How Hans-Ulrich Rudel Lost His Leg

Gadermann was a qualified doctor at Rudel's base on the Eastern front earlier in the war. The story I heard was that he volunteered to crew the rear seat for Rudel when Rudel's gunner was killed. In any case, Gadermann continued in this role for the rest of the war. In this incident, he knew what to do to stop Rudel bleeding to death and almost certainly saved his life. Hitler decorated them both. After the war, Gadermann became a cardiologist. I believe he was a senior medical officer at the 1972 Munich summer Olympics. Whatever else you might say, it must have taken great courage to sit in the back of a Stuka helplessly facing backwards into the sky in those steep dives, wondering if the pilot was going to pull up in time. What faith.

As a former fighter pilot I regard Rudel as the greatest pilot in history.

Thanks for another great video !

Rudel was rather ironically important in the design of the A-10 thunderbolt 2. The reps for Fairchild aircraft went to interview him and asked him what made a good tank buster. His answer is why the A-10 features extensive cockpit armor, has a full manual reversion system ( yes if the hydraulics are shot out it’s got cables and pulleys to move the surfaces). It’s also why the engines sit far back and why the Hog has the main landing gear that doesn’t fully retract. Regardless of your opinions of Rudel as a person his knowledge of anti armor tank killing is why so many A-10 pilots have taken worse hits then him and managed to land their badly damaged jets back home. He subscribed to a horrible ideology but it was that super science of WW2 Germany that’s gotten us where we are today. Makes things complicated and conflicted, doesn’t it?

Hans Rudel the father of tank busting Aircrafts tactic, great to hear his story, the advice he gave for the A10 warthog aircraft to have 30 mm Gatling cannon gun in the front was a lesson, he experience against Soviet was worth in Gold to republic aircraft.

Another excellent video with an interesting, but perhaps little-known, subject. Tank busting Stuka looks really cool. Keep them coming!

I read in his book how he got a mobility kill against a Russian ace. He didn't shoot him down; he caused him to crash into a hill.

Extraordinary warrior !!! No one could ever reach him. He belongs to The Valhalla where the true warriors live !!!

This was excellent I have been searching for something this detailed

I see a Showtime 112 video and immediately click 👍 ~ it’s as natural a reaction as breathing! Another excellent video. Thanks for all your hard work, it’s much appreciated.

Great video!

The poor bloody tail gunner must have had nightmares.

The use of Il2 makes this one look like a era video. Good work!

Excellent! I read Rudel's book and is very nice to see an artist give life to stories I could just imagine in my mind. Great video!

Thé total is 519 tanks, 4ships, 9 airkills with FW190. When his gruppe surrended, his personnal FW190 was fly by a woman and landed intact. Later this Fw was tested in USA

Very, very interesting. I hope there is more Rudel videos in the future.

I love your videos, please make more!

I did an essay on Rudel a few years ago for an online martial arts website. Sort of a motivational story about the importance of leadership, perseverance and combat initiative. Rudel was not a show off like Marseille or even very talented like Hartmann but rather a quiet, reserved introvert who stayed humble despite his starlike status in the 3rd Reich. He was also not afraid to go against his superiors and even famously once told Hitler to go f_k himself (not in those exact words but bold enough to make the whole room go quiet).

Great video 😊

So, I've obviously never flown Stuka, but if it was anything like in Il-2 1946 - man, I hated it! It was slower and weaker than anything on the front, and I actually preffered flying in Il-2, I felt invincible in that thing! People flying in Stukas must've been really brave... or stupid. Possibly both. Great video! 👍🏻👏🏻💪🏻🍻🍻🙋🏼‍♂️