page_title: Erich Rudorffer
hierarchical_section_title: Erich Rudorffer
caption_attribution_description: For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Erich Rudorffer Prop.-Kp. Wm Kb. Abt. Luftwaffe, Film-Nr. L419/22 Bildberichter: Stachelscheid Ort: Libau, Datum: 22.12.44 Neues Bild des Eichenlaubträgers Major Rudorffer, Kommandeur einer Jagdgruppe in Kurland. [Scherl Bilderdienst] [Major Erich Rudorffer (Porträt), Träger des Ritterkreuzes mit Eichenlaub] Abgebildete Personen: Rudorffer, Erich: Major, Ritterkreuz (RK), Luftwaffe, Deutschland
context_page_description: Erich Rudorffer was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace who was one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He was the 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare, with 222 victories claimed. Rudorffer fought in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, engaging in aerial combat over 300 times. Rudorffer was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute nine times.
context_section_description: Erich Rudorffer (1 November 1917 – 8 April 2016) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace who was one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He was the 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare, with 222 victories claimed. Rudorffer fought in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, engaging in aerial combat over 300 times. Rudorffer was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute nine times.
caption: Erich Rudorffer in 1944
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