Luftwaffe Experten In Killing Trains

[Edward L. Hsiao]

What were the top twenty Luftwaffe experts in destroying trains during WWII? I knew Udo Cordes was one. Others?

Edward L. Hsiao

[von thoma]

Stuka Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel, destroys 4 armored trains.

[Hans1906]

Translation from the german Wikipedia:

"In total, Rudel destroyed three Soviet ships, about 70 landing craft and 519 tanks in 2530 enemy flights as a combat pilot. He destroyed over 800 land vehicles, more than 150 anti-aircraft and Pak positions, four Panzerzüge, numerous bunkers, bridges and supply lines. In addition, Rudel scored nine confirmed aerial victories. No other World War II combat pilot achieved more than the 2530 sorties flown by Rudel.[8] Rudel flew mostly Junkers Ju 87 G "Kanonenvogel" aircraft, as well as Focke-Wulf Fw 190s converted for anti-tank combat. In the process, he was shot down thirty times by flak and infantry weapons, but managed to save himself each time.[5] Rudel was wounded a total of five times, for which he wore the Wounded Badge in Gold."

Is the info in the Wikipedia reliable?
I have the 1975 book about Rudel from the Motorbuch-Verlag, but not at hand here, sorry.

Hans1906

[Ironmachine]

AFAIK, those are his kill claims (more or less, there are small variations if you look at other sources) so almost surely do not match with the real numbers (real as in actually destroyed). For example, in this thread some possible inaccuracies in his claims are presented:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=172571&hilit=rudel

[Hans1906]

If I remember correctly, there is a detailed listing on the last pages of the 1975 book.

But I'm not sure, I haven't had the book in my hand for a very long time...?

Also, please don't forget that the book was published back in 1975, today's findings were probably not known at that time.


Hans1906

ZVAB: https://www.zvab.com/servlet/SearchResu ... udel&sts=t

[Larry D.]

14.(Eis.)/KG 27
17 Apr 45: Feldwebel Günther Bierbrauer was decorated with the RK this date for destroying at least 45 trains with 2,050 railcars while flying with this Staffel.
Others from this Staffel that you need to check:
Oblt. Hans Haselbach, acting (DKG, RK) (Dec 42 - 30 Dec 42)
Hptm. Kurt Schleisick (16 Feb 43 - 10 Mar 43)
Hptm. Eduard Skrzipek (DKG, RK, EL) (11 Mar 43 - 18 Mar 44)) [credited with 20 trains]
Hptm. Emil Barakling (DKG) (18 Mar 44 - 9 Dec 44)
Oblt. Walter Herrmann (DKG) (10 Dec 44 - 26 Mar 45)

14.(Eis.)/KG 55
You will need to check these guys out, too:
Oblt. Mathias Bermadinger (DKG, RK) (1 Jun 43 - 18 Feb 44) KIA
Hptm. Franz Schmidt (DKG, RK) (19 Feb 44 - 27 Apr 45)

Do some research, Edward. I remember seeing a website 10 to 15 years ago that had all of this information.

L.

[Hans1906]

The difference between a normal train, and a then so called "Panzerzug" was then probably a difference.

Panzerzüge (E: "Armored Trains") were usually equipped with anti-aircraft guns, normal trains probably not, am I wrong?

Hans1906

[Larry D.]

Here are a few more:

Hasselbach, Hans: credited with destroying 43 Eisenbahnzüge;
Bermadinger,Matthias: credited with destroying numerous Transport-, Brennstoff- und Munitionszüge;
Schmidt, Franz: with his Staffel, credited with destroying or damaging on the Eastern Front 97 Eisenbahnzüge and destroying 9 locomotives.
Lehmann, Kurt: 2./KG 53, 17 Transportzüge;
Leopold, Fritz: II./KG 3, 1 Panzerzug, 7 locomotives, 32 Eisenbahnzüge;
Lindinger, Eduard: 7./KG 1, 7 Eisenbahnzüge and 3 locomotives;
Mevissen, Kurt: 9./KG 1, 8 Eisenbahnzüge and 1 Panzerzug;

These books are good for finding out who claimed a lot of trains:

Brütting, Georg. Das Waren die deutschen Kampfflieger-Asse 1939-1945. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag, 1981. ISBN: 3-87943-345-3. Hb. 308p. Illus. Bibliography. Index.
Brütting, Georg. Das Waren die deutschen Stuka-Asse 1939-1945. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag, 1984. ISBN: 3-87943-433-6. Hb. 285p. Illus. Bibliography. Index.

L.

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Thank you for your replies guys.

Edward L. Hsiao

[Edward L. Hsiao]

I can't find anything about Luftwaffe train killers when in tried to google. Is there a website about them?

Edward L. Hsiao

[kstdk]

Hello

I think you schould have to have a look at the type of planes used for ground attack and the units that used them to find the top pilots.

Regards
Kurt
kstdk

[grassi]

Hi!

Maybe you should do your search with the term "Eisenbahnjagd".

Lexikon der Wehrmacht has many hints on different units, e.g. Kampfgeschwader 3, doing Eisenbahnjagd:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/KG3.htm


or 12 O'Clock High:

Code: Select all

Like 14.(Eis.)KG 27 (see profile 15), the train-busting 14.(Eis.)/KG 55 long outlived its parent Geschwader's withdrawal from operations for conversion to single-engine fighters. First formed (from 9./KG 55) in June 1943, the Staffel was not disbanded until the last week in April 1945. Unlike 14.(Eis.)/KG 27, however, it appeared not to favour special camouflage schemes. If 'DY' is anything to go by, the only concessions to the unit's nocturnal sorties were black undersides and flame dampers on the exhausts - although most aircraft did pack a powerful punch of anything up to six forward-firing 20 mm cannon.

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=53489


or at the AHF: "Train busters"

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=98553


Best regards


grassi

[Dene]

Matthias Bermadinger Kampfgeschwader 55 Greif/9.Gruppe Foto aus Nachlass Willi Born (Deutsche Kreuz in Gold)Bordschütze von Bermadinger....(Fotos Privat Sammlung Denis Daum)

[Dene]

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,thank you again for your contributions.

Edward L. Hsiao