Me262 Ace Walter "Graf" Krupinski Interview

From Jane's WWII Fighters

Walter Krupinski, known to his comrades as "Graf" ("Count"), first saw combat against the RAF on the Western Front. Transferring to the east, his victories soon started to mount and in October 1942, he became a commander in the legendary Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52) wing. A year later his victories reached 150. He was one of JG 52's elite fighter pilots, becoming Staffelkapitan of 7. Staffel in the spring of 1943. In March 1944, with 177 victories to his name, he returned to Germany to take command of II./JG 11. Flying high altitude Bf 109s, he chalked up another 12 victories before being wounded. From September 1944 to March 1945 he led III./JG 26, during which his unit participated in the Ardennes Offensive. Krupinski is one of the few living aces to have flown the long-nosed Fw190D in combat.

He finished the war flying with Adolf Galland's famous Jagdverband 44 (JV 44), a squadron of experts flying the revolutionary Me 262 jet fighter. He was one of the most successful pilots flying on both the Russian and Western Fronts. By the end of his career, he was credited with 197 aerial victories and held the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. He was also an exceptional leader who taught many young fighter pilots their trade, including Erich Hartmann. In 1,100 missions, he never lost a wingman.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ww2
• wwii
• aces
• ace
• fighter
• pilot
• me
• 262
• second
• world
• war
• european
• theater

[TheMuffdivr]

What's this Ruskie talking about Einstein and Argentina have to do with this subject? Put down the Vodka,you're cut off.As far as taking on English aircraft goes, on Sep. 1,1942 Hans-Joachim Marseille shot down 17 RAF fighter planes in 1 day with an ME-109. No English or US pilot ever came even close to that then or since. Top 25 aces of WWII were all German and there are NO RAF or US aces in the top 40. Bottom line is,German fighter pilots were just better than their counterparts. End of story.

[Bellerspitts]

i think you've been in there long enough,you can come out now-if you both can behave.

[Rooster1Cogburn]

@Bellerspitts For how long are you thinking we should stay in our rooms then?

[Bellerspitts]

You two are the reason people go to war,go to your room! both of you!

[iroscoe]

@Rooster1Cogburn Which references are those?,i have many books on the subject none of which come to the conclusion you have,as the bare facts do not seem to support it at all .

[Rooster1Cogburn]

@iroscoe It is fortunate that you are willing to at least begin reading. I have a general disdain for "weekend historians" who come on youtube and spread their ignorance." Just stay on the subject, read a few books, and you'll be enlightened. The fact that the R.A.F. was brought to it's knees and within an inch of its life is not newly discovered or otherwise unreported history. It is reported by almost any serious reference on the subject.

[iroscoe]

@Rooster1Cogburn Why don't you quote a source?,i will get the ball rolling my source on the affect of airfield attacks was Dowdings letter which accompanied Keith Parks report covering the period 8th Aug through 12th Sept .

[Rooster1Cogburn]

@iroscoe Like I said dumbass, do yourself some reading. THE FUCKING R.A.F. HIGH COMMAND said they were almost annihilated in documentaries and reports after the war, you stupid fucking blow hard.

[iroscoe]

@Rooster1Cogburn Perhaps you should take your own advice...even during the 3 weeks of airfield attacks of the 13 fields attacked only Manston and Lympne were out of action for anything more than a few hours,the only one of the sector stations hit was Biggin Hill but again it was only inoperable for a few hours . So given the unfavourable kill ratio in the air and the limited effect of attack on its airfields,sector stations and RDF in what way was the RAF "almost annihilated" ? .

[Rooster1Cogburn]

@iroscoe You sound very, very ignorant. Do a little reading and then come back. Thanks.