Siddhesh Joshi (Editor)

Günther Radusch

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Nickname(s)
  
"Fips"

Years of service
  
1934–45 1958−71


Rank
  
Oberst

Name
  
Gunther Radusch

Gunther Radusch

Born
  
11 November 1912 Schwetz (
1912-11-11
)

Died
  
29 July 1988(1988-07-29) (aged 75) Nordstrand

Allegiance
  
Nazi Germany (to 1945)  West Germany

Service/branch
  
Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht) Luftwaffe (Bundeswehr)

Günther Radusch (11 November 1912 – 29 July 1988) was a German pilot in the Luftwaffe pilot during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Radusch is credited with 65 aerial victories. He claimed one victory during the Spanish Civil War, the remaining 64 victories were all claimed at night in over 140 combat missions, including the destruction of 57 four-engine bombers.

Contents

Günther Radusch German Air Force Gnther Radusch

Radusch, an glider pilot as a student, joined the military service of the Heer before transferring to the Luftwaffe. Radusch and nine others, among them Günther Lützow, Wolfgang Falck and Hannes Trautloft, were recommended for training at the Lipetsk fighter-pilot school in the Soviet Russia. He was sent to Spain as part of the Condor Legion in October 1936. He claimed his only aerial victory in the Spanish Civil War on 22 April 1937. Together with fellow pilot Franz Heilmayer of 2./Jagdgruppe 88 they each claimed one Polikarpov I-15 shot down, one of which was flown by Felipe del Río Crespo, a seven victory flying ace. Radusch also tested the Heinkel He 112 5-1 under combat conditions in Spain. For his services in Spain he received the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords.

Aerial victory claims

Günther Radusch wwwluftwaffe3945historianombrasesradusch4jpg

Radusch was credited with 65 aerial victories claimed in over 140 combat missions. He claimed one victory during the Spanish Civil War, the remaining 64 victories were all claimed at night and includes the destruction of 57 four-engine bombers.

Awards

  • Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords
  • Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
  • Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 19 October 1942 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur
  • German Cross in Gold on 13 February 1943 as Major in the II./NJG 3
  • Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 29 August 1943 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./NJG 3
  • 444th Oak Leaves on 6 April 1944 as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of NJG 5 on 6 April 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of NJG 5
  • References

    Günther Radusch Wikipedia