Gustav Rödel, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Gustav Rödel

German flying ace

Date of Birth: 24-Oct-1915

Place of Birth: Merseburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Date of Death: 06-Feb-1995

Profession: military personnel, aircraft pilot

Nationality: Germany

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio


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About Gustav Rödel

  • Gustav Rödel (24 October 1915 – 6 February 1995) was a German fighter pilot and fighter ace who served during World War II in the Luftwaffe. Gustav Rödel was born on 24 October 1915 in Sachsen.
  • In 1933 the National Socialists came to power in Germany.
  • Rödel had to choose a military career and he applied to join the Luftwaffe in late 1935 and was accepted the following year.
  • After basic training he was selected to train as a fighter pilot.
  • In 1938 Rödel completed his training and was assigned to Jagdgruppe 88, under the command of the Condor Legion.
  • J/88 participated in the Spanish Civil War.
  • There is no record of Rödel claiming any success in combat in Spain.
  • In July 1939, Rödel was sent to Jagdgeschwader 21 (JG 21). On 1 September 1939, the German Reich attacked Poland beginning World War II in Europe.
  • Operating with 2.
  • Staffel (2nd Squadron) he claimed his first aerial victory on this day.
  • In November 1939 he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 27 and saw action in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France in May and June 1940.
  • Rödel claimed three aircraft shot down.
  • In July 1940 Rödel was moved to 4./JG 27 and eventually appointed Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader) of the Staffel effective from 1 September 1940.
  • Rödel was credited with 10 Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft in the Battle of Britain. In March 1941 Rödel was transferred to the Mediterranean theatre.
  • Rödel served with JG 27 through the Battle of Greece and received credit for six aerial victories.
  • In June 1941 Rödel was briefly posted to the Eastern Front to support Operation Barbarossa.
  • He claimed only one victory in the Soviet Union.
  • For his success he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 25 June 1941.
  • Rödel was posted to North Africa with JG 27 soon after and remained there until November 1942. On 22 April he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of JG 27.
  • Subsequently, Rödel saw action over Sicily and Southern Italy in May 1943.
  • On 20 June 1943 he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross for 78 victories.
  • In October 1943, JG 27 moved to Nazi Germany for Defence of the Reich operations and in June 1944 led the wing in the Battle of Normandy.
  • He claimed his 98th and final victory on 5 July 1944.
  • In December 1944 he served as a staff officer with the 2.
  • Jagd Division until the German surrender in May 1945. Rödel was credited with 97 victories against the Western Allies and a single victory over Soviet Air Forces in over 980 combat missions.
  • He flew the Messerschmitt Bf 109.
  • In 1957, Rödel joined the Bundeswehr.
  • He retired on 30 September 1971, holding the rank of Brigadegeneral.

Read more at Wikipedia

See Also