Rudolf Wagner (pilot)

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Leutnant

Rudolf Wagner
Born(1921-10-29)29 October 1921
Essingen (Württemberg), Germany
Died11 December 1943(1943-12-11) (aged 22)
Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine
Buried
Missing in action
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Years of service1941–1943
RankLeutnant
UnitJG 51
Commands held10./JG 51
Battles/wars
World War II
Awards

Lt. Rudolf Wagner (October 29, 1921 – December 11, 1943) was a former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Rudolf Wagner was credited with 81 arial victories all over the Eastern Front (World War II). He was missing in action over Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine, in 1943 during WWII.

Career[]

Wagner scored many of his victories while piloting his Messerschmitt Bf 109[N 1]

Wagner entered the military on May 11, 1941 as an Oberfeldwebel. When he completed his training he was assigned to o IV./JG 51 - Jagdgeschwader 51.[1] In early 1942 and he served as Otto Gaiser's wingman.[2] Wagner scored 81 aerial victories most of then while he was piloting a Messerschmitt Bf 109; he also may have recorded kills while flying a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in 1943.[3]

Wagner was missing in action in 1943 over Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine.[2][4] He is regularly mentioned among the best Ace pilots.[by whom?][5] Wagner is still considered missing in action.[1]

Awards[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b deZeng IV, Henry L.; Stankey, Douglas G. "Career Summaries - Luftwaffe Officers 1935 - 1945" (PDF). ww2.dk. Michael Holm. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Page, Neil (2020). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1943-1945. United Kingdom: Casemate Publishers. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-61200-879-0. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  3. ^ Weal, John (24 April 2007). More BF 109 aces of the Russian front. United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing. p. 62. ISBN 9781846031779. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Wagner, Rudolf". Traces of War. Traces of War. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Best fighter pilots of all time". Mig Flug. MiGFlug. October 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2021.

Notes[]

  1. ^ It is not known how many different aircraft Wagner flew while accumulating his 81 kills, his unit was known for flying the Bf 109. The Luftwaffe also used the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 aircraft over the eastern front by 1943.

Bibliography[]

  • 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.
  • 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 Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
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