Major Erich Rudorffer KC, Oak Leaves, Swords

Erich Rudorrfer downed his first aircraft a French Hawk 75, on May 16th 1940, during the Battle of France. This was the first of an incredible 222 aerial victories achieved over 950 combat missions. Already a Knights Cross holder for 19 victories in France, Rudorffer flew the Bf109E with 2./JG2 "Richtofen" during the Battle of Britain. Seeing action throughout the war, he was master of the multiple victory, claiming 13 soviet aircraft in under twenty minutes on Nov 6 1943. Made Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG7, flying the Me 262, he scored 12 victories with the jet, and ended the war as one of the highest scoring German aces of all time.