| Rudolf Trenkel | |
|---|---|
 Rudolf Trenkel | |
| Born | 17 January 1918 |
| Died | 26 April 2001 (aged 83) |
| Place of birth | Neudorf |
| Place of death | Vienna |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1936–1945 |
| Rank | Hauptmann |
| Unit | JG 77, JG 52 |
| Commands held | 2./JG 52 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Rudolf Trenkel (17 January 1918 – 26 April 2001) was a German World War II Luftwaffe 138 victories Flying ace and recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Rudolf Trenkel served in Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52) during the Battle of Britain. From February to June 1942 he was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77) only to be transferred back to JG 52, taking command of the 2nd Staffel. In 1944 he was forced to bail out five times within ten days. After the capitulation he was taken prisoner of war by US forces only to be turned over to the Red Army.
Awards[]
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (11 December 1942)[1]
- German Cross in Gold on 15 January 1943 as Feldwebel in the 2./JG 52[2]
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (12 September 1940)
- 1st Class (18 October 1940)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 August 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 2./JG 52[3]
References[]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (in German). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 - 1945 (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 3-87341-065-6.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941–1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall (in German). ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
- 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
External links[]
- "Aces of the Luftwaffe". Rudolf Trenkel. http://www.luftwaffe.cz/trenkel.html. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
- "Traditionsgemeinschaft Jagdgeschwader 52 & Luftwaffen - JG 52 - Museum e.V.". Rudolf Trenkel. http://www.jg52.net/ritterkreuztraeger/rudolf-trenkel. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
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The original article can be found at Rudolf Trenkel and the edit history here.