Anton-Rudolf Piffer
Encyclopedia
Anton-Rudolf Piffer was a Luftwaffe
flying ace
of World War II
. Piffer was credited with 35 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western front and included 26 four-engine bombers.
. Piffer was posted to JG 1 on 3 April 1942, based in the Netherlands
. Feldwebel
Piffer was assigned to 11./JG 1. At last he was successful on 19 September, when he shot down a RAF Mosquito twin-engine photo-reconnaissance aircraft over Osnabrück
, Germany. The unit was redesignated 2./JG 1 on 1 April 1943. By the end of 1943, Oberfeldwebel Piffer added 17 victories to his tally. However, he was wounded on 18 October 1943 when his Fw 190 A-6 suffered engine and he had to conduct an emergency landing near Terwolde. He was wounded again in aerial combat with USAAF bombers and fighters on 11 November.
On 8 April 1944, Piffer shot down a USAAF B-24 four-engine bomber near Salzwedel
but was shot down himself in Fw 190 A-8 "Black 3". He was wounded again in the encounter. Piffer was promoted to the rank of Leutnant and appointed Staffelkapitän
of 1./JG 1 on 1 May 1944.
On 16 June, Piffer shot down two RAF Supermarine Spitfire
fighters over the Invasion front. On 17 June 1944, Piffer was shot down and killed in his Fw 190 A-8 "White 3" in aerial combat with P-47 fighters of the 354th Fighter Group over La Cordonniere. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
on 20 October 1944.
Piffer was credited with total 35 victories.
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Piffer was credited with 35 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western front and included 26 four-engine bombers.
Career
He joined the Luftwaffe in 1938. He failed to claim any victory during earlier days of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Piffer was posted to JG 1 on 3 April 1942, based in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Feldwebel
Feldwebel
Feldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. The word Feldwebel is usually translated as sergeant being rated OR-6 in the NATO rank comparison scale, equivalent to the British Army Sergeant and the US Army...
Piffer was assigned to 11./JG 1. At last he was successful on 19 September, when he shot down a RAF Mosquito twin-engine photo-reconnaissance aircraft over Osnabrück
Osnabrück
Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of Münster, and some 100 km due west of Hanover. It lies in a valley penned between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest...
, Germany. The unit was redesignated 2./JG 1 on 1 April 1943. By the end of 1943, Oberfeldwebel Piffer added 17 victories to his tally. However, he was wounded on 18 October 1943 when his Fw 190 A-6 suffered engine and he had to conduct an emergency landing near Terwolde. He was wounded again in aerial combat with USAAF bombers and fighters on 11 November.
On 8 April 1944, Piffer shot down a USAAF B-24 four-engine bomber near Salzwedel
Salzwedel
Salzwedel of Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, and has a population of approximately 21,500. Salzwedel is located on the German Framework Road.-Geography:...
but was shot down himself in Fw 190 A-8 "Black 3". He was wounded again in the encounter. Piffer was promoted to the rank of Leutnant and appointed Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
of 1./JG 1 on 1 May 1944.
On 16 June, Piffer shot down two RAF Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
fighters over the Invasion front. On 17 June 1944, Piffer was shot down and killed in his Fw 190 A-8 "White 3" in aerial combat with P-47 fighters of the 354th Fighter Group over La Cordonniere. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
on 20 October 1944.
Piffer was credited with total 35 victories.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der LuftwaffeEhrenpokal der LuftwaffeThe Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe was a Luftwaffe award established on February 27, 1940 by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe. It was officially known as the Ehrenpokal "für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg", or Honor Goblet "For...
(24 April 1944) - German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold (29 March 1944) - Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
on 20 October 1944 (posthumously) as Leutnant and StaffelführerStaffelkapitänStaffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
of the 1./JG 1 "Oesau"
External links
- Luftwaffe Of The Reich at www.luftwaffe-reich.co.uk
- German Aces of WWII at www.acesofww2.com
- 'Defending the Reich' The History of Jagdgeschwader 1 Eric Mombeek, 1992