Best Tanks Aces.

Friedrich · #1 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 03:23 AM

I have just found out a very interesting ironny in my life:

I do not like the Luftwaffe nor planes a lot; however, I made an exhaustive research on all the best Luftwaffe aces in WWII and I have a whole Powerpoint presentation with pictures, names, kills and the awards of them all. And my speciality, the Wehrmacht and ground warfare is just lost. I have no idea of who were the best tank aces in the war... Wittmann... but I only know the name. Could you help me please in telling me who were the best tank aces of the war (of any country), their units and killings, PLEASE!

I am trying to help this guy who I had already mentioned that has won many world wide modelling competitions. Now he wants me to take pictures of his work and upload them into the net so you all can see how amazing his work is! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Brad T. · #2 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 05:20 AM

I just saw this a second ago, think this is your guy pal.
Hans-Ulrich Rudel joined the Luftwaffe in 1936, eventually becoming the most highly decorated pilot in history being awarded the only golden Knights cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds. In addition he was the first officer to fly 1000 missions, eventually recording a total of 2530 sorties, destroyed one battleship, one cruiser, one destroyer, trains, anti-aircraft guns, landing craft, about 800 vehicles and over 500 soviet tanks.
If he is not the best who can be.

Friedrich · #3 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 04:15 PM

Thank you, Brad, but I already knew that. And no, he is not the one I am looking for. I am referring to guys who commanded a tank and destroyed other tanks in tank-land-battles.

charlie don't surf · #4 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 05:23 PM

Hi, here are some stuff I've saved on my computer. Enjoy!

This was posted by Dale on the Feldgrau Forum...

1.Kurt Knispel -168 Kills (sPzAbt. 503)-KIA in the last days of the war- -commanding his own Kingtiger - never awarded the KC he so richly deserved
2.Otto Carius - 150+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)- Alive and healthy.Finished the war in S.Pz.Jag.Abt.512(?)
3.Hans Bölter-- 139 Kills (sPzAbt. 502)-survived the war - deceased
4.Michael Wittman - 138 Kills (sS.S.PzAbt. 101 Liebstandarte)
5.Hans Sandrock - 123 Kills (assorted AFV last unit HJ ) - survived the war - deceased
6.Paul Egger - 113 Kills (Das Reich)- alive and well
7.Arno Giesen - 111 Kills (Das Reich)
8.Oberfahnrich Rondorf-106 kills (sPzAbt. 503)- KIA last month of the war
9.Feldwebel Gärtner - 103 Kills (sPzAbt. 503)- KIA last month of the war
10.Karl Körner - 100+ Kills (sS.S.PzAbt. 503)- survived / deceased
11.Albert Kerscher - 100+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)- alive and well
12.Obersturmfuhrer Helmut Wendorff-84 Kills (sS.S.Pz Abt.101, Liebstandarte)
13.Oberscharfuhrer Ernst Barkmann-82+ Kills (Das Reich)- alive and well
14. Will Fey - 80 + kills (s.SS-Pz.Abt.102/502) - survived /had a stroke recently
15.Eric Litztke-76 Kills (sPzAbt. 509)- survived the war / deceased
16.Hermann Bix - 75+ Kills (4th Panzer Division)- survived / deceased
17.ZugFuhrer Hans Strippel - 70 Kills (4. / II/ PzAbt. 1, 1st Pz. Division)- survived / deceased
18.Emil Seibold - 69 Kills (Das Reich)- survived / deceased
19.Wilhelm Knauth-68 Kills (sPzAbt. 505)- survived / ?
20.Karl Bromann - 66 Kills (sS.S.PzAbt. 503)- alive and well
21.Oberwachtmesiter Hugo Primozic-68 Kills (StuG Abt. 667)- survived / deceased
22.Sepp Brandner - 61 Kills (StuG Brigade 912)- survived / deceased
23.Oberleutnant Hans-Bobo von Rohr - 58 Kills (25 Pz. Abt., 7th Pz. Division)
24.Hauptman Richard Engelmann-54 Kills (StuG Abt. 912)
25.Leutnant Josef Dallmeier-50 Kills (either Fhr. PzJager Kp.1183 attached to 6th Volksgrenadier Division)
26.Walter Feibig-50 Kills
27.Heinz Kramer - 50+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)- Carius' gunner, KIA end of war
28.Alfredo Carpaneto - 50+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)- KIA end of war
29.Oberleutnant Mausberg - 50+ Kills - survived / ?
30. Leutnant Horst Krönke - about 50 kills (s.Pz.Abt. 503 & 505)
31.Oberscharfuhrer Jurgen Brandt-47 Kills (sS.S.Abt. 101)
32.Leutnant Heinz Deutsch - 44 Kills (Fsch. StuG Brigade 12)
33.Oberwachtmeister Fritz Amling-42+ Kills (in 48 Hrs. with StuG Brigade 202)
34.Oberwachtmeister Heinz Scharf-40+ Kills (StuG Brigade 202)
35.Leutnant Walter Oberloskamp - 40+ Kills (StuG Brigade 667)
36. Franz Riedel - 40 kills (Frundsberg)- survived / deceased
37.Leutnant Fredrich (?) Tadje-39 Kills (StuG Abt. 190)
38.Obersharfurhrer Rudolf Roy-36 Kills (JP-IV, 12 S.S. PanzerJager Abt. HJ)
39.Wachtmeister Gottwald Stier-30+ Kills (StuG Brigade 667)
40.Wachtmeister Josef Trager - 30+ Kills (StuG Brigade 667)
41.Oberwachtmeister Richard Schram-30 Kills (StuG Brigade 202)
42.Oberwachtmeister Karl Pfreundtner-30 Kills (StuG Abt. 244)
43. Oberleutnant Richard Freiherr von Rosen - about 30 kills (s.Pz.Abt.503)- survived
44. Unteroffizier Martin Burmester - 30 kills (s.Pz.Abt. 503)-
45.Oberwachtmeister Banze - 24 Kills (13 on one day StuG Abt. 244)
46.Hauptman Felix Adamowitsch -23 Kills (in an 8 day period, StuG Abt. 244)
47.Leutnant Eugen Metzger-23 Kills (StuG Abt. 203)
48.Hauptmann Rade -23 Kills (StuG Abt. 244)
49.Leutnant Heinrich Teriete - 22 Kills (in one engagement, sPzJgAbt. 653)
50.Unterscharfuhrer Franz Staudegger-22+ Kills (sS.S.Pz Abt. 101)
51.Leutnant (Res.) Franz Kretshmer - 21 Kills (sPzJgAbt. 653)
52.Unteroffizier Horst Naumann-21 Kills (StuG Abt. 184)- survived / ?
53.Oberleutnant Klaus Wagner - 18 Kills (in two days, StuG Abt. 667)
54.Leutnant Hermann Feldheim-16 Kills (sPzJgAbt. 654)
55.Unteroffizier Heinrich Engel -15 Kills (StuG Abt. 259) - survived / ?

TANK KILLERS

Contributors; Ron Klages, David C. Clarke, Erich Brown, Steve Eckardt, John S.

1.Kurt Knispel -168 Kills (sPzAbt. 503)
2.Otto Carius - 150+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)-Tiger I--Knight's Cross 5/4/44, Oak Leaves 7/27/44.
3.Johannes (Hans) Bolter-- 139 Kills (possibly 144) (sPzAbt. 502) Tigers- Knight's Cross 4/16/44, Oak Leaves 9/10/44.
4.Michael Wittman - 138 Kills (sS.S.PzAbt. 101 Liebstandarte)-Tiger I-Knight's Cross 1/14/44, Oak Leaves 1/14/44 with Swords, 6/25/44.
5.Hans Sandrock - 123 Kills (assorted AFV last unit HJ )
6.Paul Egger - 113 Kills (s SS Pz. Abt. 102)-Tigers- Knight's cross 4/28/45
7.Fritz Lang- 113 Kills (StuG. Abt. 232)
8.Arno Giesen - 111 Kills (Das Reich)
9.Oberfahnrich Rondorf-106 kills (sPzAbt. 503)-Tigers
10.Feldwebel Gaetner ( Gartner?)- 103 Kills (sPzAbt. 503)-Tigers
11.Karl Koener - 100+ Kills (sS.S.PzAbt. 503)-Tigers-Knight's Cross 4/29/44.
12.Albert Kerscher - 100+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)-Tigers-Knight's Cross 10/23/44.
13.Balthazar (Bobby) Woll-100+ Kills, 81 as Gunner (sSS Pz. Abt. 101)-Knight's Cross-1/16/44.
14.Helmut Wendorff-84 Kills (sS.S.Pz Abt.101)-Tigers-Knight's Cross 2/12/44.
15.Ernst Barkmann-82+ Kills (Das Reich)-Panther-Knight's Cross 8/27/44.
16.Eric Litztke-76 Kills (sPzAbt. 509)--Tigers- Knight's Cross 10/20/44
17.Hermann Bix - 75+ Kills (4th Panzer Division)-Knight's Cross 3/22/45.
18.Hans Strippel - 70 Kills (4. / II/ PzAbt. 1, 1st Pz. Division)-Pz. IV-Knight's Cross 6/4/44.
19.Emil Seibold - 69 Kills (Das Reich)-Pz IV+ Captured T-34s
20.Wilhelm Knauth-68 Kills (sPzAbt. 505)-Tigers-Knight's Cross 11/14/43.
21.Hugo Primozic- 68 Kills (StuG Abt. 667)-Knight's Cross 9/25/42, Oak Leaves 1/25/43.
22.Karl Bromann - 66 Kills (sS.S.PzAbt. 503)-Tigers.
23.Josef William (Sepp) Brandner - 61 Kills (StuG Brigade 912)-Knight's Cross 1/17/45, Oak Leaves 4/30/45.
24.Hans-Bobo von Rohr - 58 Kills (25 Pz. Abt., 7th Pz. Division)-Knight's Cross 11/15/44, Oak leaves 4/8/45 (Posthumously).
25.Karl Heinz Warmbrunn-- 57 Kills, 44 as gunner (s SS Pz. Abt. 101)-Tigers
26.Albert Ernst-55 Kills-(s.Pz. Jgr. Abt. 519)--Nashorn-Knight's Cross-2/7/44.
27.Richard Engelmann-54 Kills (StuG Abt. 912)-Knight's Cross 7/22/44.
28.Heinz Kling-51 Kills (s SS Pz. Abt. 101)--Tigers.
29.Johann Muller-50 Kills ((sPz. Abt. 502)--Tigers-Knight's Cross 10/23/44.
30.Josef Dallmeier-50 Kills (Fhr. PzJager Kp.1183)-Hetzer-Knight's Cross 4/3/45(?).
31.Walter Feibig-50+ Kills (StuG Brigade 301)
32.Heinz Kramer - 50+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)-Tigers-Knight's Cross 10/6/44.
33.Alfredo Carpaneto - 50+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)-Tigers-Knight's Cross 3/28/45.
34.Oberleutnant Mausberg - 50+ Kills (s.Pz. Abt. 505)-Tigers.
35.Wolfgang Hans Heimer Paul von Bostell-48 Kills-( Pz. Jgr. Kp. 1023, Pz. Jgr. Abt. 205)-Knight's Cross 9/2/44, Oak Leaves 4/30/45.
36.Jurgen Brandt-47 Kills (sS.S.Abt. 101)-Tigers.
37.Heinz Deutsch - 44 Kills (Fsch. StuG Brigade 12) Knight's Cross 4/28/45.
38.Fritz Amling-42+ Kills (in 48 Hrs. with StuG Brigade 202) Knight's Cross 12/5/42.
39.Heinz Scharf-40+ Kills (StuG Brigade 202) Knight's Cross 9/5/44.
40.Walter Oberloskamp - 40+ Kills (StuG Brigade 667) Knight's Cross 5/15/43.
41.Fredrich Tadje-39 Kills (StuG Abt. 190) Knight's Cross 10/24/42.
42.Rudolf Roy-36 Kills (12 S.S. PanzerJager Abt. HJ)-JP IV-Knight's Cross 10/16/44.
43.Gottwald Stier-30+ Kills (StuG Brigade 667) Knight's Cross (date unknown).
44.Josef Trager - 30+ Kills (StuG Brigade 667) Knight's Cross (date unknown).
45.Richard Schram-30 Kills (StuG Brigade 202) Knight's Cross 12/12/42.
46.Karl Pfreundtner-30 Kills (StuG Abt. 244) Knight's Cross 9/18/42.
47.Karl Heinrich Banze - 24 Kills (13 on one day StuG Abt. 244) Knight's Cross 5/27/42.
48.Felix Adamowitsch -23 Kills (in an 8 day period, StuG Abt. 244) Knight's Cross 10/20/44.
49.Eugen Metzger-23 Kills (StuG Abt. 203) Knight's Cross 9/29/41.
50.Hauptmann Rade -23 Kills (StuG Abt. 244)
51.Heinrich Teriete - 22 Kills (in one engagement, sPzJgAbt. 653) Knight's Cross 7/22/43.
52.Franz Staudegger-22+ Kills (sS.S.Pz Abt. 101) Knight's Cross 7/10/43.
53.Franz Kretshmer - 21 Kills (sPzJgAbt. 653) Knight's Cross 12/17/43
54.Horst Naumann-21 Kills (StuG Abt. 184) Knight's Cross 1/4/43
55.Klaus Wagner - 18 Kills (in two days, StuG Abt. 667)
56.Hermann Feldheim-16 Kills (sPzJgAbt. 654)
57.Heinrich Engel -15 Kills (StuG Abt. 259) Knight's Cross 11/7/43
58. Rudolf von Ribbentrop- 14 Kills (LSSAH+ HJ) Knight's Cross 7/20/43.
59. Wachtmeister Moj-12 Kills (StuG Abt. 190)
60. Siegfried Freyer- 11 Kills in one engagement (Pz. Abt. 24) Knight's Cross 7/23/43.
61. Alfred Reginitor-10 Kills (StuG Abt. 279) Knight's Cross (date unknown).

Best regards, your 'what would you do without me'- friend, Daniel

C.Evans · #5 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 09:14 PM

Daniel--thanks for this damned good posting.

Erich · #6 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 09:26 PM

By the way Will Fey is deceased.

There are at least 3 other SS Schwere Pz. Abt. 503 members with over 25 kills to their credit. Must search for them though.....

one a gunner, Hans Klöckner with the Königstiger alone accounted for over 28 Soviet Tanks.

Commander Hans Diers.....52 ? kills, finished up in Berlin and I think escaped or did he ? he is still alive

I think I started this with friend David Clarke about 2 or so years ago and had given him quite a few Stug III aces as well as Luftwaffe ground attack aces too....

E

charlie don't surf · #7 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 09:29 PM

You're welcome Carl.

Best regards/ Daniel

Panzerknacker · #8 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 09:37 PM

Karl Korner was a great ace-during the battle for Berlin, in ONE action, he accounted for 39 Stalin tanks alone!!!

Paul Errass · #9 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 10:01 PM

Erich,

Have corresponded with Clemens Graf von Kageneck and Walter Scherf both from s.Panzer Abt 503,don't know what their kill count was but both are Ritterkreuztrager so they must have knocked out quite a few.

Paul [img]smile.gif[/img]

Erich · #10 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 10:06 PM

Some interesting tidbits on SS Schwere Pz Abt. 503.

18 April 1945 blocking position on the road from Protzel to Bollersdorf opposite Ernsthof. A Soviet armor assault eminating from Gruhow is replled, 64 Soviet tanks are knocked out for the loss of one Tger 2.

19 April 1945 3 Tigers engage over 100 T-34/85's and a company of JS 2's. The first and last JS 2 are knocked out thus blocking traverse from the Sviet tank turrets. The three Königstigers wipe out the Soviets with Körner destroying over 39, Hauptscharführer Harrer destroys 25. The Tigers take on more ammo behind the main defensive line and relocate to Werneuchen.
In the late afternoon the 3 Tigers are attacked by 30 T-34's, and with the assistance of another Tiger Untersturmführer Schäfer, all the soviet tanks are put out of action.
On this date Karl Körner, his 25th birthday scores his 76th kill in fighting agaisnt JS II's at night with the useage of flares. Retreat toward Straussberg.......

30 April 1945, Georg Diers moves his Tiger 2 towards the Reichstag and knocks out around 30 Soviet T-34's. Commander Turk reamins at Potzdammer Platz and again repels another enemy attack when he is hit to his right track. A Bergepanther recovers his heavy tank.....

E

C.Evans · #11 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 10:25 PM

Thanks Daniel--and thanks for the new info Erich, Paul.

charlie don't surf · #12 (**permalink**) February 16th, 2003, 11:32 PM

Thanks for the great addition Erich!

Best regards/ Daniel

Paul Errass · #13 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2003, 02:34 PM

Daniel,

Got to add Oberfeldwebel Hermann Eckhardt to the list 78 Kills on the Eastern Front using Panzer IV and Stugs whilst serving with Panzer Abt 8.

Ritterkreuz on 18/3/45.

Also served with 15 Panzer Div in Afrika so his total is probably a few more.

Paul [img]smile.gif[/img]

charlie don't surf · #14 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2003, 02:44 PM

Great, Paul!

Best regards/ Daniel [img]smile.gif[/img]

TheRedBaron · #15 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2003, 01:10 PM

Are we sticking to German tank aces or should we consider allied and russian tank crews? Certainly some gained respectable scores, esp. on the eastern front and although the kill counts are far lower this should not distract from their study as their kills were against german armour. One russian whose name escapes me accounted for over 20 tiger I and panthers... Surely worthy of being classed an ace.

So come on guys lets not be so Germanic-centric in our discussion on tank aces, the efforts of the other side seem to have been dismissed to relatively low scores.

CrazyD · #16 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2003, 01:48 PM

Although I have some more germans to add, RedBaron has a good point. I know that there were russian tank aces... see if we can find anything...

I was going through Restayn's Tiger I on the Eastern Front, and found some aces in there that haven't been listed (I don't think). All the following, I'm pretty sure, are Tiger aces- kills scored in Tiger tanks...

Oberleutnant Knarth, 68 kills, s. Pz. Abt. 505

Oberfeldwebel Litzke, 76 kills, s. Pz. Abt. 509

SS Obersturmfuhrer Kalls, ? kills (listed as an "ace" in book), 8th s. Pz-Kp. then s.SS Pz.-KP "Das Reich"
(unit which later became s.Pz. Abt. 102(502)

and from the 13th Schwere Kompanie/ III Abtielung, Groosdeutchland Division..
"Amongst its aces were Feldwebel Rempel, destroying, on one occasion, 18 T34s with a Tiger on it's way to be repaired; and Oblt Beyer who scored 10 T34 kills on 16th November 1943."

CrazyD · #17 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2003, 02:01 PM

OK, found some russian aces really quick...

Dmitriy Fedorovich Lavrinenko had 52 confirmed kills for three months. He was killed in battle in December 1941.

In the George Forty's "Tank Action" book there is a mention about Guards Captain Konstanin Samokhin, during five months he was credited with 69 German tanks, 13 other AFVs, 82 guns, 117 motor vehicles. He was killed on the February 23, 1942.
(I have Forty's book, so I'll confirm tonight)

http://www.battlefield.ru/faq2.html#3

Kai-Petri · #18 (**permalink**) February 20th, 2003, 08:26 AM

I think the Russian aces were discussed before but refreshing one´s memory is never a bad thing.Let´s see what else can be found...

http://www.aaftankmuseum.com/TRACKFACTS.htm

( I do recall using this before but we do have new members since so here it is...)

"No Apricots Rule"
Amtracker's have not eaten apricots for close to 30 years,
as they are believed to be a jinx and bad luck for LVT's, AAV's & Tanks.

United States Staff Sergeant Lafeyette G. Pool,
reported to have destroyed some 258 enemy vehicles. (??)

The 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion became the first
African American armoured unit to enter combat during World War II. ( Maybe someone is interested in digging info on this up ?)

General Bert Hoffmeister was probably the best Canadian armoured commander of W.W.II

Sir Ernest D. Swinton is known as the father of the British Tank.

Jean Baptiste Eugene Estienne is known as the father of the French tank

George Patton, Jr. commanded his first tank brigade on September 12th, 1918
It was the 304th U.S. Tank Brigade, at St. Mihiel Salient, France

The greatest British trainer of armoured soldiers was Major General Percy Hobart.
He also came up with the idea for the funny tanks.

Posthumous Herione of the Soviet Union, Mariya Vasil'yevna Oktyabr'skaya
applied to the authorities to build a tank from her own personal savings,
so that she could fight against the Nazis.
This she did, first as a driver mechanic and then as a Guards Sergeant.
She was badly wounded in January 1944
and died two months later.

---------

Some interesting pics

Arras 1940

An 88 somwhere...

CrazyD · #19 (**permalink**) February 20th, 2003, 02:05 PM

Nice find... more Russian Tank Aces. One thing- I only listed those with 10 or more kills. What would the definition of a tank ace be? I know an air "ace" needed 5 kills... I guess same for tanks?

Guards capt. Samokhin Konstantin 69? + 13 other AFVs, 82 guns, 117 motor vehicles

Lt. Lavrinenko Dmitry (T-34, 4th tank brigade) 52 incl. StuGs

1st lt. Kolobanov Zinovy (KV-1, 1st tank division) 23 + 3 ATGs; inc. 22 tanks + 2 ATGs on 19 August 1941; gunner - A.M.Usov

Lt. Maksakov Vladimir (T-34, 45th Guards tank brigade) 18

Jr.lt. Kashnikov P.M. (T-34, 6th Guards mech corps) 17 inc. StuGs; gunner sgt. Anferov

Lt. Konovalov Semen (KV-1, 15th tank brigade) 16 + 2 arm.cars and 8 cars; on 13 July 1943

Lt. Horoshilov Pavel (KV-1, 12th tank regiment) 16 incl 4 SPGs ; + other vehicles

Salnikov Mikhail 15

Lt. Bessarabov Georgy (T-34, 1st Guards tank brigade) 12

Lt. Deputatov Ivan (36th tank brigade) 11 incl. 2 StuGs; + 3 halftracks

Lt. Silachyev Alexey 11

Lt. Dmitriev Maxim 11

Stepanov Konstantin (46th tank brigade) 11? + 5 ATGs

Lt. Gudz Pavel (KV-1, 89th separate tank battalion) 10 + 4 ATGs, during 1 combat

Lt. Sokolov Yury Sergeyevich (T-34, 45 Guards tank brigade) 10 incl. 9 StuGs; + 2 ATGs, 2 strongpoints, 8 halftracks, 15 cars

1st lt. Khazov Vladimir (6th tank brigade) 10+
Major Sankovsky (SU-152) 10 during 1 day 1943

http://wio.boom.ru/tank/ww2aces.htm
(author lists a source page- in russian, which won't display on my browser... but he says "About 60% of the list are memoirs of the Soviet generals (Zhukov, ...) and pilots (Pokryshkin, ...) and books of a modern Russian researchers." )

Erich · #20 (**permalink**) February 20th, 2003, 04:23 PM

DK winner Alfons Stegmaier of 2nd SS Pz Jager 2 with the stug III, 25 plus kills.

Dk winner Roland Paul of 2nd SS Pz Jager 2 with the stug III and later Pz jagd IV, 45 plus kills.

RK winner Jakob Lobmeyer of 15th SS pz jager and later his own SS Pz jagd 561, some 50 plus kills using the Hetzer.

Keep those Russian aces coming !

Several ground aces in the Luftwaffe Stug Batteries XI and XII in 1945

E

Erich · #21 (**permalink**) February 20th, 2003, 04:27 PM

Kai :

The upper pic of the 8.8 cm is in France taking on a couple of outdated French tanks......mince meat !

E