Dietrich Hrabak

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Dietrich Hrabak
19 December 1914 – 15 September 1995
Nickname	"Dieter"
Place of birth	Groß-Deuben, Leipzig
Place of death	Pfaffenhofen
Allegiance	Germany
Service/branch	Kriegsmarine (1934-1935) Luftwaffe(1935-1945), (1955-1970)
Years of service	1931-1944
Rank	Oberst (World War II) Generalmajor (Bundeswehr)
Unit	JG 138, JG 76, JG 54 , JG 52
Commands	II./JG 54, JG 54, JG 52
Battles/wars	Invasion of Poland (1939) Battle of Britain Operation Barbarossa
Awards	Knight's Cross wit Oak Leaves
Other work	Bundeswehr

Dietrich "Dieter" Hrabak (born 19 December 1914 in Groß-Deuben, Leipzig, died 15 September 1995 in Pfaffenhofen) was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1935 until the end of World War II on 8 May 1945 and again in the Bundeswehr from 1955 until his retirement on 30 September 1970. During World War II he shot down 125 enemy aircraft achieved in over 1000 combat missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern front. His commands included Geschwaderkommodore of the JG 52 and JG 54 fighter wing.

[edit] Quotes

Dietrich Hrabak was famous for saying: "If you return from a mission with a victory, but without your Rottenflieger, you have lost your battle."

[edit] Awards

• German Cross in Gold (10 July 1944)
• Iron Cross 2. and 1. class
• Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross (21 October 1940)
  • Oak Leaves (25 November 1943)

[edit] References

Preceded by Major Herbert Ihlefeld	Commander of Jagdgeschwader 52 November 1, 1942-September 30, 1944	Succeeded by Oberstleutnant Hermann Graf
Preceded by Oberstleutnant Anton Mader	Commander of Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz October 1, 1944-May 8, 1945	Succeeded by none