User:M yar zuk/Rudolf hagen

Rudolf Hagen

A German fighter pilot who fought in World War II featured in several books (Bf 109 Defence of the Reich Aces,in photo p. 55, written by John Weal and Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942, by Christopher Shores et al,p.633). Hagen was one of the youngest pilots in his division JG53 and often flew with Hauptmann Gerald Michalski from a base in Sicily during the attacks against Malta.

On Friday, 23 October, 1942 he was flying protection for a reconnaissance plane on mission to photograph Malta in his 109. The two planes were attacked from above and while the second plane managed to escape, Hagen headed towards the three Spitfires and collided with one as he passed. According to the book Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942, "A section of 185 Squadron intercepted Bf109's diving on Dingli and Sgt. Ray Saunders (EP467), on only his second operational flight with the squadron, shot down Obgfr. Rudolf Hagen of 4/JG 53, who baled out of 'White 8'into the sea off Gozo; he was later picked up by a rescue craft from Malta. Flt. Lt. Charney (EP471) claimed a second damaged." It is possible that the plane Hagen collided into was flown by Flg. Off. Alec Lindsay (EP685) as it was seen to dive down from 20,000 ft, minus the tail, to crash in a field near Dingli. While this seems to make sense as Hagen was flying at a high altitude on a recon mission and not diving as suggested in the records. It is possible that his plane was struck, lost a wing and collided with Lindsay in one horrific moment.

In an interview in 2009 conducted by Yar Zuk, Hagen he stated he was in the sea for several days before being caught. When he was brought aboard the rescue boat one of the crew jumped into the water to search his dingy and retrieved a few of his personal items. Recently a compass claimed to have been taken from a German pilot who had collided with a Spitfire was donated to the Malta Aviation Museum.

Hagen stated he was taken into port in Malta and treated superficially for injuries which occurred during his bailout. While he was captured, unfortunately the pilot who had shot him down on 23 October was himself shot down and killed by a Bf109 on 24 October 1942.

Hagen was flown to Gibraltar where he had his leg put in a cast, after that he was put on a ship and taken to England into a POW camp. He was then taken to a camp in southern Alberta, Canada and held POW until the end of the war. He was awarded the Iron Cross. Rudolf Hagen was quoted as saying, "It was all such a waste" and expressed regret about all the lives that were lost in the battle.

References:

Bf 109 Defence of the Reich Aces, written by John Weal -Rudolf Hagen in photo p. 55 identified as "young pilot" Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942, by Christopher Shores et al,p.633

Note- I would appreciate help posting the picture featured in the first reference noted above. myz