Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Rolf Pingel (1 October 1913 – 4 April 2000) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. He is credited with six aerial victories during the Spanish Civil War and further 22 aerial victories on the Western Front of World War II. He flew about 550 combat missions, including approximately 200 in Spain.
Born in Kiel, Pingel grew up in the Weimar Republic. He joined the military service in the Luftwaffe and was trained as a fighter pilot. During the Spanish Civil War, he volunteered for service in the Condor Legion. In Spain, he claimed his first aerial victory on 5 June 1937. For his service in Spain, he was decorated with the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords. During World War II, Pingel claimed his first victory on 10 September 1939 as a squadron leader of 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53–53rd Fighter Wing). In August 1940, Pingel was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) where he became a group commander. There, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 September 1940. On 10 July 1941, his Messerschmitt Bf 109 was damaged in combat, resulting in a forced landing near St Margaret's at Cliffe and was captured by the British Home Guard. He was released in 1947 as a prisoner of war. Pingel died on 4 April 2000 in Lollar, Germany.
RolfPingel (1 October 1913 – 4 April 2000) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. He...
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experienced and successful Gruppenkommandeur under his command; Walter Adolph, RolfPingel and Schöpfel. Müncheberg and the recently arrived Josef Priller would...
Condor Legion. The Bf 109s drew first blood on 8 July 1937 when Leutnant RolfPingel and Uzz. Guido Höness claimed two Tupolev SB‑2 bombers. Air combats fought...
6 Jose "Pepe" Larios Spain Nationalist Air Force 6 (and 5 probable) RolfPingel Germany Condor Legion 6 Kurt Rochel Germany Condor Legion 6 Herbert Schob...
aircraft over France. On 10 July 1941, a 109 F-2 flown by Hauptmann RolfPingel of I./JG 26. followed a Short Stirling heavy bomber he had intercepted...
I. Gruppe, Hauptmann RolfPingel, was shot down over England and became a prisoner of war. The next day, Seifert succeeded Pingel in this capacity, a position...
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