Paul Brandt (pilot)
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Nazi GermanyPaul Brandt | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 April 1915 |
| Died | 24 December 1944 (aged 29) over Münster |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch |  Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Leutnant (second lieutenant) |
| Unit | JG 54 |
| Commands | 16./JG 54 |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
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.
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.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7] 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.[3]
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.[8] 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.[3]
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.[9] 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.[10]
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.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13] Brandt was likely shot down by Royal Air Force Hawker Tempest fighters from No. 274 Squadron.[14] 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).[15][1]
