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Rubensdörffer, Walter

Date of birth:
August 1st, 1910 (Basel, Switserland)
Date of death:
August 15th, 1940 (Rotherfield, England)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Cannock Chase
Plot: 9. Row: 4. Grave: 20.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
Erprobungsgruppe 210, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
August 19th, 1940
The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Rubensdörffer received the Knight’s Cross…

“Hauptmann Rubensdörffer served as a Staffelkapitän in the Polish campaign. Later, as a Gruppe commander, he and his flyers achieved great successes against ships, fortifications and airfields. His Gruppe sunk 110000 GRT worth of merchant shipping as well as 3 destroyers and 5 patrol boats. It also destroyed a large number of English aircraft. His outstanding technical knowledge enabled him to innovate new ways in which to employ the assets of the Luftwaffe. Showing great personal boldness, he also flew almost every sortie while at the head of his Gruppe and thereby gave his crews a splendid example of soldierly conduct.”

Posthumously awarded
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

  • - Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (2000)
    - Die Tapfersten

Photo