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Albert Brunner

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Albert Brunner
Brunner (right), next to Heinrich Ehrler
Born17 July 1918
Mergentheim
Died7 May 1943(1943-05-07) (aged 24)
Petsamo, Finland
Cause of deathKilled in action
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branchLuftwaffe
Years of service1939–1943
RankOberfeldwebel (staff sergeant)
UnitJagdgeschwader 5
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Albert Brunner (17 July 1918 – 7 May 1943) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Brunner claimed 53 aerial victories, all over the Eastern Front.[1] The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

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Brunner was born on 17 July 1918 in Dörtel, present-day part of Bad Mergentheim, at the time in the Kingdom of Württemberg within the German Empire.[2] He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1939. Following completion of flight and fighter pilot training,[Note 1] Brunner was transferred to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe West, a fighter pilot training unit, where he served as an instructor. In April 1942, he was transferred to II. Gruppe (2nd group) of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5—5th Fighter Wing) and assigned to 6. Staffel (6th squadron).[4] At the time, 6. Staffel was commanded by Oberleutnant Horst Carganico, while II. Gruppe of JG 5 was headed by Major Hennig Strümpell. The Staffel was based at an airfield at Petsamo, present-day Pechenga in Murmansk Oblast, Soviet Union on the Eismeerfront (Ice Sea Front)—the area of operations nearest the Arctic Ocean. On 1 June, Strümpell was transferred and command of II. Gruppe was given to Carganico. In consequence, 6. Staffel command was passed on to Oberleutnant Hans-Diether Hartwein.[5] During this period, II. Gruppe received the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4. Training on this aircraft was done in small groups at Pori Airfield in Finland.[6]

War on the Arctic Front

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On 29 May 1942, Brunner claimed his first aerial victory. Scrambled at 23:20, he shot down a Hawker Hurricane fighter south of Nautsi shortly after.[7][8] Brunner claimed his second aerial victory on 24 June, another Hurricane, while escorting Junkers Ju 88 bombers to Murmansk.[9] On 5 September during operations against the Arctic convoy PQ 18, Brunner claimed two aerial victories. However, his Bf 109 F-4 trop (Werknummer 10144—factory number) was also hit.[Note 2] He was last seen in combat near Warlamowo, present-day Severomorsk-1, and reported as missing in action. However, Brunner had bailed out and returned to his unit on 9 September.[11][12][13]

Brunner exiting Bf 109 F-4 trop (Werknummer 10144)

On 23 March 1943, on a mission to Murmansk, Brunner claimed a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter shot down.[14] On 4 April, following aerial combat with Bell P-39 Airacobra fighters, Brunner made a crash landing in his Bf 109 G-2 (Werknummer 13923).[15] Following these events, he was picked up by Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Müller who flew back to Petsamo and returned with a Fieseler Fi 156 Storch.[16] During this period, Brunner was awarded the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 12 April.[2] On 22 April, 6. Staffel flew a combat air patrol to the area north of Murmansk, up to the Kildin Island. On this mission, Brunner claimed a P-40 and a misidentified North American P-51 Mustang fighter, the P-51 was never deployed in this theater. His opponents belonged to 769 IAP PVO (Fighter Aviation Regiment—Istrebitelny Aviatsionny Polk; Home Air Defense—Prozivo-Vozdushnaya Oborona), which reported three P-40s lost.[17]

Brunner was killed in action on 7 May 1943 near Petsamo, Finland. Following combat with P-39s, he was forced to bail out of his Bf 109 G-2 (Werknummer 14802) approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) southwest of Groß Venedigerberg, a German name for a hill east of Pechenga. Too low for his parachute to fully deploy, he fell to his death.[18] That day, 15 Bf 109s from II. and III. Gruppe had taken off at 03:25 to escort eight Ju 88 bombers and ten Messerschmitt Bf 110 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 ground-attack aircraft on a mission to Murmansk. At approximately 04:00, a Luftwaffe flight of Bf 109s engaged in aerial combat with six P-39s from 2 GvSAP (Guards Composite Aviation Regiment—Gvardeyskiy Smeshannyy Aviatsionnyy Polk). In this encounter, Brunner claimed his 53rd and last aerial victory but his aircraft was also hit. His victor may have been Leytenant Nikolai Andreevich Bokii. His body was recovered by the infantry and buried at the German war cemetery Petschenga-Parkkina, located approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) southeast of Kirkenes.[19] Posthumously, Brunner was awarded the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 4 June and the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 3 July 1943.[4][20][21]

Summary of career

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Aerial victory claims

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According to Obermaier, Brunner was credited with 53 aerial victories claimed in 135 combat missions, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.[2] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and also state that he was credited with 53 aerial victory claims.[22]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ? (exclamation mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mombeek, Mathews, and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 –[22]
Eastern Front and northern Norway, and Finland — 6 December 1941 – 31 December 1942
1 29 May 1942 23:20 Hurricane 20 km (12 mi) south of Nautsi[23][24] 4 18 July 1942
—
 P-40 20 km (12 mi) north of Murmansk[25][26]
2 24 June 1942
—
 Hurricane 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Kola[27][26] 5 19 July 1942
—
 P-40 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Shonguy[25][26]
3 7 July 1942
—
 Hurricane 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of Murmansk[27][26] 6 19 July 1942
—
 Hurricane 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Kola[25][26]
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, Brunner claimed three undocumented aerial victories in July and August 1942.[28] These claims are neither listed by Mombeek nor by Mathews and Foreman.[29][30]
10 22 August 1942
—
 P-39[31][32]
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, Brunner claimed two undocumented aerial victories in August and September 1942.[28] These claims are neither listed by Mombeek nor by Mathews and Foreman.[31][30]
13 5 September 1942
—
 unknown[31][32] 14 5 September 1942
—
 unknown[31][32]
According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, Brunner claimed twelve to fifteen undocumented aerial victories in January to April 1943.[33] These claims are neither listed by Mombeek nor by Mathews and Foreman.[34][30]
23 March 1943 14:20 P-40[35] vicinity of Shonguy[36] 46 13 April 1943
—
 P-40 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Murmansk[37]
39 4 April 1943
—
 Hurricane[36]?[Note 3] 47 19 April 1943
—
 P-40 3 km (1.9 mi) east of Murmansk[37]
40 4 April 1943
—
 P-40[36]?[Note 4] vicinity of Pechenga 48 17 April 1943
—
 P-40 17 km (11 mi) east of Kolo[37]
41 4 April 1943
—
 P-40[36]?[Note 4] vicinity of Pechenga 49 22 April 1943
—
 P-51 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Murmansk[37]
42 4 April 1943
—
 P-40[36] vicinity of Pechenga 50 22 April 1943
—
 P-40 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Murmansk[37]
43 13 April 1943
—
 Hurricane[36] vicinity of Murmashi 51 29 April 1943
—
 P-39[37]
44 13 April 1943
—
 Hurricane[36] vicinity of Murmashi 52 30 April 1943
—
 P-40[37]
45 13 April 1943
—
 Hurricane[37] vicinity of Murmashi 53 7 May 1943
—
 P-39[37] east of Pechenga

Awards

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Notes

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  1. ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations.[3]
  2. ^ Remnants of Bf 109 F-4 trop (Werknummer 10144) are in Lafayette, Colorado awaiting restoration.[10]
  3. ^ According to Mombeek claimed as a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.[35]
  4. ^ a b According to Mombeek claimed as a Bell P-39 Airacobra.[35]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Stennman & Keskinen 2015, p. 25.
  2. ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 95.
  3. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  4. ^ a b c Dixon 2023, p. 28.
  5. ^ Prien et al. 2006, pp. 416–417.
  6. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 173.
  7. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 185.
  8. ^ Weal 2016, p. 45.
  9. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 199.
  10. ^ Skaarup 2009, p. 288.
  11. ^ Mombeek 2003, pp. 257, 260.
  12. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 437.
  13. ^ Weal 2016, p. 55.
  14. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 337.
  15. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 231.
  16. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 343.
  17. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 349.
  18. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 232.
  19. ^ Mombeek 2003, p. 354.
  20. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 164.
  21. ^ Page 2020, p. 19.
  22. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 164–165.
  23. ^ Mombeek 2011, p. 261.
  24. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 424.
  25. ^ a b c Mombeek 2011, p. 264.
  26. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2006, p. 426.
  27. ^ a b Mombeek 2011, p. 263.
  28. ^ a b Prien et al. 2006, p. 431.
  29. ^ Mombeek 2011, pp. 264–265.
  30. ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 165.
  31. ^ a b c d Mombeek 2011, p. 265.
  32. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2006, p. 429.
  33. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 230.
  34. ^ Mombeek 2011, pp. 267–269.
  35. ^ a b c Mombeek 2011, p. 269.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 225.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 226.
  38. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 59.
  39. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 64.
  40. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 147, 488.
  41. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 248.

Bibliography

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  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1943–1945. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-39903-073-1.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mombeek, Eric (2003). Eismeerjäger—Zur Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 5—Band 2 [Fighters in the Arctic Sea—The History of the 5th Fighter Wing—Volume 2]. Linkebeek, Belgium: ASBL, La Porte d'Hoves. ISBN 978-2-9600236-4-0.
  • Mombeek, Eric (2011). Eismeerjäger—Zur Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 5—Band 4 [Fighters in the Arctic Sea—The History of the 5th Fighter Wing—Volume 4]. Linkebeek, Belgium: ASBL, La Porte d'Hoves. ISBN 978-2-930546-05-6.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Page, Neil (2020). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1943–45. Philadelphia, PA: Casemate Publishers. ISBN 978-1-61200-879-0.
  • 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 (2006). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/III—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/III—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-78-6.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2012). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 12/I—Einsatz im Osten—4.2. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 12/I—Action in the East—4 February to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-02-4.
  • 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.
  • Skaarup, Harold A. (2009). Canadian Warplanes. Bloomington, Indiana: IUniverse. ISBN 978-1-4401-6759-1.
  • Stennman, Kari; Keskinen, Kalevi (2015). Luftwaffe over Finland. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-78438-155-4.
  • Weal, John (2016). Arctic Bf 109 and Bf 110 Aces. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 124. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78200-798-2.
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