Hugo Broch

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Hugo Broch
Born (1922-01-06) 6 January 1922 (age 102)
Leichlingen, Rhine Province, Prussia, Weimar Republic
AllegianceNazi Germany
Service/branchLuftwaffe
Years of service1940–45
RankLeutnant (second lieutenant)
UnitJG 54
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other workemployee with Agfa

Hugo Broch (born 6 January 1922) is a German Luftwaffe ace during the Second World War who 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[edit]

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), and he claimed his first victory two months later.[4]

Later life[edit]

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[edit]

Aerial victory claims[edit]

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[edit]

Notes[edit]

  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[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Felton, Mark, Last Living Knight's Cross Holders 2023, retrieved 2023-10-14
  2. ^ Rafoth, Heinz, retrieved 2023-11-19
  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 28 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Hugo Broch, el último as alemán de la Segunda Guerra Mundial que aún vive" (in Spanish). Defensa Y Aviacion. 2022-06-11.
  10. ^ Spick 1996, p. 236.
  11. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 157–159.
  12. ^ Planquadrat.
  13. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 157–158.
  14. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2012, p. 270.
  15. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 157.
  16. ^ Schumann & Mehwitz 2018, p. 42.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Prien et al. 2012, p. 276.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2012, p. 277.
  19. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 271.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 158.
  21. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 273.
  22. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 274.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2012, p. 275.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prien et al. 2012, p. 280.
  25. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2012, p. 281.
  26. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 282.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak 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. ^ a b 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[edit]

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 978-0-8041-1696-1.


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