Rudolf Frank
Birth date19 August 1920
Death date27 April 1944 (aged 23)
Birth placeKarlsruhe-Grünwinkel, Republic of Baden, Weimar Republic
Death placeHeeze, German-occupied Netherlands
Death causeKilled in action
Burial placeYsselsteyn, Netherlands
(Block Z—Row 6—Grave 149)
AllegianceNazi Germany
Service years1939–1944
RankLeutnant (posthumously)
UnitNJG 3
Battles

World War II

AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (posthumously)

Rudolf Frank (19 August 1920 – 27 April 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 45 enemy aircraft shot down in 183 combat missions. All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in nocturnal Defense of the Reich missions against the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command.

Born in Karlsruhe-Grünwinkel, Frank volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1939 after finishing school. Following flight training, he was posted to Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3—3rd Night Fighter Wing) in 1941. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 6 April 1944 following his 42nd aerial victory. Three weeks later, on 27 April 1944, he and his crew attacked an Avro Lancaster, which exploded and fatally damaged their own aircraft. Frank ordered his crew to bail out but was unable to save himself. He received posthumous promotion to Leutnant (second lieutenant) and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Early life and career

Frank was born on 19 August 1920 in Karlsruhe-Grünwinkel in what was the Republic of Baden of the Weimar Republic; Grünwinkel is now a borough located in the southwest suburbs of Karlsruhe. Frank was the older of two sons of a shoemaker. He attended the Volksschule (elementary school) in Grünwinkel from 1926 to 1930, when he was enrolled in the Realgymnasium—a secondary school built on the mid-level Realschule—where he attained his Mittlere Reife (school leaving certificate) in 1939.[1]

Even as a boy, Frank had wanted to become a pilot. World War II had begun on 1 September 1939 and he volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe. Following his basic military training, he took flying instruction at the pilot school in Zeltweg. Here he qualified to fly the Bücker Bü 131, Bü 133 and Bü 181, the Klemm Kl 35, the Arado Ar 66, Ar 68 and Ar 96, the Focke-Wulf Fw 58, and the Junkers W 34 and Junkers Ju 52.["Note" 1] In October 1940 he transferred to Nachtjagdschule 1 (1st Night Fighter School) at Schleißheim near Munich, formerly the Zerstörerschule 1 (ZS 1—1st Destroyer School). There he specialized as a night fighter pilot in the 2nd Squadron under the command of Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Günther Specht. [2]

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Following the 1939 aerial Battle of the Heligoland Bight, Royal Air Force (RAF) attacks shifted to the cover of darkness, initiating the Defence of the Reich campaign.[3] By mid-1940, Generalmajor (Brigadier General) Josef Kammhuber had established a night air defense system dubbed the Kammhuber Line. It consisted of a series of control sectors equipped with radars and searchlights and an associated night fighter. Each sector named a Himmelbett (canopy bed) would direct the night fighter into visual range with target bombers. In 1941, the Luftwaffe started equipping night fighters with airborne radar such as the Lichtenstein radar. This airborne radar did not come into general use until early 1942.[4]

Frank was posted to the 1. Ergänzungsstaffel (1st Supplemental Training Squadron) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3—3rd Night Fighter Wing) on 5 February 1941.[Note 1] The unit was stationed at Stuttgart-Echterdingen (now Stuttgart Airport). Initially he flew with radio operator (Bordfunker) Gefreiter (Private) Willimowski before Hans-Georg Schierholz was assigned as his permanent radio operator. Frank and Schierholz had already formed a crew at the Nachtjagdschule 1 at Schleißheim. The two were then assigned to 1. Staffel (1st Squadron) of NJG 3 stationed at Vechta. 1. Staffel was under the command of Staffelkapitän Oberleutnant Walter Milius. This unit was equipped with the C-variant of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter. [5] Both Frank and Schierholz were promoted to the rank of Gefreiter on 1 March 1941.[6]

Night fighter pilot

Frank and Schierholz flew Bf 110 C-4 "L1+GH" on their first operational combat mission on 9 May 1941, without success. They flew their second mission on 12 May and another nine missions before claiming their first aerial victory during the night of 3/4 July. The mission started at 22:45 from Oldenburg and intercepted a Royal Air Force (RAF) Vickers Wellington at 00:54, which crashed 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) north of Grafeld/Oldenburg. For this achievement, Frank and Schierholz were awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse). On 15 July, they claimed their second victory, a Handley Page Halifax that they shot down at 01:05 northwest of Meppen. The victory was, however, credited to the anti-aircraft artillery. [7]

By 13 August 1941, Frank had flown 20 night fighter missions. For this achievement, he was awarded the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Night Fighters in Bronze (Frontflugspange für Nachtjäger in Bronze) and was promoted to Unteroffizier (sergeant). He was credited with his second victory on 15 September 1941, a Wellington shot down at 23:30 northwest of Meppen. This was also his last claim in 1941. He achieved his third victory, a Handley Page Hampden he shot down at 21:03 on 21 January 1942 near Berge in northeast Lingen. Five days later he claimed an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk V, shot down at 20:36 west of Quakenbrück. [7]

Frank was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse) on 15 April 1942 and two months later, on 18 June 1942, the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Night Fighters in Silver (Frontflugspange für Nachtjäger in Silber). On 30 June 1942 at 01:29, he and Schierholz took off from Vechta on their 64th combat mission. While attacking a British bomber, either a Wellington or Halifax, their aircraft was hit by the defensive fire from the tail gun position at 02:40. With both radiators destroyed, they bailed out from their aircraft.[8]

Frank's Gruppe (group) relocated to Rheine in Westphalia on 28 July 1942, when he flew further missions with Dornier Do 217 J "D5+G5", a night fighter variant of the Do 217. He claimed a Wellington shot down at 02:05 on 14 September 1942; it crashed in the vicinity of Osnabrück, and was his only victory while flying a Do 217. On this mission, the Dornier suffered engine problems and Frank made a forced landing at Bad Zwischenahn, damaging the aircraft. He ended the year 1942 with seven confirmed victories to his credit.[9]

The first victory Frank claimed in 1943 occurred on 3 March. Again flying a Bf 110, he shot down a Short Stirling south of Delmenhorst. Contact with three other enemy bombers did not lead to any victories. Frank flew further missions in Do 217 "D5+LK" on a target practice mission on 9 April 1943. The right landing gear collapsed during the landing, causing 10% damage to the aircraft. Three days later he made an error during the landing approach, crashing Do 217 "D5+IK" and causing 30% damage. Frank avoided an official reprimand for either crash.[9]

On 1 April 1943, Frank and Schierholz were transferred to the 2. Staffel of NJG 3, which was located at Wittmundhafen. Here they underwent conversion training to the Junkers Ju 88 C-6, which was designed for long-distance night fighter operations.[10] While Frank was training, his old unit was relocated to Gilze-Rijen in the Netherlands. His unit also received the newer G-version of the Bf 110; these were equipped with SN-2 Lichtenstein radar. When Frank and Schierholz returned from conversion training, they were assigned Bf 110 G-4 "D5+CH" to fly as their personal aircraft. They claimed a Lancaster(ED810) near Antwerp on 15 June 1943. Two days later, on 17 June, they intercepted and shot down three more Lancasters from a force returning from a mission against Cologne. The three Lancasters came down within 41 minutes of each other over the Scheldt Estuary.[11]

Frank claimed his 13th victory, a Wellington, on 22 June. While attempting another attack, both radiators were shot out and the crew was again forced to bail out. On 4 July they shot down a Halifax bomber north of Antwerp; this was his 14th victory overall.[12] The unit relocated to Juvincourt, France, on 16 July 1943, Frank was awarded the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 9 August 1943. Now flying Ju 88 C-6 "D5+EK", again from Wittmundhafen, he claimed three aircraft shot down on 24 August 1944, but only received credit for the Short Stirling shot down at 00:47 over Berlin. Following his 110th operational mission, he was awarded the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Night Fighters in Gold (Frontflugspange für Nachtjäger in Gold) on 18 August 1943.[13]

Around this time in 1943, the two-man Bf 110 crew was augmented by a third member, sometimes referred to as Bordmechaniker (air mechanic) or Bordschütze (air gunner). On 31 August, Frank shot down two British bombers, a Halifax northwest of Venlo and a Lancaster east of Diepholz, during separate combat missions. On 2 September, his aircraft was hit in the right engine by enemy fire and he was forced to belly-land the Ju 88 "D5+DK" at Wilhelmshaven, suffering 20% damage to the aircraft. He claimed his 20th victory on the night of 23/24 September 1943. He added two more victories and on 17 October 1943 received the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold).[14] The next day his aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft artillery and Frank was forced to make a landing at Vechta on one engine. He was posted to the 3. Staffel on 14 December and ended the year with 26 aerial victories to his credit.[15] A British intruder night-fighter shot Frank and his crew down over Berlin in a Junkers Ju 88 C-6, "D5+HP", on 24 December 1943, but they all managed to bail out unharmed.[16]

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Frank claimed his first victories of 1944, a Lancaster and a Wellington, on 21 January 1944 near Magdeburg. Having been promoted to Feldwebel (staff sergeant), Frank was assigned to the Stab (headquarters unit) of NJG 3, under the command of Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Helmut Lent. Frank's previous 6. Staffel had been transferred to Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing), where it continued operations under the designation of 12. Staffel.[16]

On 20 February 1944, between 01:53 to 05:04, Frank became an "ace-in-a-day", shooting down five Lancaster bombers on their way to attack Leipzig. He was sent on a mission against intruding de Havilland Mosquito night-fighters on 7 March, but did not achieve any victories. He claimed his next victories on 22 March, a Lancaster shot down near Osnabrück and a Halifax near Gütersloh. On the same mission, while attacking a third bomber, his Messerschmitt Bf 110 "D5+BL" was damaged. An incendiary bomb, probably released by the bomber, penetrated the right wing and damaged the engine. Frank managed to bring the aircraft down at Gießen.[16]

Three more bombers shot down on 25 March took Frank's total to 39 aerial victories. The Luftwaffe had its most successful night of the war on 30 March 1944. The entire night-fighter force was credited with the destruction of 132 enemy aircraft that night; Frank, who was credited with a further three bombers, brought his total to 42.[17] For this achievement Oberfeldwebel (Senior Staff Sergeant) Frank was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 6 April 1944. The presentation was made by Generalleutnant Joseph Schmid, commander of the I. Jagdkorps, at his headquarters in Braunschweig-Waggum on 10 April 1944. Frank then went on a short vacation at home with his wife Lisa, a Luftwaffenhelferin (female air force helper).[18]

Following his vacation, Frank claimed two victories on 23 April 1944, a Halifax shot down at 02:11 north of Geldern and, later that day, a Short Stirling at 23:47 over Lolland. The Stirling was on a minelaying operation.[19]["Note" 2]

Death and posthumous honors

Frank was assigned Junkers Ju 88 (Werknummer 751 095—factory number) on 17 April 1944. He never flew this aircraft operationally. Ten days later, on the night of 26/27 April, he and his crew of radio operator Oberfeldwebel Schierholz and air mechanic Feldwebel Heinz Schneider took off in Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 "D5+CL" (Werknummer 720074) from Vechta. The mission was to intercept incoming bombers heading for the Ruhr Area.[20]

The crew spotted and attacked an Avro Lancaster bomber over the vicinity of Eindhoven in the Netherlands. The bomber, severely hit by cannon fire at 01:58, exploded and became Frank's 45th and last aerial victory. Pilot Officer George Edwin Nicholls and his crew were killed. Debris from the Lancaster tore off the Messerschmitt's right wing and Frank lost control of the aircraft. He gave the order to bail out. Schierholz and Schneider parachuted to safety but Frank failed to get out in time. He was killed when the Bf 110 crashed at Heeze, 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) southeast of Eindhoven.[20]

Frank was buried at the German War Cemetery Ysselsteyn (Block Z—Row 6—Grave 149) at Venray.[21] The funeral was attended by his parents, his crew Schierholz and Schneider, his Gruppenkommandeur Hauptmann Werner Husemann, the fighter operations leader for the Holland and Ruhr area Generalleutnant Walter Grabmann, and Generalmajor Ernst Exss, the airfield sector commander.[20]

On 20 July 1944, Frank was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), the 531st soldier or officer of the Wehrmacht to receive this award. On 27 April Lent submitted a request to the I. Jagdkorps, recommending Frank for a promotion to Leutnant (second lieutenant). The commander of the 2nd Fighter Division Generalmajor Max Ibel as well as Schmid were supportive of the request. Frank was posthumously promoted Leutnant, backdated to 1 April 1944.[22][14]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to Spick, Frank was credited with 45 aerial victories claimed in 183 combat missions.[23] Aders and Obermaier also lists him with 45 aerial victories claimed in 183 combat missions.[24][25][Note 2] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 43 aerial victories, plus two further unconfirmed claims. All of his aerial victories were claimed in nocturnal combat on the Western Front.[26]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ GR-2". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 by 4 km (1.9 by 2.5 mi) in size.[27]

Chronicle of aerial victories[28]
ClaimDateTimeTypeLocationUnitSerial No./Squadron No.
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-4 L1+GH –
1? ?["Note" 3]4 July 194100:36?["Note" 4]Vickers Wellington10 km (6.2 mi) north of Grafeld/Oldenburg[29]1./NJG 3
—

["Note" 5]

15 July 194101:05Handley Page Halifaxnorthwest of Meppen1./NJG 3
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 D-3 L1+DH –
2?[Note 3]15 September 194123:30Vickers Wellingtonnorthwest of Meppen[30]1./NJG 3Wellington R1015/KX-L No. 311 Squadron RAF[31]
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 E-2 D5+EH –
321 January 194221:03Handley Page Hampdennear Berge (northeast Lingen)[32]1./NJG 3
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 E-2 D5+HH –
426 January 194220:36Armstrong Whitworth Whitleywest of Quakenbrück[32]1./NJG 3
53 July 194201:26?["Note" 6]Vickers Wellington5 km (3.1 mi) north of Cloppenburg[33]1./NJG 3Wellington R1617/ PM-T No. 103 Squadron RAF[34]
63 July 194202:31?["Note" 7]Vickers Wellington20 km (12 mi) southwest of Vechta[33]1./NJG 3Wellington Z1381/UV-H No. 460 Squadron RAAF[35]
– Dornier Do 217 J D5+GH –
714 September 194203:10?["Note" 8]Vickers Wellington10 km (6.2 mi) east of Lingen
10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Hardenberg[36]		1./NJG 3
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-2 D5+BH –
83 March 194322:10?["Note" 9]Short Stirlingsouth of Delmenhorst[37]1./NJG 3
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 D5+CH –
915 June 194300:53?["Note" 10]Avro Lancaster IIIAntwerp
8 km (5.0 mi) north of Antwerp[38]		2./NJG 1Lancaster ED810/VN-Z No. 50 Squadron RAF[39]
1017 June 194300:45?["Note" 11]Avro LancasterScheldt Estuary
Lier[38]		2./NJG 1Lancaster ED840/GT- No. 156 Squadron RAF[40]
1117 June 194301:00?["Note" 12]Avro LancasterScheldt Estuary
Moorleghem[38]		2./NJG 1Lancaster ED553/HW-R No. 100 Squadron RAF[41]
1217 June 194301:46?["Note" 13]Avro LancasterScheldt Estuary
northeast of Breskens[42]		2./NJG 1
1322 June 194301:24Vickers Wellington20 km (12 mi) east of Antwerp
Gramersweil[42]		2./NJG 1Wellington HE347/SM-F No. 305 Polish Bomber Squadron[43]
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 D5+BH –
144 July 194301:06Handley Page Halifaxnorth of Antwerp
Huissen[44]		2./NJG 1Halifax JD159/VR-Y No. 419 Bomber Squadron RCAF[45]
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+EK –
1524 August 194301:05?["Note" 14]Short StirlingBerlin
northwest of Berlin[46]		2./NJG 3
1631 August 194303:43Handley Page Halifaxnorthwest of Venlo
Mönchengladbach[47]		2./NJG 3
1731 August 194323:28Avro Lancastereast of Diepholz[48]2./NJG 3
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+DK –
186 September 194300:50?["Note" 15]Handley Page HalifaxSaargebiet
south-southeast of Mannheim[49]		2./NJG 3Stirling EE964/ZO-F No. 196 Squadron RAF[50]
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+LK –
1922 September 194322:39?["Note" 16]Handley Page HalifaxHanover[51]2./NJG 3
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+KK –
2023 September 194323:42Avro LancasterMannheim[51]2./NJG 3Lancaster JA977/SR-J No. 101 Squadron RAF[52]
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+LK –
213 October 194321:56Handley Page Halifaxnorthwest of Bad Zwischenahn
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Oldenburg[53]		2./NJG 3
228 October 194300:32?["Note" 17]Vickers Wellington30 km (19 mi) north of Norderney[54]2./NJG 3
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+IK –
2318 November 194323:11?["Note" 18]Avro Lancastereast of Lingen[55]2./NJG 3
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+AK –
24?[Note 4]26 November 194322:22Avro Lancasterwest of Quakenbrück
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+IK –
25?[Note 4]26 November 194323:30Avro Lancastereast of Papenburg
2616 December 194319:15?["Note" 19]Avro Lancastereast of Dümmer See[56]6./NJG 3Lancaster ED411/AS-H2 No. 166 Squadron RAF[57]
– Junkers Ju 88 C-6 D5+IP –
2721 January 194422:59?["Note" 20]Avro LancasterMagdeburg[58]6./NJG 3Halifax LL176/ZL-Q No. 427 Squadron RCAF[59]
2821 January 194423:04?["Note" 21]Vickers WellingtonMagdeburg[58]6./NJG 3
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 D5+HL –
2915 February 194420:40?["Note" 22]Four-engined bombersouth of Wismar
northeast of Lüneburg[58]		3./NJG 3
30♠20 February 194402:38?["Note" 23]Handley Page Halifax?[Note 5]northwest of Delmenhorst[60]3./NJG 3
31♠20 February 194402:50?["Note" 24]Four-engined bomber?[Note 6]south of Bremen[60]3./NJG 3
32♠20 February 194403:04?["Note" 25]Avro Lancastereast of Celle[61]3./NJG 3Lancaster JB745/PM-I No. 103 Squadron RAF[62]
33♠20 February 194404:33Avro Lancasterwest of Vechta[63]3./NJG 3Lancaster DV267/SR-K No. 101 Squadron RAF[64]
34♠20 February 194405:22?["Note" 26]Avro Lancasternorth of Meppen[63]3./NJG 3Halifax LW367/EY-L No. 78 Squadron RAF[65]
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 D5+BL –
3522 March 194421:18?["Note" 27]Four-engined bomber?[Note 7]north of Osnabrück
PQ GR-2[66]		3./NJG 3
3622 March 194421:40?["Note" 28]Four-engined bomber?[Note 8]west of Gütersloh[66]3./NJG 3
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 D5+CL –
3725 March 194400:19?["Note" 29]Four-engined bomber?[Note 9]northwest of Essen in Oldenburg
south of Meppen[67]		3./NJG 3
3825 March 194400:24?["Note" 30]Four-engined bomber?[Note 10]north of Quakenbrück
15 km (9.3 mi) from Meppen[67]		3./NJG 3
3925 March 194400:42?["Note" 31]Four-engined bombersouth of Papenburg
10 km (6.2 mi) north of Almelo[67]		3./NJG 3
4031 March 194400:24?["Note" 32]Four-engined bomber?[Note 11]west of Vogelsberg
Alsfeld[68]		3./NJG 3
4131 March 194400:35?["Note" 33]Four-engined bomber?[Note 12]north of Fulda
Vogelsberg[69]		3./NJG 3
4231 March 194400:54?["Note" 34]Four-engined bomber?[69][Note 13]Rhön3./NJG 3
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 D5+PL –
4323 April 194401:55?["Note" 35]Avro Lancaster?[Note 14]north of Geldern
10–30 km (6.2–18.6 mi) northwest of Venlo[70]		3./NJG 3Lancaster MZ578/MP-I No. 76 Squadron RAF[71]
– Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 D5+CL –
4423 April 194423:22?["Note" 36]Four-engined bomber?[Note 15]Isle Lolland[70]3./NJG 3
4527 April 194401:55?["Note" 37]Handley Page Halifax?[Note 16]east of Eindhoven
PQ LM[72]		3./NJG 3

Awards and decorations

Notes

  1. ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations. For pilots destined to fly multi-engine aircraft, the training was completed with the Luftwaffe Advanced Pilot's Certificate (Erweiterter Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein), also known as the C-Certificate.[79]
  2. ^ The story and fate of No. 76 Squadron Halifax MZ578/MP-I is described by the former crew-member, Tom Wingham, in his book "Halifax Down!: On the Run from the Gestapo, 1944".
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[80]
  4. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 00:54.[28]
  5. ^ This claim is not listed by Foreman, Parry and Mathews.[81]
  6. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 01:45.[28]
  7. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 02:13.[28]
  8. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 03:42.[28]
  9. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 22:22.[28]
  10. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 01:24.[28]
  11. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 00:58.[28]
  12. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 01:18.[28]
  13. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 01:39.[28]
  14. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 00:47.[28]
  15. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 00:14.[28]
  16. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 23:35.[28]
  17. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 00:16.[28]
  18. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 23:12.[28]
  19. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 21:49.[28]
  20. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 22:57.[28]
  21. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 23:19.[28]
  22. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 19:58.[28]
  23. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster at 01:53.[28]
  24. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster at 02:21.[28]
  25. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 02:48.[28]
  26. ^ According to Schumann at 05:04.[28]
  27. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster at 21:38.[28]
  28. ^ According to Schumann claimed over a Handley Page Halifax at 21:54.[28]
  29. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster at 00:22.[28]
  30. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster at 00:39.[28]
  31. ^ According to Schumann claimed at 01:04.[28]
  32. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster at 00:01.[28]
  33. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster at 00:18.[28]
  34. ^ According to Schumann claimed over a Handley Page Halifax at 00:57.[28]
  35. ^ According to Schumann claimed over a Handley Page Halifax III at 02:11.[28]
  36. ^ According to Schumann claimed over a Handley Page Halifax III at 23:30.[28]
  37. ^ According to Schumann claimed over an Avro Lancaster III at 01:58.[28]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 2.
  2. ^ Schumann 2014, pp. 2–5.
  3. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 9.
  4. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 27.
  5. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 6.
  6. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 8.
  7. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 9.
  8. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 11.
  9. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 13.
  10. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 15.
  11. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 16.
  12. ^ Schumann 2014, pp. 16–17.
  13. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 17.
  14. ^ Stockert 2012, p. 111.
  15. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 18.
  16. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 19.
  17. ^ Schumann 2014, pp. 19, 21.
  18. ^ Schumann 2014, pp. 21–22.
  19. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 23.
  20. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 32.
  21. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 42.
  22. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 40.
  23. ^ Spick 1996, p. 244.
  24. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 68.
  25. ^ Aders 1978, p. 234.
  26. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 330–331.
  27. ^ Planquadrat.
  28. ^ Schumann 2014, p. 43.
  29. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 24.
  30. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 30.
  31. ^ Wellington R1015.
  32. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 34.
  33. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 49.
  34. ^ Wellington R1617.
  35. ^ Wellington Z1381.
  36. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 58.
  37. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 68.
  38. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 86.
  39. ^ Chorley 1996, p. 186.
  40. ^ Lancaster ED840.
  41. ^ Lancaster ED553.
  42. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 87.
  43. ^ Wellington HE347.
  44. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 92.
  45. ^ Halifax JD159.
  46. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 106.
  47. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 108.
  48. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 109.
  49. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 111.
  50. ^ Stirling EE964.
  51. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 115.
  52. ^ Lancaster JA977.
  53. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 118.
  54. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 120.
  55. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 129.
  56. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 132.
  57. ^ Lancaster ED411.
  58. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 143.
  59. ^ Halifax LL176.
  60. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 148.
  61. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 149.
  62. ^ Lancaster JB745.
  63. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 150.
  64. ^ Lancaster DV267.
  65. ^ Halifax LW367.
  66. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 156.
  67. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 159.
  68. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 160.
  69. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 161.
  70. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 169.
  71. ^ Chorley 1997, p. 179.
  72. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, p. 170.
  73. ^ Schumann 2014, p. ii.
  74. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 79.
  75. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 119.
  76. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 315.
  77. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 184.
  78. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 85.
  79. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  80. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 330.
  81. ^ Foreman, Parry & Mathews 2004, pp. 25, 130.

Bibliography

  • Aders, Gebhard (1978). History of the German Night Fighter Force, 1917–1945. London: Janes. ISBN 978-0-354-01247-8.
  • Bergström, Christer; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
  • Bergström, Christer. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  • Chorley, W. R. (1996). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Aircraft and crew losses: 1943. Leicester: Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-904597-90-5.
  • Chorley, W. R. (1997). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Aircraft and crew losses: 1944. Leicester: Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-904597-91-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000 [1986]). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [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] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Foreman, John; Parry, Simon; Mathews, Johannes (2004). Luftwaffe Night Fighter Claims 1939–1945. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-0-9538061-4-0.
  • Hinchliffe, Peter (1999). Schnaufer: Ace of Diamonds. Brimscombe Port, UK: Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-1690-8.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes & Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-18-9.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. & Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). 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 [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] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Schumann, Ralf (2014). Ritterkreuzträger Profile Nr. 13 Rudolf Frank — Eichenlaubträger der Nachtjagd [Knight's Cross Profiles Nr. 13 Rudolf Frank — Oak Leaves Bearer of the Night Fighter Force] (in German). UNITEC-Medienvertrieb. OCLC 883388135. ASIN B00JQ4TPDO.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.
  • Stockert, Peter (2012). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 6 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 6] (in German). 3rd ed. Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. OCLC 76072662

Further reading

  • Cooper, Anthony (2016). RAAF Bombers: Over Germany 1941–42. Kenthurst, N.S.W: Rosenberg Publishing. ISBN 978-1-925078-93-0.
  • Wingham, Tom (2009). Halifax Down!: On the Run from the Gestapo, 1944. London: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-906502-39-3.
  1. ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations, see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  2. ^ For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces.
  3. ^ unconfirmed
  4. ^ not listed
  5. ^ 20 February 1944@02:38
  6. ^ 20 February 1944@02:50
  7. ^ 22 March 1944@21:18
  8. ^ 22 March 1944@21:40
  9. ^ 25 March 1944@00:19
  10. ^ 25 March 1944@00:24
  11. ^ 31 March 1944@00:24
  12. ^ 31 March 1944@00:35
  13. ^ 31 March 1944@00:54
  14. ^ 23 April 1944@01:55
  15. ^ 23 April 1944@23:22
  16. ^ 27 April 1944@01:55