Paul Brandt (pilot)

Paul Brandt (29 April 1915 – 24 December 1944) 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 the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. Brandt was killed in action near Münster on 24 December 1944. During his career, depending on source, he was credited between 29 and 34 aerial victories, claimed in over 500 combat missions.

Early life and career

Brandt was born on 29 April 1915 in Rehhof, now Ryjewo in northern Poland, then in West Prussia within the German Empire.^[1] He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe and following flight and fighter pilot training,^{["Note" 1]} Brandt was posted to the 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) in October 1941.^[2] At the time, 3. Staffel was commanded by Oberleutnant Hans Schmoller-Haldy and was subordinated to I. Gruppe (1st group) of JG 54 which was headed by Hauptmann Erich von Selle.^[3]

World War II

On Friday 1 September 1939 German forces had invaded Poland which marked the beginning of World War II, and in June 1941, Germany had invaded the Soviet Union which created the Eastern Front. On 22 October 1941, I. Gruppe of JG 54 moved from Ziverskaya to Krasnogvardeysk, now Gatchina, where they fought in Siege of Leningrad. Here on 3 December, Brandt claimed his first aerial victory when he shot down a Polikarpov I-16 fighter.^[4]

As a fighter bomber pilot

In mid-April 1943, a newly formed Jabostaffel, a specialized fighter bomber squadron, was formed and labeled 13.(Jabo) Staffel of JG 54 and placed under the command of Hauptmann Gerhard Koall. This Staffel was then became the 10.(Jabo) Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 on 31 May before it became the 4.(Jabo) Staffel of JG 54 on 1 July. Initially, the Jabostaffel was based at Gatchina and was equipped with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5. The unit flew its first combat missions on 10 May.^[5]

On 19 July, the Jabostaffel attacked trains running between Volkhov and Shum, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Volkhov. In addition, the Staffel flew combat air patrols in under control of IV. Gruppe. On one of these missions, Brandt claimed a Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter shot down northeast of Putilowo, located 25 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of Leningrad.^[6] While serving in the Jabostaffel, Brandt was awarded the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 26 July and the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 17 October.^[2]

On 7 February 1944, Brandt made a belly landing in his Fw 190 A at Dorpat. Other than no combat damage was sustained, the cause for this belly landing are unknown.^[7] In March, Brandt was transferred to Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost, a supplementary training unit, where served as a flight instructor, sharing his combat experience with new fighter pilots destined for the Eastern Front. He served in this capacity until August when he was transferred to 15. Staffel of JG 54 a squadron of IV. Gruppe.^[2]

Western Front

On 14 September, IV. Gruppe was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and relocated to Löbnitz. Three days later, the Allied Forces launched Operation Market Garden to seize the bridges to Arnhem. This forced the urgent transfer of IV. Gruppe of JG 54 to Plantlünne where the unit was subordinated to the 3. Jagd Division (3rd Fighter Division). Here on 26 September, Brandt claimed his first aerial victory on the Western Front when he shot down a Stinson L-1 Vigilant aircraft.^[8] The next day, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for his achievements as a ground-attack pilot and his aerial victories claimed.^[9]

On 26 and 27 November, IV. Gruppe was subordinated to Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) and augmented Luftflotte Reich (Air Fleet Reich) combatting the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force attacking German fuel production. On 26 November, the Gruppe claimed seven aerial victories over Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, including one by Brandt, all of which later confirmed as an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from its combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.^[10]

Squadron leader and death

On 26 November 1944, Brandt was appointed Staffelführer (squadron leader on probation) of 16. Staffel of JG 54. He replaced Oberleutnant Heinrich Sterr who had been killed in action that day.^[11] Less than a month later on 24 December, Brand was shot down and killed in aerial combat near Münster. His Fw 190 A-8 (Werknummer 682024—factory number) crashed 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) north of Coerde, now part of Münster.^[12] Brandt was likely shot down by Royal Air Force Hawker Tempest fighters from No. 274 Squadron.^[13] According to Dixon and Obermaier however, the cause of his death was technical malfunction of his Fw 190. Brandt is buried in the military section of Lauheide cemetery (Field A—Grave 179).^[14][1]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

According to Scutts Brandt was credited with 34 aerial victories.^[15] Obermaier lists him with 30 aerial victories claimed in over 500 combat missions.^[1] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 29 aerial victory claims, 25 of which on the Eastern Front and four on the Western Front.^[16]

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class^[2]
• Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 26 July 1943 as Feldwebel and pilot^[31]
• German Cross in Gold on 17 October 1943 as Feldwebel in the II./Jagdgeschwader 54^[32]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 September 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the IV./Jagdgeschwader 54^[33][34]

Notes

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.^[35]
2. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 17:51.^[17]
3. ^ This claim is not listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock.^[26]
4. ^ This claim is not listed by Mathews and Foreman.^[28]

References

Citations

1. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 93.
2. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 149.
3. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 197.
4. ^ Prien et al. 2003, pp. 195, 205.
5. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 289, 315.
6. ^ Prien et al. 2012, pp. 296, 317.
7. ^ Prien et al. 2022, p. 505.
8. ^ Prien et al. 2019, pp. 466, 471.
9. ^ Weal 2001, pp. 96, 119.
10. ^ Prien et al. 2019, pp. 468, 471.
11. ^ Prien et al. 2019, pp. 469, 474.
12. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 475.
13. ^ Scutts 1992, p. 119.
14. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 150.
15. ^ Scutts 1992, p. 153.
16. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, pp. 142–143.
17. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 142.
18. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 205.
19. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 199.
20. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 202.
21. ^ Prien et al. 2005, p. 200.
22. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 86.
23. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 91.
24. ^ Prien et al. 2006, p. 88.
25. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 317.
26. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 318.
27. ^ Prien et al. 2012, p. 319.
28. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2014, p. 143.
29. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 471.
30. ^ Prien et al. 2019, p. 472.
31. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 165.
32. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 56.
33. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 142.
34. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 240.
35. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.

Bibliography

• Bergström, Christer; 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 (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.
• 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 (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.
• Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2005). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6.12.1941 bis 30.4.1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-76-2.
• 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/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.
• Prien, Jochen; Balke, Ulf; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2019). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/V—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/V—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-21-5.
• Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Balke, Ulf; Bock, Winfried (2022). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 15/II—Einsatz im Osten—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 15/II—Action in the East—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Buchverlag Rogge. ISBN 978-3-942943-28-4.
• 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.
• Scutts, Jerry (1992). JG 54: Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz: Aces of the Eastern Front. Osceola, Wisconsin: Motorbooks International. ISBN 978-0-87938-718-1.
• Weal, John (2001). Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz". Vol. 6. Aviation Elite Units. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-286-9.

1. ^ not listed