39 Facts About Walter Krupinski

Walter Krupinski was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace in World War II and a senior West German Air Force officer during the Cold War.

Walter Krupinski was one of the highest-scoring pilots in the war, credited with 197 victories in 1,100 sorties.

Walter Krupinski was called by his fellow pilots Graf Punski due to his Prussian origins.

In October 1942, Walter Krupinski was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and was appointed squadron leader of 7.

Walter Krupinski was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for 174 aerial victories.

Walter Krupinski was then transferred, serving with Jagdgeschwader 5 and was then given command of II.

Walter Krupinski was born on 11 November 1920, in the town of Domnau in the Province of East Prussia, and grew up in Braunsberg, present-day Braniewo, Poland.

On 21 March 1939, Walter Krupinski graduated with his Abitur from the Lyceum Hosianum in Braunsberg.

On 1 April 1939, Walter Krupinski started his compulsory Reichsarbeitsdienst in Freystadt, present-day Kisielice.

Walter Krupinski was taught blind flying on the Junkers W 34.

On 24 June 1940, Walter Krupinski received his B2 pilot license.

At Merseburg, Walter Krupinski met and befriended Gerhard Barkhorn and Willi Nemitz.

Walter Krupinski's father was a professor of Slavic studies in Dresden.

When Walter Krupinski tried to explain his East Prussian origin, Resch informed him that the ending in "-ski" or "-zky" denoted a landowner, or that it indicated a Freiherr, and thus the lowest level in the medieval noble hierarchy in the East.

The next day, Walter Krupinski claimed a Polikarpov R-5 reconnaissance bomber shot down.

Walter Krupinski was then flown to Liegnitz, present-day Legnica, for further treatment.

In January 1943, Walter Krupinski learned that he had been transferred to Erganzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost, a supplementary training unit for fighter pilots destined for the Eastern Front, as an instructor.

That day, Walter Krupinski claimed two LaGG-3 fighters shot down but was severely injured in a landing accident at Ugrim.

Walter Krupinski had sustained injuries to the head, including lacerations, a fracture of the parietal bone and a rib.

Walter Krupinski was then taken to a hospital at Braunsberg for further convalescence.

On 18 August 1943, Walter Krupinski was credited with his 100th aerial victory.

Walter Krupinski was the 51st Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.

Walter Krupinski was the 415th member of the German armed forces to be so honored.

Walter Krupinski assumed that they were heading for the Wolf's Lair in East Prussia but the train was heading for the Berghof in Berchtesgaden.

In consequence, Walter Krupinski was transferred from the Eastern Front to Germany, succeeding Habermann in this capacity.

Walter Krupinski was replaced by Hauptmann Karl Leonhard as commander of II.

Caldwall attributed this to Walter Krupinski being "weary of the war".

Walter Krupinski then ordered Reischer to lead a successful second mission or face a court-martial for cowardice.

Priller, who had been transferred and then held a staff position with the General der Jagdflieger, had recommended to Walter Krupinski to go to Lechfeld where III.

At 3:00 pm on 24 April 1945, Walter Krupinski was one of four pilots to take off from Munich-Riem to intercept a United States Army Air Forces Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft formation.

Walter Krupinski was picked up at Wasserburg by his friend Barkhorn who took him home to his family at Tegernsee.

Since Walter Krupinski was still suffering from his head injury, the family lived off his wife's income who was working as a waitress for the US garrison at Bad Salzschlirf.

Walter Krupinski was hired and helped gather information about the armed forces in the Soviet occupation zone until 1953.

Walter Krupinski had done little to lift this veil of uncertainty.

Walter Krupinski entered the Amt Blank, named after Theodor Blank, the forerunner of the German Federal Ministry of Defense on 7 April 1953.

On 19 November 1955, Walter Krupinski joined the newly created German Air Force, at the time referred to as the Bundesluftwaffe, holding the rank of Major.

In 1966 Walter Krupinski took command of the German forces of the Luftwaffen-Ausbildungs-Kommando in Fort Bliss, Texas with the rank of brigadier general.

Walter Krupinski held this position until 30 June 1969 when he became commander of the 3rd Luftwaffe division.

In October 1974 Walter Krupinski was promoted commanding officer of the airfleet.