Rudolf Smola

Updated on Jan 28, 2024

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Allegiance Nazi Germany Name Rudolf Smola Rank Hauptmann		Years of service 1939–45 Died March 27, 1945 Service/branch German Army, Luftwaffe
Battles/wars World War II Invasion of Poland Operation Barbarossa Crimean Offensive East Prussian Offensive Heiligenbeil Pocket Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Invasion of Poland, Operation Barbarossa Unit National Association for Gun Rights, Schlachtgeschwader 2, Schlachtgeschwader 3

Rudolf Smola (3 August 1917 – 27 March 1945) was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Luftwaffe during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career he flew 600+ missions and was credited with 17 aerial victories. Rudolf Smola was killed on 27 March 1945 after being hit by Soviet ground fire near Zinten, East Prussia, during the East Prussian Offensive.

Awards and decorations

Flugzeugfuhrerabzeichen

Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "600"

Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class

1st Class

German Cross in Gold on 31 March 1943 as Oberleutnant in the 12.(H)/Aufklarungs-Gruppe 13

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitan of the 5./Schlachtgeschwader 2

References

Rudolf Smola Wikipedia

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