Ofw. Helmut Rüffler shortly after return from combat flight - note
the damaged armour glass. Junkertroylhof 1945
In February 1945, Rüffler underwent conversion training
on to the Me 262 jet fighter. However, he was transferred to 9./JG 51,
based on the Eastern front, on 1 March. During March and April, he claimed
25 victories. On 24 April, Rüffler, despite only holding the rank of Oberfeldwebel,
was appointed Staffelkapitän of 9./JG 51 and led this unit to the end of
war. Rüffler died on 21 September 2001 at Niederkassel, aged 83.
Helmut Rüffler was credited with 88 victories in
690 missions. He claimed a further 10 victories that were not confirmed.
He recorded 76 victories over the Eastern front.
Of his 12 victories recorded over the Western front,
eight were four-engine bombers.
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22.6.1941
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I-15 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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23.7.1941
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DB-3 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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25.7.1941
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SB-3 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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10.8.1941
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DB-3 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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23.9.1941
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Il-2 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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4.10.1941
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SB-3 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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5.10.1941
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Pe-2 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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14.10.1941
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SB-3 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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29.10.1941
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R-10 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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4.3.1942
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U-2 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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9.3.1942
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Pe-2 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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17.3.1942
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I-61 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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28.3.1942
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I-301 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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28.3.1942
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I-301 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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28.3.1942
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I-61 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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29.3.1942
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U-2 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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30.3.1942
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I-61 | 7./JG 3 | 10km E Staraya Russa |
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25.7.1942
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MiG-3 | 7./JG 3 | - |
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5.8.1942
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LaGG-3 | 7./JG 3 | 30 462 |
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23.8.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 40 769 |
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27.8.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 49 271 |
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28.8.1942
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R-5 | 1./JG 3 | 49 254 |
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27.9.1942
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MiG-1 | 1./JG 3 | 49 222 |
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27.9.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 50 750 |
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28.9.1942
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Yak-1 | 1./JG 3 | 40 850 |
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28.9.1942
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Yak-1 | 1./JG 3 | 40 560 |
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28.9.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 49 260 |
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30.9.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 40 590 |
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1.10.1942
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Yak-4 | 1./JG 3 | 50 863 |
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2.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 4074 |
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2.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 4074 |
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2.10.1942
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Jak-1 | 1./JG 3 | 49 123 |
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6.10.1942
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Pe-2 | 1./JG 3 | 29 473 |
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8.10.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 4052 |
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9.10.1942
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Su-2 | 1./JG 3 | 4943 |
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17.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 49 270 |
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17.10.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 49 280 |
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17.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 49 410 |
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24.10.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 4074 |
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24.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 5912 |
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28.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 49 122 |
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28.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 49 131 |
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28.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 40 790 |
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28.10.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 40 730 |
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28.10.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | - |
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31.10.1942
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Il-2 | 1./JG 3 | 49 441 |
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1.11.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 6959 |
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1.11.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 5963 |
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16.11.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 40 421 |
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16.11.1942
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LaGG-3 | 1./JG 3 | 40 451 |
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24.11.1942
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E/a | 1./JG 3 | - |
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20.10.1943
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B-17 | 4./JG 3 | - |
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11.12.1943
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B-17 HSS | 4./JG 3 | - |
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24.2.1944
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B-24 | 4./JG 3 | SW Ansbach |
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8.4.1944
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B-24 | 4./JG 3 | - |
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18.4.1944
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B-17 | 4./JG 3 | - |
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19.4.1944
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B-17 | 4./JG 3 | - |
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19.4.1944
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B-17 HSS | 4./JG 3 | - |
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8.5.1944
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B-17 HSS | 4./JG 3 | - |
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30.6.1944
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P-51 | 4./JG 3 | Seine Mündung |
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16.7.1944
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Spitfire | 4./JG 3 | Condé-sur-Noireau |
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18.7.1944
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P-51 | 4./JG 3 | SE Caen |
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18.7.1944
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P-51 | 4./JG 3 | SE Caen |
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??.?.1945
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25 victories | 9./JG 51 | Eastern front |
Victories : 88
Awards : Ehrenpokal (15 June 1942)
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (3 December 1942)
Ritterkreuz (23 December 1942)
Units : JG 3, JG 51