Hugo Broch

Hugo Broch (born 6 January 1922) is a German Luftwaffe ace during the Second World War who is credited with 81 victories in 324 missions, all on the Eastern Front. He is a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and is one of two living recipients of the award. The other recipient is a former Heer officer, Heinz Rafoth.

World War II
Broch is a former World War II Luftwaffe pilot. 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.

Later life
Following World War II, Broch became an employee with Agfa in Leverkusen. He was a prolific autograph signer, and signed many memorabilia items. At age 95, he fulfilled a long-held ambition to fly in a Spitfire, the two seat Tr.9 MJ627. On 6 January 2022, he turned 100.

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. 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.

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 sqmi. These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 x in size.

Awards and decorations

 * Aviator badge (28 November 1941)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * in Bronze (26 March 1943)
 * in Silver (10 June 1943)
 * in Gold (23 August 1943)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (7 April 1943)
 * 1st Class (11 August 1943)
 * Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 8 November 1943 as Unteroffizier and pilot
 * German Cross in Gold on 26 November 1943 as Unteroffizier in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 March 1945 as Feldwebel and pilot in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 54
 * Courland Cuff Title (20 April 1945)