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Smola, Rudolf

Date of birth:
August 3rd, 1917 (Vienna, Austria-Hungary)
Date of death:
March 27th, 1945 (near Zinten, Germany)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Flew a total of 600+ sorties, including 130 as a tactical reconnaissance observer. Achieved a total of 17 aerial victories.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Beobachter
Awarded on:
November 30th, 1942
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant
Unit:
12.(H)/Aufklärungsgruppe 13
Awarded on:
March 31st, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Staffelführer II./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"
Awarded on:
July 27th, 1944
Awarded after the completion of 532 sorties, with special recognition being given to his Staffel's achievements northeast of Sevastopol in April 1944. During this time they destroyed a number of tanks, 36 aircraft in the sky and another 20 aircraft on the ground. Of these Smola personally achieved 3 aerial victories and 14 ground destructions.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo