Asisbiz Rudolf 'Rudi' Sinner

Rudolf Sinner

Rudolf “Rudi” Sinner was born in 1915 in Austria. In 1936, he was serving in the Austrian Army in the horsedrawn artillery. During the invasion of Poland, he served with an anti-aircraft artillery unit before transferring to the Luftwaffe in 1940. Sinner began his aerial combat career with JG3, based on the Western front, but was then transferred to JG27 serving in North Africa. He was assigned to 2./JG27. It was with JG27 that Sinner gained his greatest successes. He claimed his first victory on 12 October 1941, when he shot down a RAF P-40 fighter near Sidi Omar.

On 4 June 1942, Sinner was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG27. On 10 June, Oberleutnant Sinner was shot down near Bir Hacheim by the British Ace, Charles Overton (5.5 confirmed, 1 probable and 0.5 damaged victories), flying a Spitfire Vb fighter of 145 Squadron RAF. Then, on 24 June, Sinner’s aircraft was hit in the engine during combat with RAF Hurricane fighters and he was forced to make a forced-landing. On 10 July, he shot down a Hurricane fighter with only one of his 7.92mm MG17 machine-guns functioning. Sinner recorded his 10th victory on 13 July and his 20th on 24 July. On 31 August, Sinner shot down a Hurricane near Alam el Haifa. His victim was South African Ace, John “Harry” Gaynor (5.5 destroyed and 6 damaged victories) of 1 Sqn, SAAF, who crash-landed unhurt. He claimed his 30th victory on 3 September. In June 1943, Hauptmann Sinner was appointed Gruppenkommandeur IV./JG27 then based at Kalamaki, Greece. However, his stay with the unit was destined to brief.

On 30 July 1943, Sinner was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of IV./JG54, based on the Russian front, taking over from Hauptmann Erich Rudorffer (224 victories, RK-S). Sinner led the Gruppe until 10 February 1944. He added three further victories to his victory total during his time with the unit. In March 1944, Hauptmann Sinner became Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG54 located on the Western front. On 6 March 1944, Sinner shot down a USAAF B-17 four-engine bomber for his 36th victory. However, his aircraft was hit by the bombers’ defensive fire and Sinner was badly wounded. He successfully baled out of his stricken Bf-109G-6 (W.Nr. 410557) ‘2’. By 12 June 1944, Sinner was again serving with JG27, based on the Invasion front in France, in command of I.Gruppe. He was to lead the Gruppe until 1 August 1944. On 1 January 1945, Major Sinner was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG7 flying Me 262 jet fighters. At this time his victory total stood at 36, including 32 victories achieved over North Africa.

Sinner was to add three confirmed victories to his tally flying the jet, including two USAAF B-24 four-engine bombers near Rathenow on 3 March. On 4 April, Sinner led seven other Me-262s off from Rechlin. Emerging from the clouds shortly after take-off, the flight was bounced by P-51 fighters of the 339th Fighter Group, USAAF. In the ensuing combat ‘Rudi’ Sinner’s aircraft was hit. With his face and hands badly burned, he baled out at low level. His parachute deployed at the last moment, but did not completely fill, and he was hanging by just the left strap when he hit the ground heavily in a ploughed field and dragged into a barbed wire fence. He reported that the P-51s then attempted to strafe him, but he feigned death and, as the P-51 fighters departed, he made his way to the safety of a deep furrow. Sinner’s wounds were serious enough to keep him out of the rest of war.

Rudolf Sinner was credited with 39 victories in 305 missions. 36 of his victories were achieved over the Western front, including three four-engine bombers and three flying the Me 262 jet fighter. Three victories were achieved over the Eastern front. He was shot down 12 times, baling out on three occasions, and was wounded five times.

Units: JG3, 2./JG27(7/41), Stfkpt 6./JG27(6/42), Kdr IV./JG27(6/43), Kdr IV./JG54(7/43), III./JG7, Kdr JG7(2/45 to end)

Awards: DK-G(10/27/42), EK 1 & 2, Wound Badge in Silver, Fighter Operational Clasp

Known Aircraft: BF 109F-4 'Yellow 1+-' (6/42 Africa) in 6/JG-27, Bf 109F 'Red 11' (Trop.), Bf 109G-6 WNr 410557(lost 3/6/44), Me 262A-1b 'Red 3' in JG-7, Me 262A-1b 'Green 1' (lost 4/45)

Remarks: 32 victories in the Desert. His first known Soviet victory, while Kdr of IV/JG-54, a LaGG-3 NE of Ussvyati on 11 October, 1943. 3 victories in the Me 262. 305 combat missions. Shot down with serious wounds by B-17 return fire, and bailed successfully, 6 March, 1944 in Werk# 410557 (bore the number '2', most likely Yellow or White) over Bassum, south of Bremen. At this time, he was Kdr III/JG-54. He led III/JG-54 against U.S. bombers on 6 March, 1944, the day Ralph Kracker was shot down, and was himself shot down with wounds. Commanded III/JG-54 in March, 1944. Returned to JG-27 to command I Gruppe in June, 1944. His last command was III/JG-7 in January, 1945. On 4 April, 1945, Rudi was shot down by Capt.Kirke B.Everson of 339th FG and bailed, but was too low for his chute to fully deploy, and was severely injured. Known to have also flown Me 262A-1a 'Blue 1' in March 1945. His 38th victory, flying the Me 262, a B-24 near Rathenow on 3 March, 1945. His 39th, and last victory, a P-51 SW of Berlin on 7 March, 1945. Shot down 12 times, bailing three times. Wounded five times.

Asisbiz database List of 39 aerial victories for Rudolf Sinner

Date Pilot Name Unit Enemy A/C Type Height Time Location
1. 12.10.1941 9:05 P-40 2./JG 27 Sidi Omar Tomahawk IIb (AN355) of 3 Sqn, RAAF flown by Sgt TD Parker, baled out
2. 17.12.1941 11:10 Hurricane 2./JG 27 SE Martuba Hurricane of 1 Sqn, SAAF flown by Lt MacRobert
3. 13.2.1942 9:26 Hurricane 2./JG 27 ESE Tobruk -
4. 23.2.1942 13:23 P-40 2./JG 27 SE Umm-er-Rzem Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF flown by F/O CKT Thompson
5. 23.2.1942 13:25 P-40 2./JG 27 SE Umm-er-Rzem Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt KM McBride, crash-landed, DOW
6. 30.5.1942 14:05 P-40 Stab I./JG 27 Bir-el-Harmat -
7. 24.6.1942 10:00 Hurricane 6./JG 27 20 km S Bir el Tholata Hurricane of 33 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O Ingelsby
8. 26.6.1942 18:40 Hurricane 6./JG 27 SE Marsa Matruh -
9. 10.7.1942 6:15 Hurricane 6./JG 27 SW El Alamein Hurricane of 274 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Craggs
10. 13.7.1942 12:25 P-40 6./JG 27 ENE El Dakar -
11. 17.7.1942 6:37 Spitfire 6./JG 27 El Dakar Spitfire of 145 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Rostart
12. 17.7.1942 13:22 Hurricane 6./JG 27 Haggag-el-Quasaba -
13. 17.7.1942 13:27 Hurricane 6./JG 27 S Haggag-el-Quasaba -
14. 19.7.1942 9:15 Hurricane 6./JG 27 Bir el Themta Hurricane of 127 or 238 Sqn, RAF
15. 19.7.1942 9:19 Hurricane 6./JG 27 S El Alamein Hurricane of 127 or 238 Sqn, RAF
16. 20.7.1942 11:19 Hurricane 6./JG 27 3 km SE Bir-el-Khasa Hurricane of 33 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Moher
17. 21.7.1942 18:09 P-40 6./JG 27 N Bir-el-Harmat -
18. 21.7.1942 18:16 Hurricane 6./JG 27 SW El Alamein -
19. 24.7.1942 9:40 P-40 6./JG 27 S Bir el Abd Kittyhawk of 112 Sqn, RAF or 5 Sqn, SAAF
20. 24.7.1942 17:19 Hurricane 6./JG 27 S Deir ei Raghil Hurricane of 92 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Moore, baled out, POW
21. 28.7.1942 18:25 Hurricane 6./JG 27 3 km E Deir-el-Taqa Hurricane IIa of 208 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O K Clark, killed
22. 3.8.1942 17:55 Hurricane 6./JG 27 SE El Daba Hurricane of 33 or 213 Sqn, RAF
23. 3.8.1942 18:00 Hurricane 6./JG 27 Bir Ibrahim Hurricane of 33 or 213 Sqn, RAF
24. 14.8.1942 6:30 P-40 6./JG 27 NW El Alamein Not confirmed
25. 27.8.1942 14:10 Hurricane 6./JG 27 NE Kharita Hurricane of 1 Sqn, SAAF flown by 2/Lt D de Klerk, killed
26. 31.8.1942 10:30 Hurricane 6./JG 27 Alam el Haifa Hurricane II “AX-A” of 1 SAAF Sqn flown by JH Gaynor (5.5/0/6 victories), crash-landed
27. 31.8.1942 18:30 Spitfire 6./JG 27 S Ilmayid -
28. 1.9.1942 6:59 P-40 6./JG 27 ENE Deir-el-Taqa Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF
29. 1.9.1942 7:01 P-40 6./JG 27 E Deir-el-Taqa Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF
30. 3.9.1942 14:25 P-40 6./JG 27 S El Hammam -
31. 3.9.1942 14:35 Spitfire 6./JG 27 S Bir Ibrahim -
32. 6.9.1942 17:25 P-39 6./JG 27 S Ilmayid -
33. 11.10.1943 15:08 LaGG-3 Stab IV./JG 54 NE Ussvyati -
34. 18.10.1943 10:04 P-40 Stab IV./JG 54 SE Pushkin -
35. 27.10.1943 13:45 La-5 Stab IV./JG 54 10 714 -
36. 6.3.1944 12:06 B-17 Stab III./JG 54 Essen-Vechta -
37. 26.11.1944 13:10 P-38 III./JG 7 Near Kitzbühl P-38J of 1FG, USAAF flown by Lt Julius Thomas, baled out, POW
38. 3.3.1945 - B-24 Stab III./JG 7 Near Rathenow B-24 of 448BG, USAAF
39. 3.3.1945 - B-24 Stab III./JG 7 Near Rathenow B-24 of 448BG, USAAF
? 7.3.1945 - P-51 Stab III./JG 7 not confirmed? -

Victories : 39
Awards : Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (27 October 1942)
Units : JG3, JG27, JG54, JG7
http://www.luftwaffe.cz/sinner.html

Asisbiz database list of 39 aerial victories for Rudolf Sinner

Date Pilot Name Unit EA Type Height Time Location
Sunday, November 26, 1944 Rudolf Sinner 3./JG7 P-38 Lightning 2500m 13:10 FB-6
Sunday, October 12, 1941 Rudolf Sinner 2./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 09:05 Sidi Omar
Wednesday, December 17, 1941 Rudolf Sinner 2./JG27 Hurricane II 11:10 SE Martuba
Friday, February 13, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 2./JG27 Hurricane II 09:23 ESE Tobruk
Tuesday, July 28, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 18:25 3km E Deir-el-Taqua
Monday, August 03, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 17:55 SE El-Daba
Monday, August 03, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 18:00 Bir Ibrahim
Monday, February 23, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 2./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 13:23 NE Fort Acroma
Monday, February 23, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 2./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 13:25 SE Umm-er-Rzem
Saturday, May 30, 1942 Rudolf Sinner Stab I./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 14:05 Bir-el-Hamat
Friday, August 14, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Curtiss P-46 2000m 06:30 5km NW El-Alamein
Thursday, August 27, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane 2000m 14:10 5km NE El-Kharita
Wednesday, June 24, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 10:00 20km S Bir-el-Tholata
Friday, June 26, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 18:40 SE Marsa Matruh
Friday, July 10, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane IIc 06:15 SW El-Alamein
Monday, July 13, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 12:25 ENE El-Dakar
Friday, July 17, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Spitfire 06:37 El-Dakar
Friday, July 17, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 13:22 Haggag-el-Quasaba
Friday, July 17, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 13:27 S Haggag-el-Quasaba
Sunday, July 19, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 09:15 Bir-el-Themta
Friday, July 17, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 09:19 South of El-Alamein
Monday, July 20, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 11:19 3km SE Bir-el-Khasa
Tuesday, July 21, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 18:09 North of Bir-el-Hamat
Tuesday, July 21, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 18:16 SW El-Alamein
Friday, July 24, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 09:40 South of Bir-el-Abd
Friday, July 24, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane II 17:19 South of Deir-el-Raghil
Monday, August 31, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Hurricane 2000m 10:30 3km NW Deir-el-Ragel
Monday, August 31, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Spitfire 6500m 18:30 15km S Sanyet
Tuesday, September 01, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Curtiss P-46 3500m 06:59 15km SE El-Taqa
Tuesday, September 01, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Curtiss P-46 07:01 E El-Taqa
Thursday, September 03, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 P-40 Warhawk 14:25 South of El-Hammam
Thursday, September 03, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 Spitfire 5500m 14:35 3km S Bir-Ibrahim
Sunday, September 06, 1942 Rudolf Sinner 6./JG27 U.S. Jager 17:25 South of Bir-El-Imayid
Monday, October 11, 1943 Rudolf Sinner Stab IV./JG54 LaGG-3 800m 15:08 06 263 (NE Ussvyati)
Monday, October 18, 1943 Rudolf Sinner Stab IV./JG54 P-40 Warhawk 2000m 10:04 00 441 (SE Pushkin)
Wednesday, October 27, 1943 Rudolf Sinner Stab IV./JG54 La-5 2000m 13:45 10 714
Saturday, March 03, 1945 Rudolf Sinner Stab III./JG7 B-24 Liberator - bei Rathenow
Wednesday, March 07, 1945 Rudolf Sinner 11./JG7 P-51 Mustang - SW Berlin
Monday, March 06, 1944 Rudolf Sinner Stab III./JG54 B-17 Fortress 6000m 12:06 FQ-3 to FR-2 (Essen-Vechta)

Bibliography: +

Web References: +

Wikipedia Org https://en.wikipedia.org

Date	Pilot Name	Unit	Enemy A/C Type	Height	Time	Location
1.	12.10.1941	9:05	P-40	2./JG 27	Sidi Omar	Tomahawk IIb (AN355) of 3 Sqn, RAAF flown by Sgt TD Parker, baled out
2.	17.12.1941	11:10	Hurricane	2./JG 27	SE Martuba	Hurricane of 1 Sqn, SAAF flown by Lt MacRobert
3.	13.2.1942	9:26	Hurricane	2./JG 27	ESE Tobruk	-
4.	23.2.1942	13:23	P-40	2./JG 27	SE Umm-er-Rzem	Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF flown by F/O CKT Thompson
5.	23.2.1942	13:25	P-40	2./JG 27	SE Umm-er-Rzem	Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt KM McBride, crash-landed, DOW
6.	30.5.1942	14:05	P-40	Stab I./JG 27	Bir-el-Harmat	-
7.	24.6.1942	10:00	Hurricane	6./JG 27	20 km S Bir el Tholata	Hurricane of 33 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O Ingelsby
8.	26.6.1942	18:40	Hurricane	6./JG 27	SE Marsa Matruh	-
9.	10.7.1942	6:15	Hurricane	6./JG 27	SW El Alamein	Hurricane of 274 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Craggs
10.	13.7.1942	12:25	P-40	6./JG 27	ENE El Dakar	-
11.	17.7.1942	6:37	Spitfire	6./JG 27	El Dakar	Spitfire of 145 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Rostart
12.	17.7.1942	13:22	Hurricane	6./JG 27	Haggag-el-Quasaba	-
13.	17.7.1942	13:27	Hurricane	6./JG 27	S Haggag-el-Quasaba	-
14.	19.7.1942	9:15	Hurricane	6./JG 27	Bir el Themta	Hurricane of 127 or 238 Sqn, RAF
15.	19.7.1942	9:19	Hurricane	6./JG 27	S El Alamein	Hurricane of 127 or 238 Sqn, RAF
16.	20.7.1942	11:19	Hurricane	6./JG 27	3 km SE Bir-el-Khasa	Hurricane of 33 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Moher
17.	21.7.1942	18:09	P-40	6./JG 27	N Bir-el-Harmat	-
18.	21.7.1942	18:16	Hurricane	6./JG 27	SW El Alamein	-
19.	24.7.1942	9:40	P-40	6./JG 27	S Bir el Abd	Kittyhawk of 112 Sqn, RAF or 5 Sqn, SAAF
20.	24.7.1942	17:19	Hurricane	6./JG 27	S Deir ei Raghil	Hurricane of 92 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt Moore, baled out, POW
21.	28.7.1942	18:25	Hurricane	6./JG 27	3 km E Deir-el-Taqa	Hurricane IIa of 208 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O K Clark, killed
22.	3.8.1942	17:55	Hurricane	6./JG 27	SE El Daba	Hurricane of 33 or 213 Sqn, RAF
23.	3.8.1942	18:00	Hurricane	6./JG 27	Bir Ibrahim	Hurricane of 33 or 213 Sqn, RAF
24.	14.8.1942	6:30	P-40	6./JG 27	NW El Alamein	Not confirmed
25.	27.8.1942	14:10	Hurricane	6./JG 27	NE Kharita	Hurricane of 1 Sqn, SAAF flown by 2/Lt D de Klerk, killed
26.	31.8.1942	10:30	Hurricane	6./JG 27	Alam el Haifa	Hurricane II “AX-A” of 1 SAAF Sqn flown by JH Gaynor (5.5/0/6 victories), crash-landed
27.	31.8.1942	18:30	Spitfire	6./JG 27	S Ilmayid	-
28.	1.9.1942	6:59	P-40	6./JG 27	ENE Deir-el-Taqa	Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF
29.	1.9.1942	7:01	P-40	6./JG 27	E Deir-el-Taqa	Kittyhawk of 450 Sqn, RAF
30.	3.9.1942	14:25	P-40	6./JG 27	S El Hammam	-
31.	3.9.1942	14:35	Spitfire	6./JG 27	S Bir Ibrahim	-
32.	6.9.1942	17:25	P-39	6./JG 27	S Ilmayid	-
33.	11.10.1943	15:08	LaGG-3	Stab IV./JG 54	NE Ussvyati	-
34.	18.10.1943	10:04	P-40	Stab IV./JG 54	SE Pushkin	-
35.	27.10.1943	13:45	La-5	Stab IV./JG 54	10 714	-
36.	6.3.1944	12:06	B-17	Stab III./JG 54	Essen-Vechta	-
37.	26.11.1944	13:10	P-38	III./JG 7	Near Kitzbühl	P-38J of 1FG, USAAF flown by Lt Julius Thomas, baled out, POW
38.	3.3.1945	-	B-24	Stab III./JG 7	Near Rathenow	B-24 of 448BG, USAAF
39.	3.3.1945	-	B-24	Stab III./JG 7	Near Rathenow	B-24 of 448BG, USAAF
?	7.3.1945	-	P-51	Stab III./JG 7	not confirmed?	-