Friedrich Rumpelhardt
Encyclopedia
Friedrich "Fritz" Rumpelhardt (19 June 1920 – 20 January 2011) was a highly decorated Leutnant in the Luftwaffe
during World War II
.
During his career he participated in 130 missions as a Bordfunker (radio/radar operator) with NJG 1 and NJG 4, and participated in 100 aerial victories as a crewman with Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
from October 1942 (as a Unteroffizier) until the end of the war. He was the most successful Radar Operator (in terms of confirmed victories) in the Luftwaffe Nachtjagd.
As a Leutnant he was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
in July 1944.
He was nominated for the Eichenlaub
on 8 March 1945.
In the late nineties Rumpelhardt self-published an 119 page account of his wartime experiences, "Meine Geschichte und die meiner Familie: Die Zeit des Kriegsdienstes".
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....
during 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...
.
During his career he participated in 130 missions as a Bordfunker (radio/radar operator) with NJG 1 and NJG 4, and participated in 100 aerial victories as a crewman with Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was a German Luftwaffe night fighter pilot and is the highest scoring night fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare...
from October 1942 (as a Unteroffizier) until the end of the war. He was the most successful Radar Operator (in terms of confirmed victories) in the Luftwaffe Nachtjagd.
As a Leutnant he was also a recipient of 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...
in July 1944.
He was nominated for the Eichenlaub
Oak Leaf
Oak leaf may refer to:Military* Oak leaf cluster, a U.S. military decoration* A bronze oak leaf device is also used to signify a Mention in Despatches or the award of the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in Commonwealth militaries...
on 8 March 1945.
In the late nineties Rumpelhardt self-published an 119 page account of his wartime experiences, "Meine Geschichte und die meiner Familie: Die Zeit des Kriegsdienstes".
Awards and decorations
- FlugzeugführerabzeichenAviator BadgeAn Aviator Badge is an insignia used in most of the world’s militaries to designate those who have received training and qualification in military aviation...
- Front Flying Clasp of the LuftwaffeFront Flying Clasp of the LuftwaffeThe Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe was awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with upgrade possible to include diamonds. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions obtained in a given type of aircraft...
in Gold - 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...
- Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
(1939)- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- 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 (16 April 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...
- Knight's Cross on 27 July 1944 as OberfeldwebelFeldwebelFeldwebel 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...
and Bordfunker (radio operator) in IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
- Knight's Cross on 27 July 1944 as Oberfeldwebel