Rudolf Resch
German World War II fighter pilot (1914–1943) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Rudolf Resch (7 April 1914 – 11 July 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, a fighter ace listed with 94 enemy aircraft shot down. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] He was credited with one aerial during the Spanish Civil War and further 93 on the Eastern Front of World War II.
Rudolf Resch | |
---|---|
Born | 7 April 1914 Kamenz |
Died | 11 July 1943(1943-07-11) (aged 29) Oryol |
Cause of death | Killed in action |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ | Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1934–43 |
Rank | Major (major) |
Unit | J/88, Condor Legion JG 77, JG 52, JG 51 |
Commands held | 3./JG 77, 6./JG 52, IV./JG 51 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Born in Kamenz, Resch volunteered for service with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War where he was assigned to Jagdgruppe 88 (J/88—88th Fighter Group). Following service in Spain, Resch was posted to Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) and became a Staffelkapitän (squadron leader). Serving in the Battle of France and Battle of Britain, he was then transferred to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing). He claimed his first aerial victory of World War II on 22 June 1941, the day German forces launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. On 6 September 1942, Resch was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after 58 aerial victories claimed in World War II.
Resch was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Gruppe (4th group) of Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) on 1 March 1943. He was killed in action on 11 July 1943, when he was shot down near Oryol during the Battle of Kursk.