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
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
Aerial victory claims
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
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. ISBN978-3-7909-0284-6.
Harvey, Neil (4 December 2008). "Skies remembered: A World War II ace reunites with friends and foes". McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Roanoke Times. ProQuest456657053.
Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2014). Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims – Volume 1 A–F. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN978-1-906592-18-9.
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. ISBN978-3-87341-065-7.
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. ISBN978-3-931533-45-8.
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. ISBN978-3-931533-08-3.
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. ISBN978-3-942943-07-9.
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. ISBN978-3-938845-17-2.
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.