Walter Krupinski

Shortly after the outbreak of war Walter “Graf Punski” Krupinski secured a place at the Luftkreigsakademie at Berlin-Gatow where he underwent basic military and flying training, after which he was transferred to 6./JG 52. He flew combat missions over France and England, but gained his first victory after being transferrd to the Eastern front. Leutnant Krupinski was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 29 October 1942 after 56 victories. He spent three months as a fighter instructor in France, and returned to Russia in March 1943. In May, he was appointed Staffelkapitän of 7./JG 52. In August, he recorded 27 enemy aircraft shot down, including his 100th victory on 18 August. Krupinski left JG 52 and Russia on 18 April 1944, with his victory total at 177, to return to Germany and take up command of 1./JG 5 and later transferred again, this time as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG11. He was wounded on 12 August when the motor of his Bf 109 exploded. He suffered burns to his hands and face requiring hospitalisation. Following recovery in hospital, Hauptmann Krupinski was posted to take command of III./JG 26 on 27 September 1944. Krupinski joined Adolf Galland’s “squadron of experts” in JV44 and achieved at least two victories flying the Me 262. Krupinski ended the war with 197 confirmed victories recorded in 1,100 missions. He had been wounded seven times, baled out on four occasions as well as surviving numerous crash landings.