Erich Rudorffer

Erich Rudorffer (1 November 1917 – 8 April 2016) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace who was one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He was one of the most successful fighter pilots in the history of air warfare, with 222 victories claimed. Rudorffer fought in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, engaging in aerial combat over 300 times. Rudorffer was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute nine times.

Early life

Rudorffer was born on 1 November 1917 in Zwochau, at the time in the Kingdom of Saxony of the German Empire. After graduation from school, he received a vocational education as an automobile metalsmith specialized in coachbuilding. He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe with Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung 61 (Flier Replacement Unit 61) in Oschatz on 16 April 1936. From 2 September to 15 October 1936, he served with Kampfgeschwader 253 (KG 253—253rd Bomber Wing) and from 16 October 1936 to 24 February 1937 was trained as an aircraft engine mechanic at the Technische Schule Adlershof, the technical school at Adlershof in Berlin. On 14 March 1937, Rudorffer was posted to Kampfgeschwader 153 (KG 153—153rd Bomber Wing), where he served as a mechanic until end October 1938. He was then transferred to Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung 51 (Flier Replacement Unit 51) based at Liegnitz in Silesia, present-day Legnica in Poland, for flight training. There he was first trained as a bomber pilot and then as a Zerstörer, a heavy fighter or destroyer, pilot. According to Berger, Rudorffer then worked as an airline pilot for the Deutsche Luft Hansa.

On 1 October 1939, Rudorffer was transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force) and was posted to the Jagdfliegerschule 2 (fighter pilot school) at Schleißheim. Following this conversion training, he was transferred to the Jagdergänzungsstaffel Döberitz, the supplementary fighter squadron based at Döberitz, on 6 December 1939. On 28 December 1939, he was transferred to the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Merseburg, another supplementary training unit stationed at Merseburg, where newly trained fighter pilots received instruction from pilots with combat experience. He stayed there until 7 January 1940, one day later, Rudorffer, now an Oberfeldwebel (staff sergeant), was posted to the 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), named after the World War I fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen. At the time, 2. Staffel was commanded by Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz Greisert and subordinated to I. Gruppe of JG 2 based at Frankfurt-Rebstock Airfield.

World War II On 10 May 1940, the first day of the Battle of France, I. Gruppe of JG 2 moved to an airfield at Kirchberg. Here, the Gruppe supported the advancing German armor of Army Group A crossing the Ardennes mountain range. On 14 May, I. Gruppe relocated to Bastogne, Belgium. That day, Rudorffer claimed his first aerial victory, a Curtiss Hawk 75 fighter. Following two further aerial victories claimed, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 22 May 1940. In total, he claimed nine aerial victories before the Armistice of 22 June 1940. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain, and it is claimed he was pursued down Croydon High Street below rooftop level by a Hawker Hurricane fighter. On 1 May 1941, Rudorffer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross . At the time, he had claimed nineteen aerial victories and had flown 145 combat missions. On 19 May, Rudorffer and his wingman attacked a diving submarine off the Isle of Portland. It was observed that both bombs struck close and that the submarine went down vertically.

On 18 June 1941, II. Gruppe moved from Beaumont-le-Roger to Abbeville-Drucat where it stayed for the next six months. From this point on, the Gruppe defended against the RAF Fighter Command "non-stop offensive" over France. In July 1941, while flying with the Stab (headquarters unit) of JG 2, Rudorffer claimed six aerial victories. This figure includes two Spitfires on 7 July, a Spitfire and a Hurricane on 9 July, one Spitfire on 10 and 11 July each. He then served with 6. Staffel of JG 2 and claimed fifteen further aerial victories by the end of 1941, taking his total to 41. Rudorffer was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 6. Staffel of JG 2 on 1 November 1941, thus succeeding Oberleutnant Frank Liesendahl who was transferred. In March 1942, II. Gruppe began converting to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2. Conversion training was done in a round-robin system, Staffel by Staffel, at the Le Bourget Airfield near Paris. The conversion completed by end-April. From then on, the Gruppe was equipped with the Fw 190 A-2 and A-3 variant.

In 1942, Rudorffer participated in Operation Donnerkeil. The objective of this operation was to give the German battleships and and the heavy cruiser fighter protection in the breakout from Brest to Germany. The Channel Dash operation (11–13 February 1942) by the Kriegsmarine was codenamed Operation Cerberus by the Germans. In support of this, the Luftwaffe, formulated an air superiority plan dubbed Operation Donnerkeil for the protection of the three German capital ships. During the Dieppe Raid on 19 August, Rudorffer claimed two Supermarine Spitfire fighters shot down north of Dieppe

Mediterranean Theater In early November 1942, the Western Allies launched Operation Torch, the Anglo–American invasion of French North Africa. On 17 November, II. Gruppe of JG 2 was withdrawn from the English Channel Front and ordered to San Pietro Clarenza, Sicily. At the time, the Gruppe was equipped with the Fw 190 A-3, some Fw 190 A-2s, and received the A-4 variant in early December. This made II. Gruppe of JG 2 the only Fw 190 equipped fighter unit in the Mediterranean Theater. The Gruppe flew its first missions on 19 November, securing German air and sea transportation to Tunis. That day, elements of II. Gruppe began relocating to Bizerte Airfield. On 1 January 1943, Rudorffer was promoted to Hauptmann (captain).

On 8 January 1943, II. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Kairouan. On 9 February, Rudorffer claimed eight aerial victories during a 32-minute aerial battle, six Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and two Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters, and for the first time became an "ace-in-a-day". On 15 February, he claimed seven aerial victories, four P-38s and three Spitfires. On 4 March, II. Gruppe of JG 2 received orders to relocate to France. On 17 April, Rudorffer was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 2. He replaced Hauptmann Adolf Dickfeld in this capacity who had been transferred to II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing). Consequently, command of 6. Staffel was passed to Leutnant Fritz Karch.

On the Eastern Front On 30 June, Rudorffer was transferred again, tasked with the creation of a newly formed IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front. Command of II. Gruppe of JG 2 was handed over to Hauptmann Kurt Bühligen. The Gruppe was created at Jesau near Königsberg and planned for deployment in the combat area of Army Group North, roughly in the area south of Lake Ilmen, Leningrad and along the Volkhov. When on 30 July Hauptmann Heinrich Jung, the commander of II. Gruppe of JG 54 was killed in action, Rudorffer was again transferred, taking command of II. Gruppe on 1 August. Command of IV. Gruppe was temporarily assigned to Hauptmann Alfred Teumer before it officially was handed to Hauptmann Rudolf Sinner on 14 September.

Rudorffer on 21 June 1944. In the background is his wingman, Unteroffizier Kurt Tangermann In early August, II. Gruppe was based at Ziverskaya, located approximately south-southwest of Leningrad. He claimed his first victory in that theater on 7 August. Due to the experience gained in combat with the Royal Air Force (RAF) he achieved considerable success. During his first sortie on 24 August 1943, 5 Soviet aircraft were downed in 4 minutes. On 11 October 1943, Rudorffer was also credited with his 100th aerial victory. He was the 55th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve this. In aerial combat near Teremky and Glychow, he claimed a Yak-7, his 100th victory, at 12:22, a LaGG-3 at 12:22, and three more Yak-7 shot down at 12:24, 12:25 and 12:27 respectively.

On 3 November, Soviet forces launched the strategic operation leading to the Battle of Kiev. Three days later, Rudorffer was credited with 13 aerial victories, eight Yak-7s and five Yak-9s from 13:00 to 13:17, taking his total to 122 aerial victories. On 1 January 1944, Rudorffer was promoted to Major (major), with a rank age dated 1 May 1944.

Rudorffer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 11 April 1944, the 447th soldier to receive this distinction. The presentation was made by Adolf Hitler at the Berghof, Hitler's residence in the Obersalzberg of the Bavarian Alps, on 5 May 1944. Also present at the ceremony were Anton Hafner, Otto Kittel, Günther Schack, Emil Lang, Alfred Grislawski, Martin Möbus, Wilhelm Herget, Hans-Karl Stepp, Rudolf Schoenert, Günther Radusch, Otto Pollmann and Fritz Breithaupt, who all received the Oak Leaves on this date.

On 10 June, Soviet forces launched the Karelian offensive against Finland on the Karelian Isthmus as part of the Continuation War. In response to the Finnish ask for assistance, the Luftwaffe formed Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey (Detachment Kuhlmey) on 12 June, named after Oberstleutnant Kurt Kuhlmey, the commander of Schlachtgeschwader 3 (SG 3—3rd Combat Wing). Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey was made up of the Stab and I. Gruppe of SG 3, I. Gruppe of Schlachtgeschwader 5 (SG 5—5th Combat Wing), elements of Nahaufklärungsgruppe 5, a reconnaissance unit, and II. Gruppe of JG 54 under command of Rudorffer. Consequently, Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey moved to Immola Airfield on 17 June.

On 19 September, II. Gruppe began its relocation to Libau, present-day Liepāja, where they were based at an airfield named Grobin. During the Soviet Riga offensive, II. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Heiligenbeil, present-day Mamonovo, on 21 October. Here on 28 October, Rudorffer claimed eleven aerial victories, including his 200th aerial victory in total. On 26 January 1945, Rudorffer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords , the 126th presentation of the award, for 212 aerial victories claimed.

Flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 JG 7 "Nowotny" was the first operational jet fighter wing in the world and was named after Walter Nowotny, who was killed in action on 8 November 1944. Nowotny, a fighter pilot credited with 258 aerial victories and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds , had been assessing the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet aircraft under operational conditions. JG 7 "Nowotny" was equipped with the Me 262, an aircraft which was heavily armed and faster than any Allied fighter. General der Jagdflieger (General of the Fighter Force) Adolf Galland hoped that the Me 262 would compensate for the Allies' numerical superiority. On 12 November 1944, the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL—Air Force High Command) ordered JG 7 "Nowotny" to be equipped with the Me 262. Galland appointed Oberst Johannes Steinhoff as its first Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander).

In the winter of 1944 Rudorffer was trained on the Me 262 jet fighter. On 14 January 1945, he was recalled to command I. Gruppe JG 7 "Nowotny" from Major Theodor Weissenberger who replaced Steinhoff as Geschwaderkommodore. By 12 February, Rudorffer had twelve operational aircraft and every pilot had converted to the Me 262. Lacking was experience with close formation flying and low-level navigation using FuG 16 Z and FuG 25a. In early March, I. Gruppe was still based at Brandenburg-Briest. Rudorffer claimed ten heavy bombers flying the Me 262, seven of which were downed in April 1945.

After the war Fw 190 A8/N reproduction by Flug Werk GmbH Germany in the colors (minus the Swastika) and markings of Major Erich Rudorffer's mount of JG 54 when stationed at Immola, Finland.

Rudorffer started out flying DC-2s and DC-3s in Australia. Later on he worked for Pan Am and the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, Germany's civil aviation authority. Rudorffer was one of the characters in the 2007 Finnish war movie Tali-Ihantala 1944. A Fw 190 participated, painted in the same markings as Rudorffer's aircraft in 1944. The aircraft, now based at Omaka Aerodrome in New Zealand, still wears the colours of Rudorffer's machine. Rudorffer died on 8 April 2016 at the age of in Bad Schwartau, Germany. At the time of his death, he was the last living recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Summary of career Aerial victory claims According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Rudorffer was credited with 224 aerial victories. Spick however lists him with 222 aerial victories, 136 of which claimed over the Eastern Front and 86 in the western theatre of operations, of which 26 were claimed over North Africa and 10 were heavy bombers, achieved in over 1,000 combat missions. Morgan and Weal list Rudorffer with 220 aerial victories of which 12 were claimed flying the Me 262 jet fighter. Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 219 aerial victory claims, plus two further unconfirmed claims. This figure of confirmed claims includes 134 aerial victories on the Eastern Front and 85 on the Western Front, including 11 four-engined heavy bombers and 12 victories with the Me 262 jet fighter.

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 53224". The Luftwaffe grid map 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 . These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area in size.

Chronicle of aerial victories Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location Claim! Claim# Date Time Type Location – 2. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 – 1 1 14 May 1940 15:08? Curtiss southwest of Les Sees la Quesne 11 11 11 August 1940 11:49 Spitfire southeast of the Isle of Portland 2 2 17 May 1940 13:28 LeO 451 La Caponne 12 12 31 August 1940 09:40 Hurricane Dover 3 3 19 May 1940 12:30? Morane 406 east of Guise 13 13 1 September 1940 12:45 Spitfire Dover 4 4 25 May 1940 20:35 Blenheim Saint-Quentin 14 14 2 September 1940 18:20 Hurricane Faversham 5 5 26 May 1940 09:45? Spitfire northwest of Calais 15 15 4 September 1940 09:58 Hurricane Dover 6 6 26 May 1940 09:47? Spitfire northwest of Calais 16 16 7 September 1940 18:30 Hurricane Thames Estuary 7 7 6 June 1940 13:10 Curtiss north of Soissons 17 17 7 September 1940 18:40 Spitfire Thames Estuary 8 8 6 June 1940 20:45 Martin 167 Roye 18 18 7 September 1940 18:43 Spitfire Thames Estuary 9 9 6 June 1940 20:50 LeO 451 north of Roye 19 10 October 1940 18:43? Spitfire Isle of Portland 10 10 11 August 1940 11:38 Hurricane east of Weymouth 20 19 21 April 1941 15:03 Blenheim north of Jersey – Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 2 – 21 20 7 July 1941 15:35 Spitfire east of Boulogne-sur-Mer 24 23 9 July 1941 13:45 Hurricane northwest of Saint-Omer 22 21 7 July 1941 15:40 Spitfire east of Boulogne-sur-Mer 25 24 10 July 1941 12:30? Spitfire south of Desvres 23 22 9 July 1941 13:40 Spitfire southwest of Saint-Omer 26 25 11 July 1941 15:00 Spitfire north of Boulogne-sur-Mer – 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 – 27 26 19 July 1941 14:25 Spitfire southeast of Calais 51 49 8 January 1943 15:40 P-51 southwest of Kairouan 28 27 23 July 1941 13:18 Spitfire west of Calais 52 50 18 January 1943 08:13? Spitfire southwest of Zeroud Estuary 29 5 August 1941 10:05 Spitfire north of Gravelines 53 51 4 February 1943 16:19 Spitfire southwest of Ousseltia 30 28 5 August 1941 19:05 Spitfire Dunkirk 54 52 4 February 1943 16:22 Spitfire south of Kef el Abiod 31 29 10 August 1941 14:15 Hurricane northeast of Calais 55♠ 53 9 February 1943 13:59 P-40 south of Ousseltia 32 30 19 August 1941 11:59 Spitfire Dover 56♠ 54 9 February 1943 14:00 P-40 south of Ousseltia 33 31 19 August 1941 12:06 Spitfire Dover 57♠ 55 9 February 1943 14:01 P-40 Djebel Ousseltia 34 32 19 August 1941 12:15 Spitfire Dover 58♠ 56 9 February 1943 14:02 P-40 northwest of Pichon 35 33 21 August 1941 15:10 Spitfire Calais 59♠ 57 9 February 1943 14:05 P-40 southeast of Besra 36 34 20 September 1941 16:55 Spitfire northeast of Dieppe 60♠ 58 9 February 1943 14:06 P-40 southeast of Besra 37 35 21 September 1941 16:50 Spitfire English Channel 61♠ 59 9 February 1943 14:21 P-38 east Djebel Barbrou 38 36 21 September 1941 16:55? Spitfire English Channel 62♠ 60 9 February 1943 14:22 P-38 west of Djebel Barbrou 39 37 21 September 1941 17:05 Spitfire English Channel 63 61 14 February 1943 16:18 Spitfire west of Pichon 40 38 27 September 1941 15:40 Spitfire Le Touquet 64♠ 15 February 1943 14:58 P-38 northwest of Pichon 41 39 8 December 1941 12:55 Hurricane west of Boulogne-sur-Mer 65♠ 62 15 February 1943 15:03 P-38 northwest of Hajeb El Ayoun 42 40 3 June 1942 16:35 Spitfire north of Le Havre 66♠ 63 15 February 1943 15:07 P-38 northeast of Sbeitla 43 41 3 June 1942 16:38 Spitfire north of Le Havre 67♠ 64 15 February 1943 15:08 P-38 northeast of Sbeitla 44 42 5 June 1942 15:46 Spitfire north of Le Havre 68♠ 65 15 February 1943 15:15 Spitfire northern edge of Djebel Abiod 45 43 19 August 1942 16:52 Spitfire north of Dieppe 69♠ 66 15 February 1943 15:16 Spitfire northern edge of Djebel Abiod 46 44 19 August 1942 16:53 Spitfire north of Dieppe 70♠ 67 15 February 1943 15:18 Spitfire northern edge of Djebel Abiod 47 45 18 December 1942 11:05 Spitfire west of Mateur 68 15 February 1943 15:58 P-38 northwest of Pichon 48 46 20 December 1942 16:48? Spitfire south of Béja 71 69 11 March 1943 13:12 Spitfire east of Ousseltia 49 47 8 January 1943 10:41 Boston south of Pichon 72 70 11 March 1943 13:13 Spitfire east of Ousseltia 50 48 8 January 1943 15:35 P-38 southwest of Kairouan 73 71 12 March 1943 14:25? B-17 southeast of Makatar – Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 2 – 74 72 15 May 1943 17:00 Spitfire? northwest of Poixsouth of Senarpont 75 73 15 May 1943 17:10 Spitfire southeast of Dieppewest of Conterville – Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 – 76 7 August 1943 14:38 Il-2 north of Karachev 145♠ 140 3 July 1944 07:07 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 81297, north-northwest of Tali northwest of Vyborg 77 7 August 1943 14:41 Il-2 north of Karachev 146♠ 141 3 July 1944 07:08 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 81298, northeast of Tali northwest of Vyborg 78 74 9 August 1943 17:57 Yak-4 PQ 35 Ost 53224, southeast of Nartschina west of Oryol 147♠ 142 3 July 1944 07:09 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 81433, southeast of Tali east of Vyborg 79 75 13 August 1943 16:12 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 54781, southeast of Karachev 148♠ 143 3 July 1944 07:10 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 81434, east of Vyborg east of Vyborg 80 76 13 August 1943 16:16 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 54751, southeast of Karachev 149 144 25 July 1944 12:05 Yak-9 PQ 26 Ost 70696, east of Kärekonna southwest of Narva 81♠ 77 24 August 1943 07:08 DB-3 PQ 35 Ost 4447, south of Orgon 150♠ 145 26 July 1944 16:42 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 70631, north of Wusuowa southwest of Narva 82♠ 78 24 August 1943 07:12 DB-3 PQ 35 Ost 44523, west of Stajki 151♠ 146 26 July 1944 16:43 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 70696, south-southwest of Wusuowa southwest of Narva 83♠ 79 24 August 1943 07:15 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 4461, south of Lipowo 152♠ 147 26 July 1944 16:48 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 70689, north-northwest of Kriwasoo southwest of Narva 84♠ 80 24 August 1943 14:40 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 4461, southeast of Djatkowo 153♠ 148 26 July 1944 16:53 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 70823, north-northwest of Wusuowa southwest of Narva 85♠ 81 24 August 1943 14:41 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 4461, southeast of Djatkowo 154♠ 149 26 July 1944 17:08 Pe-2 PQ 26 Ost 60624, south-southwest of WusuowaGulf of Finland 86♠ 82 24 August 1943 14:42 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 4461, southeast of Djatkowo 155♠ 150 26 July 1944 17:10 Pe-2 PQ 26 Ost 60816, west of LiiwaGulf of Finland 87♠ 83 24 August 1943 14:43 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 4462, southeast of Djatkowo 156 151 27 July 1944 14:22 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 78565, northwest of Liepna northeast of Schwanenburg 88♠ 84 24 August 1943 14:44 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 4462, southeast of Djatkowo 157 152 27 July 1944 14:25 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 78561, northwest of Liepna northeast of Schwanenburg 89 85 26 August 1943 08:10 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 4343, southeast of Lokot 158 153 27 July 1944 14:28 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 78637, southwest of Eglitas west-northwest of Ostrov 90 86 7 September 1943 17:35 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 4425, east of Ljudinowo 159 154 30 July 1944 11:24 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 70668, southeast of Waiwara west-southwest of Hungerburg 91♠ 87 14 September 1943 16:41 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 35542, east of Berissowo south-southwest of Yelnya 160 155 30 July 1944 20:12 La-5 PQ 26 Ost 60479vicinity of Kunda 92♠ 88 14 September 1943 16:42 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 35541, east of Berissowo south-southwest of Yelnya 161 156 6 August 1944 13:24 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 79611, Lake Peipus 93♠ 89 14 September 1943 16:44 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 35542, southeast of Schatkowo south-southwest of Yelnya 162 157 6 August 1944 13:27 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 79614, Lake Peipus 94♠ 90 14 September 1943 16:45 La-5 PQ 35 Ost 35542, southeast of Schatkowo south-southwest of Yelnya 163 158 17 August 1944 13:09 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 79819, north of SwabjujeLake Peipus 95♠ 91 14 September 1943 16:46 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 35542, southwest of Schatkowo south-southwest of Yelnya 164 159 17 August 1944 13:15 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 79588, north of Luiskollnwest of Lake Peipus 96 92 15 September 1943 13:22 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 25432, west-southwest of Yelnya south-southwest of Yelnya 165 160 17 August 1944 13:20 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 79576, east-northeast of Fentutewest of Lake Peipus 97 8 October 1943 08:30 Il-2 east of Borkij 166 161 23 August 1944 09:50 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 57246, south of Ērgļi southeast of Mālpils 98♠ 93 11 October 1943 12:20 Yak-7 east of Teremky 167 162 23 August 1944 09:51 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 57249, south of Ērgļi southeast of Mālpils 99♠ 94 11 October 1943 12:21 Yak-7 west of Teremky 168♠ 163 25 August 1944 13:45 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 57284, southeast of Indrau north-northwest of Kreuzburg 100♠ 95 11 October 1943 12:22 Yak-7 south of Teremky 169♠ 164 25 August 1944 13:46 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 57283, southeast of Indrau north-northwest of Kreuzburg 101♠ 96 11 October 1943 12:22 LaGG-3 south of Teremky 170♠ 165 25 August 1944 13:47 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 57282, north of Indrau north-northwest of Kreuzburg 102♠ 97 11 October 1943 12:24 Yak-7 northwest of Glychow 171♠ 166 25 August 1944 13:54 La-5 north-northwest of Kreuzburg 103♠ 98 11 October 1943 12:25 Yak-7 northwest of Glychow 172♠ 167 25 August 1944 13:56 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 57259, north of Indrau east-southeast of Riga 104♠ 99 11 October 1943 12:27 Yak-7 northeast of Teremky 173 168 5 September 1944 18:56 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 69616, south-southwest of Kärknenorthwest of Dorpat 105 100 22 October 1943 06:35 La-5 west of Trachtemirow 174 169 6 September 1944 12:59 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 79555, south of Kastrewest of Lake Peipus 106 101 22 October 1943 06:38 Yak-7 west of Trachtemirow 175 170 6 September 1944 13:01 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 79554, southeast of Kastrewest of Lake Peipus 107 102 2 November 1943 15:16 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 01414Lake Ladoga 176 171 6 September 1944 13:03 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 79554, southeast of Kastrewest of Lake Peipus 108 103 2 November 1943 15:18 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 01414Lake Ladoga 177 172 6 September 1944 13:04 La-5 PQ 25 Ost 79554, southeast of Kastrewest of Lake Peipus 109♠ 104 6 November 1943 07:18 Il-2 PQ 35 Ost 01811 northeast of Leningrad 178 173 17 September 1944 13:51 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 69777, east-northeast of Tõrva north of Walk 110♠ 105 6 November 1943 13:00 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01582 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 179 174 17 September 1944 13:52 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 69775, southeast of Tõrvavicinitz of Lake Wirz 111♠ 106 6 November 1943 13:01 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01583 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 180 175 17 September 1944 13:57 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 58333, northeast of Rencēni north of Wolmar 112♠ 107 6 November 1943 13:03 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01583 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 181 176 20 September 1944 11:39 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 69164, southeast of Kolnoere east of Weissenstein 113♠ 108 6 November 1943 13:04 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01554 northeast of Zelenogorsk 182♠ 177 25 September 1944 10:21 Yak-3 PQ 25 Ost 37125, southeast of Tukkumvicinity of Tukkum 114♠ 109 6 November 1943 13:05 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 01554 northeast of Zelenogorsk 183♠ 178 25 September 1944 10:23 Yak-3? PQ 25 Ost 37126, east-southeast of Tukkumvicinity of Tukkum 115♠ 110 6 November 1943 13:07 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 01582 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 184♠ 179 25 September 1944 10:31 Il-2? PQ 25 Ost 37137, south of Tukkum east of Tukkum 116♠ 111 6 November 1943 13:08 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 01554 northeast of Zelenogorsk 185♠ 180 25 September 1944 10:32 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 37128, south-southeast of Tukkumvicinity of Tukkum 117♠ 112 6 November 1943 13:09 Yak-9 PQ 35 Ost 01554 northeast of Zelenogorsk 186♠ 181 25 September 1944 10:33? Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 37151, south of Saliniki east of Tukkum 118♠ 113 6 November 1943 13:11 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01591 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 187♠ 182 25 September 1944 10:35 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 37155, south of Saliniki east of Tukkum 119♠ 114 6 November 1943 13:12 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01591 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 188♠ 183 10 October 1944 10:12 P-39 PQ 25 Ost 17516, south of Otanki south of Libau 120♠ 115 6 November 1943 13:13 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01594 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 189♠ 184 10 October 1944 10:14 P-39 PQ 25 Ost 17524, southwest of Tilti southeast of Libau 121♠ 116 6 November 1943 13:15 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01592 east-northeast of Zelenogorsk 190♠ 185 10 October 1944 10:17 Pe-2 PQ 25 Ost 17553, northeast of Burgeli southeast of Libau 122♠ 117 6 November 1943 13:17 Yak-7 PQ 35 Ost 01722 north of Leningrad 191♠ 186 10 October 1944 10:18 Pe-2 PQ 25 Ost 17563, north of Kalvini southeast of Libau 123 118 10 December 1943 14:06 Il-2 northeast of Grebenki 192♠ 187 10 October 1944 10:19 Pe-2 PQ 25 Ost 17645, southwest of Trekni southeast of Libau 124 119 11 February 1944 14:30 Yak-7 PQ 36 Ost 10741, northwest of Tarassowka south-southwest of Luban 193♠ 188 10 October 1944 10:20? Pe-2 PQ 25 Ost 17658, west of Liepieni southeast of Libau 125 120 19 March 1944 09:08 LaGG-3 PQ 25 Ost 88352, east of Priborok south of Pskov 194♠ 189 10 October 1944 10:24 P-39 PQ 25 Ost 17641, northeast of Purmati southeast of Libau 126 121 29 March 1944 09:03 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 70691, north of Kärekonna southwest of Narva 195 190 22 October 1944 14:20 Pe-2 PQ 25 Ost 17557, northeast of Kramenti southeast of Libau 127 122 3 April 1944 08:32 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88392, south of Jukanowo southeast of Selo 196 191 22 October 1944 14:21 Pe-2 PQ 25 Ost 17852, north of Liepieni south-southeast of Libau 128♠ 123 7 April 1944 07:42 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88361, south of Sentowo southwest of Selo 197 192 22 October 1944 14:24 P-39 PQ 25 Ost 17559, northwest of Kasteri southeast of Libau 129♠ 124 7 April 1944 07:48 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88362, east of Kirjakowo southwest of Selo 198 193 22 October 1944 14:25 P-39 PQ 25 Ost 17564, west of Aorti southeast of Libau 130♠ 125 7 April 1944 07:49 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88392, south of Wessno southeast of Selo 199♠ 194 28 October 1944 11:46 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07632, southwest of Libau 131♠ 126 7 April 1944 07:52 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 88393, south of Walki southwest of Selo 200♠ 195 28 October 1944 11:47 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07635, southwest of Libau 132♠ 127 7 April 1944 07:56 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88363, north of Korsuli southeast of Pskov 201♠ 196 28 October 1944 11:48 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07661, southwest of Libau 133♠ 128 7 April 1944 07:58 Yak-9 PQ 25 Ost 88442, south of Kokorina southeast of Pskov 202♠ 197 28 October 1944 11:49 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07662, southwest of Libau 134 129 28 April 1944 17:55? Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 87836, northwest of Ozero Liva (Lake Liva) south of Idritsa 203♠ 198 28 October 1944 11:50 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07667, southwest of Libau 135 130 28 April 1944 17:57 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 87839, northwest of Ozero Liva (Lake Liva) south of Idritsa 204♠ 199 28 October 1944 11:52 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07641, southwest of Libau 136 131 28 April 1944 17:59 Yak-9? north-northeast of Ozero Liva (Lake Liva) 205♠ 200 28 October 1944 11:53 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07668, south of Libau 137 132 17 June 1944 11:25 Pe-2 PQ 26 Ost 81262, north-northeast of Vyborg northwest of Vyborg 206♠ 201 28 October 1944 11:54 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07683, southwest of Libau east-southeast of Velikiye Luki 138 133 18 June 1944 08:35 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 91581, southeast of Kaukjärvi northwest of Zelenogorsk 207♠ 202 28 October 1944 11:56 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 07664, southwest of Libau east-southeast of Velikiye Luki 139 134 18 June 1944 08:36 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 91557, southeast of Kaukjärvi northwest of Zelenogorsk 208♠ 203 28 October 1944 15:01 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 17619, southeast of Preekuln east-southeast of Libau 140 135 19 June 1944 15:00 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 91176, south of Leipasseno south-southeast of Vyborg 209♠ 204 28 October 1944 15:03 Il-2 PQ 25 Ost 17624, Warki east-southeast of Libau 141 136 20 June 1944 16:32 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 81456, south of Vyborg south of Vyborg 210 205 30 October 1944 12:05 Boston PQ 25 Ost 07613, west of Libau 142 137 20 June 1944 16:34 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 81462, southeast of Sainio southeast of Vyborg 211 206 30 October 1944 12:07 Boston PQ 25 Ost 07611, southwest of Libau 143 138 20 June 1944 16:36 P-39 PQ 26 Ost 81466, southeast of Sainio southeast of Vyborg 212 207 5 November 1944 09:51 Yak-11 Preekuln 144♠ 139 3 July 1944 07:06 Il-2 PQ 26 Ost 81294, north of Tali northwest of Vyborg – Stab I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 7 – According to Mathews and Foreman, Rudorffer had twelve confirmed victories flying the Me 262. ? ? 24 March 1945 Tempest ? ? 30 March 1945 P-51 vicinity of Hamburg ? ? 25 March 1945 B-17 ? ? 30 March 1945 P-51 vicinity of Hamburg

Awards Wound Badge in Black Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000" Combined Pilots-Observation Badge Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty (2nd class) German Cross in Gold on 9 December 1941 as Leutnant in the 2./JG 2 Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (22 May 1940) 1st Class (28 June 1940) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 1 May 1941 as Leutnant and pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" 447th Oak Leaves on 11 April 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 54 126th Swords on 26 January 1945 as Major (war officer) and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 54

Dates of rank 28 October 1940: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant), effective as of 1 November 1940 20 November 1941: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant), with a rank age dated 1 October 1941 1 January 1943: Hauptmann (Captain) 1 January 1944: Major (Major), with a rank age dated 1 May 1944