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The Kracker Luftwaffe Archive: Axis Powers Pilots and Crew




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You searched for: “rotte”

#Pilot/Crew
SORT (↑)		RankBornPlaceScore
SORT (↑)		PhotoUnitsAircraftAwards*************Notes*************LinksAuthorComments
1 Ebener, KurtOblt1920/04/05Könitz, Thüringen57


Erg Gr. Ost (04/43), 4./JG 3 (05/42 S.U.), Stfkpt 5./JG 11 (08/44)Bf 109F, Bf 109 G-2 "White 10 + -" Werknr 13698 (10% dam 17/12/42; flak dam while flown by Buttstadt), Bf 109 G-6, Bf 109 G-14 "Black 2" Werknr 780667 (lost 23/08/44)
RK (07/04/43)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold (18/03/43)
EP (15/03/43)

EK 1 (01/09/42 CK) & EK 2 (07/06/42 CK)
Wound Badge

Fighter Operational Clasp in Gold (21/08/42 CK)
POW 23 August, 1944. Seriously wounded in his G-14 by US fighters SE of Paris, he bailed successfully and was taken prisoner by American troops on the Invasion Front. 150 missions. Added; other source states 210 missions in April 1943 (CK). 52 victories in the East. His first known Soviet victory, two I-61s on 23 May, 1942. An Il-2 on 1 July, 1942. Another Il-2 on 24 July, 1942. An R-5 on 25 July, 1942. Two Yak-1s on 30 July, 1942. Two Pe-2s on 5 August, 1942. An I-180 on 21 August, 1942. A Pe-2 on 15 September, 1942. A LaGG-3 on 6 October, 1942. Two Il-2s on 3 December, 1942. An Il-2 and a Yak-1 on 17 December, 1942. Three LaGG-3s and two Pe-2s on 19 December, 1942. Two MiG-1s, a LaGG-3 and an Il-2 on 30 December, 1942. Two LaGG-3s on 7 January, 1943. Three Il-2s and a LaGG-3 on 10 January, 1943. Two Il-2s and a LaGG-3 on 12 January, 1943. Two DB-3s and two LaGG-3s on 15 January, 1943. His 53rd victory, a Spitfire over France on 14 August, 1944. A 54th, a P-47 in the Etampes area on 16 August, 1944. Another P-47, next day, same area. Two brothers (Heeres) KilledInAction (KIA) in Russia. Repatriated 1/45 due to wounds. DOW 7 May, 1975 at Fischbach in Taunus. Added (CKönig): Ebener was part of the Platzschutzstaffel Pitomnik where he achieved 33 of his 57 victories within 21 days in his time in the "Stalingrad Cauldron". He left there on 15/01/43. Ebener’s Knight’s Cross recommendation: “Feldwebel Kurt Ebener has shot down 51 enemy aircraft (all within a relatively short timespan) during his service with his Staffel. He has proven himself as a young fighter pilot, and these days he is consistently able to achieve success even in difficult situations. His first combat operations around Malta were fraught with difficult fighting conditions. Here he had to fly with drop tanks and amidst heavy anti-aircraft fire. However, in his capacity as a Rotte and Schwarm leader, he was always able to bring his aircraft into contact with the enemy and consequently lead them to success. Here, as well as later during the fighting on the Eastern front, he was consistently able to securely escort friendly bomber formations to their assigned targets. He has shot down a total of 15 enemy aircraft while operating as a bomber escort, and in this way he enabled his assigned bombers to carry out their missions without undue hindrance. Feldwebel Ebener also distinguished himself by every conceivable measure during the fighting around Lake Ilmen. Here he launched a number of interdiction raids against enemy ground forces, during which he destroyed a locomotive, scattered hostile vehicles columns and shot up a total of 4 trucks. Over the course of additional interdiction raids he repeatedly inflicted heavy losses against marching enemy infantry/bike columns, and thereby majorly contributed to the relief of pressure on our ground troops. During the fighting around Fortress Stalingrad he destroyed 31 aircraft within 21 days over the course of numerous search-and-destroy missions. Most of these were achieved under difficult circumstances and against numerically superior enemy forces. Here he also contributed to the relief of friendly ground troops by shooting down a total of 7 two-engined bombers that were attacking the frontline. His fearlessness in battle never failed to inspire his comrades in the skies, and in particular the younger fighter pilots in his Staffel. Feldwebel Ebener has proven himself worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”


2 Fischer-Bötow, RudolfUffz68/JG-54 (7/42 S.U.)Bf 109F, Bf 109G-2 Werk# 10431 "Black
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		MIA/POW (?) 29 October, 1942 over Jerschino, probably due to engine damage. He was a member of "Rotte Seiler". His first known Soviet victory, a MiG-3 on 11 July, 1942. A MiG-3 on 18 July, 1942. A 3rd, an Il-2 on 1 September, 1942. A 4th, an Il-2 on 9 September, 1942. A 5th, a P-2 on 21 September, 1942. An I-16 Rata 3 km N of Ostrovski on 30 September, 1942. Alternate spelling" Fischer-Bütow.
3 Hahn, Hans 'Assi'Maj4/14/1914Gotha108

Courtesy Christian Konig

Bomber Pilot (1/40), Stfkpt 4/JG-2 (5/40), Kdr III/JG-2 (11/41), Kdr II/JG-54 (12/42 S.U.)Bf 109E "White 12", Bf 109E-4 (White 14" (8/40), Bf 109F-1 Werk # 5741 "<< + I" in III/JG-2, Fw 190A-2 Werk# 223 "<< + I" & Bf 109F-4 w III/JG-2, Bf 109G-2/R6 Werk# 13949 "White << + -" (lost 2/21/43)
RK(9/24/40)
EL(8/14/41)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(7/27/42)

EK 1 & 2

Fighter Operational Clasp in Gold
POW 21 February, 1943, when he was shot down in Werk# 13949 southeast of Salutsche when in command of II/JG-54 (according to Russian sources by Soviet ace Lt. P Grazhdanikov). Member of Rotte Stotz. Plus 36 Unconfirmed. 4 Bombers. 560 missions, 68 victories in the West, 4 four engine bombers. In 4/JG-2, he flew Bf 109E-1, "White 1". In III/JG-2, he flew a Bf 109F-2, Werk# 5749. His 1st victory, a Hurricane at Gembloux, 14 May, 1940. Nos 2 & 3, a Hurricane and a Morane 406 at Tournai on 19 May, 1940. His 4th, a Curtis ENE of Paris on 3 June, 1940. A 5th, a Hawk-75 at Roye on 6 June, 1940. Nos.7, 8 & 9, all Spitfires over Dover on 31 August, 1940. His 10th a Spitfire at Ashford on 4 September, 1940. His first known Soviet victory, a LaGG-3 and three Il-2s on 4 December, 1942. An La-5 and an Il-2 on 12 December, 1942. An Il-2 and a LaGG-3 on 29 December, 1942. Four LaGG-3s and an Il-2 on 30 December, 1942. Four LaGG-3s and three LaGG-5s on 14 January, 1943. Three LaGG-5s on 23 January, 1943. Hahn had a pet bear "Wumm", with whom he boxed! Another nickname, "Vadder". sometimes associated with Hans von Hahn, perhaps mistakenly. A Russian POW for 7 years in Siberia. Deceased 18 December, 1982 in Munich.
(Added by Pietrzak Youngs)



Courtesy asisbiz.com


Courtesy Simon Moore		Battle of Britain Database Spitfire N3203
4 Kenyeres, MiklosLt9/27/1927Hungary185/3 Ftr Sq. (8/42 Russia), 5/2 Ftr. Sq. (7/43), 101st Fighter Group (5/44 Szolnok Hungary)Heja II, Bf 109G-4, Bf 109G-6 most likely, Werk # Unk (lost 2/3/44)Hungarian Knights Cross w/Swords

EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		Shot down 3 February, 1944 while flying in a Rotte, with his friend, Lt Gyorgy Debrody Vitez. His friend watched his parachute descent, but was unable to rescue Kenyeres due to unsuitable terrain. After the war, the two friends were reunited in Italy (D.Drury).



Courtesy Christian König
5 Lühs, WalterUffz3/27/1920Schwerin/Meckl19/JG-26 ('42, 6/43 Maldegem, Be.)Fw 190A-2 & 3, Fw 190A-4 Werk # 2247 "Yellow 14 + I" (lost 6/25/43)
EK 2

Fighter Operational Clasp in Bronze
One known victory, his 1st, a B-17 # 41-24585 "Wulfe Hound" of 303BG, 360BS on 12 December, 1942 (named to a "Franz" on OKL). The B-17 landed south of Paris and was used by KG-200. Added: MIA 25 June, 1943; Failed to return from his 21st combat mission, opposing bombers over the North Sea (Neil Page & Claes Sundin). Note: Also named "Walter" on the Butler Pilot List. Added: He started training during 1939 and arrived at his first combat unit, III./JG 26 in 09/42. The letter from the Staffelführer reads as follows "".. as unit leader ...it is my sad duty to inform you that you son failed to return from a combat sortie on 25 June. On this date we flew a mission to intercept four-engine bombers. In the course of the air battle our Staffel was forced to disperse and therefore I am unable to give any further details as to the exact fate of your son although through radio communication it has been established that he was with his Rotte leader up to the last moments. Both failed to return from the mission. As combat took place out over the sea the air-sea rescue services were immediately notified on our return to base, although their efforts did not meet with success. These events have hit us all very hard. Be assured of our Staffel's deepest sympathies...Your son was a much-loved comrade..[..] and an enthusiastic pilot. In the time he was a member of the Staffel his grit and fighting spirit earned him the admiration and appreciation of all the unit's pilots......" (CK via FalkeEins)


6 Menzel, Werner G.Uffz2/Kü.Fl.Gr. 406 (Hörnum)Do 18D-3 Werk # 767 (or 787) "G" (lost)Observer Operational ClaspPOW 29 November, 1939 after making an emergency landing at sea, 4-5 miles off Sudero Island Denmark due to low fuel. With fuel for one engine, he taxiied to Tveraa, where he and the unharmed crew were interned until the German occupation of Denmark on 9 April, 1940. Remaining seaplane crew: Oblt z.S Manfred Kinzel, Obs; Oberfunkmeister (Naval Rate) Karl Naumann, R/O and Uffz Heinrich Rotte, Flt Engr. Source: Air War over Denmark. Added: Pilot identified as Uffz Werner Menzel after erroneously identified as Oblt z.S Kinzel. The crew members were moved from the Faroe Islands to the Danish mainland (D.Drury).
7 Munderloh, GeorgUffz206/JG-54Bf 109G-2 Werk# 13913 "Yellow 9 + -" (lost 3/6/43)EP


EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		POW 6 March, 1943 over Staraja-Russa S.U. after downing his 20th, when his "Yellow 9" collided with another Soviet AC. With his engine dead, he had no choice but to land in enemy territory and be captured. He was a member of "Rotte Beisswenger". His first known Soviet victory, an Il-2 on 13 September, 1942. An I-16 Rata on 26 September, 1942. A LaGG-3 on 17 December, 1942. A LaGG-3 and an Il-2 on 29 December, 1942. An Il-2 on 30 December, 1942. A LaGG-3 on 16 January, 1943. A LaGG-5 and an Il-2 on 11 February, 1943. A LaGG-3 on 17 February, 1943. A LaGG-5 on 19 February, 1943. An R-5 on 20 February, 1943. A LaGG-3 on 23 February, 1943. Three LaGG-3s on 27 February, 1943. A LaGG-3 and an Il-2 on 5 March, 1943. Bowers/Lednicer, 20 victories.
8 Radtke, WalterUffz15/JG-54 (11/42 S.U.), Stab/JG-54 (S.U.)Bf 109F-4 Wk# 7483 "Blk 2" (dam 4/16/42), Bf 109G-2 Wk# 10413 "Wh ?" (60% dam 1/17/43) EK 2
Wound Badge
Fighter Operational Clasp		Shot down with wounds twice in JG-54. On 16 April, 1942 in 5 Staffel in Wk# 7483 over the Staraja-Russa S.U. airfield. AC damage % unknown. His first known victory, a Soviet Yak-1 on 10 November, 1942. Injured in a crash landing due to bad weather on 17 January, 1943 with Stab/JG-54 (Rotte Trautloft) in Wk# 10413 over Lukaschi, the AC sustaining 60% damage.
9 Rotte, Karl HeinzUffz16/JG-2 (6/41)Bf 109F, Kl 35B-1 Werk # 1616(lost) EK 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		KIC 13 July, 1941 at Belleville near Dieppe, cause unknown. One known victory, a Blenheim at Pas de Calais on 23 June, 1941.
10 Spanke, Theodor "Theo"Lt12/24/1917Dortmund91/JG-54, 2/JG-54 (8/41 S.U.), 2/JGr-West (3/43 Biarritz)Bf 109E "White 6" in 1/JG-54 & F in '41. Bf 109 F-4 "Black 2" (CKönig). Most likely a Bf 109G-2 or Fw 190A "Black ?" (lost 3/16/43)
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		MIA 18 April, 1942 near Wolchow. Spanke was a member of "Rotte Bremer". His first known Soviet victory, an I-18 on 27 September, 1941. A 2nd, an I-26 on 6 November, 1941. A 3rd, an R-5 on 11 December, 1941. A 4th & 5th, an I-16 and an Il-2 on 24 December, 1941. Victories 6 & 7, both I-26s on 27 February, 1942. An 8th, a MiG-3 on 11 June, 1942. A 9th, a P-39 on 8 September, 1942. (Magnus Report; KIFA 16 March, 1943 and 15 victories, having served in JGr-West also). Added: On 16 March, 1943, Lt Spanke was killed in an accident at Biarritz, Basses-Pyrenees, France, circumstances unknown. He is buried in the German War Cem at Berneuil, France, Blk 8, Row 3, Gr 56 (D.Drury).



11 Sternberg, HorstHptm4/15/1920Tawllninghen235/JG-26 (6/41), Stafkpt 5/JG-26 (Wevelghem Belgium11/41), Stfkpt 6/JG-26Bf 109F, Fw 190A-1 "Black 13" at Wevelghem 11/41, Fw 190A-4, Fw 190A-6 Werk # 470056 "Black 6" (lost 11/29/43) in 5 Staffel, Fw 190A-7 Wk# 642002 "Blk 12" (lost 2/22/44)
Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(10/29/43)
EP(8/9/43)


EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge
Fighter Operational Clasp		KilledInAction (KIA) 22 February, 1944 in "Black 12" by P-47 pilot Maj. George Carpenter of the American 4th FG, 335th FS. He breached Luftwaffe discipline and left his Rotte to go after a smoking B-17, an easy kill. As his comrades watched in horror, he was jumped by a dozen P-47s. Lt. Crump raked Carpenter, and then dove away for his life. Sternbergs plane flew into the ground and exploded after two turns and then a shallow dive. Crashed near Hückelshofen (D). WIFA 29 November, 1943 in a Fw 190A-6 Wk# 470056 "Black 6" when he crashlanded and overturned at Lille Nord airfield after combat with a Spitfire. One known victory, his 1st, a Spitfire at Dunkirk on 26 June, 1941. His 2nd, a Spitfire at Dunkirk on 16 August, 1941. His 3rd, a Spitfire W of Dunkirk on 19 August, 1941. His 4th, a Spitfire at Wormhoudt on 21 August, 1941. His 15th victory, a B-17 of 94BG on 14 May, 1943 over Scheldt Estuary. His 20th victory, a B-17 (HSS) 30 km NW of Paris on 6 September, 1943.

Courtesy Christian König

Results 1 to 11 of 11.



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