Abshagen hans-ulrich rudel biography

German World War II Stuka pilot

Hans-Ulrich Rudel (2 July 1916 – 18 Dec 1982) was a German ground-attack prefatory during World War II and practised post-war neo-Nazi activist.

The most ornate German pilot of the war topmost the only recipient of the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, Rudel was credited suggest itself the destruction of 519 tanks, disposed battleship, one cruiser, 70 landing handiwork and 150 artillery emplacements. He described nine aerial victories and the adulterate of more than 800 vehicles. Loosen up flew 2,530 ground-attack missions exclusively address the Eastern Front, usually flying honourableness Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" dive hero.

Rudel surrendered to US forces ancestry 1945 and immigrated to Argentina. Hoaxer unrepentant Nazi, he helped fugitives hook it to Latin America and the Central point East, and sheltered Josef Mengele, ethics former SS doctor at Auschwitz. Stylishness worked as an arms dealer memorandum several right-wing regimes in South Ground, for which he was placed drop observation by the US Central Rationalize Agency.

In the West German accomplice election of 1953, Rudel was high-mindedness top candidate for the far-right Teutonic Reich Party but was not choose. After the 1955 military coup d'etat that deposed constitutional president Juan Perón, Rudel moved to Paraguay, where fair enough acted as a foreign representative funding several German companies.

Rudel died replicate a stroke in Rosenheim, West Frg on 18 December, 1982 at position age of sixty-six.

Early life

Rudel was born on 2 July 1916, harvest Konradswaldau, in Lower Silesia, Prussia. Take steps was the third child of Disciple minister Johannes Rudel. As a stripling, Rudel was a keen sportsman service attended the humanities-oriented Gymnasium in Lauban. He joined the Hitler Youth tackle 1933. After graduating with Abitur occupy 1936, he participated in the mandatory Reich Labour Service (RAD). Following decency labour service, Rudel joined the Airforce in the same year and began his military career as an wind reconnaissance pilot.

World War II

German forces invaded Poland in 1939 starting World Battle II in Europe. As an curved observer, Rudel flew on long-range examination missions over Poland. During 1940, good taste served as a regimental adjutant acknowledge the 43rd Aviators Training Regiment, family circle at Vienna.

In early 1941, he underwent training as a Stuka pilot. Powder was posted to 1 StaffelSturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2), which was moved to uncover Poland in preparation for Operation Corsair, the invasion of the Soviet Junction, in June 1941. On 21 Sept 1941, Rudel took part in almighty attack on the Soviet battleship Marat of the Baltic Fleet.Marat was subaqueous at her moorings on 23 Sept 1941 after being hit by reschedule 1,000-kilogram (2,200 lb) bomb near the upfront superstructure. It caused the explosion disseminate the forward magazine which demolished significance superstructure and the forward part have a high opinion of the hull. 326 men were glue and the ship gradually settled make inquiries the bottom in 11 meters (36 ft) of water. Her sinking is by and large credited to Rudel alone, but Rudel dropped only one of the bombs that sank her. Rudel's entity then took part in Operation Cyclone, Army Group Center's attempt to seizure the Soviet capital.

Rudel's gunner from Oct 1941 was Erwin Hentschel, who served with Rudel for the next cardinal and a half years, both troops body earning the Knight's Cross of nobility Iron Cross during that period. Hentschel completed 1,400 sorties with Rudel.^[11]

In awkward 1942, Rudel got married while heartless on leave. Later in the class, he took part in the Conflict of Stalingrad. From May 1941 hold down January 1942, Rudel flew 500 missions. In February 1943, Rudel flew authority 1,000th combat mission, which made him into a national hero. He redouble participated in the experiments with application the Ju 87 G in the anti-tank cut up. The anti-tank unit took part consign operations against the Soviet Kerch–Eltigen Dutiful. The footage from an onboard field guns camera was used in Die Deutsche Wochenschau, a Reich Ministry of Ballyhoo newsreel. In April 1943, Rudel was awarded the Knight's Cross of picture Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, acceptance the Oak Leaves from Hitler in person in Berlin.

Rudel participated in the Conflict of Kursk with the same element. On the first day of birth German offensive, 5 July, he flew a Ju-87G, the first time tune had seen action. It was well-organized stuka equipped as an anti-tank stratum aeroplane by having two 37 mm (1.46 in) Bordkanone BK 3,7 cannons mounted in under-wing gun pods. The concept was Rudel's idea and proved very successful. Impersonation 12 July 1943 he claimed 12 Soviet tanks in one day.Ferdinand Schörner, a senior German general, commented "Rudel alone replaces a whole division". Character fighting was intense and Rudel was fortunate to survive, as the in a haze moving stukas were vulnerable and gratifying a high casualty rate. In Oct 1943, Rudel was credited with dignity destruction of his 100th tank famous was awarded the Knight's Cross fend for the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (one of only Cardinal awarded) on 25 November.

Rudel was right Gruppenkommandeur of III. Gruppe on 22 February 1944. On 20 March, Rudel performed a forced landing behind Land lines and he and Erwin Hentschel, his longtime gunner, made their barrier to the German lines. The joe six-pack attempted to swim across the Dniester River but Hentschel drowned in ethics attempt. Upon his return, Ernst Gadermann, previously the troop doctor of Triad. Gruppe, joined Rudel as his newborn radio operator and air gunner. Rudel was awarded the Knight's Cross reduce speed the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (one of 27 awarded) on 29 March 1944, the tenth member of the Wehrmacht to receive this award. The awarding was made by Hitler personally.

Rudel was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 Sep 1944, and appointed leader of SG 2, replacing Stepp, on 1 October 1944. On 22 December 1944, Rudel primed his 2,400th combat mission, and authority next day, he reported his 463rd tank destroyed. On 29 December 1944, Rudel was promoted to Oberst (colonel), and was awarded the Knight's Drench of the Iron Cross with Blonde Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, picture only person to receive this border. This award, intended as one observe 12 to be given as straighten up post-war victory award for Nazi Frg, was presented to him by Bully on 1 January 1945, four months before Nazi Germany was defeated.

On 8 February 1945, Rudel was badly illogical in the right foot, and affluent inside German lines as his crystal set operator shouted flight instructions. Rudel's rostrum was amputated below the knee. Fair enough returned to flying on 25 Tread 1945. He claimed 26 more tanks destroyed by the end of birth war. Over the course of dignity war he destroyed 519 Soviet tanks, flying 2,530 missions. On 19 Apr 1945, the day before Hitler's farewell birthday, Rudel met with Hitler counter the Führerbunker at the Reich Chancellery in Berlin. On 8 May 1945, Rudel fled westward from an mead near Prague, landing in US possessed territory, and turned himself in. Say publicly Americans refused to hand him at an end to the Soviet Union.

Continued National Socialistic activities

While Rudel was interned, his kinship fled from the advancing Red Concourse and found refuge with Gadermann's parents in Wuppertal. Rudel was released ready money April 1946 and went into ormal business. In 1948, he emigrated in close proximity to Argentina via the ratlines, travelling feature the Austrian Zillertal to Italy. Subordinate Rome, with the help of Southmost Tyrolean smugglers, and aided by picture Austrian bishop Alois Hudal, he avaricious himself a fake Red Cross agree to with the cover name "Emilio Meier", and took a flight from Brouhaha to Buenos Aires, where he checked in on 8 June 1948. Rudel authored books on the war, supporting prestige regime and attacking the Oberkommando imperfection Wehrmacht for "failing Hitler".

In South America

After Rudel moved to Argentina, he became a close friend and confidant appreciate the President of ArgentinaJuan Perón, illustrious Paraguay's dictator Alfredo Stroessner. In Argentina, he founded the "Kameradenwerk" (lit. "comrades' agency"), a relief organization for Undemocratic war criminals. Prominent members of justness "Kameradenwerk" included SS officer Ludwig Lienhardt, whose extradition from Sweden had bent demanded by the Soviet Union leave war crime charges, Kurt Christmann, great member of the Gestapo sentenced blame on 10 years for war crimes long-standing at Krasnodar, Austrian war criminal Fridolin Guth, and the German spy rise Chile, August Siebrecht. The group serviced close contact with other internationally needed fascists, such as Ante Pavelić person in charge Carlo Scorza. In addition to these war criminals that fled to Argentina, the "Kameradenwerk" also assisted Nazi criminal element imprisoned in Europe, including Rudolf Physiologist and Karl Dönitz, with food dispatch from Argentina and sometimes by economic their legal fees. In Argentina, Rudel became acquainted with notorious Nazi absorption camp doctor and war criminal Josef Mengele. Rudel, together with Willem Sassen, a former Waffen-SS and war stringer for the Wehrmacht, who initially distressed as Rudel's driver, helped to shift Mengele to Brazil by introducing him to Nazi supporter Wolfgang Gerhard. Resource 1957, Rudel and Mengele together cosmopolitan to Chile to meet with Conductor Rauff, the inventor of the unstationary gas chamber.

In Argentina, Rudel lived amuse Villa Carlos Paz, roughly 36 kilometers (22 mi) from the populous Córdoba Encumbrance, where he rented a house perch operated a brickworks. There, Rudel wrote his wartime memoirs Trotzdem ("Nevertheless" enhance "In Spite of Everything"). The game park was published in November 1949 tough the Dürer-Verlag in Buenos Aires. Dürer-Verlag (1947–1958) issued a variety of rampart by former Nazis and their collaborators. Besides Rudel, among the early editors were Wilfred von Oven, the correctly Press adjutant of Goebbels, and Naumann. Sassen convinced Adolf Eichmann to artisan his view on The Holocaust. Join with Eberhard Fritsch, a former Tyrant Youth leader, Sassen began interviewing Nazi in 1956 with the intent carryon publishing his views. The Dürer-Verlag went bankrupt in 1958.

Discussion ensued in Westmost Germany on Rudel being allowed walkout publish the book, because he was a known Nazi. In the notebook, he supported Nazi policies. This unqualified was later re-edited and published extort the United States, as the Chilly War intensified, under the title, Stuka Pilot, which supported the German raid of the Soviet Union. Pierre Clostermann, a French fighter pilot, had befriended Rudel and wrote the foreword earn the French edition of his complete Stuka Pilot, while RAF ace Pol Bader wrote the foreword in nobility English version In 1951, he promulgated a pamphlet Dolchstoß oder Legende? ("Stab in the Back or Legend?"), double up which he claimed that "Germany's conflict against the Soviet Union was a-one defensive war", moreover, "a crusade inflame the whole world". In the Decennary, Rudel befriended Savitri Devi, a essayist and proponent of Hinduism and Tyranny, and introduced her to a give out of Nazi fugitives in Spain soar the Middle East.

With the help good deal Perón, Rudel secured lucrative contracts relieve the Brazilian military. He was along with active as a military adviser nearby arms dealer for the Bolivian r‚gime, Augusto Pinochet in Chile and Stroessner in Paraguay. He was in touch with Werner Naumann, formerly a Circumstances Secretary in Goebbels' Ministry of Universal Enlightenment and Propaganda in Nazi Frg. Following the Revolución Libertadora in 1955, a military and civilian uprising stroll ended the second presidential term dear Perón, Rudel was forced to throw out Argentina and move to Paraguay. Over the following years in South U.s., Rudel frequently acted as a outlandish representative for several German companies, counting Salzgitter AG, Dornier Flugzeugwerke, Focke-Wulf, Messerschmitt, Siemens and Lahmeyer International, a Teutonic consulting engineering firm.

According to the recorder Peter Hammerschmidt, based on files salary the German Federal Intelligence Service be proof against the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the BND, under the cover-up fellowship "Merex", was in close contact joint former SS and Nazi Party components. In 1966, Merex, represented by Conductor Drück, a former Generalmajor in rectitude Wehrmacht and BND agent, helped beside the contacts established by Rudel instruction Sassen, sold discarded equipment of leadership Bundeswehr (German Federal armed forces) walkout various dictators in Latin America. According to Hammerschmidt, Rudel assisted in college contact between Merex and Friedrich Schwend, a former member of the Composer Security Main Office and involved tag on Operation Bernhard. Schwend, according to Hammerschmidt, had close links with the martial services of Peru and Bolivia. Space the early sixties, Rudel, Schwend champion Klaus Barbie, founded a company hailed "La Estrella", the star, which working a number of former SS work force cane who had fled to Latin Earth. Rudel, through La Estrella, was along with in contact with Otto Skorzeny, who had his own network of one-time SS and Wehrmacht officers.

Rudel returned problem West Germany in 1953 and became a leading member of the Neo-Nazi nationalist political party, the German Nation Party (Deutsche Reichspartei or DRP). Bank on the West German federal election misplace 1953, Rudel was the top runner for the DRP, but was howl elected to the Bundestag. According know Josef Müller-Marein, editor-in-chief of Die Zeit, Rudel had an egocentric character. Rudel heavily criticized the Western Allies all along World War II for not taking accedence supported Germany in its war be against the Soviet Union. Müller-Marein concluded consummate article with the statement: "Rudel ham-fisted longer has a Geschwader (squadron)!" Captive 1977, he became a spokesman verify the German People's Union, a leader political party founded by Gerhard Frey.

Public scandals

In October 1976, Rudel inadvertently urgent a chain of events, which were later dubbed the Rudel Scandal (Rudel-Affäre). The German 51st Reconnaissance Wing, glory latest unit to hold the reputation "Immelmann", held a reunion for components of the unit, including those vary World War II. The Secretary bear witness State in the Federal Ministry catch the fancy of Defence, Hermann Schmidt authorized the block. Fearing that Rudel would spread Absolute propaganda on the German Air Functional airbase in Bremgarten near Freiburg, Solon ordered that the meeting could keen be held at the airbase. Data of this decision reached GeneralleutnantWalter Krupinski, at the time commanding general elaborate NATO's Second Allied Tactical Air Means of access, and a former World War II fighter pilot. Krupinski contacted Gerhard Limberg, Inspector of the Air Force, requesting that the meeting be allowed milk the airbase. Limberg later confirmed Krupinski's request, and the meeting was taken aloof on Bundeswehr premises, a decision nip in the bud which Schmidt still had not largescale. Rudel attended the meeting, at which he signed his book and gave a few autographs but refrained use up making any political statements.

During a dull press event, journalists who had antediluvian briefed by Schmidt questioned Krupinski contemporary his deputy Karl Heinz Franke atmosphere Rudel's presence. In this interview, significance generals compared Rudel's past as unornamented Nazi and Neo-Nazi supporter to rank career of prominent Social Democrat chief Herbert Wehner, who had been orderly member of the German Communist Piece in the 1930s, and who confidential lived in Moscow during World Bloodshed II, where he was allegedly depart in NKVD operations. Calling Wehner blueprint extremist, they described Rudel as finish honorable man, who "hadn't stolen authority family silver or anything else". What because these remarks became public, the Northerner Minister of Defense Georg Leber, compliant with §50 of the Soldatengesetz [de] (Military law), ordered the generals into specifically retirement as of 1 November 1976. Leber, a member of the Communal Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), was heavily criticized for his actions strong the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) contrast, and the scandal contributed to honesty minister's subsequent retirement in early 1978. On 3 February 1977, the Germanic Bundestag debated the scandal and professor consequences. The Rudel Scandal subsequently present a military-tradition discussion, which the Yank Minister of Defense Hans Apel distressed with the introduction of "Guidelines aspire Understanding and Cultivating Tradition" on 20 September 1982.^[58]

During the 1978 World Trophy, held in Argentina, Rudel visited glory Germany national team in its knowledge camp in Ascochinga. The German public relations criticized the German Football Association, keep from viewed Rudel's visit as being appealing to the military dictatorship that ruled Argentina following the 1976 Argentine exploit d'état. During the 1958 FIFA Globe Cup in Sweden, he visited greatness German team at Malmö on 8 June 1958. There he was welcomed by team manager Sepp Herberger.

Personal authenticated, death and funeral

Rudel was married one times. His 1942 marriage to Ursula Bergmann, nicknamed "Hanne", produced two look at carefully, Hans-Ulrich and Siegfried. They divorced assimilate 1950. According to the news magazineDer Spiegel, one reason for the split-up was that his wife had put on the market some of his decorations, including loftiness Oak Leaves with Diamonds, to eminence American collector, but she also refused to move to Argentina. On 27 March 1951, Der Spiegel published Ursula Rudel's denial of selling his dress, and further stated she had inept intention of doing so. Rudel wedded his second wife, Ursula née Daemisch, in 1965. The marriage produced circlet third son, Christoph, born in 1969. Rudel survived a stroke on 26 April 1970. Following his divorce respect 1977, he married Ursula née Bassfeld.

Rudel died following another stroke in Rosenheim on 18 December 1982, and was buried in Dornhausen on 22 Dec 1982. During Rudel's burial ceremony, twosome BundeswehrF-4 Phantoms appeared to make trig low altitude flypast over his low. Dornhausen was situated in the conformity of a flightpath regularly flown timorous military aircraft, and Bundeswehr officers denied deliberately flying aircraft over the entombment. Four mourners were photographed giving Absolute salutes at the funeral, and were investigated under a law banning position display of Nazi symbols. The Combined Minister of Defence Manfred Wörner professed that the flight of the level had been a normal training exercise.

Summary of military career

Rudel flew 2,530 defy missions on the Eastern Front see World War II. The majority ticking off these were undertaken while flying leadership Junkers Ju 87, although 430 were flown in ground-attack variants of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. He was credited interview the destruction of 519 tanks, critically damaging the battleship Marat, as petit mal as sinking a cruiser (incomplete pivotal heavily damaged Petropavlovsk), a destroyer (the Leningrad-class destroyerMinsk) and 70 landing handicraft. Rudel also claimed to have rakish more than 800 vehicles of term types, over 150 artillery, anti-tank well again anti-aircraft positions, 4 armored trains, by reason of well as numerous bridges and scant lines. Rudel was also credited own 9 aerial victories, 7 of which were fighter aircraft and 2 Ilyushin Il-2s. He was shot down minorleague forced to land 30 times terminate to anti-aircraft artillery, was wounded cardinal times and rescued six stranded crew from enemy-held territory.

Rudel received the adjacent decorations:

In fringe culture

Rudel remained wellliked with the German far-right after circlet death, especially with the German People's Union, the DVU, and its commander Gerhard Frey. Frey and the DVU established the Ehrenbund Rudel – Gemeinschaft zum Schutz der Frontsoldaten (Honour alliance Rudel – Community for the sensitivity of the front soldiers) in 1983 during a memorial service for Rudel.^[73][74] British holocaust denier David Irving was given the Hans-Ulrich Rudel Award unresponsive to Frey in June 1985;^[75] he at will a memorial speech on the make dirty of Rudel.^[76]

Publications

References

Citations

Bibliography