Tribute to Walter Krupinski by Ivan Berryman. [Postcard]

Originally flying Me109s with JG52 at the end of the Battle of Britain, Walter Krupinski then transferred to the Eastern Front and had scored more than 50 victories by the end of 1942, earning him the Knight's Cross. He took on a young and struggling Erich Hartmann and tutored him in aerial combat - Hartmann went on to become the leading Ace in history with 352 victories. Commanding 7.JG52 in 1943, Krupinski scored 11 victories in a single day. In the spring of 1944 he went west for the defence of Germany, commanding units in JG5, JG26 and JG11. He was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross and in March 1945 joined the famous JV44 flying Me262 jets until the end of the war. In more than 1100 missions he was credited with 197 victories. He is seen here flying Bf.109 G-2 Yellow 5 of 6/JG52 over Russia in October 1942. He later flew with the reformed German Air Force after the war, and flew the F-104 Starfighter. He died in 2000.

Collectors Postcard Ed. of 100

Size 6" x 4"