Hugo Broch

Hugo Broch
Born	(1922-01-06) 6 January 1922 (age 103) Leichlingen, Rhine Province, Prussia, Weimar Republic
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service / branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1940–45
Rank	Leutnant (second lieutenant)
Unit	JG 54
Battles / wars	World War II Eastern Front Courland Pocket
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other work	Employee with Agfa

Hugo Broch (born 6 January 1922) is the last living German Luftwaffe flying ace of the Second World War. He is credited with 81 victories in 324 missions, all on the Eastern Front. He is a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and is one of two living recipients of the award. ^[1] The other recipient is a former Heer officer, Heinz Rafoth  [ de ]. ^[2]

World War II

Broch is a former World War II Luftwaffe pilot. ^[3] In January 1943, he arrived on the Eastern Front to serve in World War II as part of Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) Grünherz (Green Heart), and he claimed his first victory two months later. ^[4]

Later life

Following World War II, Broch became an employee with Agfa in Leverkusen. ^[5] He was a prolific autograph signer, and signed many memorabilia items. ^{[6] [7]} At age 95, he fulfilled a long-held ambition to fly in a Spitfire, the two seat Tr.9 MJ627. ^[8] On 6 January 2022, he turned 100. ^[9]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

Broch was credited with 81 aerial victories claimed in 324 combat missions. All of his victories were recorded over the Eastern Front. ^[10] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 81 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front. ^[11]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 35371". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km²). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size. ^[12]

Chronicle of aerial victories
This and the – (dash) indicates unconfirmed aerial victory claims for which Broch did not receive credit.   This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Schumann, Mehwitz, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim	Date	Time	Type	Location	Claim	Date	Time	Type	Location
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – [13] Eastern Front — 4 February – 31 December 1943
— [Note 1]	7 March 1943	—	LaGG-3 [16]		23	2 September 1943	10:01	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 35371, west of Yelnya [17] 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Yelnya
1	13 March 1943	15:18	Il-2	PQ 36 Ost 20122, north of Volkhov [14] west of Volkhov	24	5 September 1943	15:35	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 35372, northwest of Yelnya [18] 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Yelnya
2	19 March 1943	15:37	Il-2	PQ 36 Ost 00451, northwest of Ulyanovka [14] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-southeast of Slutsk	25	7 September 1943	10:55	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 26812, northeast of Dukhovshchina [18] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Yartsevo
3	21 March 1943	12:00	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 00192, northwest of Kolpino [14] 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Pushkin	26	10 September 1943	10:05	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 26813, east of Dukhovshchina [18] 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Yartsevo
4	1 June 1943	05:10	LaGG-3	PQ 36 Ost 20123, northwest of Volkhov [19] west of Volkhov	27	14 September 1943	12:05? [Note 2]	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 35372, northwest of Yelnya [18] 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Yelnya
5	16 July 1943	04:35	LaGG-3	west of Bolkhov [21]	28	14 September 1943	16:37	Pe-2	PQ 35 Ost 25672, west of Shatalovka [18] 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Shatalovka
6	21 July 1943	13:34	Yak-7	PQ 35 Ost 64794, east of Oryol [21] 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Oryol	29	15 September 1943	08:44	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 26813, east of Dukhovshchina [18]
7	22 July 1943	15:21	Yak-7	southwest of Troitskoye [21] Oryol	30	15 September 1943	13:13	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 35511, southwest of Yelnya [18] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Yelnya
8	2 August 1943	08:54	Il-2	PQ 36 Ost 10172 [22] vicinity of Mga	31	15 September 1943	17:35	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 35512, west of Yelnya [18] 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Yelnya
9	12 August 1943	08:00	Yak-7	PQ 35 Ost 54763, east-northeast of Kirov [23] 25 km (16 mi) east of Karachev	32	25 October 1943	15:34	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 10132 [24] east of Shlisselburg
10	12 August 1943	12:50	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 35621, southeast of Kijuschki [23] 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Spas-Demensk	33	26 October 1943	14:50	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 10131 [24] east of Shlisselburg
11	14 August 1943	05:02	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 45752, northwest of Kirov [23] 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Kirov	34	26 October 1943	15:02	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 11783 [24] over Lake Lagoda
12	19 August 1943	16:25	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 45744, northwest of Kirov [23] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Kirov	35	28 October 1943	12:07	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 01474 [24] 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk
13	19 August 1943	16:38	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 35864 [23] 25 km (16 mi) west of Kirov	36	28 October 1943	12:15	Il-2	PQ 35 Ost 01623 [24] 60 km (37 mi) north-northeast of Leningrad
14	21 August 1943	16:46	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 43813, northwest of Sevsk [23] 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Sevsk	37	29 October 1943	09:09	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 01663 [24] 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Leningrad
15	22 August 1943	13:05	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 43223, southwest of Rushnoje [23] 15 km (9.3 mi) west-southwest of Tschaikowka	38	2 November 1943	13:20	Il-2	PQ 35 Ost 10123 [24] east of Shlisselburg
16	22 August 1943	16:23	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 43823, east-northeast of Sevsk [23] 15 km (9.3 mi) east-northeast of Sevsk	39	2 November 1943	15:07	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 01441 [24] Lake Lagoda
17	23 August 1943	18:39	LaGG-3	PQ 35 Ost 44664 [17] 25 km (16 mi) north-northwest of Karachev	40	2 November 1943	15:12	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 01413 [24]
18	24 August 1943	07:03	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 44481, east of Kalino [17] 25 km (16 mi) south of Sevsk	41	5 November 1943	10:46	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 01561 [25] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk
19	24 August 1943	14:43	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 54553, east of Krassnaja [17] 30 km (19 mi) north-northeast of Karachev	42	5 November 1943	10:50	Il-2	PQ 35 Ost 01564 [25] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk
20	28 August 1943	11:49	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 43683, northeast of Sevsk [17] 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Sevsk	43	5 November 1943	13:05	Il-2	PQ 35 Ost 01533 [25] 55 km (34 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk
21	31 August 1943	15:33	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 35523 [17] 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Yelnya	44	6 November 1943	15:20	Yak-9	PQ 35 Ost 01564 [26] 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Zelenogorsk
22	31 August 1943	17:43	La-5	PQ 35 Ost 35384, southwest of Yelnya [17] 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Yelnya
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – [20] Eastern Front — 16 August – 30 September 1944
45	17 August 1944	13:09	La-5	southeast of Melikorna [27] Lake Peipus	53	14 September 1944	18:42? [Note 3]	Yak-9	west of Priipalu [27] 20 km (12 mi) north of Walk
46	21 August 1944	18:11	La-5	south of Antsla [27] 20 km (12 mi) west-southwest of Võru	54	16 September 1944	17:35	Pe-2	west of Engekarti [27] 40 km (25 mi) north-northwest of Kreutzburg
47	21 August 1944	18:15	La-5	east of Antsla [27] south of Võru	55	16 September 1944	17:39	Pe-2	west of Engekarti [27] 40 km (25 mi) north-northwest of Kreutzburg
48	25 August 1944	09:33	Yak-9	west of Ruli [27]	56	16 September 1944	18:00	La-5	south of Lake Kalu [27] 40 km (25 mi) north of Kreutzburg
49	25 August 1944	09:34	Il-2	southwest of Ruli [27]	57	20 September 1944	11:42	Il-2	PQ 69116 [27] 25 km (16 mi) east-northeast of Weissenstein
50	30 August 1944	17:55	La-5	west of Tartu [27] 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Tartu	58	23 September 1944	12:35	La-5	PQ 58625 [27] west of Jēkabpils
51	6 September 1944	12:55	Yak-9	northwest of Kaarli [27] northeast Tartu	59	30 September 1944	12:22	La-5	PQ 57115 [27] 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast of Mālpils
52	14 September 1944	18:41? [Note 4]	Yak-9	north-northwest of Soe [27] 20 km (12 mi) north of Walk
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 – [20] Eastern Front — 1 – 31 October 1944
60	10 October 1944	10:18	Pe-2	east of Tilti [27] 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Liepāja	63	28 October 1944	11:46? [Note 5]	Il-2	west of Liepāja [27]
61	22 October 1944	14:25	Yak-9	northeast of Alpeni [27] 20 km (12 mi) south of Liepāja	64	28 October 1944	15:15	Il-2	south of Priekule [27] 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Liepāja
62	28 October 1944	11:46	Il-2	west of Libau [27]
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 – [28] Eastern Front — November 1944 – 8 May 1945
65	14 December 1944	12:22	Il-2	south of Liepāja [27]	74	20 January 1945	14:42	Yak-9	west of Skrunda [27]
66	14 December 1944	12:23	Il-2	southwest of Liepāja [27]	75	26 January 1945	09:40	P-39	PQ 27397 [27]
67	15 December 1944	10:58	Pe-2	east of Tilti [27]	76	29 January 1945	12:15	Il-2	PQ 17569 [27]
68	15 December 1944	11:00	P-39	south of Tilti [27]	77	21 February 1945	12:33	Pe-2	PQ 17611 [27]
69	21 December 1944	11:58	Il-2	south of Gubas [27]	78	23 March 1945	16:14	Yak-9	PQ 17478 [27]
70	22 December 1944	11:46	Yak-3	west of Bernali [27]	79	23 March 1945	16:19	Il-2	PQ 17479 [27]
71	26 December 1944	12:29	Il-2	southwest of Frauenstadt [27]	80	26 March 1945	08:02	Yak-3	PQ 07732 [27]
72	20 January 1945	14:26	Pe-2	southeast of Skrunda [27]	81	26 March 1945	08:03	Yak-3	PQ 07733 [27]
73	20 January 1945	14:29	Yak-9	west of Skrunda [27]

Awards and decorations

• Aviator badge (28 November 1941) ^[29]
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
  • in Bronze (26 March 1943) ^[30]
  • in Silver (10 June 1943) ^[31]
  • in Gold (23 August 1943) ^[32]
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (7 April 1943) ^[33]
  • 1st Class (11 August 1943) ^[32]
• Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 8 November 1943 as Unteroffizier and pilot ^{[34] [Note 6]}
• German Cross in Gold on 26 November 1943 as Unteroffizier in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54 ^[37]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 March 1945 as Feldwebel and pilot in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 54 ^{[38] [39]}
• Courland Cuff Title (20 April 1945) ^[40]

Notes

1. This unconfirmed claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock. ^[14] It is also not listed by Mathews and Foreman. ^[15]
2. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:09. ^[20]
3. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 17:42. ^[20]
4. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 17:41. ^[20]
5. According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:47. ^[20]
6. According to Obermaier and Schumann on 27 October 1943. ^{[35] [36]}

References

Citations

1. Felton, Mark, Last Living Knight's Cross Holders 2023 , retrieved 2024-09-10
2. Rafoth, Heinz , retrieved 2024-09-10
3. Harvey 2008.
4. Scutts 1992, p. 93.
5. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 40.
6. Keurajian 2016, pp. 37, 112–113.
7. Hagenberg-Miliu 2014.
8. "Luftwaffe ace flies in Spitfire". BBC. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
9. "Hugo Broch, el último as alemán de la Segunda Guerra Mundial que aún vive" (in Spanish). Defensa Y Aviacion. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
10. Spick 1996, p. 236.
11. Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 157–159.
12. Planquadrat.
13. Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 157–158.
14. Prien et al. 2012, p. 270.
15. Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 157.
16. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 42.
17. Prien et al. 2012, p. 276.
18. Prien et al. 2012, p. 277.
19. Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
20. Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 158.
21. Prien et al. 2012, p. 273.
22. Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
23. Prien et al. 2012, p. 275.
24. Prien et al. 2012, p. 280.
25. Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
26. Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
27. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 43.
28. Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 158–159.
29. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 3.
30. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 8.
31. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 13.
32. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 15.
33. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 10.
34. Patzwall 2008, p. 58.
35. Obermaier 1989, p. 94.
36. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 34.
37. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 61.
38. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 145.
39. Scherzer 2007, p. 245.
40. Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. ii.

Bibliography

• Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
• Cronauer, Peter (2014). Der Falle entkommen. FLUGZEUG CLASSIC 2/2014[Escaped from Trap. FLUGZEUG CLASSIC (German Magazine for Aviation History) No 2/2014] (in German). München, Germany: GeraMond Verlag.
• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile[The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN   978-3-7909-0284-6.
• Hagenberg-Miliu, Von Ebba (3 February 2014). "Abiturient arbeitet Hitler-Zeit auf". General-Anzeiger. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
• Harvey, Neil (4 December 2008). "Skies remembered: A World War II ace reunites with friends and foes". McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Roanoke Times. ProQuest   456657053.
• Keurajian, Ron (2016). Collecting Historical Autographs: What to Buy, What to Pay, and How to Spot Fakes. McFarland. ISBN   978-1-4766-6415-6.
• Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims – Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN   978-1-906592-18-9.
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• Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II[The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN   978-3-931533-45-8.
• Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg[The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN   978-3-931533-08-3.
• Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/III—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943[The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/III—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN   978-3-942943-07-9.
• Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives[The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN   978-3-938845-17-2.
• Schumann, Ralf; Mehwitz, Rolf (2018). Hugo Broch - 'Ein Grünherzjäger' - Ritterkreuzträger-Profile Nr. 18[Hugo Broch - 'Fighter of the Green Hearts' - Holders of the Knight's Cross - Profiles No. 18] (in German). Stengelheim, Germany: UNITEC-Medienvertrieb.
• Scutts, Jerry (1992). JG 54: Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz: aces of the Eastern Front. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN   978-1-85310-120-5.
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