Rudolf Klemm

Rudolf Klemm
Born10 February 1918
Haltingen
Died5 July 1989(1989-07-05) (aged 71)
Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Branch Luftwaffe
Service years1937–1945
RankMajor
UnitJG 54, JG 26
Commands7./JG 54, 12./JG 54, 15./JG 54
III./JG 54, IV./JG 54, IV./JG 26
ConflictsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Rudolf Klemm (10 February 1918 – 5 July 1989) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. During his career, he was credited with 42 aerial victories in 293 missions. Klemm's plane was shot down 4 times and he saved his life twice by parachuting and twice with an emergency landing.

After the war, Klemm was an instructor in his own flying school for small aircraft based on the airport of Basel-Mulhouse until his plane crashed mysteriously, when he was on training with a trainee pilot.

Early life and career

Klemm was born on 10 February 1918 in Haltingen, now part of Weil am Rhein, then in the Grand Duchy of Baden within the German Empire.[1] He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1937. Following completion of flight and fighter pilot training,[Note 1] Klemm served as a flight instructor before he was transferred to 8. Staffel (8th squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in December 1941.[3] His Staffel was subordinated to III. Gruppe (3rd group) headed by Hauptmann Reinhard Seiler.[4]

World War II

World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. In late 1941, III. Gruppe was based at Siverskaya, located approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Leningrad on the Eastern Front.[5]

On 4 April 1942, Klemm was credited with JG 54s 2,000th aerial victory.[6]

Defense of the Reich

In mid-February 1943, III. Gruppe of JG 54 was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and ordered to Vendeville, France where it was subordinated to the Geschwaderstab (headquarters unit) of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). The Gruppe was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4 armed with 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons installed in conformal gun pods under the wings. The original plan was to exchange JG 26 which had been fighting on the Western Front with JG 54. The plan was cancelled in March. Instead of III. Gruppe of JG 54 returning to the Eastern Front, the Gruppe was ordered to Bad Zwischenahn on 25 March and then to Oldenburg Airfield two days later. Here, the Gruppe was subordinated to the 2. Jagd-Division (2nd Fighter Division) which was fighting in defense of the Reich.[7]

On 17 April, III. Gruppe flew its first combat mission in defense of the Reich. That day, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) VIII Bomber Command, later renamed to Eighth Air Force, attacked the Focke-Wulf factory in Bremen. The Gruppe was scrambled at 12:29. At 12:40 approximately 120 to 150 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers were encountered west of Wilhelmshaven. Due to evasive maneuvering of the bombers and the heavy defensive gunfire, the Gruppe initially failed to attack the bombers head-on. At 13:00, III. Gruppe made their first head-on attack while the leading bombers of the 91st and 306th Bombardment Group made their bomb-run. The Gruppe kept pursuing the bombers and claimed four further bombers shot down, one of which was not confirmed and one was credited to Klemm, his first heavy bomber.[8]

On 14 May, the USAAF VIII Bomber Command attacked the harbor and ship building at Kiel. III. Gruppe was scrambled at 11:29 and shortly after 12:00 intercepted 125 Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers of the 44th Bombardment Group after they had dropped their bombs over the target area. In this encounter, III. Gruppe pilots claimed three B-24 bombers shot down, including one by Klemm. He was then shot down and wounded by friendly fire. His Bf 109 G-4 (Werknummer 16144—factory number) was hit by German anti-aircraft artillery in a location approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) west of Kiel.[9] Blinded in one eye, he returned to operations weeks later.[10][11]

In February 1944, Klemm was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 7. Staffel of JG 54, succeeding Oberleutnant Waldemar Wübke.[12] On 9 April, he was wounded in combat when his Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 15573) was shot down near Kiel, forcing him to bail out.[13]

Klemm was transferred and appointed Staffelkapitän of 12. Staffel of JG 54 on 5 June. The Staffel was redesignated on 20 August and became the 15. Staffel.[14] On 16 October, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of IV. Gruppe of JG 54. He succeeded Major Wolfgang Späte who was transferred. Consquently, command of 15. Staffel was passed on to Leutnant Karl Brill.[15] On 18 November, Klemm was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 40 aerial victories claimed.[16]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to Obermaier, Klemm was credited with 42 aerial victories claimed in 293 combat missions. He claimed at least 21 aerial victories over the Western Allies, including 16 heavy bombers.[1] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 43 aerial victory claims. This figure includes 29 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 14 over the Western Allies, including ten heavy bombers.[17]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 29773". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[18]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Klemm an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
  This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Klemm did not receive credit.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Caldwell, Prien, Balke, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Unit Claim Date Time Type Location Unit
– Claims with III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[19]
Eastern Front — 6 December 1941 – 30 April 1942
1 7 February 1942 11:35 R-Z?[20][Note 2] 8./JG 54 2 4 April 1942 10:42 Pe-2[21] vicinity of Leningrad 8./JG 54
– Claims with III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[17]
Eastern Front — 1 May 1942 – 3 February 1943
3 11 August 1942 15:40 LaGG-3 PQ 29773[22]
40 km (25 mi) east-northeast of Staraya Russa 		8./JG 54 14 7 November 1942 13:52 Il-2?[Note 3] PQ 28263[24]
20 km (12 mi) southwest of Valday 		8./JG 54
4 1 September 1942 08:43 LaGG-3 PQ 10112[25]
vicinity of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 15 7 November 1942 14:00 LaGG-3?[Note 4] PQ 38141[24]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Valday 		8./JG 54
5 10 September 1942 13:27 LaGG-3 PQ 00263, north of Dubrowka[26]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 16 30 December 1942 12:08 LaGG-3 PQ 07683, Michalk[27]
15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Velikiye Luki 		9./JG 54
6 12 September 1942 08:42 LaGG-3 PQ 10134[28]
east of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 17 4 January 1943 13:25 Il-2 PQ 07731[29]
15 km (9.3 mi) south of Velikiye Luki 		9./JG 54
7 21 September 1942 09:43 I-16 PQ 11741[28]
20 km (12 mi) north of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 18 5 January 1943 08:40 Il-2 PQ 07584[29]
15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Velikiye Luki 		9./JG 54
8♠ 29 September 1942 14:55 MiG-3 PQ 00261[30]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 19 12 January 1943 13:05 Il-2 PQ 07652[31]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Velikiye Luki 		9./JG 54
9♠ 29 September 1942 15:04 I-16 PQ 00263, Nowy Poselok[30]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 20 12 January 1943 13:09 Il-2 PQ 07572[31]
40 km (25 mi) west of Toropa 		9./JG 54
10♠ 29 September 1942 15:09 I-16 PQ 00251, Oserki[30]
15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 21 14 January 1943 12:25 MiG-3 PQ 07594[31]
10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Velikiye Luki 		9./JG 54
11♠ 29 September 1942 15:09 I-16 PQ 00251, Oserki[30]
15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 22 15 January 1943 11:30 Pe-2 PQ 17513[31]
25 km (16 mi) southwest of Toropets 		9./JG 54
12♠ 29 September 1942 15:10 I-16 PQ 00252[30]
15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Shlisselburg 		8./JG 54 23 18 January 1943 07:55 DB-3 PQ 07772[31]
10 km (6.2 mi) east of Nevel 		9./JG 54
13 30 September 1942 15:34 MiG-3 PQ 00242[30]
20 km (12 mi) southeast of Leningrad 		8./JG 54
– Claims with III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[23]
Defense of the Reich — 27 March 1943 – January 1944
24 17 April 1943 13:21 B-17 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Ahlhorn[32] 8./JG 54 26 9 October 1943 12:00 B-17 PQ 05 Ost S/BS-7/1, 4[33]
Neubrandenburg 		7./JG 54
25 14 May 1943 12:10?[Note 5] B-24 Borby, Eckernförde Bay[32]
Rieseby 		8./JG 54 27?[Note 6] 5 January 1944 12:05 P-38[34] 8./JG 54
?[Note 7] 9 October 1943 11:30 B-17 Neubrandenburg[23] 7./JG 54 28?[Note 6] 11 January 1944 12:05 B-17[34] 7./JG 54
– Claims with III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[23]
Defense of the Reich — February – 9 April 1944
29 20 February 1944 12:45 B-17 PQ 05 Ost GT[34] 7./JG 54 ?[Note 7] 8 April 1944 13:44 B-24 14 km (8.7 mi) north Celle[23] 7./JG 54
30 22 February 1944 13:45 B-17* PQ 05 Ost HT 4-2[34]
east of Detmold 		7./JG 54 ?[Note 7] 8 April 1944 13:53 B-24 southwest of Twistringen[23] 7./JG 54
31 6 March 1944 12:07 B-17* PQ 05 Ost EQ 9-7[34]
Loningen 		7./JG 54 33?[Note 6] 8 April 1944 13:55 B-24 PQ 15 Ost EA 7[34] 7./JG 54
32 6 March 1944 14:28 B-17 PQ 05 Ost EQ[34]
Sögel-Cloppenburg 		7./JG 54 34?[Note 6] 8 April 1944 16:25 P-38 PQ 05 Ost ES 7[34] 7./JG 54
– Claims with IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[23]
Eastern Front — 5 June – 14 September 1944
35 15 July 1944 14:33 P-39 PQ 26 Ost 50177[35]
central Gulf of Finland 		12./JG 54 38 6 August 1944 14:55 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 12363[36]
25 km (16 mi) west-northwest of Dęblin 		12./JG 54
36 20 July 1944 18:58 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 32813[35]
10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Chełm 		12./JG 54 39 27 August 1944 16:14 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 13235[37]
20 km (12 mi) north of Ostrov 		15./JG 54
37 5 August 1944 16:28 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 12188[36]
25 km (16 mi) east-southeast of Grojec 		12./JG 54 40 1 September 1944 14:04 Yak-11 PQ 25 Ost 13527[37]
25 km (16 mi) north-northeast of Warsaw 		15./JG 54
– Claims with IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 –[23]
Defense of the Reich — 15 September – 31 December 1944
41 26 September 1944 14:16 P-47 PQ 05 Ost JN-1/3[38]
Doetinchem 		15./JG 54 43 18 December 1944 10:42 P-47 PQ S/PO-5[38]
west of Adenau 		Stab IV./JG 54
42 18 December 1944 10:30 P-47 PQ 05 Ost S/PN-5, east-southeast Malmedy[38]
south of Büllingen 		Stab IV./JG 54
– Claims with IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[23]
Defense of the Reich — 15 September – 31 December 1944
—
[Note 8] 		19 March 1945 13:35 P-51 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Nordhorn[39] Stab IV./JG 26

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations.[2]
  2. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at Polikarpov R-5.[19]
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3.[23]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Ilyushin Il-2.[23]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:08.[23]
  6. ^ a b c d This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[23]
  7. ^ a b c This claim is not listed by Prien, Balke, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.[33][34]
  8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim was confirmed.[23]
  9. ^ According to Obermaier on 22 February 1943.[1]
  10. ^ According to Scherzer as Staffelkapitän in the IV./Jagdgeschwader 54.[43]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 145.
  2. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  3. ^ a b Dixon 2023, p. 177.
  4. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 244.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 230.
  6. ^ Weal 2001, p. 56.
  7. ^ Prien et al. 2009, p. 247.
  8. ^ Prien et al. 2009, pp. 248, 251, 284.
  9. ^ Prien et al. 2009, pp. 251, 284, 286.
  10. ^ Forsyth 2011, p. 25.
  11. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 57.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 446.
  13. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 457.
  14. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 547.
  15. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 469.
  16. ^ Weal 2001, p. 120.
  17. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 644–645.
  18. ^ Planquadrat.
  19. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 644.
  20. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 250.
  21. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 252.
  22. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 219.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 645.
  24. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 226.
  25. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 222.
  26. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 223.
  27. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 228.
  28. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 224.
  29. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 229.
  30. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2006, p. 225.
  31. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2006, p. 230.
  32. ^ a b Prien et al. 2009, p. 284.
  33. ^ a b Prien et al. 2009, p. 285.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2019, p. 450.
  35. ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 554.
  36. ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 555.
  37. ^ a b Prien et al. 2022, p. 556.
  38. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2019, p. 471.
  39. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 447.
  40. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 118.
  41. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 233.
  42. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 259.
  43. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 448.

Bibliography

  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  • Caldwell, Donald L. (1998). The JG 26 War Diary: Volume Two 1943–1945. London: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-86-2.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-39903-073-1.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Forsyth, Robert (2011). Luftwaffe Viermot Aces 1942–45. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 101. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-438-3.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 2 G–L. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-19-6.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2005). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6.12.1941 bis 30.4.1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-76-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/III—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/III—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-78-6.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2009). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/III—Reichsverteidigung—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/III—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-89-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Balke, Ulf; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2019). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/V—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/V—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-21-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Balke, Ulf; Bock, Winfried (2022). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 15/II—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 15/II—Action in the East—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-28-4.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Weal, John (2001). Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 6. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-286-9.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.