At the close of World War II in Europe, the combat records of a highly decorated German ace and a battle-hardened American fighter pilot crossed paths in a historic series of events. Lt. Col. Oscar Theis—a Texas-born P-47 Thunderbolt pilot with 117 combat missions—was awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters for his extensive service supporting General Patton's Third Army.
On May 8, 1945, his bilingual skills brought him face-to-face with Nazi Germany’s most decorated pilot, Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel, combining their individual stories into a unique technical and tactical exchange.
THE SURRENDER AT KITZINGEN AIRFIELD
(May 1945)
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[THE AMERICAN PILOT] [THE GERMAN ACE]
Lt. Col. Oscar Theis Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel
• 117 Combat Missions • 2,530 Combat Sorties
• 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses • Highest Nazi Military Medal
• 1 Air Medal + 19 Oak Leaf Clusters • Flew Ju 87 Stuka & Fw 190
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[THE COCKPIT DEMONSTRATION]
Theis uses his native German fluency
to translate as Rudel demonstrates the
controls of a Focke-Wulf Fw 190.
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[THE MOCK DOGFIGHT TEST]
Theis takes off in Rudel's Fw 190 to
battle a U.S. P-47, testing which
fighter aircraft reigns supreme.
Part 1: The Surrender at Kitzingen Airfield
With the war ending, Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel—who had flown an astonishing 2,530 combat missions and was the sole recipient of Germany's highest military decoration—wanted to surrender to the Western Allies rather than be captured by Soviet forces. Despite having his lower right leg amputated earlier that year, Rudel led a small squadron of aircraft to purposefully crash-land at the U.S.-held Kitzingen Airfield in Bavaria.
Serving as an operations officer for the U.S. 405th Fighter Group at the airfield, Captain Oscar Theis was called upon due to his fluent German upbringing. Acting as a translator, Theis joined Major Chester Van Etten to interview the unrepentant German ace. The Americans asked Rudel to walk them through the mechanics of a surrendered German Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Rudel agreed, physically sitting in the cockpit to explain the technical specs of the instrument panel, the fuel controls, and how to unlock the tail rudder.
Part 2: Putting the Fw 190 to the Test
On May 10, 1945, just two days after the surrender, the American pilots decided to put Rudel’s cockpit instructions—and the reputation of German engineering—to the test. They wanted to settle a long-standing question: which aircraft was superior in a dogfight, the American P-47 Thunderbolt or the German Fw 190?
The Setup: Theis climbed into the cockpit of the captured Fw 190, while Major Van Etten flew a standard American P-47D.
The Engagement: The two veteran pilots met at an altitude of 15,000 feet to simulate a real, unscripted aerial combat duel.
The Victory: Relying on his intensive mechanical background and Rudel's instructions, Theis put the German fighter through aggressive maneuvers. Within just a few sharp, tight turns, Theis managed to out-turn the heavier Thunderbolt and lock himself directly onto Van Etten's tail, proving the exceptional agility of the Fw 190 design.
Post-War Legacies
Following these events, Hans-Ulrich Rudel was released from captivity in 1946, moved to South America, and spent his remaining years assisting fugitive war criminals and promoting neo-Nazi political circles until his death in 1982.
Meanwhile, Oscar Theis returned to Texas. He stayed with the Air Force Reserves, ultimately retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1980, leaving behind a legacy of 20 total Air Medals, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and a unique, firsthand role in a major footnote of World War II history.