Heinz Bretnütz

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Heinz Bretnütz
Nickname(s)"Pietzsch"
Born24 January 1914
Mannheim
Died27 June 1941(1941-06-27) (aged 27)
German field hospital in Jurbarkas, Lithuania
Buried
Mannheim main cemetery
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
Years of service1932–1941
RankHauptmann (captain)
UnitCondor Legion
JG 53
Commands held6./JG 53, II./JG 53
Battles/wars
See battles

Spanish Civil War

World War II

AwardsSpanish Cross in Gold with Swords
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Heinz "Pietzsch" Bretnütz (24 January 1914 – 27 June 1941) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Early life and career[edit]

Bretnütz was born on 24 January 1914 in Mannheim in the Grand Duchy of Baden within the Weimar Republic.[1] He was the first of three children of Paul Gustav Bretnütz, a civil engineer, and his wife Elisabeth née Böttger who gave him the name Heinz Robert Wilhelm Bretnütz. Bretnütz had a younger brother Dieter, born in 1916 who died in 1918, his father died in 1925. In 1929, Bretnütz graduated from the Realgymnasium, a secondary school built on the mid-level Realschule.[2]

In 1932, he joined the military service of the Reichswehr, the German armed forces during the Weimar Republic.[3] In 1935, Bretnütz transferred to the newly formed Luftwaffe and received flight and fighter pilot training at Döberitz.[Note 1] Here, Bretnütz befriended Horst Lehmann. On 2 February 1937, Lehmann introduced Bretnütz to Martha Urban, the two were engaged the same year. On 1 July 1937, he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant). Following the creation of I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 334 (JG 334—334th Fighter Wing) at Mannheim-Sandhofen Airfield in 1937, Bretnütz was posted to 1. Staffel (1st squadron) of JG 334 under command of Oberleutnant Werner Mölders.[5]

A Bf 109C-1 of 2. Staffel of J/88

Bretnütz volunteered for service in the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. From late 1938 until March 1938, Bretnütz served with 2. Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 (J/88—88th Fighter Group) under the command of Oberleutnant Joachim Schlichting.[6] In Spain, he claimed two aerial victories, a Polikarpov I-15 fighter on 6 November 1938, and a Tupolev SB-2 bomber on 28 December. For his service in the Spanish Civil War, Bretnütz was later awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords (Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern) on 14 April 1939.[7] Following his return to Germany, Bretnütz was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant), the promotion backdated to 20 April 1938.[8]

Bretnütz was then transferred to II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing) where he was assigned to 6. Staffel.[9] During his service in Spain on 1 November 1938, II. Gruppe of JG 334 had been renamed to II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 133 which then became the II. Gruppe of JG 53 on 1 May 1939.[10] Bretnütz and Martha Urban married on 24 June.[9] On 19 August, Bretnütz was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 6. Staffel of JG 53. He replaced Hauptmann Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn who was placed in command on II. Gruppe.[11]

World War II[edit]

World War II in Europe began on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. At the time, JG 53 was tasked with patrolling Germany's western border between Trier and Saarbrücken in what would be dubbed the "Phoney War" period of World War II.[12] On 25 September 1939, Bretnütz led 6. Staffel on a mission which intercepted French Curtiss P-36 Hawk fighters, escorting a reconnaissance aircraft, near Bad Bergzabern. In this encounter, 6. Staffel pilots claimed three P-36 fighters shot down, including one by Bretnütz, for the loss of one pilot killed in action and two Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters returning with significant combat damage.[13] On 27 September, Bretnütz was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz zweiter Klasse).[14] On 31 March 1940, Bretnütz claimed two Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighters near Saargemünd during an afternoon aerial encounter and a Vickers Wellington bomber that evening.[15] He was then promoted to Hauptmann (captain), the promotion backdated to 19 August 1939.[14]

A Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1's of JG 53, similar to those flown by Bretnütz

During the Battle of Britain, he was one of the most successful Luftwaffe fighter pilots. On 16 August, Bretnütz claimed two Hawker Hurricane fighters shot down. One of the Hurricanes was probably flown by Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson who was shot that day and Pilot Officer Martyn King.[16][17]

On 9 October 1940, Bretnütz was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 53, again succeeding Maltzahn who was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 53. In consequence, command of 6. Staffel was passed to Oberleutnant Otto Böhner.[18] On 20 October, Bretnütz made a forced landing in his Bf 109 E-7 (Werknummer 4112—factory number) near Saint-Inglevert following damage sustained during aerial combat.[19] That day, he had claimed a Hawker Hurricane fighter shot dow, his twentieth aerial victory of World War II.[20] On 22 October, Bretnütz was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), making him the third recipient of this award within JG 53, after Mölders and Hauptmann Hans-Karl Mayer, and the twenty-fifth within the Jagdwaffe (fighter force). Two days later, he traveled to the headquarters of Hermann Göring, the Commander-in-Chief of the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (Air Force High Command), for the presentation of the Knight's Cross. Bretnütz was then granted home-leave which he spent with his wife in Mannheim.[21]

The Gruppe was withdrawn from the Channel Front on 20 December 1940 and transferred to Köln-Butzweilerhof Airfield for a period of rest and replenishment. On 2 March 1941, the Gruppe received a full complement of factory new Bf&109 F-1 and F-2 aircraft. Following conversion training, the Gruppe redeployed to the English Channel on 12 March where they were based at an airfield near Arques.[22]

Operation Barbarossa and death[edit]

The bulk of the Geschwader's air elements were moved via Jever, in northern Germany, to Mannheim-Sandhofen Airfield on 8 June 1941. There the aircraft were given a maintenance overhaul prior to moving east. The II. Gruppe was transferred to Neusiedel in East Prussia, present-day Malomožaiskojė in Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia, between 12–14 June.[23]

On 22 June 1941, the first day of the invasion, Bretnütz claimed a Soviet Tupolev SB-2 twin-engine bomber shot down. In this aerial battle, his Bf 109 F-2 (Werknummer 6674) was hit by the bombers return fire, damaging the aircraft and injuring him. Bretnütz managed to make an emergency landing between Eržvilkas and Nemakščiai. While his aircraft was later recovered, Bretnütz succumbed to his injuries on 27 June 1941.[24] Bretnütz had landed behind enemy lines and was recovered and hidden by the local population.[25] After advancing German troops had occupied the territory, he was taken to a field hospital at Jurbarkas where his leg was amputated. Due to complications and tetanus infection, he died on 27 June 1941. He was initially burried at the German war cemetery in Insterburg, present-day Chernyakhovsk. His mother and wife later travelled to Insterburg and had his body cremated, taking his remains to Mannheim where he was reinterred on the family grave.[26] Bretnütz was succeeded by Hauptmann Walter Spies as commander of II. Gruppe of JG 53.[27]

Summary of career[edit]

Aerial victory claims[edit]

According to Obermaier, Bretnütz was credited with 37 aerial victories, two in the Spanish Civil War, and 34 on the Western Front, and one on the Eastern Front of World War II. Additionally, he Bretnütz he destroyed 12 barrage balloons over England.[1] In total, Bretnütz flew 244 combat missions.[28] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 32 aerial victory claims, plus one further unconfirmed claim. This number of confirmed claims includes two claims during the Spanish Civil War and 30 over the Western Allies.[29]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ? (exclamation mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews, and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
Spanish Civil War
– 2. Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 –[7]
Spanish Civil War — November – December 1938
1 6 November 1938
—
 Curtiss 2 28 December 1938
—
 SB-2
World War II
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[7]
"Phoney War" — 1 September 1939 – 9 May 1940
1?[Note 2] 20 September 1939 09:55 barrage balloon[30] 4 31 March 1940 15:57 M.S.406 southwest of Saargemünd[30]
2 25 September 1939 12:20 P-36 south of Bienwald[30] 5 31 March 1940 20:00 Wellington[30]
3 31 March 1940 15:55 M.S.406 southwest of Saargemünd[30]
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[7]
Battle of France — 10 May – 25 June 1940
6 12 May 1940 12:00 Potez 63 Luxembourg[31] 8 25 May 1940 20:02 M.S.406[31]
7 21 May 1940 11:14 Potez 63 east of Montmédy[31] 9 7 June 1940 07:05 MB.151 east of Compiègne[31]
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[29]
At the Channel and over England — 26 June – 9 October 1940
10 8 August 1940 17:15 Spitfire south of Swanage[32] 14 16 August 1940 14:37 Hurricane[32]
11 15 August 1940 18:45 Spitfire southwest of Portland[32] 15 5 September 1940 16:05 Spitfire Hawkinge[32]
12 15 August 1940 19:02 Spitfire 15–20 km (9.3–12.4 mi) southwest of Portland[32] 16 6 September 1940 10:16?[Note 3] Hurricane[32] south of London
13 16 August 1940 14:36 Hurricane[32] 17 5 October 1940 12:40 Hurricane Maidstone[34]
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[33]
At the Channel and over England — 9 October 1940 – 8 June 1941
18 11 October 1940 08:55 Spitfire[34] 25 30 November 1940 15:23 Hurricane Ashford[35]
19 12 October 1940 17:33 Spitfire[34] 26 30 November 1940 15:25 Hurricane Ashford[35]
20 20 October 1940 16:25 Hurricane[34] 27 19 March 1941 17:20 Spitfire north of Dungeness[35]
21 8 November 1940 14:58?[Note 4] Hurricane 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Brighton[35] 28 9 April 1941 19:10?[Note 5] Spitfire east of Southend[35]
22 8 November 1940 17:37 Spitfire[35] Thames Estuary 29 3 May 1941 17:03 Spitfire Dungeness[36]
23 11 November 1940 13:15 Hurricane[35] 30 4 May 1941 12:53?[Note 6] Lysander north of Deal[36]
24 15 November 1940 14:10 Lysander[35] 31 17 May 1941 19:18 Hurricane 30 km (19 mi) south of Harwich[36]
– Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 53 –[33]
Operation Barbarossa — 22 June 1941
32?[Note 7] 22 June 1941
—
 SB-2[37] Grodno/Riga area

Awards[edit]

Date of Rank[edit]

1 December 1934: Unteroffizier (Sergeant)[28]
1935: Fahnenjunker (Officer Cadet)[28]
1 July 1937: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)[28]
20 April 1938: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant)[28]
19 August 1939: Hauptmann (Captain)[28]

Notes[edit]

  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.[4]
  2. ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[7]
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:18.[33]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:50.[33]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 19:12.[33]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:55.[33]
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[33]
  8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman on 14 April 1939.[7]
  9. ^ According to Scherzer on 22 October 1940.[39]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 94.
  2. ^ Schumann 2019, p. 2.
  3. ^ Schumann 2019, p. 3.
  4. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  5. ^ Schumann 2019, pp. 3–4.
  6. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 44.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 151.
  8. ^ Schumann 2019, p. 7.
  9. ^ a b Schumann 2019, p. 10.
  10. ^ Prien et al. 2000, p. 244.
  11. ^ Prien et al. 2000, p. 249.
  12. ^ Prien 1997, p. 39.
  13. ^ Prien 1997, p. 45.
  14. ^ a b Schumann 2019, p. 13.
  15. ^ Prien 1997, p. 76.
  16. ^ Bowyer 2000, pp. 83–85.
  17. ^ Goss 2018, p. 150.
  18. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 221.
  19. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 238.
  20. ^ Goss 2018, p. 151.
  21. ^ Schumann 2019, pp. 19–20.
  22. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 219.
  23. ^ Prien 1997, p. 252.
  24. ^ Prien et al. 2003, pp. 131, 138.
  25. ^ Bergström 2007, p. 18.
  26. ^ Schumann 2019, p. 41.
  27. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 129.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Schumann 2019, p. ii.
  29. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 151–152.
  30. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2001a, p. 386.
  31. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2001b, p. 341.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2002, p. 226.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 152.
  34. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2002, p. 228.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2002, p. 230.
  36. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2002, p. 231.
  37. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 131.
  38. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 144.
  39. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 243.

Bibliography[edit]

  • 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.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish] (2007). Barbarossa - The Air Battle: July–December 1941. London: Chevron/Ian Allan. ISBN 978-1-85780-270-2.
  • Bowyer, Chaz (2000). Fighter Pilots of the RAF 1939–1945. England: Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-0-85052-786-5.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52677-864-2.
  • 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.
  • Goss, Chris (2018). Knights of the Battle of Britain — Luftwaffe Aircrew Awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940. Yorkshire, UK: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52672-651-3.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Prien, Jochen (1997). Jagdgeschwader 53 A History of the "Pik As" Geschwader March 1937 – May 1942. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7643-0175-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2000). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 1—Vorkriegszeit und Einsatz über Polen—1934 bis 1939 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 1—Pre-War Period and Action over Poland—1934 to 1939] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-54-0.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001a). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 2—Der "Sitzkrieg"—1.9.1939 bis 9.5.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 2—The "Phoney War"—1 September 1939 to 9 May 1940] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-59-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001b). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 3—Einsatz in Dänemark und Norwegen 9.4. bis 30.11.1940—Der Feldzug im Westen 10.5. bis 25.6.1940 [Fighter Pilot Association of the German Luftwaffe 1934 to 1945 Part 3—Assignments in Denmark and Norway 9 April to 30 November 1940—The campaign in the West 10 May to 25 June 1940] (in German). Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-61-8.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/II—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/II—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-64-9.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/II—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/II—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-70-0.
  • 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 (2019). Ritterkreuzträger Profile Nr. 19 Heinz Bretnütz — Ein Ritterkreuzträger des Pik-As Geschwaders [Knight's Cross Profiles Nr. 19 Heinz Bretnütz — A Knight's Cross Bearer of the Ace of Spades Fighter Wing] (in German). UNITEC-Medienvertrieb. OCLC 1119009412. ASIN B07SM1LYZM  (2 April 2024).
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of II./Jagdgeschwader 53
9 October 1940 – 27 June 1941 		Succeeded by
Hauptmann Walter Spies
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