Zwesken, Rudolf "Rudi" "Bulle"
- Date of birth:
- August 13th, 1919 (Marschendorf/Bohemia, Czechoslowakia)
- Date of death:
- February 22nd, 1946 (Bitterfeld krs. Schroda/Posen, Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
Career:
?: 1. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 52;
1944: 6. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 300.
Rudi Zwesken comitted suicied on 22nd February 1946.
Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
- Unit:
- 1. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 52, Luftwaffe
- Awarded on:
- December 23rd, 1944
Award date according to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
- Unit:
- Flugzeugführer, 6. Staffel, II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 300, Luftwaffe
- Awarded on:
- March 21st, 1945
“In the time period 21.06.-31.12.1944 Oberfeldwebel Zwesken achieved 15 aerial victories (including 11 four-engined bombers and 4 enemy fighters).
On the 22.08.1944 he achieved 1 probable and 3 certain kills against enemy fighters over the course of fierce aerial combat. On the 31.12.1944 his aircraft was set afire during the first run against the enemy, however he did not disengage from the enemy bombers and instead proceeded to shoot down 2 four-engined bombers in his own burning plane.
Oberfeldwebel Zwesken is an outstanding fighter pilot who has distinguished himself through his boldness and exceptional flying abilities.
Oberfeldwebel Zwesken has also proven himself as a formation leader, and in this role he has led the Gruppe to glorious victories.
Oberfeldwebel Zwesken was submitted for the German Cross in Gold on the 23.12.1944. Since this date he has gone on to destroy 1 Mustang and 2 Boeing aircraft.
I believe that this brave pilot is worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross due to his achievements and bravery on the battlefield.”
According to his kill list, Zwesken had by this time destroyed 6 B-17s, 5 B-24s, 3 P-38s and 1 P-51.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- November 18th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- October 22nd, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- August 11th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- July 22nd, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- June 21st, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
- - DÖRR, M., Die Träger der Nahkampfspange in Gold, Heer - Luftwaffe - Waffen-SS 1943-1945, Biblio-Verlag, Bisendorf, 2006.
- PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
- Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries, Section S-Z, Version: 01 April 2014., Henry L. deZeng IV and Douglas G. Stankey
- Vorschlag für die Verleihung des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes
- BArch RL 1/105
Photo
Looking for reliable information or news facts about WW2? Do you want to create your own battlefield tour to sights of wars from the past? Or are you interested in war medals and their recipients? TracesOfWar.com tells you more!
More information
© STIWOT, 1999-2024. All rights reserved. Privacy statement, cookies, disclaimer and copyright