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Brandt, Walter (Jagdgeschwader 77 "Herz As")

Date of birth:
March 24th, 1917 (Bad Salzuflen/Lippe, Germany)
Date of death:
January 18th, 1977 (Bottrop/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

1939-1941: in I.(Jagd)/ LG 2
13.03.1941: Unteroffizier, 2./ LG 2
15.01.1942: Uffz., now in I./ JG 77
09.03.1942: Uffz., 2./ JG 77
13.06.1942: Feldwebel, 2./ JG 77
13.09.1942: Feldwebel, awarded the Ehrenpokal
18.12.1942: Fw., awarded DKiG, 2./ JG 77
14.01.1943: Oberfeldwebel, 2./ JG 77 severely WIA – Bf 109 G-2 (Black 4) lost a leg in air combat with a P-40 over Buerat in North Africa
24.03.1943: Oberfeldwebel, awarded Ritterkreuz, I./ JG 77
01.06.1943: Oberfeldwebel, promoted to Leutnant (Kr.O./Fl.)
ca.04.1944: appointed Stafü 2./ JG 3 while wearing an artificial leg
08.1944-22.03.1945: Oberleutnant and now with an artificial leg, appointed Staka 2./ JG 3
26.11.1944: arrested for cowardice in the face of the enemy (charges later dismissed). 12.12.1944: Lt., 2./JG 3
25.12.1944: Lt.,Staka 2./ JG 3 WIA - Bf 109 G overturned on take-off at Paderborn 03.03.1945: Oberleutnant, Staka 2./ JG 3 WIA- Bf 109 G-14 shot down - belly-landed near Augustwalde
04.04.-05.1945: Oberleutnant, appointed Staka 7./ JG 3

Walter Brandt flew a total of 527 sorties during WWII (including over 100 close support sorties. In total he achieved 57 aerial victories (including 35 in the West and 11 four-engined bombers). He particularly distinguished himself on the 03.03.1945 when he destroyed 3 Soviet tanks, 20 trucks and 3 Soviet aircraft.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flugzeugführer
Awarded on:
September 5th, 1942
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit:
2. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 77 "Herz As", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
December 18th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 1943
WIA 14.01.1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Unit:
Flugzeugführer, 1. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 77 "Herz As", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
March 24th, 1943
The following press excerpt (dated 14.04.1943) describes why Brandt was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberfeldwebel Brandt shot down 37 enemy aircraft. He was badly wounded during his most recent victorious aerial engagement.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photos