Why didn't Günther Rall get the diamonds to the KC?

[saaismail]

Just curious as I'm sure some of you understand better how these honors were determined, but I'm curious why someone like Rall didn't get the Diamonds?

I know there were many Luftwaffe aces with extremely high kill counts but I think it's interesting where someone like Galland (certainly one of my favorites) got the KC with Diamonds with 104 victories while Rall never did with 275 victories? Was it because Galland was in more of a leadership role earlier on?

Curious as to your thoughts. Thanks!

Scott

[von thoma]

Many fighter pilots were barely rewarded, not only Günther Rall.
Gerd Barkhorn also deserved more reward that his Swords, Sayn-Wittgenstein (*), Josef Wurmheller (*), Horst Ademeit and Anton Hafner should have won the Swords, at least.
(*) When were alive.

[ljadw]

At the start of the war, one could get the diamonds with 104 victories,later 275 victories were insufficient, because otherwise it would result in an inflation of diamonds .

[saaismail]

Thanks guys. Appreciate your thoughts.

[Peter]

Rall was also known to have sympathy with people persecuted by NSDAP policies and his wife actually "stepped out of line" to assist them. He may have been politically unacceptable for the highest (normal) award made by the Third Reich (ie: excluding the Grand Cross to Göring and Golden Oakleaves, Swords & Diamonds to Rudel who was an Allgemeine-SS member and strong NSDAP supporter).

[von thoma]

Rudel.....who was an Allgemeine-SS member....

I've never heard this before
Where did you take this information ?

[Peter]

If you search on this forum you'll find all of the details, there were several high Luftwaffe pilots who were Allg-SS members.