WW2 Luftwaffe aces signed Adler Tag Cover Oberleutnant Gerhard Krems KC, Major Erich Rudorffer KC.

WW2 Luftwaffe aces signed Adler Tag Cover Oberleutnant Gerhard Krems KC, Major Erich Rudorffer KC. Major Erich Rudorffer Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (born 1 November 1917) is a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace, one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He is 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare, and currently both the oldest jet fighter ace, and the most successful ace still living. Rudorffer claimed a total of 222 victories, fighting in all the major German theatres of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theatre of Operations During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, was engaged in aerial combat over 300 times, was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute 9 times. His 222 aerial victories include 58 heavily armoured Il-2 Sturmovik ground attack aircraft. He was also responsible for sinking a British submarine. Rudorffer got his first victory over a Curtiss Hawk 75, on 14 May 1940. He scored eight more times before the capitulation of France. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain, and legend has him being pursued down Croydon High Street below rooftop level by a Hurricane. He achieved his nineteenth victory on 1 May 1941; he was then awarded the Ritterkreuz and appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 2 the following month. By the end of December 1941 he had claimed 40 kills. In July 1943 Hauptmann Rudorffer was appointed to command II./JG 54 on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first victory here on 7 August. Due to the experience gained by fighting the RAF he achieved incredible success. During his first sortie on 24 August 1943, 5 Soviet aircraft were downed in 4 minutes. On 11th October 1943 Erich Rudorffer wrote history when during 17 minutes he claimed 13 kills. He earned his nickname Fighter of Libau on 28 October 1944 near the Latvian city of Libau. While preparing to land he spotted a Soviet task force of about 60 close air support aircraft on its way to attack Libau airfields. He broke off the landing and engaged the enemy without any backup. He drove off the attackers, shooting down nine enemy aircraft within 10 minutes. n the winter of 1944, Major Rudorffer was trained on the Messerschmitt Me 262 Jet fighter. In February 1945 he was recalled to command I./ JG 7. Between December 1944 and beginning of April 1945 the I./JG 7 operated from the then newly-built Luftwaffe Airbase in Kaltenkirchen north of Hamburg. So he seems to have been Group Commander more or less for the one month of March 1945. Rudorffer claimed 12 victories with the Me 262, to bring his total to 222. His tally included 136 on the Eastern Front, 26 in North Africa and 60 on the Western Front including 10 heavy bombers. Oberleutnant Gerhard Krems Knights Cross of the Iron Cross Born 4th May 1920, Gerhard Krems joined the Luftwaffe on 9th November 1938 commencing pilot training on 15th March 1939 at LKS (2) Flight Training School, Gatow, Berlin. He graduated to multi-engine training at FFS (C) 3 School at Lonnewitz, 1st November 1939 followed by night and instrument flight training at Stargard, which he completed 15th April 1940. The next day he started operational training on the Do17 at the Reconnaissance Flying School, Grossenhain. Promoted to Leutnant 1st June 1940, Gerhard was sent to a holding unit at Weimer-Hohra to await a posting to operational Staffel. On 15th August 1940 he joined Stabsstaffel/KG 27 in France. During the Battle of Britain, Gerhard completed 39 operational sorties (most of these being in the Heinkel III IG+BA, the subject of this aerofile) and was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class (EK II) 21st October, 1940, First Class (EK I) on 18th November 1940. On 22nd April 1941 he was awarded the Bomber Aircrew Qualification Clasp in Bronze for completing 20 operations. The following day Gerhard completed his 39th and final operation over England, after which he along with KG27 was sent east to take part in the invasion of Russia. On 30th June 1941, Gerhard was awarded the Wound Badge, followed by the award of the Silver Aircrew Clasp on 25th July, for completing 60 operations. He was then awarded the Gold Clasp, 10th October 1941, for completing 110 operations, followed by the Honour Goblet on 26th October 1941. Transferring to 2 Staffel KG27 on 27th January 1942, Gerhard became the first in his unit to be awarded the Knights Cross (RK) 25th May 1942. This was followed by the Russian Front Medal on 25th November 1942, and on 20th December 1942 by the Gold Clasp with Pendant for completing 200+ operations. On 15th March 1943, Gerhard gained the Krimschild for the Crimean Campaign. Transferred to Ia/Stab Gen. Kdo. I Fliegerkorps on 21st May 1944 which he served with until the War in Europe ended on 8th May 1945 - 4 days after his 25th birthday - when he was interned by Russian forces. During his wartime service, Gerhard completed 250 operations, and was held in captivity until release on 20th October 1945. From 1946-1950 he studied at Berlin University and graduated as an engineer. During a long career in the water industry, he became internationally well known, especially for his scientific research work for well constructions. He finally retired in 1980. All the above eight covers have a distinctive red map of England and each cover is accompanied with an information guide and photographs of the pilots involved, the mine series of just eight covers was generated by the Aero Philatelic Historian Hans Rossbach. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. 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