Rudolf Rademacher

Rudolf 'Rudi' Rademacher

Rudolf 'Rudi' Rademacher was born on 19 July 1913 at Lüneburg. Unteroffizier Rademacher served with 3./JG 54 on the Eastern front from 1 December 1941. He achieved his first victory on 9 January 1942 on his fifth combat mission. He was awarded the Ehrenpokal on 19 October 1942. By the end of 1942 he had claimed 22 victories. In March 1943, he was transferred to 1./JG 54, the famous “Nowotny Schwarm” led by Walter Nowotny (258 victories, RK-Br, killed in action 8 November 1944) and also including Anton Döbele (94 victories, RK, killed in action 11 November 1943) and Karl “Quax” Schnörrer (46 victories, RK). Together the pilots of the Schwarm were to total over 500 victories between them. He claimed seven enemy aircraft shot down in one day on 5 July 1943 to record his victories 39 through 45. Rademacher was promoted Oberfeldwebel whilst serving with 1./JG 54. On 30 April 1943 he was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz. On 30 August 1944 he was transferred to 1./Jagdgruppe Nord, redesignated Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 1 on 4 November 1944, based at Sagan, to undertake instructing duties. Despite his training duties Rademacher was able to engage in aerial combat and claimed five enemy aircraft shot down, including four four-engined bombers and P-47, during his stay with the unit. On 18 September 1944, during an attack on a formation of USAAF bombers, he was badly wounded when he was shot down in Fw 190 A-8 (W.Nr. 350193) “White 13”. On 30 September 1944, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz for 81 victories.

In January 1945, Leutnant Rademacher transferred to 11./JG 7 where he undertook conversion training on to the Me 262 jet fighter. The training consisted of six flights totalling 150 minutes before he was declared operational. On 1 February 1945, he gained his first victory flying the jet, a RAF Spitfire over Braunschweig. In February 1945, he scored at least seven victories according to some sources. Rademacher was to be credited with at least 16 victories, including several Herausschüsse, flying the Me 262, although sources do differ over his final tally crediting him with scores as low as eight and as high as 24. “Rudi” Rademacher survived the war only to be killed in a glider crash at Lüneburg on 13 June 1953.

Rudolf Rademacher’s final score is a matter of some conjecture. Sources claim his total to be 97, 102 and 126 in more than 500 missions. Some claim he had an additional 23 unconfirmed victories. It is thought he gained 76 victories over the Eastern front with JG 54, including 21 Il-2 Stormoviks and 7 Pe-2, and a further five whilst with JGr. Nord. To this can be added his jet victories, at least 16, including 11 four-engined bombers.

Units: 3./JG54 (12/41), 1./JG54 (3/43), 1/Erg./JG1 (8/44) aka JGr-Nord, 11./JG7 (1/45)

Awards: RK(9/30/44), DK-G(4/30/43), EP(10/19/42), EK 1 & 2, Wnd Bdg, Gldr Bdg, Fighter Oper Clasp w/Pend

Known Aircraft: Bf 109F, Fw 190A-4 'White 6' in 1/JG-54, Fw 190A-8 WNr 350193 'White 13'(lost 9/18/44), Me 262

Remarks: 10 Bombers. 8 at Sagan Germany. Over 500 missions. 90 victories in the East, 25-30 with JG-7. One of the early eastern victories, three Soviet P-40's of 158 IAP in the Lake Ladoga area on 25 February, 1942. An I-153 on 30 July, 1942. A Yak-4 on 8 September, 1942. An Il-2 on 6 November, 1942. Three LaGG-5's and an Il-2 on 15 January, 1943. Two Il-2's on 7 March, 1943. Three LaGG-3's, two La-5's, a P-39, and an Il-2 on 5 July, 1943. On 18 September, 1944, in 'White 13', during an attack on a four-engine bomber, he was shot down and seriously wounded. Two B-24's and a B-17 near Halle on 3 February, 1945. A frequent wingman for Walter Nowotny. He achieved 16 victories in the Me 262, including B-24 # 44-50838 piloted by Robt. Mains of the 448BG on 4 April, 1945. Only one of the crew survived the deadly R4M missile of the Me 262. His final score is a matter of conjecture, ranging from 97 to 126. He was killed 13 June, 1953 in the crash of a glider at Lüneburg. Photo

No Date Time A/c Type Unit Location - Comments
1. 9.1.1942 10:30 Il-2 3./JG 54  
? 25.2.1942 10:57 P-40 3./JG 54  
? 5.3.1942 16:45 P-40 3./JG 54  
? 8.3.1942 16:45 SB-2 3./JG 54  
? 13.3.1942 18:53 I-16 3./JG 54  
? 14.3.1942 10:57 I-16 3./JG 54  
? 15.3.1942 11:36 I-16 3./JG 54  
? 20.3.1942 6:40 I-16 3./JG 54  
? 5.4.1942 14:38 P-40 3./JG 54  
? 18.4.1942 7:02 I-153 3./JG 54  
? 30.4.1942 14:52 MiG-3 3./JG 54  
? 29.5.1942 20:25 Yak-1 3./JG 54  
? 10.7.1942 5:02 P-40 3./JG 54  
? 20.7.1942 15:26 Pe-2 3./JG 54  
? 6.11.1942 11:32 Il-2 3./JG 54 00 152 at 400 m
39. 5.7.1943 7:10 LaGG-3 1./JG 54 63 411 at 3000 m
40. 5.7.1943 9:52 LaGG-3 1./JG 54 63 742 at 2500 m
41. 5.7.1943 9:58 LaGG-3 1./JG 54 53 862 at 1600 m
42. 5.7.1943 15:43 Airacobra 1./JG 54 63 581 at 1500 m
43. 5.7.1943 15:50 La-5 1./JG 54 63 572 at 1000 m
44. 5.7.1943 18:42 Il-2 1./JG 54 63 693
45. 5.7.1943 18:53 La-5 1./JG 54 63 554 at 3000 m
? 7.2.1944 7:45 La-5 1./JG 54 06 733 at 4000 m
77.-81. IX.1944 - Viermot 1./JGr. Nord  
77.-81. IX.1944 - Viermot 1./JGr. Nord  
77.-81. IX.1944 - Viermot 1./JGr. Nord  
77.-81. IX.1944 - Viermot 1./JGr. Nord  
77.-81. IX.1944 - P-47 1./JGr. Nord  
82. 1.2.1945 - Spitfire 11./JG 7 Braunschweig / Possibly Tempest of 274 Sqn RAF flown by Flt Lt GJ Bruce
83. 3.2.1945 - B-24 11./JG 7  
84. 3.2.1945 - B-24 11./JG 7  
85. 9.2.1945 - B-17 11./JG 7 Berlin area
86. 9.2.1945 - B-17 11./JG 7 Berlin area
87. 14.2.1945 - B-17 11./JG 7 Lübeck-Neumünster
88. 16.2.1945 - P-51 11./JG 7 Near Hannover / P-51 of 325FG, USAAF flown by 1st Lt BT Crosby, killed
89. 24.2.1945 - B-24 11./JG 7 Possibly B-17 of 94BG, USAAF
90. 27.2.1945 - B-24 11./JG 7 Halle-Leipzig
91. 18.3.1945 11:14 B-17 11./JG 7 Salzwedel / Possibly B-17 of 100BG, USAAF
92. 19.3.1945 - P-51 11./JG 7 Near Chemnitz
93. 24.3.1945 - B-17 11./JG 7 Near Wittenberge
94. 25.3.1945 10:20 B-24 HSS 11./JG 7 W Ulzen
95. 31.3.1945 - P-51 HSS 11./JG 7  
96. 4.4.1945 - B-24 11./JG 7 S Bremen
97. 10.4.1945 - P-51 11./JG 7  

Victories : 97
Awards : Knight`s Cross
Units : JG 54, JGr. Nord, JG 7

Asisbiz database list of 95 aerial victories for Rudolf Rademacher

Date Pilot Name Unit EA Type Height Time Location
Friday, January 09, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik   10:30  
Wednesday, February 25, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 P-40 Kittyhawk   10:57  
Thursday, March 05, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 P-40 Kittyhawk   16:45  
Friday, March 13, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-16 Rata   18:53  
Saturday, March 14, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-16 Rata   10:57  
Sunday, March 15, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-16 Rata   11:36  
Friday, March 20, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-16 Rata   06:40  
Sunday, April 05, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 P-40 Kittyhawk   14:38  
Saturday, April 18, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-153   05:07  
Thursday, April 30, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 MiG-3   14:52  
Friday, May 29, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Yak-1   20:25  
Friday, July 10, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 P-40 Kittyhawk   07:05  
Monday, July 20, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Pe-2   15:26  
Thursday, July 30, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-153 10m 15:07 71 794
Wednesday, August 19, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Pe-2 1800m 18:47 ostwarts Lubroff
Friday, August 21, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-16 Rata 400m 06:35 47 562
Sunday, August 23, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-16 Rata 300m 06:25 47 594
Tuesday, August 25, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-16 Rata 150m 17:38 47 542
Wednesday, August 26, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 MiG-3 2000m 06:10 47 852
Tuesday, September 08, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Yak-4 2000m 10:37 01 811
Friday, September 11, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Pe-2 500m 07:30 00 250
Friday, November 06, 1942 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 400m 11:32 00 152
Friday, January 15, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 LaGG-5 2000m 12:47 10 251
Friday, January 15, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 LaGG-5 3500m 09:36 10 242
Friday, January 15, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 100m 13:03 00 264
Friday, January 15, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 LaGG-5 2000m 12:52 10 124
Saturday, January 16, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 12:40 00 293
Monday, January 25, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 10:17 10 144
Tuesday, January 26, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 P-40 Warhawk 1000m 13:30 10 141
Wednesday, January 27, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 LaGG-3 1500m 10:26 10 143
Wednesday, February 10, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 I-153 200m 08:46 00 283
Friday, February 19, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Pe-2 300m 15:25 10 473
Monday, February 22, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 300m 13:40 10 322
Sunday, March 07, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 14:26 18 382
Sunday, March 07, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 300m 14:13 18 354
Monday, March 15, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 1000m 07:55 18 244
Monday, March 15, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-5 1000m 10:53 18 253
Monday, March 22, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 600m 15:27 00 274
Thursday, April 01, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 400m 16:55 10 331
Thursday, April 01, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 3./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 600m 17:31 10 332
Monday, July 05, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 3000m 18:53 63 554
Monday, July 05, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 3000m 07:10 63 411
Monday, July 05, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 2500m 09:52 63 742
Monday, July 05, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 1600m 09:58 53 862
Monday, July 05, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 P-39 Aircobra 1500m 15:43 63 581
Monday, July 05, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 1000m 15:50 63 572
Monday, July 05, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik Low Level 18:42 63 693
Tuesday, July 06, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 1000m 14:07 63 711
Tuesday, July 06, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 2500m 14:25 63 583
Wednesday, July 07, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Yak-7 2000m 08:40 63 574
Wednesday, July 07, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 200m 18:11 63 734
Thursday, July 08, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 1000m 13:17 63 832
Saturday, July 10, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 P-39 Aircobra 100m 10:53 63 521
Sunday, July 11, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 P-39 Aircobra 500m 18:57 63 554
Tuesday, July 13, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 14:02 54 441
Tuesday, July 13, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 14:09 54 442
Tuesday, July 13, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 200m 14:14 54 443
Friday, July 16, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 1500m 08:16 54 312
Saturday, July 17, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-4 400m 10:42 63 394
Tuesday, July 20, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 600m 13:06 54 872
Thursday, October 14, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 LaGG-3 2000m 08:06 15 542
Thursday, November 11, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 100m 10:34 06 734
Monday, November 29, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 100m 13:16 96 664
Wednesday, December 08, 1943 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Yak-9 1500m 07:10 06 562
Monday, February 07, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 4000m 07:45 06 733
Saturday, February 12, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 10m 11:17 05 221
Thursday, February 24, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 500m 14:50 40 834
Wednesday, March 08, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 300m 16:33 60 614
Tuesday, March 21, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 20m 09:25 70 451
Sunday, March 26, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Pe-2 150m 17:34 70 691
Sunday, March 26, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Pe-2 3500m 17:28 70 484
Saturday, April 01, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 20m 15:16 88 369
Sunday, April 02, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Il-2 Sturmovik 800m 11:48 70 353
Monday, April 03, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Pe-2 3000m 17:10 66 439
Friday, May 26, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 La-5 1500m 18:47 80 315
Thursday, July 27, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Yak-9 3000m 15:54 NF-38 (SE Telshi)
Saturday, July 29, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Yak-9 1000m 19:06 ML-84
Saturday, July 29, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 Yak-9 1200m 19:09 NL-22
Sunday, August 06, 1944 Rudolf Rademacher 1./JG54 P-39 Aircobra 4500m 17:50 LK-72 (SE Bausha)
Thursday, February 01, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 Spitfire   - Braunschweig
Saturday, February 03, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-24 Liberator   - -
Saturday, February 03, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-24 Liberator   - -
Friday, February 09, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-24 Liberator   - Raum Berlin
Friday, February 09, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-24 Liberator   - Raum Berlin
Wednesday, February 14, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-17 Fortress   - Kiel
Friday, February 16, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 P-51 Mustang   - Raum Hanover
Saturday, February 24, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-24 Liberator   - E. Luneburg
Tuesday, February 27, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-17 Fortress   - Raum Halle-Leipzig
Sunday, March 18, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-17 Fortress   11:14 Raum Nauen-Rathenow-Brandenburg-Potsdam
Monday, March 19, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 P-51 Mustang   - Raum Chemnitz
Saturday, March 24, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-17 Fortress   - Raum Dessau
Sunday, March 25, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-24 HSS   10:20 Lauenburg
Saturday, March 31, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 P-51 Mustang   - -
Wednesday, April 04, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 B-17 Fortress   - S. Bremen
Tuesday, April 10, 1945 Rudolf Rademacher 11./JG7 P-51 Mustang   - -

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