Rudolf Hallensleben

Rudolf Hallensleben
Born	2 June 1916 Uelzen, Germany
Died	near Leipheim
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1934–45
Rank	Oberstleutnant
Commands held	LG 1 KG 2 KG 51 KG 76
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Britain
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Rudolf Hallensleben (2 June 1916 – 19 April 1945) was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Hallensleben was traveling on the Autobahn to his command post on 19 April 1945. Hallensleben and three other passengers were killed when their car was attacked by strafing US fighters just as they were crossing a bridge over the Danube near Leipheim.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• German Cross in Gold on 15 October 1941 as Hauptmann in the 2./Kampfgeschwader 76
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 November 1943 as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 76

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com

Military offices
Preceded by Major Franz Schönberger	Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 76 January 1943 – 31 May 1944	Succeeded by None
Preceded by Major Franz Schönberger	Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 2 17 June 1944 – 19 September 1944	Succeeded by None
Preceded by Oberst Joachim Helbig	Geschwaderkommodore of Lehrgeschwader 1 (acting) September 1944 – January 1945	Succeeded by Oberst Joachim Helbig
Preceded by Major Wolfgang Schenck	Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 51 1 February 1945 – 19 April 1945	Succeeded by Oberstleutnant Siegfried Barth