Günther Radusch

Günther Radusch (11 November 1912 – 29 July 1988) was a German aircraft pilot, the sixth highest-scoring night fighter flying ace in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Günther Radusch is credited with 65 aerial victories. He claimed one victory during the Spanish Civil War, the remaining 64 victories were all claimed at night in over 140 combat missions, including the destruction of 57 four-engine bombers.

Career
Radusch, an enthusiastic glider pilot as a student, joined the military service of the Heer before transferring to the Luftwaffe. Radusch and nine others, among them Günther Lützow, Wolfgang Falck and Hannes Trautloft, were recommended for Sonderausbildung (special training) at the Lipetsk fighter-pilot school in Russia. He was sent to Spain as part of the Condor Legion in October 1936 as a Leutnant. He claimed his only aerial victory in the Spanish Civil War on 22 April 1937. Together with fellow pilot Feldwebel Franz Heilmayer of 2./Jagdgruppe 88 they each claimed one Polikarpov I-15 shot down, one of which was flown by Felipe del Río Crespo, a seven victory flying ace. Radusch also tested the Heinkel He 112 5-1 under combat conditions in Spain. For his services in Spain he received the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords (Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern).

Awards

 * Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (19 October 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 13 February 1943 as Major in the II./NJG 3
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st class
 * Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 29 August 1943 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./NJG 3
 * 444th Oak Leaves on 6 April 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of NJG 5