Highest scoring tank ace

[Dieter Zinke]

My new list in comparison with the dates and documents of Biblio-Verlag
(Ritterkreuzträger):

1. Knispel, Kurt, SS-Unterführer: 168 Abschüsse (schw.SS-PzAbt. 503) - Königstiger
Abschüsse: 42 als Kommandant, 126 als Panzerschütze
2. Carius, Otto: mehr als 150 Abschüsse (schw.PzAbt. 502) - Tiger I - Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
laut Günter Wegmann: 68 Abschüsse
3. Bölter, Johannes (Hans): 139 Abschüsse (144 möglich) (schw.PzAbt. 502) Tiger - Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
4. Wittmann, Michael: 138 Abschüsse (schw.SS.PzAbt. 101, SS-PR 1 LAH) - Tiger I - Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
5. Sandrock, Hans: 123 Abschüsse (Fsch.Pz.Rgt “HG“, Fsch.StuG.Abt. “HG“, zuletzt HJ-Einheit) - Ritterkreuz
6. Egger, Paul: 113 Abschüsse (schw.SS Pz. Abt. 102/502) - Tiger - Ritterkreuz (5 Sonder-abzeichen)
7. Lang, Fritz, Wachtmeister: 113 Abschüsse (3. / Stu.Gesch.Brig. 232) - Anerkennungsurkunde ObdH
8. Giesen, Arno, SS-Unterführer: 111 Abschüsse (SS “Das Reich“)
9. Rondorf, Oberfähnrich: 106 Abschüsse (schw.SS-PzAbt. 503) - Königstiger
10. Gärtner, Feldwebel: 103 Abschüsse (schw.SS-PzAbt. 503) - Königstiger
11. Körner, Karl: mehr als 100 Abschüsse (schw. SS-PzAbt. 503) - Königstiger - Ritterkreuz
12. Kerscher, Albert: mehr als 100 Abschüsse (schw.PzAbt. 502) - Tiger - Ritterkreuz
13. Woll, Balthasar (Bobby): mehr als 100 Abschüsse, 81 als Panzerschütze (13. / SS-PR 1; schw.SS-Pz.Abt. 101) - Ritterkreuz
14. Wendorff, Helmut: 84 Abschüsse (schw. SS-PR 1 LAH, schw.SS-Pz Abt.101) - Tiger - Ritterkreuz
15. Barkmann, Ernst: mehr als 82 Abschüsse (SS-PR 2 “Das Reich“) - Panther - Ritterkreuz
16. Litzke, Erich: 76 Abschüsse (schw.PzAbt. 509) Tiger - Ritterkreuz
17. Bix, Hermann: mehr als 75 Abschüsse (PR 35, 4. PD) - Ritterkreuz
18. Strippel, Hans: 70 Abschüsse (PR 1) - Pz. IV - Ritterkreuz
19. Seibold, Emil: 69 Abschüsse (SS-PR 2 “Das Reich“) - Pz IV und Beute-T-34 - Ritterkreuz
20. Knauth, Dr. Wilhelm: 68 Abschüsse (PzAbt. 505) - Tiger - Ritterkreuz
21. Primozic, Hugo: 68 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 667) - Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
22. Brommann, Karl: 66 Abschüsse (schw.SS.PzAbt. 503) - Königstiger - Ritterkreuz
23. Brandner, Josef (Sepp): 61 Abschüsse (StuG.Brig. 912) - Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
24. Rohr, Hans-Babo von: 58 Abschüsse (PR 25) - Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub (posthum)
25. Warmbrunn, Karl Heinz, SS-Untersturmführer: 57 Abschüsse, 44 als Panzerschütze (schw.SS-Pz. Abt. 101) - Tiger
26. Ernst, Albert: 55 Abschüsse (schw.Pz.Jäger-Abt. 519) - Nashorn - Ritterkreuz
27. Engelmann, Richard: 54 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 912) - Ritterkreuz
28. Stier, Gottwald: 53 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 667) - Ritterkreuz
29. Kling, Heinz: 51 Abschüsse (SS-PR 1, SS-PR 12, schw.SS-Pz.Abt. 501) - Tiger - Ritterkreuz
30. Müller, Johann: 50 Abschüsse (Pz.Jäg.Abt. 502 [mot]) - Ritterkreuz
31. Dallmeier, Josef: 50 Abschüsse (Fhr. Pz.Jäger-Kp. 1183 / 6. VGD) - Hetzer - Ritterkreuz
32. Feibig, Walter: mehr als 50 Abschüsse (StuG.Brig. 301)
33. Kramer, Heinz: mehr als 50 Abschüsse (schw.Pz.Abt. 502) - Tiger - Ritterkreuz
34. Carpaneto, Alfredo: mehr als 50 Abschüsse (schw.Pz.Abt. 502) - Tiger - Ritterkreuz (dabei Angabe im Verleihungsvorschlag: Gesamtabschüsse 35)
35. Mausberg, Heinz, Feldwebel: mehr als 50 Abschüsse (3. / schw.Pz.Abt. 505) - Tiger
36. Adamowitsch, Felix: mindestens 50 Abschüsse (StuG.brig. 904) - Ritterkreuz

37. Bostell, Wolfgang Hans Heimer Paul von: 48 Abschüsse - (Pz.Jäger-Kp. 1023, Pz.Jäger-Abt. 205) - Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
38. Brandt, Jürgen: 47 Abschüsse (schw.SS-Pz.Abt. 101) - Tiger.
39. Deutsch, Heinz: 44 Abschüsse (Fsch.StuG.Brig. 12) - Ritterkreuz
40. Pfreundtner, Karl: mindestens 43 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 244) - Ritterkreuz
41. Amling, Fritz: mehr als 42 Abschüsse (in 48 Std. mit StuG.Abt. 202) - Ritterkreuz
42. Scharf, Heinz: mehr als 40 Abschüsse (StuG.Brig. 202) - Ritterkreuz
43. Oberloskamp, Walther: mehr als 40 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 667) - Ritterkreuz
44. Tadje, Fritz: 39 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 190) - Ritterkreuz
45. Roy, Rudolf: 36 Abschüsse (SS-Pz.Jäg.Abt. 12 “HJ“) - JagdPz. IV - Ritterkreuz
46. Trägner, Josef: 30 Abschüsse (StuG.Brig. 667) - Ritterkreuz
47. Schramm, Richard: mindestens 30 Abschüsse (StuG.Brig. 202) - Ritterkreuz
48. Banze, Karl Heinrich: 27 Abschüsse (13 an einem Tag, StuG.Abt. 244) - Ritterkreuz
49. Naumann, Horst: 26 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 184) - Ritterkreuz
50. Metzger, Eugen: 23 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 203) - Ritterkreuz
51. Rade, Hans Dietrich: 23 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 244) - Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
52. Teriete, Heinrich: mindestens 22 Abschüsse (schw.Pz.Jg.Abt. 635) - Ritterkreuz
53. Staudegger, Franz: mehr als 22 Abschüsse (SS-Pz.Rgt. 1 “LSSAH“) - Ritterkreuz
54. Kretschmer, Franz: 21 Abschüsse (schw.Pz.Jäg.Rgt. 656) - Ritterkreuz
55. Wagner, Klaus: 18 Abschüsse (in 2 Tagen, StuG.Abt. 667)
56. Feldheim, Hermann: 16 Abschüsse (schw.Pz.Jg.Abt. 654)
57. Engel, Heinrich: 15 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 259) - Ritterkreuz
58. Ribbentrop, Rudolf von: 14 Abschüsse (SS-Pz.Rgt. 1 “LSSAH“) - Ritterkreuz
59. Moj, Wachtmeister: 12 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 190)
60. Freyer, Siegfried: 11 Abschüsse an einem Tag (Pz. Rgt. 24) - Ritterkreuz
61. Regeniter, Dr. med. Alfred - 10 Abschüsse (StuG.Abt. 276) - Ritterkreuz

Cheers
Oberstab

[Erich]

thank you Oberstab for the additions, although personally I feel the men of SS-Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 503 may well have scored more than what is known. Unfortunate that during the short career of January-May of 45 that nearly all the crews in the Königstigers were killed in action. Much about this unit is still speculated in my opinion.

a noteable of the W-SS unit was Richtschütze Hans Klöckner from Feb-May 45 scoring 28 Soviet armor kills. And this is only one of the many unknown's !

E ~

[Dieter Zinke]

thank you Oberstab for the additions, although personally I feel the men of SS-Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 503 may well have scored more than what is known. Unfortunate that during the short career of January-May of 45 that nearly all the crews in the Königstigers were killed in action. Much about this unit is still speculated in my opinion.

a noteable of the W-SS unit was Richtschütze Hans Klöckner from Feb-May 45 scoring 28 Soviet armor kills. And this is only one of the many unknown's !

E ~

Erich,

there is a new book
Ritter, D., R.: “Alfred Rubbel, Schwere Panzer (Tiger) Abteilung 503”.
Book one. Narrating the history of the crews of the Tiger I and II.
This is volume I (text in english) of a rich illustrated (200 fotos and maps) edition.
EUR 59,--

I found the information under:
http://www.buecherkabinett.com

Oberstab

[R-Bob The Great!]

I noticed Balthasar Woll on the first list from Feldgrau but wasn't he Micheal Wittmann's gunner and wasn't he killed with Micheal WIttmann in Normandy?

Also I was wondering if it was possible to write to any of the surviving tank aces or get into contact with them as it would be a matter of great personal interest since I have never actually spoken (or in this case used correspondence) to a veteran before short of my grandfather who designed naval guns. In fact I have never come into any piece of history pertaining to the Second World War!

[Dieter Zinke]

I noticed Balthasar Woll on the first list from Feldgrau but wasn't he Micheal Wittmann's gunner and wasn't he killed with Micheal WIttmann in Normandy?

Also I was wondering if it was possible to write to any of the surviving tank aces or get into contact with them as it would be a matter of great personal interest since I have never actually spoken (or in this case used correspondence) to a veteran before short of my grandfather who designed naval guns. In fact I have never come into any piece of history pertaining to the Second World War!

Woll died 18.03.1996.

Oberstab

[Hans_Rudel]

I noticed Balthasar Woll on the first list from Feldgrau but wasn't he Micheal Wittmann's gunner and wasn't he killed with Micheal WIttmann in Normandy?

'Bobby' Woll was given command of his own Pzkpfw VI Ausf. E during the Normandy Campaign. He was WIA in Normandy and was in a hospital until 3/45. I think he went back into action on the Western Front in the last few months of the war, but Oberstab is correct, Woll died in 1996.

[Kurt_Steiner]

Looking at http://www.feldgrau.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11538 I've found some tank aces that are not listed in this thread. Perhaps someone would be glad to hear about them:

OSCHA, Heinrich Warnick * K's = 77 * > (SSPz.Rgt.2 - "DR") <
OSCHA, Hubert Ludwig * K's = 70 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.2 - "DR") <
WEISSHEIMER, Albert * K's = 65 * > (s.SSPz.Abt.501) <
LARSEN, Rudolf * K's = 63 plus * - KC: 23.10.1944 as Unteroffizier and Panzerkommandant 2./PzRgt "Großdeutschland"
HEUBECK, Konrad * K's = 52 * > (1 SSPz.Div. - "LSSAH") < RK: 17-Apr-45
KROENKE, Horst * K's = 50 * > (s.Pz.Abt.503 / s.PzAbt.505) <
SCHAFER, Oskar * K's = 50 plus * > (s.SSPz.Abt.503) < RK: 29-Apr-45
ROEDER, Paul * K's = 49 * > (Pz."Lehr" Div.) <
STUBAF, Paul * K's = 48 * > (s.Pz.Abt.508) <
WEISSFLOG (Weißflog), Hans-Joachim * K's = 47 plus * > (Pz.Rgt.16 - 116.Pz.Div.) < RK: 5-Mar-45
CASSELHEIM, Franck * K's = 46 * > (Grossdeutschland Div.) <
HIMMELSKAMP, Bernhard * K's = 40 * > (4 Pz.Div.) < RK: 13-Sep-43 als Obergefreiter and Richtschütze 4./PzRgt 35.
PRZEDWOJEWSKI , Felix * K's = 38 plus * > (SS-StugAbt.3 - 3.SS-Pz.Div.) < RK: 16-Dec-43
DIETER, Gert * K's = 36 * > (Pz."Lehr" Div.) <
HERZIG, Johann * K's = 36 * > (s.Pz.Abt.508) <
DAUSER, Hans * K's = 34 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.1 - "LSSAH") < RK: 4-Jun-44
SENGHAS, Paul * K's = 30 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.5 - "Wiking") < RK: 11-Dec-44
MENNEL, Hans * K's = 25 plus * > (2 SSPz.Div. - "DR") <
VIEZENZ, Günther * K's = 21 * > (10./Gren.Rgt.7) < RK: 7-Jan-44
HENKE, Fritz * K's = 20 plus * > (SSStuG.Abt.1 - "LSSAH") < RK: 12-Feb-44
MALKOMES, Hans * K's = 20 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.1 - "LSSAH") < RK: 31-Oct-44
DAHLKEM, ?? * K's = 19 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.9 - "Hohen") <
GUSSNERLACH, ?? * K's = 15 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.9 - "Hohen") <
CHRISTEN, Fritz * K's = 13 * > (SSPz.Jag.Abt.3 - "Toten") < RK: 20-Oct-41
BRUINS, Derk Elsko * K's = 12 * > (SSPz.Jag.Abt.54 - "Nederland") < RK: 23-Aug-44

Some extra info about
RIEDEL, Franz * K's = 40 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.10 - "Frundsberg"). He received his RK: 28-Mar-45
LITZKE, Erich * K's = 76 * > (s.SSPz.Abt.509) He received his RK: 20-Oct-44

Excuse me if I have made any mistake and accept my apologies.

Best regards

[Timo]

OSCHA, Heinrich Warnick * K's = 77 * > (SSPz.Rgt.2 - "DR") <
OSCHA, Hubert Ludwig * K's = 70 plus * > (SSPz.Rgt.2 - "DR") <
STUBAF, Paul * K's = 48 * > (s.Pz.Abt.508) <

Oscha (Oberscharführer) and Stubaf (Sturmbannführer) are their ranks. I suppose their names are Heinrich Warnick and Hubert Ludwig, but does somebody have the first name (or perhaps last name?) of Sturmbannführer Paul?

[Tolga Alkan]

An interesting information,SS-Stubaf. in the Heer unit?

Tolga

[Kurt_Steiner]

Timo wrote:

Oscha (Oberscharführer) and Stubaf (Sturmbannführer) are their ranks. I suppose their names are Heinrich Warnick and Hubert Ludwig, but does somebody have the first name (or perhaps last name?) of Sturmbannführer Paul

This is what I thought, but I don't understand why their ranks are highlighted and not the ranks of the other panzer aces. In addition to this, as Tolga Akan points out,

An interesting information,SS-Stubaf. in the Heer unit?

I don't know what to think about this, and in the mentioned link where I found the info doesn't says very much about it. I'm sorry if I've created more doubts about the topic.

Best regards

[Tolga Alkan]

No need to sorry,perhaps the webmaster made doubts on the list.There are plenty of Tank researchers,in particular Tiger,in the forum,I hope they can help us to recognize this person.

Best Regards
Tolga Alkan

[cyberdaemon]

Thank you , Homer!

This is strange indeed. It makes me wonder which source is correct. Is the info in Panzer Aces correct or several other books like Tigers In Combat or Michael Wittmann and the Tiger Commanders of the Leibstandarte? Maybe we should have a look as to what sources each of this books used?

Basically two different lists:

168 kills- Kurt Knispel
150+ kills-Otto Carius
139 kills- Hans Boelter
138 kills- Michael Wittmann


140+ kills- Michael Wittmann
139 kills- Hans Boelter
125 kills- Otto Carius
42 as tank commander, 126 as gunner- Kurt Knispel


The question is...how did other sources come up with these totals? Do they include scores of when the commander was a gunner? Do they include, for example, when Wittmann was in a StuG? What should be included and what shouldn't? Should it be a total of all the kills as a commander, no matter what vehicle? Or should it be only those kills made while a commander of a Panzer?

Hmmmm...lots of questions, too little answers :):).


Cheers,

Wolfkin

[Jan-Hendrik]

Knispel was mentioned at 160 kills at the Wehrmachtsbericht ( he was member of the 1./sPzAbt. 503 ) , Oberstleutnant a.D. Rubbel , the man who digged his grave , confirmed his kills .

Fw. Heinz Gärtner from the 3./sPzAbt. 503 had 103 Kills confirmed , here some documents about him :

http://panzer-archiv.marcof.de/forum/vi ... php?t=2029


Jan-Hendrik

[kamerad]

Dear kameraden,
In the list Dieter posted on 20th July 2004 regarding the high-scoring men in the Panzer Forces I've found some inaccuracies as far as the official info:
1. Without the shred of a doubt Knispel was the most accurate panzer crew of WW II , but he wasn't part of the SS. He was part of the whermach instead. Therefore, his graduation doesn't match the one on the list.
2. Two times on the list appears the PZ ABTEILUNG 503 as belonging to the SS but this is not so, the belonged to the army. Such is Knispel's case and another case is the one of the 2nd. high-scoring of this unit.
Kind regards
Kamerad
ps. Dieter, this is not meant as criticism of your work as I believe you've done an excellent job on the list, take it just as a contribution.

[Jan-Hendrik]

Well , Rohndorf was a member of the sPzAbtl. 503 , too . Following Wolfgang Schneiders "Tiger in Combat" the Heeres-503 was the most successfull Tiger unit . And I´m still missing Fw. Knittel from PzRgt. 1 , he was mentioned ich the chronicle of the 1.PzDiv. that he confirmed his 70th kill during the battle of the Korsun-Pocket !

Jan-Hendrik