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Rudolf "Rudi" Rademacher (19 June 1913 – 13 June 1953) was a German World War II fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Rademacher was credited with 97, potentially up to 126, aerial victories—that is, 97 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in over 500 combat missions. ==Career== Rademacher was born on 19 June 1913 in Lüneburg, Province of Hanover, a province of the Kingdom of Prussia in the German Empire. On 1 December 1941, Rademacher, holding the rank of ''Unteroffizier'' (Staff Sergeant), was posted to 3. ''Staffel'' (squadron) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front. As of 1 February 1943, Walter Nowotny, his wingman Karl Schnörrer, Anton Döbele and Rademacher, formed a team known as the "chain of devils" (''Teufelskette'') or the ''Nowotny Schwarm'', which during the course of the war was credited with 524 combined kills, making them the most successful team in the Luftwaffe.〔Held 1998, p. 69.〕 He was severely wounded in a Defense of the Reich mission against the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on 18 September 1944. Following a period of convalescence, he joined 11. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 7 (JG 7—7th Fighter Wing) on 30 January 1945.〔Forsyth 2008, p. 30.〕 There on 1 February 1945, flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 first operational jet fighter, he claimed a Supermarine Spitfire shot down near Braunschweig.〔For a list of Luftwaffe Jet aces see ''List of German World War II Jet aces''〕 The Allies reported a Hawker Tempest lost in the vicinity of the action.〔Forsyth 2008, p. 32.〕 Rademacher was credited with 126 victories in over 500 combat missions. 90 of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, including 21 Il-2 Stormoviks. At least eight of his victories claimed over the Western Front were gained flying the Me 262. Rademacher was killed in a glider crash at Lüneburg on 13 June 1953. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Rudolf Rademacher」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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