Erich Rudorffer

Erich Rudorffer
Erich Rudorffer in 1944
Nickname(s)	Fighter of Libau
Born	(1917-11-01)1 November 1917 Zwochau, Saxony, German Empire
Died	8 April 2016(2016-04-08) (aged 98) Bad Schwartau, Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1936–45
Rank	Major
Unit	JG 2, JG 7 and JG 54
Commands held	6./JG 2, II./JG 2, I./JG 7 and II./JG 54
Battles/wars	See battles World War II Battle of France Battle of Britain Eastern Front Defense of the Reich
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Other work	airline pilot

Erich Rudorffer (1 November 1917 – 8 April 2016) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace who was one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He was one of the most successful fighter pilots in the history of air warfare, with 222 victories claimed. Rudorffer fought in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, engaging in aerial combat over 300 times. Rudorffer was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute nine times.