Even then he quickly returned to combat, having his plane modified so that he could fly it having only one leg. Eventually he would lose his leg in a battle in early 1945 defending against the enemy's approach of Berlin. On several occasions he actually had to be carried to his plane because of injuries to his legs. Rudel was wounded many times in battle but quickly returned to combat against his doctors' wishes. He radiates a calmness that infects us all.' he stresses that we must win the victory over Bolshevism, as otherwise the world will be plunged into an appalling chaos from which there is no way out. He does not blame the German soldier at the front, but sees things exactly as we up there have experienced them. All of us who were there at the front are amazed at his unerring grasp of detail. He touches on the first winter in Russia and Stalingrad. Here's a quote from his first meeting with the Fuehrer: 'He talks to us for over an hour about the military situation, past, present, and future plans.

In fact Rudel would tell the Fuehrer personally that if he was not allowed to return to the Front to continue flying then he couldn't accept the award! With a smile of understanding Adolf Hitler would always relent.Īfter each medal awarding ceremony Adolf Hitler would invite Rudel and any others being awarded medals to have tea with him where they would discuss many topics. However, at each new award, the Fuehrer would grant him his request to continue flying and to return to his unit. On the occasion of his most coveted award, and unique to him, the Golden Oakleaves to accompany his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the Fuehrer told him that he personally wrote his award certificate!Īdolf Hitler and the other leaders of Germany recognized Rudel's uniqueness and forbade him to fly numerous times, in hopes that he could teach his skill to other pilots. Adolf Hitler himself presented numerous awards to him personally. They simply ran out of their highest awards to give him.

They literally had to create specific medals just for him.

His iron will, loyalty to his country, comrades and friends, and perhaps above all his abominable bravery earned him the highest awards ever given to a German soldier. He (Hans Rudel) flew over 2,500 combat missions in WW2, most of them on the deadly Eastern Front, where many pilots didn't survive their first few missions. You're an unstudied idiot, and unfortunately you're not alone, the world is filled with your sort. I wouldnt worry about the arrogance of Hans Rudel, i would worry about your own arrogance. This comment is for the ignorant ass calling itself 'nerbie'.

Stuka pilot by hans ulrich rudel