{{short description|German World War II flying ace}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Use American English|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox military person |name=Rolf Kaldrack |birth_date={{birth date|1913|6|25|df=y}} |death_date={{death date and age|1942|2|3|1913|6|25|df=y}} |image=Rolf Kaldrack.jpg |caption=Kaldrack as a ''Hauptmann''<br /><small>Note: The Oak Leaves at his neck is a photomontage</small> |birth_place=Stargard, Pomerania, German Empire |death_place=south of Toropets, Soviet Union |burial_place= |allegiance={{flag|Nazi Germany}} |branch={{navy|Nazi Germany}} (to 1935)<br />{{air force|Nazi Germany}} |service_years=1934–1942 |rank=''Hauptmann'' (captain) |commands=III./ZG 76, II./SKG 210 |unit=Condor Legion (A 88) |battles={{hidden |''See battles'' |Spanish Civil War ---- World War II *Battle of the Heligoland Bight *Battle of France *Battle of Britain *Eastern Front :*Operation Barbarossa :*Toropets–Kholm offensive {{KIA}} |- |headerstyle=background:#dbdbdb |style=text-align:center; }} |awards=Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords<br />Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |other_work= }}
''' Rolf Kaldrack ''' (25 June 1913 – 3 February 1942) was a Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.{{sfn|Spick|1996|pp=3–4}} Kaldrack is credited with at least 24 aerial victories, 3 of which claimed during the Spanish Civil War flying with ''Aufklärungsgruppe'' 88 of the Condor Legion.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=48}}
==Early life and career== Kaldrack was born on 25 June 1913 in Stargard, at the time in the Province of Pomerania of the German Empire, present-day in northwestern Poland.{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=343}} He was the son of officer Otto Kaldrack who served as a ''Generalmajor'' in the ''Wehrmacht''. Kaldrack volunteered for military service in the ''Kriegsmarine'' of Nazi Germany in 1934 and transferred to the Luftwaffe a year later.{{sfn|Goss|2018|p=160}}
In November 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, Kaldrack served as an aerial observer, flying missions on a Heinkel He 70 Blitz aerial reconnaissance aircraft belonging to ''Aufklärungsgruppe'' 88 of the Condor Legion.{{sfn|Laureau|2010|p=31}} In March 1937, he flew on as an aerial observer with ''Kampfgruppe'' 88.{{sfn|Laureau|2010|p=197}} Kaldrack later claimed three aerial victories in Spain and was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords ({{lang|de|Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern}}) on 14 April 1939, for his service in the Spanish Civil War.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=607}} After he returned from Spain, Kaldrack served on the staff of ''Generaloberst'' Erhard Milch in the ''Reichsluftfahrtministerium'' (RLM—Ministry of Aviation).{{sfn|Goss|2018|p=160}}
In early 1939, Kaldrack, together with Wilhelm Balthasar and Anhäuser, flew a Siebel Fh 104 Hallore twin-engined transport aircraft on one of the longest flights to Africa, covering {{convert|40000|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{sfn|Bölkow|2013|p=506}}{{sfn|Bergström|2015|p=183}} In July, Kaldrack was posted to II. ''Gruppe'' (2nd group) of ''Zerstörergeschwader'' 1 (ZG 1—1st Destroyer Wing). Here, Kaldrack initial served with 6. ''Staffel'' (6th squadron) of ZG 1 under the command of ''Oberleutnant'' Dietrich Robitzsch.{{sfn|Goss|2018|p=160}}{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2000|p=317}}
==World War II== World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. On 21 September, II. ''Gruppe'' of ZG 1 was renamed and became ''Jagdgruppe'' 101 (JGr. 101—101st Fighter Group). In consequence, 6. ''Staffel'' of ZG 1 became the 3. ''Staffel'' of JGr. 101.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2001|p=507}} On 31 October, JGr. 101 moved to Neumünster airfield in northern Germany.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2001|p=510}}
On 18 December, during the Battle of the Heligoland Bight, Kaldrack claimed his first aerial victory when he shot down a Royal Air Force (RAF) Vickers Wellington approximately {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} southwest of Heligoland.{{sfn|Shores|Foreman|Ehrengardt|1992|p=149}} During the aerial battle, his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 (''Werknummer'' 3397—factory number) sustained combat damage, resulting in a forced landing at Westerland on the island of Sylt.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2001|p=513}} For this victory, Kaldrack received the Iron Cross 2nd Class ({{Lang|de|Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse}}) the next day.{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=343}}
Later in December, Kaldrack was transferred and appointed ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader) of 1. ''Staffel'' of JGr. 101, replacing ''Hauptmann'' Hans-Otto Winterer. On 1 March 1940, the ''Staffel'' became the 4. ''Staffel'' of ZG 1.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2001|p=508}} Kaldrack claimed his second aerial victory on 24 May during the Battle of France. He claimed his victory over a Westland Lysander aircraft, although it may have been Latécoère 298 aircraft although his Messerschmitt Bf 110 sustained combat damage. During the landing attempt at Trier-Euren Airfield, the aircraft overturned injuring Kaldrack and his radio operator ''Feldwebel'' Eich Hermanski.{{sfn|Goss|2018|p=161}}{{sfn|Weal|2012|p=37}} On 9 June, he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class ({{Lang|de|Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse}}).{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=343}}
On 26 June, II. ''Gruppe'' of ZG 1 was renamed and became III. ''Gruppe'' of ''Zerstörergeschwader'' 76 (ZG 76—76th Destroyer Wing). In consequence, Kaldrack commanded 7. ''Staffel'' of ZG 76.{{sfn|Goss|2018|p=161}}{{sfn|Mason|1969|p=193}} On 11 July, during the ''Kanalkampf'' phase of the Battle of Britain, III. ''Gruppe'' of ZG 76 supported Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers in their attack on enemy shipping. The Ju 87 dive bombers sank {{HMS|Warrior|1917|6}}.{{sfn|Mason|1969|pp=159–166}} In support of this attack, Kaldrack claimed a Hawker Hurricane fighter shot down.{{sfn|Cull|2017|loc=Chapter I: The First Week — 10 July–16 July}} On 16 August, Kaldrack was appointed ''Gruppenkommandeur'' of III. ''Gruppe'' of ZG 76 after its former commander ''Hauptmann'' Friedrich-Karl Dickoré was killed in action.{{sfn|Goss|2018|p=161}} The ''Gruppe'' was then ordered to Stavanger-Sola Airfield in October. On 27 January 1941, Kaldrack claimed a RAF Lockheed Hudson light bomber from No. 224 Squadron off the coast of Norway.{{sfn|Marshall|2002|p=51}}{{sfn|Foreman|1994|p=84}} Hudson ''N7358'' was reported missing over the North Sea, all four members of the crew were killed.{{sfn|Hudson N7358}} On 24 April, III. ''Gruppe'' of ZG 76 became II. ''Gruppe'' of ''Schnellkampfgeschwader'' 210 (SKG 210—210th Fast-Bomber Wing).{{sfn|Goss|2018|p=161}}
===Operation Barbarossa=== In preparation of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, SKG 210 was ordered to airfields close to the German-Soviet demarcation line. Here, SKG 210 was attached to II. ''Fliegerkorps'' (2nd Air Corps), which was subordinated to ''Luftflotte'' 2 (Air Fleet 2), supporting Army Group Centre.{{sfn|Askey|2017|p=126}} Attacking a Soviet airfield at Kozova on 30 June, Kaldrack claimed a Polikarpov I-16 fighter aircraft shot down.{{sfn|Ziefle|2013|p=103}}
Kaldrack and his aerial gunner ''Unteroffizier'' Martin Enke were killed in action on 3 February 1942 south of Toropets during the Toropets–Kholm offensive. Kaldrack flying a Bf 110 E-1 "S9+IC" (''Werksnummer'' 4057), collided with a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 fighter he had just shot down.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=48}} Posthumously, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold ({{lang|de|Deutsches Kreuz in Gold}}) on 5 February and the 70th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub}}), the first ''Zerstörer'' pilot to be so honored.{{sfn|Bergström|Mikhailov|2001|p=49}}{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=344}}
==Summary of career==
===Aerial victory claims=== According to Heaton, Lewis, Olds and Schulze, Kaldrack was credited with 24 aerial victories, including three during the Spanish Civil War.{{sfn|Heaton|Lewis|Olds|Schulze|2011|p=253}} Mathews and Foreman, authors of ''Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims'', researched the German Federal Archives and state that he was credited with approximately 24 aerial victories. This number includes three claims during the Spanish Civil War, 18 on the Western Front, and eight on the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=607}}
===Awards=== * Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords (14 April 1939){{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=607}} * Iron Cross (1939) ** 2nd Class (19 December 1939){{sfn|Thomas|1997|p=344}} ** 1st Class (9 June 1940){{sfn|Thomas|1997|p=344}} * German Cross in Gold on 5 February 1942 (posthumously) as ''Hauptmann'' in the II./''Schnellkampfgeschwader'' 210{{sfn|Patzwall|Scherzer|2001|p=217}} * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ** Knight's Cross on 2 November 1940 as ''Hauptmann'' and ''Gruppenkommandeur'' of III./''Zerstörergeschwader'' 76{{sfn|Scherzer|2007|p=429}}{{sfn|Fellgiebel|2000|p=249}} ** 70th Oak Leaves on 9 February 1942 (posthumously) as ''Hauptmann'' and ''Gruppenkommandeur'' of II./''Schnellkampfgeschwader'' 210{{sfn|Scherzer|2007|p=429}}{{sfn|Fellgiebel|2000|p=58}}
== References ==
===Citations=== {{Reflist|25em}}
===Bibliography=== {{Refbegin|30em}} * {{cite book |last1=Askey |first1=Nigel |year=2017 |title=Operation Barbarossa : the complete organisational and statistical analysis, and military simulation |publisher=IngramSparks Publishing |isbn=978-0-6482-2192-0 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Bergström |first1=Christer |author-link1=:sv:Christer Bergström |last2=Mikhailov |first2=Andrey |year=2001 |title=Black Cross / Red Star—The Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume II, Resurgence January–June 1942 |location=Pacifica, California |publisher=Pacifica Military History |isbn=978-0-935553-51-2 }} * {{Cite book |last=Bergström |first=Christer |author-link=:sv:Christer Bergström |year=2015 |title=The Battle of Britain: An Epic Conflict Revisited |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Casemate |isbn=978-1612-00347-4 }} * {{Cite book |last=Bölkow |first=Ludwig |year=2013 |orig-year=1990 |title=Ein Jahrhundert Flugzeuge; Geschichte und Technik des Fliegens |trans-title=A Century of Airplanes; History and Technology of Flight |language=de |location=Berlin, Heidelberg |publisher=Springer Publishing |isbn=978-3-642-95775-8 }} * {{Cite book |last=Cull |first=Brian |year=2017 |title=Battle for the Channel: The First Month of the Battle of Britain 10 July – 10 August 1940 |publisher=Fonthill Media |isbn=978-1-78155-625-2 }} * {{Cite book |last=Fellgiebel |first=Walther-Peer |author-link=:de:Walther-Peer Fellgiebel |year=2000 |orig-date=1986 |title=Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile |trans-title=The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches |language=German |location=Friedberg, Germany |publisher=Podzun-Pallas |isbn=978-3-7909-0284-6 }} * {{Cite book |last=Foreman |first=John |year=1994 |title=Air War, 1941: From the battle of Britain to the Blitz |location=Walton on Thames |publisher=Air Research Publications |isbn=978-1-871187-22-9 }} * {{Cite book |last=Goss |first=Chris |year=2018 |title=Knights of the Battle of Britain — Luftwaffe Aircrew Awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940 |location=Yorkshire, UK |publisher=Pen and Sword Books |isbn=978-1-52672-651-3 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Heaton |first1=Colin D. |last2=Lewis |first2=Anne-Marie |last3=Olds |first3=Robin |author-link3=Robin Olds |last4=Schulze |first4=Kurt |year=2011 |title=The German Aces Speak: World War II Through the Eyes of Four of the Luftwaffe's Most Important Commanders |publisher=Voyageur Press |isbn=978-1-61059-748-7 }} * {{Cite book |last=Laureau |first=Patrick |year=2010 |title=Condor: The Luftwaffe in Spain, 1936–39 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=978-0-8117-0688-9 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Mathews |first1=Andrew Johannes |last2=Foreman |first2=John |year=2015 |title=Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L |location=Walton on Thames |publisher=Red Kite |isbn=978-1-906592-19-6 }} * {{Cite book |last=Marshall |first=Francis L. |year=2002 |title=Messerschmitt Bf 109 T "Die Jäger der Graf Zeppelin" |language=de |location=Gilching, Germany |publisher=Marshall-Verlag |isbn=978-3-00-008220-7 }} * {{Cite book |last=Mason |first=Francis |year=1969 |title=Battle Over Britain |location=London, UK |publisher=McWhirter Twins |isbn=978-0-901928-00-9 }} * {{Cite book |last=Obermaier |first=Ernst |year=1989 |title=Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 |trans-title=The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945 |language=German |location=Mainz, Germany |publisher=Verlag Dieter Hoffmann |isbn=978-3-87341-065-7 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Patzwall |first1=Klaus D. |last2=Scherzer |first2=Veit |year=2001 |title=Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II |trans-title=The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2 |language=German |location=Norderstedt, Germany |publisher=Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall |isbn=978-3-931533-45-8 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2000 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 1—Vorkriegszeit und Einsatz über Polen—1934 bis 1939 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 1—Pre-War Period and Action over Poland—1934 to 1939 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-54-0 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2001 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 2—Der "Sitzkrieg"—1.9.1939 bis 9.5.1941 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 2—The "Phoney War"—1 September 1939 to 9 May 1940 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-59-5 }} * {{Cite book |last=Scherzer |first=Veit |year=2007 |title=Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives |trans-title=The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives |language=German |location=Jena, Germany |publisher=Scherzers Militaer-Verlag |isbn=978-3-938845-17-2 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Shores |first1=Christopher |last2=Foreman |first2=John |last3=Ehrengardt |first3=Chris |year=1992 |title=Fledgling Eagles |location=London |publisher=Grub Street |isbn=978-0-948817-42-7 }} * {{Cite book |last=Spick |first=Mike |year=1996 |title=Luftwaffe Fighter Aces |location=New York |publisher=Ivy Books |isbn=978-0-8041-1696-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/luftwaffefighter00mike }} * {{Cite book |last=Stockert |first=Peter |year=2012 |orig-year=1996 |title=Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1 |trans-title=The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1 |edition=4th |language=de |location=Bad Friedrichshall, Germany |publisher=Friedrichshaller Rundblick |isbn=978-3-9802222-7-3 }} * {{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Franz |year=1997 |title=Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K |trans-title=The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1: A–K |language=German |location=Osnabrück, Germany |publisher=Biblio-Verlag |isbn=978-3-7648-2299-6 }} * {{Cite book |last=Weal |first=John |year=2012 |orig-year=1999 |title=Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer Aces of World War 2 |series=Aircraft of the Aces |volume=25 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-78200-527-8 }} * {{cite book |last=Ziefle |first=Michael |year=2013 |title=Messerschmitt Bf 110: Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges |trans-title=Messerschmitt Bf 110: The Rehabilitation of an Airplane |language=de |location=Norderstedt, Germany |publisher=Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-8482-8879-3 }} * {{wikicite |ref={{sfnRef|Hudson N7358}} |reference={{ASN accident|title=Hudson N7358|id=193114|accessdate=18 July 2022|wikibase=yes}} }} {{Refend}}
{{Subject bar | portal1=Aviation | portal2=Biography }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaldrack, Rolf}} Category:Military personnel from the Province of Pomerania Category:German World War II flying aces Category:Recipients of the Gold German Cross Category:Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Category:1913 births Category:1942 deaths Category:People from Stargard Category:Condor Legion personnel Category:Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the Soviet Union Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1942 Category:Victims of mid-air collisions