Hans-Joachim Brand

Hans-Joachim Brand
Born 16 May 1916
Lüneburg
Died 18 April 1945(1945-04-18) (aged 28)
Cottbus
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1936–1945
Rank Hauptmann
Unit StG 2
StG 77
SG 77
Commands held I./Schlachtgeschwader 77
Battles/wars

World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Hans-Joachim Brand (16 May 1916 – 18 April 1945) was a highly decorated Hauptmann and ground attack pilot in the Luftwaffe during World War II.[Notes 1] He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Hans-Joachim Brand was shot down by Soviet flak on 18 April 1945 near Cottbus while flying a ground-attack mission. His Focke Wulf Fw 190F was hit by anti-aircraft fire at a height of 1,600 feet (490 m) and he fatally crashed near Alteno/Luckau in the Spreewald. His body was never recovered. During his career he flew 964 missions and he had been nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), which was never approved.[1]

Contents

Awards and decorations

References

Citations
  1. ^ a b c MacLean 2007, p. 76.
  2. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 121.
Bibliography
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 (in German). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • MacLean, French L. (2007). Luftwaffe Efficiency & Promotion Reports — For the Knight's Cross Winners. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History. ISBN 978-0-7643-2657-8.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.

Notes

  1. ^ For a list of Luftwaffe ground attack aces see List of German World War II Ground Attack aces

External links