A Wartime Photo of Golden Oak Leaves recipient Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Measuring 78x103mm, near mint condition, showing Luftwaffe Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel in a pilot’s jacket.

Footnote: Hans-Ulrich Rudel (1916–1982) was a Luftwaffe Stuka pilot, the most decorated German serviceman of the Second War, and recipient of the first and only Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds.

Rudel joined the Luftwaffe in 1936 as part of a bomber wing. However, he initially had trouble mastering the dive bombing techniques and was seen as unfit for combat. Because of this, he developed a reputation as a poor pilot and was only allowed to fly reconnaissance missions. This only changed in 1941 during the attack on Russia, when Rudel was given a chance to shine and successfully disabled the heavy cruiser Marat for several months through a direct hit, for which he received the Knight’s Cross. He eventually became the Group Commander of Fighting Squadron 2 “Immelmann”. In April 1943, at this time a Captain, Rudel received the Oak Leaves for flying his 1,000th combat missions. Just about half a year later, in November 1943, he received the Swords for his 1,600th combat mission and having destroyed over 100 tanks. At the end of March 1944, having previously being promoted to Major, Rudel destroyed his 202nd tank, which won him the Diamonds. Just over two months later on his 2,000th combat mission, Rudel destroyed his 301st tank. For this feat, Göring awarded him the Pilots/Observation Badge in Gold with Diamonds, and the Golden Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Ground Attack Fighters with Pennant "2,000". Shortly afterwards, in September 1944, he was made a Lieutenant Colonel. Rudel received the Golden Oak Leaves during the final days of 1944 for his 2,400th combat mission and the destruction of his 463rd tank. He was the sole recipient of this award. For this feat, he was also promoted to Colonel. The award was presented to him on January 1, 1945 by A.H. himself. Also in January of 1945, the Hungarian head of state presented him with the Hungarian Gold Medal of Bravery. Rudel was the only foreigner to ever receive this highly prestigious award. On February 8, 1945 Rudel’s plane was hit and he was injured so severely that his lower right leg had to be amputated. However, at the end of March he was already flying combat missions again. At the end of the war, Rudel had flown 2,530 combat missions, all of them on the Eastern Front. He had been injured 5 times and shot down or forced to land due to enemy anti-aircraft artillery 30 times. He had destroyed 519 tanks, several ships, and hundreds of vehicles, as well as having claimed 9 aerial victories. Rudel’s successes had given him mention in the Wehrmachtsbericht on five occasions. After the war, Rudel emigrated to South America for several years, but eventually came back to Germany. He died from a stroke in Rosenheim, southern Bavaria, at the age of 66.