Walter Krupinski

Infobox Military Person
name=Walter Krupinski
born=birth date|1920|11|11|df=y
died=dda|2000|10|7|1920|11|11|df=y


placeofbirth=Domnau, East Prussia
placeofdeath=Neunkirchen-Seelscheid
caption=Walter Krupinski
nickname=Graf Punski
allegiance=flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany (to 1945)
flagicon|West Germany West Germany
branch=)
serviceyears=1940-1976
rank=Hauptmann (Wehrmacht)
Generalleutnant (Bundeswehr)
commands=JG 52 and JG 5
unit=JG 52, JG 5 and JV 44
battles=World War II
awards=Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Bundesverdienstkreuz

Walter Krupinski (November 11, 1920 - October 7, 2000) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II and a senior West German air force officer after the war. He was one of the highest-scoring pilots, accredited with 197 victories in 1,100 sorties. Krupinski was one of the first to fly the Me 262 jet fighter in combat as a member of the famous aces squadron JV 44 [For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organization] led by Adolf Galland.

Biography

Walter Krupinski was born on 11 November, 1920, in the town of Domnau (Domnowo) in East Prussia, and grew up in Braunsberg (Braniewo). Krupinski had two younger brothers, Paul and Günther. Paul joined the Kriegsmarine and entered the Unterseeboot service. He was killed in action on 11 November 1944 while serving on U-771, which was sunk off the Norwegian coast by HMS Venturer.

World War II

Krupinski entered the Luftwaffe in September 1939 as an ensign. From November 1939 to October 1940, Krupinski entered basic air training and after being assigned as a fighter pilot, the fighter school. After his training Krupinski was sent to join his new unit Jagdgeschwader 52, where he was placed in 6.Staffel in November 1940. He flew combat missions over England, but did not gain any successes.

Krupinski won his first aerial victory in the early stages of the Russian campaign. By December 1941 his tally stood at seven confirmed victories and by August 1942 at 50, for which he was awarded the German Cross in gold. After another six victories Krupinski was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. In March 1943, Krupinski was promoted to Staffelkapitän and was given command of 7.Staffel. At this time Erich Hartmann, who went on to become the highest scoring Ace of the war, served as his wingman. Hartmann adopted Krupinki's close quarters method of attack. Krupinski was awarded the Oak Leaves for his knight's cross for his 174th victory.

After achieving 177 victories, Krupinski was transferred from the Russian front to Germany, where he was assigned to 1.Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5. Promoted to the rank of Hauptmann (captain) in May 1944, Krupinski was made commander of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 11. After the Allied invasion of France in June 1944, the Gruppe was rushed to Normandy to operate on low-level Army support missions. Krupinski claimed 10 Allied aircraft shot down before he was wounded and burned on 12 August.By September he was transferred as Commanding Officer of III. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 26. In March 1945, Krupinski was transferred to the aces unit Jagdverband 44, which flew the Me 262 jet.

At 3:00 PM on 24 April 1945, Krupinski was one of four pilots to take off from Munich-Riem to intercept a USAAF B-26 Marauder aircraft formation. Günther Lützow, who failed to return from this mission, led the flight of four. Lützow's fate remains unknown to this date. One of the other two pilots was Leutnant Klaus Neumann [Kurt Braatz, page 365] .

After having claimed 197 enemy planes (177 Eastern Front, 20 against the Western Allies, in about 1100 missions), Krupinski went into American captivity on May 5, 1945.Krupinski had bailed out four times and had been wounded five times.

Awards

* Wound Badge
* Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (May 1942)
* German Cross in Gold (27 August 1942)
* Iron Cross 2. and 1. Class
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
** Knight's Cross (29 October 1942)
** 415. Oak Leaves (2 March 1944)
* Bundesverdienstkreuz ["Helden der Wehrmacht II", p. 121]

After World War II

Released from captivity in September, by November 1952 entered the German provisional defense ministry. Given the rank of major in 1957, Krupinski went to England to lead the first post war German jet fighter wing. In 1966 Krupinski took command of the German forces of the "Luftwaffen-Ausbildungs-Kommando" in Texas with the rank of brigadier general. In July 1969 Walter Krupinski became commander of the 3rd Luftwaffe division. In 1971 he became chief of staff of 2 ATAF. In October 1974 Krupinski was promoted commanding officer of the airfleet. Due to the "Rudel Scandal" he was forced into early retirement on 8 November 1976 holding the rank of Lieutenant-general. Walter Krupinski died in Neunkirchen-Seelscheid in 2000.

References

* Braatz, Kurt. "Gott oder ein Flugzeug - Leben und Sterben des Jagdfliegers Günther Lützow". NeunundzwanzigSechs Verlag, 2005. ISBN 3-9807935-6-7
* "Helden der Wehrmacht II". FZ-Verlag GmbH, 2003. ISBN 3-924309-62-0

External links

* [http://www.luftwaffe.cz/krupinski.html Walter Krupinski @ Aces of the Luftwaffe]
* [http://www.historynet.com/air_sea/aces/3026136.html Interview with Walter Krupinski] By Colin D. Heaton
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOHGORoX8Mw&feature=related WalterKrupinski @ YouTube]