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab I. | JG 7 | Tempest | bei Wesel | - | Western Front |
| 30/03/1945 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab I. | JG 7 | P-51 | Raum Hamburg | - | Western Front |
| 30/03/1945 | Major Erich Rudorffer | Stab I. | JG 7 | P-51 | Raum Hamburg | - | Western Front |
Known Claims : 210
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