Rudolf "Rudi" Pflanz was born on 1 July 1914 at Ichenheim in the Lahr region of Baden. In 1938, Pflanz was serving with JG 131. On 1 May 1939, JG 131 was redesignated JG 2. At the outbreak of World War 2, Pflanz was serving with 3./JG 2. He recorded his first victory over France on 30 April 1940 when he shared a French reconnaisance Potez 63-11 twin-engined reconnaisance aircraft with two colleagues of 3./JG 2. Pflanz recorded his first individual victory on 14 May, when he shot down a RAF Blenheim twin-engined bomber. During the Battle of Britain, Pflanz was to fly with Major Helmut Wick (56 victories, RK-EL) in the Stabschwarme of I./JG 2, and reputedly shot down British ace Flt Lt John Dundas (13.333 confirmed, 2 probable and 4.5 damaged victories) of 609 Sqn, RAF after Dundas had shot down and killed Wick on 28 November 1940. By the end of 1940, Pflanz had recorded eight victories. Pflanz achieved marked success against RAF Spitfire fighters during 1941 and 1942. On 23 July 1941, Pflanz shot down five Spitfires and a RAF Hurricane fighter. After recording his 20th victory, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 1 August 1941. By the end of 1941 his victory total stood at 23.
Oberleutnant Pflanz was appointed Staffelkapitän of 11./JG 2 on 1 May 1942. On 5 June, he shot down three Spitfires over the Somme Estuary. He recorded his 49th and 50th victories when he shot down two further Spitfires on 28 July. On 31 July 1942, Pflanz engaged in combat with Spitfires. He succeeded in shooting down one but was then shot down and killed in Bf 109 G-1 (W.Nr. 10318) “White 1” over Berck-sur-Mer in France. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Hauptmann.
Rudolf Pflanz was credited with 52 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western Front and included 45 Spitfires.
Oberleutnant Pflanz was appointed Staffelkapitän of 11./JG 2 on 1 May 1942. On 5 June, he shot down three Spitfires over the Somme Estuary. He recorded his 49th and 50th victories when he shot down two further Spitfires on 28 July. On 31 July 1942, Pflanz engaged in combat with Spitfires. He succeeded in shooting down one but was then shot down and killed in Bf 109 G-1 (W.Nr. 10318) “White 1” over Berck-sur-Mer in France. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Hauptmann.
Rudolf Pflanz was credited with 52 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western Front and included 45 Spitfires.
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