RUDZITIS, ERNESTS
- Born: March 25, 1902 in Riga
- 1923 - Joins the military, attached to the Aviation Division.
- 1929, August 28 - receives his military pilots certification after completing the required courses, but with only 15 hours of flying time logged.
- 1929 - Rank: Sergeant
- He trained sport aviators in Valmiera, and in the late 1930s all aeroclub instructors were also military pilots.
- 1929, December - his squadron (1st Fighter Squadron, Riga) is equipped with the new Bristol Bulldogs.
- 1930, December 5 - his status is upgraded to "combat pilot"
- September 8, 1935 - Participates in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
- August 21, 1938 - participates in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
- 1938 - his Squadron (still with 1st Fighter Squadron) is equipped with the new Gloster Gladiators.
- June 7, 1939 - As part of the Aviation Regiment's 20th anniversary, he is awarded the Award of Honour II. class.
- 1940, August 18 - (Soviet Occupation) Rudzitis is one of the last Latvians to fly a Gloster Gladiator. Most of his squadron had already been evacuated for Krustpils, but he and two others (Dulle and Bambers) were kept behind to fly a Gladiator in the 'united' air show at Spilve.
- (German occupation) - fought in the infantry
- 1943 - graduated from the advanced officer training program at Bolderaja, then was transferred to Grobini to train aviators for the Latvian Luftwaffe unit being formed.
- Emigrated to West Germany (Menchengladbach) after the war.
- 1967 - he managed to get his spouse free from behind the Iron Curtain, but
she passed away eight years later.
Sources
- Bruvelis, Edvins Latvijas Aviacijas Vesture
- Daugavas Vanagu Menesraksts 1977, No.3
- Daugavas Vanagu Menesraksts 1982, No.3
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